Mushrooms, with their magical structures, are everywhere. They appear in nature, on green grass outside our homes and in local grocery stores. There are mushrooms for tea, coffee, vitamins and even skincare. Mushrooms are known to help boost the immune system and support overall heart and brain health.
In “Mushroom Hunting: Forage for Fungi and Connect with the Earth” (Chronicle Books, 128 pages, $12.95), naturalist, herbalist and educator Emily Han and her artist-writer husband Gregory Han explore the wonders of mushrooms and how the quest for fungi can enhance mindfulness.
This petite manual, a part of Chronicle Books’ Pocket Nature series, is much more than a fungus identification guide. “Mushroom Hunting” serves as a map for exploring mushrooms while practicing curiosity, calmness and mindfulness.
Among the Hans’ topics is a mushroom often described as the largest single living organism on Earth in Malheur National Forest in eastern Oregon. This fungus, called Armillaria—also known as the honey mushroom—is a species of mycelium that often poisons trees native to eastern Oregon, causing a unique disease. At the same time, the honey mushroom creates a beautiful and intricate network of webs along tree roots, serving as a metaphor for how mushrooms connect species throughout nature, whether for life or death.
Just as mushrooms connect organisms in the forest, humans are connected to nature in varied ways, more than simply for their need to consume living things to survive.
“Mushroom Hunting” informs readers who are new to mycology about just how much mushrooms contribute to the forest ecosystem, and how observing the magnificence of the species, rather than solely picking them for consumption, can lead to a mindful interaction with the Earth.
This conveniently sized book, about 4 inches by 6 inches, also includes mindfulness activities, recipes inspired by mushrooms and lovely illustrations that show readers how to identify species on their own.
“Perhaps our culture’s growing interest in mushrooms stems from seeing parallels between their mycelial networks and our own internet-connected lives,” Han writes near the book’s conclusion. “But more than that, perhaps we sense that we can learn alongside them about the possibilities of building relationships that foster reciprocity, resilience, and collective flourishing.”
Along with “Mushroom Hunting,” other Chronicle Books Pocket Nature titles cover Stargazing, Flower Finding and Cloud Spotting and how to gain mindfulness through diverse nature activities. Visit chroniclebooks.com for more information.
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