‘Larger Fungi of South Australia’ is a technical work is based on the collections of Professor Sir John Burton Cleland’s (1878-1971). It’s affectionately known as ‘Cheryl’ – the author’s first name – and is one of the most comprehensive guides to Australian macro-fungi available. It contains around 450 species from 19 orders of fungi, many of which are not usually covered in field guides.

It has keys with detailed descriptions of macroscopic and microscopic features, habitat, previous name and meanings of names, as well as occasional notes on other features such as edibility. There is also a comprehensive glossary and explanation of colour terminology.

 

What I love about this book are the detailed drawings of microscopic features. These are particularly helpful for beginners as you don’t have to decipher terminology but instead can see right away what to look for.

It is also one of the few books that gives chemical reactions. Some of these may not be easily obtained by amateur mycologists (for example Melzer’s reagent), however others such as 3% KOH are easy to come by and give an added level of certainty to identifications (and are often quite interesting to observe).

Many of the illustrations that were prepared for Cleland are also reprinted in the book. This includes ink drawings as well as many beautiful watercolours.

If you would like a copy there are some discounted in the Fungimap shop.

Grgurinovic, C.A. (1997), Larger Fungi of South Australia. The Botanic Gardens of Adelaide and State Herbarium and The Flora and Fauna of South Australia Handbooks Committee, Adelaide.

By Ema Corro, Fungimap Volunteer