An illustrated mini-encyclopedia of fungal lore, from John Cage and Terrence McKenna to mushroom sex and fairy rings. With more than 180 entries, this collection will transport both general readers and specialists into the remarkable universe of fungi.

"Who knew? What a charming introduction into a kingdom most of us ignore."—Bill McKibben, author of Falter"With whimsy, wisdom, and deep knowledge, abetted by Amy Porter's thoroughly charming drawings, Lawrence Millman has conjured the most interesting, readable, and useful fungus book ever. His introduction, full of art and mirth, is the best essay I have read on this mysterious kingdom."—Robert Michael Pyle, author of Mariposa Road and Magdalena Mountain"Having relished Lawrence Millman’s previous books on mushrooms, places, and people, I eagerly anticipated the arrival of Fungipedia. However, I did not expect this masterpiece. It contains wisdom and knowledge (taxonomic and ethnomycological), and combines a rare didactic ability with a cheerful chutzpah that travels effortlessly between the simple and profound. It totally fulfills its purpose as a mini-encyclopedia. This useful and entertaining book will delight all who read it."—Elio Schaechter, author of In the Company of Mushrooms"Fungi may be rarely noticed, but they play major roles in ecosystems. This informative and entertaining book makes them unforgettable."—Bernd Heinrich, author of A Naturalist at Large“Tar spots! Stinkhorns! Beech aphid poop fungus! What fun to read Lawrence Millman's witty, wry, and wonky compendium of all things fungal.”—Eugenia Bone, author of Mycophilia“Lawrence Millman is a consummate storyteller and the fungi that fill this book run the gamut from the overlooked to the incredible. A marvelous distillation of Millman’s obsessions, Fungipedia is peopled with his mycological mentors and heroes, and brims with science, lore, literature, art, music, cinema, and religion—all inexorably bound to fungi. Fungipedia is the next best thing to being on a walk with its author.”—Tom Bigelow, president of the New York Mycological Society“Fungipedia is a most unusual, humorous, and enjoyable book. A true pleasure to read, it covers practically all aspects of fungi and elegantly explains mycology’s mysteries. Even seasoned mycologists will find it enlightening.”—Leif Ryvarden, University of Oslo