Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms of India. 2025. illus. VI, 298 p. gr8vo. Hardcover.

This book, Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms of India, is a comprehensive compilation presenting detailed information on 340 species of wild edible and medicinal mushrooms found across the diverse landscapes of India. It brings together valuable ethno-mycological knowledge, scientific research, and field-based documentation from 28 Indian states and union territories, making it a crucial reference for understanding the country’s rich fungal diversity. Each species is briefly described with details on vernacular names, seasonal availability, habitat, distribution, edibility, and native/traditional uses, along with their ethno-mycological significance. This includes how various tribal and indigenous communities across India have identified, used, and preserved knowledge about these mushrooms for generations whether for food, healing, trade, or cultural rituals. These insights not only reflect the rich biodiversity of India but also emphasize the deep-rooted relationship between communities and their natural environment.

This richly illustrated and informative treatise has been compiled through extensive fungal forays and surveys conducted by scientists from ICAR-Directorate of Mushroom Research and its associated AICRP centres, in close collaboration with tribal and indigenous communities. It captures traditional knowledge systems that have been passed down through generations and highlights the importance of habitat protection, sustainable harvesting, and food safety. The book also provides essential precautionary advice for identifying toxic lookalikes, best practices for foraging, and laboratory techniques for proper identification. Additionally, it discusses the growing significance of mushrooms as nutraceuticals and their role in combating ailments such as diabetes, cancer, and other lifestyle disorders.