After ten years of surveying and two previous editions, the new edition of our field guide to grassland fungi is available now.

Click Here to Order a Copy from NHBS

Elsa and Jon starting documenting the fungi they found in grassland in the Lower Wye Valley in 2015, which developed into the first edition of our book in 2017. As the only book specialising in identifying this specialised area of the fungus world, it proved very popular, and they continued their surveying with the second edition appearing in 2020, with more species and more photographs. Its popularity has grown and the guide is now sold throughout Britain, becoming the leading field guide for identifying these fascinating, often colourful fungi.

This third edition includes some rare Waxcaps (one only recently discovered), some new Pinkgills, an enlarged section on the enigmatic Earthtongues and many more photographs. At 432 pages it is longer than its predecessor, with 16 new species in all and sections covering conservation issues and the many recent species name changes resulting from ever more sophisticated DNA testing.

The authors, photographers and editorial team have undertaken this entirely as volunteers, so the proceeds go towards Monmouthshire Meadows Group and their work in helping to conserve and protect the species-rich grasslands in which these fungi thrive.

Fungi are easily destroyed by modern agricultural practices – ploughing or fertilising a field will remove the underground mycelium and it can take decades to re-establish. Even today little is understood about the relationship between fungi and environment in which they grow. We know, for example, that some flowers require certain fungi to be present before they will germinate, and relationships between many species are suspected but not yet proven. The more people that learn about grassland fungi, the more chance there is their habitats will be recognised and protected. This is important work and we like to think we are contributing our small part.

Grassland Fungi: A Field Guide, Third Edition

• Authors: Elsa Wood and Jon Dunkelman
• Publisher: Monmouthshire Meadows Group
• ISBN: 9780957642430
• Pages: 432
• Photographs: Over 1,000
• Retail price: £24.99
• Distributors: NHBS www.nhbs.com/grassland-fungi-book

Available to order online direct from our distributor NHBS, or from all good bookshops.
(MMG will receive less if you order from, for example, Amazon, so please go direct to NHBS if ordering online).