Wild mushroom expert and author to speak at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center

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News from the region
Saint Louis
Published Date
03/14/2011
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Kirkwood Mo — Spring mushroom hunting season in Missouri is about to begin. Seeking out mushrooms is a rewarding way for people of all ages to connect with nature. Late March and April bring perfect conditions of temperature and moisture that can produce a bounty crop of fascinating and delectable mushrooms in Missouri’s outdoor places. But mushroom hunters do need to know where to look and what to look for.

Maxine Stone, past president of the Missouri Mycological Society, and author of the newly-published field guide, Missouri’s Wild Mushrooms—A Guide To Hunting, Identifying, and Cooking the State’s Most Common Mushrooms, will appear at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center Saturday, March 26, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Stone, who currently serves on the Missouri Mycological Society’s board of directors, will share expert tips on finding and identifying the Show-Me State’s most common varieties of mushrooms. A book sale and signing session will follow the presentation.

The program is free and open for ages 8 and up. Reservations are required and can be made by calling the nature center at (314) 301-1500. Powder Valley Nature Center is located at 11715 Cragwold Road in Kirkwood.

Missouri’s Wild Mushrooms is unique guide to finding, identifying and preparing wild mushrooms. The 184-page book contains detailed, color photos for each of the 102 species covered and includes descriptions, measurements, where and when to find them, and clear guidelines to determine edibility. Mushroom hunters are urged to confirm the identity of any wild mushroom before attempting to ingest it. The guide is color and icon coded to make it efficient and easy to use in the field. Also included are 24 recipes for preparing edible mushrooms.

The book is available for $14 plus shipping online at mdcnatureshop.com, or can be purchased from most Conservation Department Offices.