Uses of Fungi

The fifth kingdom, and some of the fungi that have influenced world history.

A selection of pages at Tom Volk's Fungi

Agaricus bisporus - the white button mushroom, portabella.

Claviceps purpurea - ergotism, contributor to past unrest in Europe, and the Salem Witch Trials.

Fomes fomentarius - the tinder polypore; used for thousands of years.

Phytophthora infestans - late blight of potato and the Irish potato famine.

Rozites caperata - the gypsy mushroom, reported to have antiviral activity.

PDF files on the web - need Acrobat Reader

Novel Antimicrobials from mushrooms by Paul Stamets.

Additional web sites - I am just providing the links. These sites has not been reviewed by me for accuracy or content.

Uses of fungi - Botanical.com, a modern herbal.

Ergot - by Andrea Salvador and Gillian Kolla, October 1995.

Fungi in the King's American Dispensatory 1898 - in this herbal the "Boletus.—White Agaric" is Fomitopsis officinalis. Page also includes Amanitas and other fungi.