Appalachian Forager, Whitney Johnson, is a full-time forager, content creator, and the author of Go Forth and Forage. A passionate Appalachian ambassador with over 1 million followers across her social media, she has used her platform to shine a lovin’ light on the region and to teach the world how to be more self-sufficient while responsibly utilizing the goodies that Momma Nature provides. Born and raised in eastern Kentucky, Whitney developed a passion for all things outdoors as a young holler baby. Foraging is her forte, especially mushroom hunting, but she does not discriminate against any wild edibles. She also picks plants and herbs to wildcraft a plethora of skincare and wellness products. She fishes. She hikes. She gardens. She cooks like your mamaw. She is a proud Appalachian spreading the love and wondrous things the region has to offer via her down-to-earth, educational, and quirky videos on TikTok (@appalachian_forager), Instagram (@appalachian_forager), and Facebook (Appalachian Forager). Whitney continues to be a hillbilly force to be reckoned with; spreadin’ pride for her region, preachin’ girl power, all while keepin’ the old ways alive … with a dash of humor.

"This resource book has everything you need to get started finding and picking your own mushrooms safely in nature. One of the major focuses of the book is taking the fear out of foraging mushrooms by learning how not just to identify various mushrooms but also prepare each of the different types without putting yourself in danger."

• CONTENTSIntroduction: Let’s Go Forth and Forage! PART 1—MUSHROOMING ESSENTIALSChapter 1: Gettin’ Started Regional Field GuidesLatin BinomialsMushroom Groups and Identification TipsKnow Your TreesKeep Your Head on a SwivelMushroom JournalingTake ‘Em HomeSpore PrintsWhere to ForageWhat to Wear and PackCritters and Bitin’ PlantsResponsible and Ethical ForagingAin’t Never Not Foragin’Chapter 2: Know Your Parts (Mushroom Anatomy)Cap FeaturesWartsScalesStriationsZonationsSpores and Spore-Producing SurfacesGillsTrue vs. False GillsBruisingIs It Milky?Gill SpacingPoresTeethMorels and Other MisfitsStipe/Stalk/StemUniversal/Partial VeilSkirt/Ring/AnnulusReticulationVolvaBasal BulbMyceliumChapter 3: Common Mushroom MythsDon’t Touch ‘Em!Gills Kill!You’re Hurting the Mushroom Population!Cut! Don’t Pluck!How Can You Tell What’s Poisonous and What’s Edible?Chapter 4: Words of WisdomStart Small and Not RawDo NOT Get DiscouragedBe Good to Your Momma (Nature)Ya Ain’t Gotta Be FancyDon’t Put That In Your Mouth!Have a Big Ol’ Time!PART 2—EDIBLE APPALACHIAN MUSHROOMS BY THE SEASONChapter 5: Edible Mushrooms of the SpringMorels (Genus Morchella)Common Morel, Yellow Morel (Morchella americana, Formerly M. esculenta)Fried MorelsEastern Half-Free Morel (Morchella punctipes)Pheasant Back (Cerioporus squamosus)Wine Cap (Stropharia rugosoannulata)Wood Ear (Auricularia angiospermarum)Deer Mushroom (Pluteus cervinus)Chapter 6: Edible Mushrooms of the SummerChanterelles (Genus Cantharellus)Golden Chanterelle (Cantharellus sp.)Smooth Chanterelle (Cantharellus lateritius)Peach Chanterelle (Cantharellus persicinus)Appalachian Chanterelle (Cantharellus appalachiensis)Cinnabar Chanterelle (Cantherellus cinnabarinus)Black Trumpets (Craterellus fallax)White and Black Trumpet PizzaChicken of the Woods (Genus Laetiporus)Chicken of the Woods, Yellow (Laetiporus sulphureus)Chicken of the Woods All-Purpose Seasoning SaltChicken of the Woods, White (Laetiporus cincinnatus)Tawny Milk Cap (Lactifluus volemus)PuffballsGiant Puffball (Calvatia gigantea)Grilled Puffball SteaksCommon Puffball (Lycoperdon perlatum)Brain Puffball (Calvatia craniiformis)Pear-Shaped Puffball (Apioperdon pyriforme)Beefsteak Polypore (Fistulina americana)Old Man of the Woods (Streobilomyces floccopus)Shaggy Mane (Coprinus comatus)Reishi Mushrooms (Genus Ganoderma)Hemlock Reishi (Ganoderma tsugae)Reishi TeaBerkeley’s Polypore (Bondarzewia berkeleyi)Berkeley JerkyIndigo Milk Cap (Lactarius indigo)Oyster Mushrooms (Genus Pleurotus)Summer Oyster (Pleurotus pulmonarius)Wild Summer Mushroom ToastRooted Agaric (Hymenopellis furfuracea)BoletesFrost’s Bolete (Exsudoporus frostii)Crown-Tipped Coral (Artomyces pyxidatus )Chapter 7: Edible Mushrooms of the FallOysters (Pluerotus ostreatus)Cream of Wild Mushroom SoupHen of the Woods (Grifola frondosa)Hen of the Woods FlatbreadLion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus)Lion’s Mane “Crab” CakesBear’s Head Tooth (Hericium americanum)Coral Tooth Fungus (Hericium coralloides)Wood Blewit (Collybia nuda)Honey MushroomsBulbous Honey Fungus (Armillaria gallica)Shrimp of the Woods (Entoloma abortivum)Popcorn Shrimp of the WoodsAmber Jelly Roll (Exidia recisa)Amber Jelly Roll Gummy CandiesSnow Fungus (Tremella fuciformis)Cauliflower Mushroom (Sparassis americana)Lobster Mushroom (Hypomyces lactifluorum)Lobster Mushroom DuxellesResinous Polypore (Ischnoderma resinosum)Purple-Gilled Laccaria (Laccaria ochropurpurea)Wrinkled Cortinarius Mushroom (Cortinarius caperatus)Shaggy Stalked Bolete (Austroboletus betula)Chapter 8: Edible Mushrooms of the WinterLate Fall Oysters (Sarcomyxa serotinus)Chaga, Medicinal (Inonotus obliquus)Enoki (Flammulina filiformis)Yellowfoot (Craterellus tubaeformis)Wild Yellowfoot QuicheHedgehog Mushroom (Hydnum sp.)Hedgehog Mushroom Bacon Penne PastaTurkey Tail, Medicinal (Trametes versicolor)Double Extraction Turkey Tail TinctureWitches’ Butter (Tremella mesenterica)ConclusionResourcesAbout the AuthorIndex

Appalachian Forager, Whitney Johnson, is a full-time forager, content creator, and the author of Go Forth and Forage. A passionate Appalachian ambassador with over 1 million followers across her social media, she has used her platform to shine a lovin’ light on the region and to teach the world how to be more self-sufficient while responsibly utilizing the goodies that Momma Nature provides. Born and raised in eastern Kentucky, Whitney developed a passion for all things outdoors as a young holler baby. Foraging is her forte, especially mushroom hunting, but she does not discriminate against any wild edibles. She also picks plants and herbs to wildcraft a plethora of skincare and wellness products. She fishes. She hikes. She gardens. She cooks like your mamaw. She is a proud Appalachian spreading the love and wondrous things the region has to offer via her down-to-earth, educational, and quirky videos on TikTok (@appalachian_forager), Instagram (@appalachian_forager), and Facebook (Appalachian Forager). Whitney continues to be a hillbilly force to be reckoned with; spreadin’ pride for her region, preachin’ girl power, all while keepin’ the old ways alive … with a dash of humor.

"This resource book has everything you need to get started finding and picking your own mushrooms safely in nature. One of the major focuses of the book is taking the fear out of foraging mushrooms by learning how not just to identify various mushrooms but also prepare each of the different types without putting yourself in danger."

• CONTENTSIntroduction: Let’s Go Forth and Forage! PART 1—MUSHROOMING ESSENTIALSChapter 1: Gettin’ Started Regional Field GuidesLatin BinomialsMushroom Groups and Identification TipsKnow Your TreesKeep Your Head on a SwivelMushroom JournalingTake ‘Em HomeSpore PrintsWhere to ForageWhat to Wear and PackCritters and Bitin’ PlantsResponsible and Ethical ForagingAin’t Never Not Foragin’Chapter 2: Know Your Parts (Mushroom Anatomy)Cap FeaturesWartsScalesStriationsZonationsSpores and Spore-Producing SurfacesGillsTrue vs. False GillsBruisingIs It Milky?Gill SpacingPoresTeethMorels and Other MisfitsStipe/Stalk/StemUniversal/Partial VeilSkirt/Ring/AnnulusReticulationVolvaBasal BulbMyceliumChapter 3: Common Mushroom MythsDon’t Touch ‘Em!Gills Kill!You’re Hurting the Mushroom Population!Cut! Don’t Pluck!How Can You Tell What’s Poisonous and What’s Edible?Chapter 4: Words of WisdomStart Small and Not RawDo NOT Get DiscouragedBe Good to Your Momma (Nature)Ya Ain’t Gotta Be FancyDon’t Put That In Your Mouth!Have a Big Ol’ Time!PART 2—EDIBLE APPALACHIAN MUSHROOMS BY THE SEASONChapter 5: Edible Mushrooms of the SpringMorels (Genus Morchella)Common Morel, Yellow Morel (Morchella americana, Formerly M. esculenta)Fried MorelsEastern Half-Free Morel (Morchella punctipes)Pheasant Back (Cerioporus squamosus)Wine Cap (Stropharia rugosoannulata)Wood Ear (Auricularia angiospermarum)Deer Mushroom (Pluteus cervinus)Chapter 6: Edible Mushrooms of the SummerChanterelles (Genus Cantharellus)Golden Chanterelle (Cantharellus sp.)Smooth Chanterelle (Cantharellus lateritius)Peach Chanterelle (Cantharellus persicinus)Appalachian Chanterelle (Cantharellus appalachiensis)Cinnabar Chanterelle (Cantherellus cinnabarinus)Black Trumpets (Craterellus fallax)White and Black Trumpet PizzaChicken of the Woods (Genus Laetiporus)Chicken of the Woods, Yellow (Laetiporus sulphureus)Chicken of the Woods All-Purpose Seasoning SaltChicken of the Woods, White (Laetiporus cincinnatus)Tawny Milk Cap (Lactifluus volemus)PuffballsGiant Puffball (Calvatia gigantea)Grilled Puffball SteaksCommon Puffball (Lycoperdon perlatum)Brain Puffball (Calvatia craniiformis)Pear-Shaped Puffball (Apioperdon pyriforme)Beefsteak Polypore (Fistulina americana)Old Man of the Woods (Streobilomyces floccopus)Shaggy Mane (Coprinus comatus)Reishi Mushrooms (Genus Ganoderma)Hemlock Reishi (Ganoderma tsugae)Reishi TeaBerkeley’s Polypore (Bondarzewia berkeleyi)Berkeley JerkyIndigo Milk Cap (Lactarius indigo)Oyster Mushrooms (Genus Pleurotus)Summer Oyster (Pleurotus pulmonarius)Wild Summer Mushroom ToastRooted Agaric (Hymenopellis furfuracea)BoletesFrost’s Bolete (Exsudoporus frostii)Crown-Tipped Coral (Artomyces pyxidatus )Chapter 7: Edible Mushrooms of the FallOysters (Pluerotus ostreatus)Cream of Wild Mushroom SoupHen of the Woods (Grifola frondosa)Hen of the Woods FlatbreadLion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus)Lion’s Mane “Crab” CakesBear’s Head Tooth (Hericium americanum)Coral Tooth Fungus (Hericium coralloides)Wood Blewit (Collybia nuda)Honey MushroomsBulbous Honey Fungus (Armillaria gallica)Shrimp of the Woods (Entoloma abortivum)Popcorn Shrimp of the WoodsAmber Jelly Roll (Exidia recisa)Amber Jelly Roll Gummy CandiesSnow Fungus (Tremella fuciformis)Cauliflower Mushroom (Sparassis americana)Lobster Mushroom (Hypomyces lactifluorum)Lobster Mushroom DuxellesResinous Polypore (Ischnoderma resinosum)Purple-Gilled Laccaria (Laccaria ochropurpurea)Wrinkled Cortinarius Mushroom (Cortinarius caperatus)Shaggy Stalked Bolete (Austroboletus betula)Chapter 8: Edible Mushrooms of the WinterLate Fall Oysters (Sarcomyxa serotinus)Chaga, Medicinal (Inonotus obliquus)Enoki (Flammulina filiformis)Yellowfoot (Craterellus tubaeformis)Wild Yellowfoot QuicheHedgehog Mushroom (Hydnum sp.)Hedgehog Mushroom Bacon Penne PastaTurkey Tail, Medicinal (Trametes versicolor)Double Extraction Turkey Tail TinctureWitches’ Butter (Tremella mesenterica)ConclusionResourcesAbout the AuthorIndex

Appalachian Forager, Whitney Johnson, is a full-time forager, content creator, and the author of Go Forth and Forage. A passionate Appalachian ambassador with over 1 million followers across her social media, she has used her platform to shine a lovin’ light on the region and to teach the world how to be more self-sufficient while responsibly utilizing the goodies that Momma Nature provides. Born and raised in eastern Kentucky, Whitney developed a passion for all things outdoors as a young holler baby. Foraging is her forte, especially mushroom hunting, but she does not discriminate against any wild edibles. She also picks plants and herbs to wildcraft a plethora of skincare and wellness products. She fishes. She hikes. She gardens. She cooks like your mamaw. She is a proud Appalachian spreading the love and wondrous things the region has to offer via her down-to-earth, educational, and quirky videos on TikTok (@appalachian_forager), Instagram (@appalachian_forager), and Facebook (Appalachian Forager). Whitney continues to be a hillbilly force to be reckoned with; spreadin’ pride for her region, preachin’ girl power, all while keepin’ the old ways alive … with a dash of humor.

"This resource book has everything you need to get started finding and picking your own mushrooms safely in nature. One of the major focuses of the book is taking the fear out of foraging mushrooms by learning how not just to identify various mushrooms but also prepare each of the different types without putting yourself in danger."

• CONTENTSIntroduction: Let’s Go Forth and Forage! PART 1—MUSHROOMING ESSENTIALSChapter 1: Gettin’ Started Regional Field GuidesLatin BinomialsMushroom Groups and Identification TipsKnow Your TreesKeep Your Head on a SwivelMushroom JournalingTake ‘Em HomeSpore PrintsWhere to ForageWhat to Wear and PackCritters and Bitin’ PlantsResponsible and Ethical ForagingAin’t Never Not Foragin’Chapter 2: Know Your Parts (Mushroom Anatomy)Cap FeaturesWartsScalesStriationsZonationsSpores and Spore-Producing SurfacesGillsTrue vs. False GillsBruisingIs It Milky?Gill SpacingPoresTeethMorels and Other MisfitsStipe/Stalk/StemUniversal/Partial VeilSkirt/Ring/AnnulusReticulationVolvaBasal BulbMyceliumChapter 3: Common Mushroom MythsDon’t Touch ‘Em!Gills Kill!You’re Hurting the Mushroom Population!Cut! Don’t Pluck!How Can You Tell What’s Poisonous and What’s Edible?Chapter 4: Words of WisdomStart Small and Not RawDo NOT Get DiscouragedBe Good to Your Momma (Nature)Ya Ain’t Gotta Be FancyDon’t Put That In Your Mouth!Have a Big Ol’ Time!PART 2—EDIBLE APPALACHIAN MUSHROOMS BY THE SEASONChapter 5: Edible Mushrooms of the SpringMorels (Genus Morchella)Common Morel, Yellow Morel (Morchella americana, Formerly M. esculenta)Fried MorelsEastern Half-Free Morel (Morchella punctipes)Pheasant Back (Cerioporus squamosus)Wine Cap (Stropharia rugosoannulata)Wood Ear (Auricularia angiospermarum)Deer Mushroom (Pluteus cervinus)Chapter 6: Edible Mushrooms of the SummerChanterelles (Genus Cantharellus)Golden Chanterelle (Cantharellus sp.)Smooth Chanterelle (Cantharellus lateritius)Peach Chanterelle (Cantharellus persicinus)Appalachian Chanterelle (Cantharellus appalachiensis)Cinnabar Chanterelle (Cantherellus cinnabarinus)Black Trumpets (Craterellus fallax)White and Black Trumpet PizzaChicken of the Woods (Genus Laetiporus)Chicken of the Woods, Yellow (Laetiporus sulphureus)Chicken of the Woods All-Purpose Seasoning SaltChicken of the Woods, White (Laetiporus cincinnatus)Tawny Milk Cap (Lactifluus volemus)PuffballsGiant Puffball (Calvatia gigantea)Grilled Puffball SteaksCommon Puffball (Lycoperdon perlatum)Brain Puffball (Calvatia craniiformis)Pear-Shaped Puffball (Apioperdon pyriforme)Beefsteak Polypore (Fistulina americana)Old Man of the Woods (Streobilomyces floccopus)Shaggy Mane (Coprinus comatus)Reishi Mushrooms (Genus Ganoderma)Hemlock Reishi (Ganoderma tsugae)Reishi TeaBerkeley’s Polypore (Bondarzewia berkeleyi)Berkeley JerkyIndigo Milk Cap (Lactarius indigo)Oyster Mushrooms (Genus Pleurotus)Summer Oyster (Pleurotus pulmonarius)Wild Summer Mushroom ToastRooted Agaric (Hymenopellis furfuracea)BoletesFrost’s Bolete (Exsudoporus frostii)Crown-Tipped Coral (Artomyces pyxidatus )Chapter 7: Edible Mushrooms of the FallOysters (Pluerotus ostreatus)Cream of Wild Mushroom SoupHen of the Woods (Grifola frondosa)Hen of the Woods FlatbreadLion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus)Lion’s Mane “Crab” CakesBear’s Head Tooth (Hericium americanum)Coral Tooth Fungus (Hericium coralloides)Wood Blewit (Collybia nuda)Honey MushroomsBulbous Honey Fungus (Armillaria gallica)Shrimp of the Woods (Entoloma abortivum)Popcorn Shrimp of the WoodsAmber Jelly Roll (Exidia recisa)Amber Jelly Roll Gummy CandiesSnow Fungus (Tremella fuciformis)Cauliflower Mushroom (Sparassis americana)Lobster Mushroom (Hypomyces lactifluorum)Lobster Mushroom DuxellesResinous Polypore (Ischnoderma resinosum)Purple-Gilled Laccaria (Laccaria ochropurpurea)Wrinkled Cortinarius Mushroom (Cortinarius caperatus)Shaggy Stalked Bolete (Austroboletus betula)Chapter 8: Edible Mushrooms of the WinterLate Fall Oysters (Sarcomyxa serotinus)Chaga, Medicinal (Inonotus obliquus)Enoki (Flammulina filiformis)Yellowfoot (Craterellus tubaeformis)Wild Yellowfoot QuicheHedgehog Mushroom (Hydnum sp.)Hedgehog Mushroom Bacon Penne PastaTurkey Tail, Medicinal (Trametes versicolor)Double Extraction Turkey Tail TinctureWitches’ Butter (Tremella mesenterica)ConclusionResourcesAbout the AuthorIndex