Table of Contents

• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• Introduction
  • Geographic Area Covered by This Book
  • What Is a Polypore?
  • Macrocharacteristics of Polypores
  • Microcharacteristics of Polypores: Hyphal Systems
  • Polypore Nomenclature and Taxonomy: A Brief History
  • Historical and Contemporary Uses of Polypores
  • Evolution of Polypores and Their Host Trees
  • Forest Regions of the Eastern and Central United States and Canada
  • Types of Fungal Decay
  • Guidelines for Collecting and Preserving Polypores
  • The Identification Process: How to Identify Polypores
  • Using This Book
  • Explanation and Use of the Keys
• Keys to Polypores and Similar Fungi
• Species Descriptions and Illustrations
• Appendixes
  • A. Microscopic Examination of Polypores
  • B. Chemical Reagents for Polypore Identification
  • C. How to Make a Spore Deposit
  • D. The Medicinal Uses of Polypores: A Brief History and Summaries of Current Research
  • E. Polypores Organized by Order, Family, Genus, and Species
• Glossary
• Bibliography and Resources
• About the Authors
• Illustration and Photography Credits
• Index to Common Names
• Index to Scientific Names

About the Author

Alan E. Bessette is a professor emeritus of biology and has authored or coauthored more than twenty-five books.

Dianna Smith is past president of the Northeastern Mycological Federation and a former editor of The Mycophile.

Arleen R. Bessette has authored or coauthored eighteen books and several mycological papers.