All about Pokhara : Beautiful City of Nepal

Pokhara (पोखरा) is a city of close to 200,000 inhabitants in central Nepal located at 28.25 N, 83.99 E,, 198 km west of Kathmandu. It is the third largest city after Kathmandu and Biratnagar. It is the Headquarter of Kaski District, Gandaki Zone and the Western Development Region. It is also one of the most popular tourist destinations in Nepal.

Geography

Pokhara is situated in the northwestern corner of the Pokhara Valley, which is a widening of the Seti Gandaki valley. The Seti River and its tributaries have dug impressive canyons into the valley floor, which are only visible from higher viewpoints or from the air. To the east of Pokhara is the municipality of Lekhnath, another town in the valley.

In no other place do mountains rise so quickly. In this area, within 30 km, the elevation rises from 1000 m to over 7500 m. The Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu ranges, each with peaks over 8000 m, can be seen from Pokhara and there is a lake named Phewa Lake, three caves (Mahendra, Bat and Gupteswor) and an impressive falls(Patale Chhango or Devi's Fall) where the water from the Phewa Lake thunders into a hole and disappears. Due to this sharp rise in altitude the area of Pokhara has one of the highest precipitation rates of the country (over 4000 mm/year). Even within the city there is a noticeable difference in the amount of rain between the south of the city by the lake and the north at the foot of the mountains.

The climate is sub-tropical but due to the elevation the temperatures are moderate: the summer temperatures average between 25 - 35°C, in winter around 5 - 15°C. In the south the city borders on Phewa Tal (a lake of 4.4 km² at an elevation of about 800 m above sea level), in the north at an elevation of around 1000 m the outskirts of the city touch the base of the Annapurna mountain range. From the southern fringes of the city 3 eight-thousanders (Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Manaslu) and, in the middle of the Annapurna range, the Machapuchare (Nepali: Machhapucchare: 'Fishtail') with close to 7000 m can be seen. This mountain dominates the northern horizon of the city and its name derives from its twin peaks, not visible from the south.

History
Pokhara lies on an important old trading route between Tibet and India. In the 17th. century it was part of the influential Kingdom of Kaski which again was one of the Chaubise Rajaya (24 Kingdoms of Nepal) ruled by a branch of the Shah Dynasty. Many of the mountains around Pokhara still have medieval ruins from this time. In 1752 the King of Kaski invited Newars from Bhaktapur to Pokhara to promote trade. Their heritage can still be seen in the architecture along the streets in Bhimshen Tol (Old Pokhara). Hindus, again, brought their culture and customs from Kathmandu and settled in the whole Pokhara valley. In 1786 Prithvi Narayan Shah added Pokhara into his kingdom. It had by then become an important trading place on the routes from Kathmandu to Jumla and from India to Tibet.

When the citizens of Bhaktapur came to pkr they brought many cultural dances like, "BHAIRAB DANCE, TAYA MACHA, LAKHE DANCE" and many more which helped in the tourism sector of pkr. Before only Newari people used to live here. After the British camp was shifted here Magar and Gurung people also used to live here.

From 1959 to 1962 some 300,000 refugees came to Nepal from neighbouring Tibet, which had been annexed by China. Four refugee camps were established in the Pokhara valley: Tashipalkhel, Tashiling, Paljorling and Jambling. These camps have evolved into settlements. Because of their different architecture, prayer flags, gompas and chorten, these can easily be distinguished from the other settlements.

Until the end of the 1960s the town could only be reached by foot and it was considered even more a mystical place than Kathmandu. The first road was finished in 1968 after which tourism set in and the city grew rapidly. The area along the Phewa Lake developed into one of the major tourism hubs of Nepal.

Structure

Pokhara spans 8 km from north to south and 6 km from east to west but, unlike Kathmandu, it is quite loosely built up and still has much green space. The Seti Gandaki flowing through the city from north to south divides the city roughly in two halves with the down-town area of Chipledunga in the middle, the old town centre of Bagar in the north and the tourist district of Lakeside (Baidam) in the south all lying on the western side of the river. The gorge through which the river flows is crossed at five points, the major ones are (from north to south): K.I. Singh Pul, Mahendra Pul and Prithvi Highway Pul. The eastern side of town is mainly residential.
About half of all tourists visiting Pokhara are there for the start or end of a trek to the Annapurna Base Camp and Mustang. For Nepalese, Pokhara has become the most favorite place to live in the country.

Phewa Lake was slightly enlarged by damming. It is in danger of silting up because of the inflow during the monsoon. The outflowing water is partially used for hydro power. The dam collapsed in the late 1970s and it was rebuilt by the Chinese. The power plant is located about 100 m below at the bottom of the Phusre Khola gorge. Water is also diverted for irrigation into the southern Pokhara valley.

The eastern Pokhara Valley receives irrigation water through a canal running from a reservoir by the Seti in the north of the city. Phewa Lake is also used for commercial fishing. The tourist area is along the north shore of the lake (Lake Side and Dam Side). It is mainly made up of little shops, little hotels, restaurants and bars. The larger hotels can be found on the southern and south-eastern fringes of the city, from where the view of the mountains, mainly Mt. Fishtail is seen best. To the east of the valley are few smaller and few bigger lakes, the largest being Begnas Tal and Rupakot Tal. Begnas Tal is also known for its fishery projects. There are no beaches in the valley, but one can rent boats in Phewa and Begnas Tal(Lake). Pokhara Photo Gallery Divided Pokhara into 5 different parts.

Tourism and Economy

After the annexation of Tibet by China the trading route to India became defunct. Today only few caravans from Mustang still arrive in Bagar. Pokhara has become a major tourist hub of Nepal, more than making up for the loss of its trading importance. The city offers a combination of nature and culture with a distinct tourist district in the southern subdivisions of Baidam, Lakeside and Damside. It is mostly known as starting and ending point for Annapurna treks.

Pokhara is quite a modern city with only few touristic attractions in the town itself. Most interesting is the old centre in the north of the city (purano bazar) where still many old shops and warehouses in the Newari style can be found. Mule caravans still arrive there from Mustang.
Temples worth visiting in the older part of town are Bindhyabasini temple and Bhimsen temple. Another temple, Barahi temple, is located on an island in the Phewa Lake. It is accessible only through boats available at the shores of the lake.

The modern commercial city centre at Chiple Dhunga and Mahendrapul (now called Bhimsen Chowk, named after a Shahid(Martyr) in Jana-aandolan II, April, 2006) is halfway between the lake and Purano Bazar, the old centre. Apart from this there are several subcentres in other parts of town: in the north in Bagar, in the south between Prithvi Chok and Srijana Chok (mainly hardware stores), and in the east, on the other side of the Seti, in Ram Bazar.

On a hill overlooking Phewa Tal from the south is the World Peace Stupa (at 1,113 m) QTVR built in 1996 with a view of the lake, across the city and of the snow peaked mountain range consisting of namely, Fishtail, Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Himals (mountains).

The best viewpoint of Pokhara is Sarangkot (1600 m )and Thulakot (in Lekhnath a part of famous Royal Trek from where four lakes Phewa, Begnas, Khaste and Dipang and whole annapurna range is seen) to the west of the city. Paths and a road lead to the top from where one can enjoy spectacular views of the Annapurna range, Manaslu, Dhaulagiri and the city itself. In the top of the hill of Sarankot, there is a beautiful Buddhist stupa/monastery, which also attracts many tourists.

The shortage of touristic sites in Pokhara is made up by its scenic views in and around town. Most of them are not mentioned in any guide or map. The Seti Gandaki (White Gandaki) and its tributaries have created spectacular gorges in and around the whole city. The Seti gorge runs through the whole city from north to south. At places it is only a few metres wide, but 100 m deep with a water depth of 20 m.

In the middle of the city, the gorge widens to a canyon looking like a crater. In the north and south, just outside town, there are awesome canyons, in some places 100 m deep. These canyons extend through the whole Pokhara Valley. Impressive views are possible from the Prithvi Narayan Campus and from the other side at the foot of Kahu Danda (conjunction of several rivers and canyons). Behind the INF-Compound one can see the Seti River disappear into a slit in an almost 100 m wall, especially impressive in monsoon.

Another place worth visiting is the Patale Chhango (Hell's Falls), more commonly called "Davis Falls", named after a tourist who fell into the gorge. The water of these falls comes from the Fewa Lake flowing to the Seti. The falls plunge into a hole and disappear. In monsoon this sight is most spectacular. Nearby, across the street is a little cave (Gupteshwor Cave). A more exciting cave is at the opposite end of the city in Batulechaur (Mahendra Cave). Betulechaur is known for the musicians caste of the Jains.

Pokhara is the gate way to the world's best trekking route "Round Annapurana". which is usually a trek of 25 days.

Airports

There is only one airport in Pokhara which is Pokhara Airport which is situated in the middle of town serving flights to Kathmandu, Jomsom, Manang, Bhairahawa and Bharatpur. Helicopters to Manang and Jomsom are also available for charter.

An interesting institution of Pokhara is the British Gurkha Camp in the north of the city. It has been established as a recruitment camp for Nepalis as Gurkha soldiers. About 370 are selected annually in December out of a pool of over 20,000 applicants. About 140 eventually join the Gurkha Contingent in Singapore while the rest join the British Army.

Tourists Places in Pokhara

Mahendra Cave (Gufa or Gupha in Nepali)

Mahendra Cave resides in Batulechaur. Its a 10 minute drive from chipledhunga the central market place of the Pokhara city. Mahendra cave has been named as per the Late King Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev. This is also one of the most demanding tourist attraction center here in pokhara. It resides in the northern settlements of the valley.

This cave is a natural tunnel which is provided with artificial lighting systems. Bulbs are used by the cave incharge so that the visitors can visit it without any difficulty. But do take a torch light with you just in case the electricity goes off.

Mahendra cave is rich for its rock types and different stones that glitters when a beam of light is striked in it. This natural formation is to see not to strike with sharp digging objects. Photos are available free on Mahendra Cave's website.

Devi's Falls (Patale Chhango In Nepali)

Pokhara is the only city in Nepal which is famous for water falls. As we drive by the river sides below the hills we can see several beautiful and dashing water falls flowing downhill and finally flowing to the rivers. The highway to Baglung consist of several water falls. The city itself has a Witness a unique waterfall that lies 2 km from central Pokhara City. The water fall directly goes into a deep and narrow canal with no ends. It is believed that this deadly waterfall took the life of a tourist named David, who fell down into the canel and was never found, and hence the name David waterfall, named in his memory by the people of Pokhara. This place has many nick names like Davy's Fall, David's Fall or Davis's Fall, all mean the same thing `The Davis Water Fall'. Photos and video are available on Devi's Fall's website.

World Peace Stupa.

Recently built atop a hill overlooking Phewa Tal, the Stupa offers a great place to see the sun set over Pokhara. It can be accessed by hiring a boat and rowing across the lake and climbing a sometimes leech-infested track, or by foot from the road that passes Devi Falls.

Sarangkot.

The perfect pre-trek warm-up. Head up Sarankot in the late afternoon (be prepared, it's steep and hard work) find yourselves a warm guest house before sunset, go up the top for sunset and again for sunrise... you won't be disappointed. Great views, spectacular images and a great way to get a taste of what it's like to be trekking. Beware demented water buffaloes on the way out of town! Other places to visit in Pokhara are Barahi temple, situated in the middle of Phewa lake, Pokhara Museum, Annapurna Museum, Bindhyabasini temple, and World Peace Pagoda.

Lakes & Rivers

Phewa Lake or Fewa Lake is a lake of Nepal located in the Pokhara Valley near Pokhara and Sarangkot. It is the second largest lake in Nepal and lying at an altitude of 784 m (2,572 ft) it covers an area of about 4.43 km2 (1.7 sq mi) with an average depth of about 8.6 m (28 ft) with maximum water depth is 19 m (62 ft). Maximum water capacity of the lake is approximately 46 million cubic meters (37,000 acre feet) . Annapurna looms in the distance from the lake and the lake is famous for the reflection of Mount Machapuchare on its surface. The holy Barahi mandir (temple) is situated on the island located in between in the lake.

The Seti River is a river running down from the Himalaya in north-west Nepal. It is one of the largest river in Nepal. Lekhnath Municipality is known as "GARDEN CITY OF SEVEN LAKES" as there are seken Lakes.

List of Lakes & Rivers in Pokhara :
Phewa Lake
Begnas Lake
Rupa Lake
Seti River
Gandaki River
Gude Lake
Neurani Lake
Deepang Lake
Maidy Lake
Khastey Lake
BIjayapur River

Universities and Schools in Pokhara

Vindhyabasini Secondary School,Berpaten,Pokhara-2
Prithvi Narayan Campus/Tribhuvan University: http://pokharaphoto.com/pncampus.htm
Pokhara University
Manipal College of Medical Sciences
Adarsha English Boarding School
Diamond Higher Secondary School,Lekhnath-7,Talchowk
Sagarmatha Higher Secondary School,Nayabazar-9,Pokhara
Himanchal Boarding School
Gandaki Boarding School
Marigold Boarding High School
Little Step Higher Secondary Boarding School
Hill Side English Boarding School, nayapool, kaski
Janapriya Uccha Madhyamik Vidhalaya
krishna prasad devkota higher secondary school,lumle kaski
Mount Annapurna Schoolnd a lot of singers,
Kumudini Homes
Global Collegiate Higher Secondary School
Mount Everest Boarding School
Nepal Adarsha Awasiya Vidhyalaya
Pokhara Academy
Pragati English Boarding School
Ram Prathamik Vidhyalaya
Step By Step Boarding School
Bidur English Boarding High School
S.O.S Hermann Gmeiner School
Gyan Ganga Vidhya Pith A School for Children.
Srijana higher secondary school

Nepalese Scientists abandoning Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) : What does new repubication governent thinking about brain drains?

Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) is losing its most vital resource, scientific minds, to institutions at home and abroad.

According to a scientist at NAST, over 50 scientists, engineers and nearly 100 other brilliant researchers have quit NAST to go abroad or join private research institutions within the country
during the last decade.

"Given the present context of lesser government priority for science and technology, over 50 scientists and 100 other researchers left the academy during the last 10 years," says Deepak Raj Poudel, chief of Promotion Division at NAST, "And we have failed to stop the increasing brain drain in not providing financial incentives and other facilities needed for research work."
A few of the scientists who held permanent tenure at NAST before migrating out are doing better at foreign research institutes that no doubt provide them better facilities and perks.

According to Poudel, Dr Raju Adhikari, a senior chemist, is now working at a research institution in Australia; Dr Bharat Basyal is working in the United States; Dr Bhim Bahadur Bon, a research fellow in radiation, is in Italy; and Dr Sushil Wagle, research scientist, in also in the US, to name a few. Likewise, among the engineers, Kedar Adhikari left for Thailand, Suman Bhakta Mathema is now in Australia, Anil Adhikari is in the US and Lokendra Bahadur Keshari in Sri Lanka.
Besides this, some of the scientists have also shifted to private research institutes within the country. Dr Trinatra Pradhananga, principal of the private college National Institute of Science and Technology in Patan and Dr Madhav Prasad Baral, principal at NIST Lainchaur, are just some of the noted ones.

"Most of the scientists leave NAST citing an unfavorable environment for research work," says former NAST scientist Dr Pradhananga, adding, "As long as the necessary facilities are not provided, the brain drain will continue. But for me, brain drain is not a bad thing in this age of globalization."

Acting against government regulations, some of the scientists resigned after going abroad while some who went for training did not return. "Until and unless NAST provides financial incentives, the brain drain will be here to stay," reasons Ramila Raut, a senior promotion officer working at NAST since the last 23 years.

Adding to existing woes, some of the scientists at NAST take month-long leaves and work for various research projects outside. "We cannot reveal their names, and maybe it's also a compulsion for them to cope with their financial needs," says Poudel. "The trend is bad, with most of the junior scientists and research fellows going aboard after making their profile at NAST.

"It's natural to migrate to other countries in search of more opportunities as the country has not been giving even minimum attention to this sector. Sometimes, we feel happy to see them doing their highly appreciated work," says senior scientist Dr Chiranjivi Regmi, division chief of science section at NAST.

The Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology has no programs to stop the outward movement. "Agreed, the government cannot remain passive to the ongoing brain drain, but the country's current priority lies in conflict related areas," says Lok Hari Pandey, under-secretary and assistant spokesperson at the ministry. "As always we receive complaints from scientists at NAST over meager salary, but right now we are not in a position to increase their salaries."

With a tight yearly budget of Rs 50.41 million, only a little money remains for scientific research, with a large chunk of the money going to administration activities.

"The government should seriously address the problem by sorting out such problems," says scientist Regmi.

Link to full article in Kantipur Online

Are you seeking Complete Mycological Resources (Publications and Discussions) on the internet: Here is the complete list

Publications
A Plain and Easy Account of British Fungi, by M.C. Cooke
Cooke's 1898 book, "A Plain and Easy Account of British Fungi (6th edition)" is an early introductory text. Mike Walton has posted it on the web.
A Treatise on the Esculent Funguses of Britain, by C.D. Badham
Badham's 1847 book, "A Treatise on the Esculent Funguses of England" is an early account of edible fungi. Many of the scientific names have changed now, but the text and its accompanying plates are an interesting diversion. Mike Walton has posted it on the web.
Alexopoulos textbook errata and additional index items
Errata and additional index items for the textbook "Introductory Mycology," by Alexopoulos, Mims and Blackwell (1996) are available through Dr. Blackwell's web pages.
American Mushroom Institute
A trade association representing those who grow, process, and market cultivated mushrooms in the US, the AMI promotes mushroom cultivation and consumption. Their web site includes information about their journal, "Mushroom News."
American Society of Plant Taxonomists
This site includes the ASPT newsletter, and information about the ASPT journal Systematic Botany, and Systematic Botany Monographs.
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek
An international journal of general and molecular microbiology, covering bacteria, yeasts, and fungi.
Application of pure cultures in systematic research of basidiomycetes, polypore genera Amyloporia and Antrodia as examples
The Master's thesis of M. Haanpää includes some useful pictures of Antrodia and Amyloporia. The text is available online in Finnish (University of Helsinki).
Applied and Environmental Microbiology
A scientific journal that includes mycological articles.
Arnoldia
Australasian Plant Pathology Society
Information on the APPS its newsletter, APPS News, and its journal, Australasian Plant Pathology.
Balogh Scientific Books
New and second-hand books.
Bio-aware
BioloMICS is a software database package for managing diverse biological data that might include sequences, images, phylogenies, or characters. Bio-aware suggests their products will be of use to taxonomists and biodiversity researchers.
Biodiversity and Conservation
A scientific journal.
Boston Mycological Club (USA)
Website of the Boston Mycological Club (Massachusetts, USA) and the BMS Bulletin.
British Mycological Society
The BMS's web pages include meeting and foray information, and information on their fine journals: Mycological Research, The Mycologist, and Field Mycology.
CABI Bioscience Homepage
CABI Bioscience (U.K) incorporates the former International Mycological Institute and the International Institute for Biological Control. CABI provides fabulously massive databases. These include the classification from the Dictionary of the Fungi, FunIndex and Species2000 (two global fungal taxonomy and nomenclature initiatives), and the CABI culture collection (IMI). Information is also provided on CABI's mycological publications.
Canadian Journal of Botany
A scientific journal including many articles on mycology.
Canadian Phytopathological Society
The web pages of the Canadian Phytopathological Society include information on membership, meetings, back issues of the newsletter, and information on publications.
Center for Disease Control
The CDC site includes imformation on fungal diseases of humans in USA. Their searchable newsletter, the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, is an excellent source for mushroom poisonings, fungal disease incidences, and other health problems associated with fungi.
Central New York Mycological Society (USA)
Website of the Central New York Mycological Society (USA), including its newsletter, the Fungal Gazette.
Colorado Mycological Society (USA)
Website of the CMS and its newsletter, Spores Afield.
Concise Descriptions of North American Ectomycorrhizae
An identification guide edited by D.M. Goodman, D.M. Durall, J.A. Trofymow and S.M. Berch.
Cortbase: nomenclature of corticioid fungi
A nomenclatural database of corticioid fungi is available for download at this site. The Corticiaceae are a group of basidiomycetes that, on a macroscopic level, look a lot like a splash of paint on wood. Up close they can be strikingly beautiful.
Danish Mycological Society
This Danish society provides indices to the journals Svampe and Friesia, lists of taxa known from Denmark and a "red list" of rare fungi.
DELTA
DELTA (DEscription Language for TAxonomy) is a powerful software package for IBM-compatible computers that facilitates character analysis in taxonomic and phyogenetic studies. Through add-on Intkey software, users can create identification keys from on DELTA datasets.
Dictionary of the Fungi
The systematic arrangement of fungal genera as suggested in Ainsworth and Bisby's Dictionary of the Fungi (8th edition) can be searched online.
Edible Wild Mushrooms of North America: a field to kitchen guide
A mushroom field guide by D.W. Fischer and A.E. Bessette.
European Journal of Plant Pathology
A scientific journal of plant pathology.
Evansia
A journal of North American bryophytes and lichens. Tables of contents are available for browsing.
FEMS Yeast Research
A scholarly journal of research on yeasts.
Fritschiana
A publication of the Herbarium des Institutes für Botanik der Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz. Fritschiana includes indices to specimens in the exsiccatae Lichenotheca Graecensis and Mycotheca Graecensis.
Fungal Contamination in Public Buildings: a guide to recognition and management
This publication of Health Canada explores the recognition and management of fungi detected in public buildings, and their effects on human health (link will download a pdf file).
Fungal Diversity
An international journal of taxonomic mycology.
Fungal Genetics Stock Center (FGSC)
The FGSC serves databases on the genetics of Aspergillus, Fusarium, Neurospora, Sordaria and other fungi, as well as catalogs of mutant and wild type strains; cloned genes and gene libraries; and useful recipes and methods. The Fungal Genetics Newsletter is online with full text and quality images. Some laboratory exercises demonstrating fungi can be found here. European users will achieve faster access through the U.K. mirror site.
Fungi of Australia
A series of books documenting the fungi of Australia.
FungiFlora
FungiFlora is a Norwegian publishing company, founded by Leif Ryvarden, that specializes in works on taxonomic mycology.
Fusarium Internotes
Newsletter of the International Soceity for Plant Pathology Committee on Fusarium.
George Barron's website
This website includes some lovely images of fungi, including Entomophthora, Spinellus, and some nematode parasites. It also includes information on Barron's book "Mushrooms of Northeast North America" (in Canada entitled "Mushrooms of Ontario and Eastern Canada").
Il Genere Boletus
A cd-rom on the genus Boletus, edited by G. Acquaviva and L. Lanconelli.
IMI descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria
These excellent, standardized and illustrated descriptions of pathogenic fungi are produced by CABI Bioscience. The site provides an index to all descriptions, and limited access to non-subscribers.
In the Company of Mushrooms: a biologist's tale
A book by Elio Schaechter.
Index Nominum Genericorum (Plantarum)
The WWW version of the ING is a massive searchable index of generic names of organisms covered by the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (including, of course, Fungi). A bibliographic citation, and information on typification, status, and classification are provided for each generic name.
Index of Fungi
Names included in the important CABI Biosicence publication, "Index of Fungi" are searchable (along with other databases) through a WWW interface provided by the USDA-ARS Systematic Botany and Mycology Lab.
Index to American Botanical Literature
This useful and searchable Index to American Botanical Literature is provided by the New York Botanic Garden, and includes much useful bibliographic information about fungi.
Index to biological journals
A complete listing of biological journals, their abbreviations, and home pages.
Infection, Genetics and Evolution
A scholarly journal of research on disease epidemiology, and molecular evolution.
Instituto de Genetica Forestal
The fungi of Veracruz, Mexico are illustrated on this site. Technical descriptions of selected species form the series Funga Veracruziana (in Spanish. I particularly recommend the site for its images of stinkhorns (Phallales).
International Association for Plant Taxonomy
The IAPT is an association of botanists, mycologists and lichenologists who collectively determine the rules by which plants and fungi are named. See also their journal, Taxon.
International Code of Botanical Nomenclature
The current version of the ICBN (St. Louis Code, 2000) is available online in English and Slovak. Its appendices include lists of conserved and rejected names. The code specifies the rules by which plants and fungi are named.
IUPAC Mycotoxin Newsletter
A newsletter of mycotoxin research.
Jordstjaernan
Journal of the Swedish Mycological Society.
Key to British Basidiomycetes
Mike Walton's Key to common British basidiomycetes is a useful preliminary identification guide to genera of British mushrooms. Mike also offers an index to fungal illustrations published in the BMS journal "The Mycologist," and other useful tidbits.
Koeltz Scientific Books
New books (Germany).
L'intuition de la matière chez les mycologues
A book by Richard Bernaer.
Le Cercle de Mycologie de Mons (Belgium)
An association of mycologists in Belgium. Their web pages include their bulletin, Miscellanea Mycologica.
Lichens of North America
A forthcoming book by I.M. Brodo, S.D. Sharnoff, and S. Sharnoff.
Lindbergia
A scientific journal of bryology.
Los Angeles Mycological Society (USA)
The website of the Los Angeles Mycological Society includes its newsletter, Spore Print.
Lubrecht and Cramer, booksellers
Sellers of antiquarian and hard-to-find books in mycology and botany (NJ, USA).
Magical Mushrooms, Mischievous Molds
A book by G.W. Hudler, 1998.
Matsushima Mycological Memoirs no. 8
Searchable text, plus illustrations from Matsushima Mycological Memoirs no. 8.
Medical and Veterinary Mycology
A scientific journal.
Micro-Fungi, by Thomas Brittain
Thomas Brittain's 1882 book, "Micro-Fungi" is a popular account of small fungi, plant pathogens, and molds found in the U.K. Mike Walton has kindly augmented it and posted it on the web.
Microbial Information Network of China
A compilation of data from Chinese culture collections and herbaria, information on the journal "Mycosystema," and other Chinese mycology resources.
Microfungi Exsiccati
A series issued by the Botanische Staatssammlung München.
Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions
Moulds: their isolation, cultivation and identification
An online version of David Malloch's excellent guide to moulds (University of Toronto Press, 1981), complete with keys, media recipes, and illustrations of common genera. This book makes a great introduction to hyphomycetes for those with access to a microscope.
Mushroom Growers' Newsletter
The Mushroom Growers' Newsletter website includes tables of contents, events listing, features from past newsletters, a subscription form and access to other mushroom growing information online.
Mushroom identification cards
A set of flashcards with color illustrations to help you learn to identify mushrooms. By Richard F. Progovitz (northeastern USA).
Mushrooms and Light: the nature photographer's guide to photographing mushrooms
A book by E.S. Matisoff.
Mushrooms of Northeastern North America
A field guide to macrofungi by A.E. Bessette, A.R. Bessette, and D.W. Fischer (1997).
MycoInfo
This interesting e-journal devoted to fungi provides synopses of fungus-related news, articles, as well as interesting editorials and book reviews. Although previously highly recommended, it is sadly being discontinued.
Mycologia
Journal of the Mycological Society of America.
Mycological Progress
A new journal of fungal biology, initiated in 2001. Mycological Progress invites papers on fungal systematics, pathology, physiology, and applied biology.
Mycological Research
Journal of the British Mycological Society.
Mycological Society of America
The web page of the Mycological Society of America includes information on activities and officers of the society, searchable abstracts of annual meetings, and membership information. Links are provided to the official MSA journal, Mycologia; the MSA newsletter, Inoculum; a directory of MSA members; and the MSA Bulletin board, MSAPOST.
Mycological Society of Toronto (Canada)
The website of this society in Ontario, Canada includes their newsletter, "Mycelium."
Mycologue Publications
Mycologue is a publishing company founded by W. Bryce Kendrick. It provides books, teaching materials, and computerized keys to fungi (Canada). The site also includes information and many illustrations of fungi that complement Dr. Kendrick's textbook, The Fifth Kingdom (q.v.).
Mycomania
Mycomania is a really nice French e-zine of mycology. It also includes a glossary of French mycological terms.
Myconet
An online and print journal of mycological systematics, specializing in checklists, inventories, and notes on classification.
Mycopix
Images of fungal plant pathogens on cd-rom, available through Mactode Publishing.
Mycorrhiza
A scientific journal of mycorrhizal research.
Mycorrhizas webpage
This guide to mycorrhizal associations (adapted and excerpted from a larger book) is provided by Mark Brundett at CSIRO (Australia). It details the structure and development of mycorrhizae, with handsome images and good textual explanation. It makes a wonderful teaching tool.
Mycoses
A scientific journal on fungal diseases of humans and animals.
Mycotaxon
A scientific journal of fungal taxonomy, Mycotaxon also sells books and interesting T-shirts.
Mykolibri
Seller of antiquarian books on fungi (Germany). Selections of plates from beautiful old books on fungi can be viewed online!
Nematophagous fungi
Philip Jacobs' studies on nematophagous fungi for biological control can be accessed from this page (in German).
New Zealand Journal of Botany
A journal of the plants and fungi of New Zealand.
North American Lichen Project
The North American Lichen Project includes essays on lichen biology and the uses of lichens by people and animals, as well as excerpts and lovely photographs from the forthcoming book Lichens of North America, by I.M. Brodo, S.D. Sharnoff, and S. Sharnoff (Yale University Press).
Outdoor Bookstore
Second-hand books (USA).
PEST CABWeb
PEST CABWeb deals with entomology, nematology, weed science, biological control, plant pathology and many other aspects of pest management. Subscribers can access CABI's journals online, and others may view abstracts and information on CABI's services, as well as recent numbers of "Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria."
Phytoparasitica
A journal of plant protection.
Phytopathogenic fungi from South Africa
This book by Crous, Phillips and Baxter is a host-fungus index to fungal plant pathogens in South Africa (Department of Plant Pathology Press, University of Stellenbosch, 2000). An updated and searchable web version of the book is provided at this web site.
Phytopathology
A scientific journal of plant pathology.
Plant Disease
A scientific journal of plant pathology.
Puget Sound Mycological Society (USA)
The Puget Sound Mycological Society (Washington, USA) publishes a newsletter called Spore Prints.
Revista Iberoamericana de Micología
A scientific journal covering aspects of fungal biology and ecology, and notably fungi that cause disease in humans and animals.
Singer Index
A searchable index to fungal names published by Rolf Singer, a North American expert on macrofungi. Extracted from Mueller and Wu's 1997 book: Mycological Contributions of Rolf Singer: Field Itinerary, Index to New Taxa, and List of Publications.
Snohomish County Mycological Society (USA)
A group of mycophiles in Washington, USA. Their newsletter, The Mushroomer is also online.
Society for Invertebrate Pathology
Fungal diseases of insects and kin and biological control are among the subjects that unite the members of the Society for Invertebrate Pathology.
Svampe
Svampe is the journal of the Danish Mycological Society. The website provides English summaries of most articles and online indices.
The Fifth Kingdom
W.B. Kendrick's delightful introductory mycology textbook, The Fifth Kingdom, is partly available online. This site includes over 800 lavish, colorful illustrations as a supplement to the text, which is available from Mycologue Publications (q.v.). The text of sample chapters is available, too.
The Lichenologist
A scientific journal of lichens.
The Mushroom Place
This web site includes information on mushroom identification, as well as Discover Mushrooms: a commericial identification software package by C. Samuels.
The Mycologist
Newsletter of the British Mycological Society.
TRANSLAT: software for translating English to botanical Latin
Peter Bostock provides this DOS/Windows-based software for translating from English to botanical Latin.
U.S. National Fungus Collections databases
This incredibly valuable USDA-ARS site is the superstar of all mycological internet resources. It provides searchable data from "Fungi on Plants and Plant Products in the US;" and "Literature Guide for Identification of Plant Pathogenic Fungi;" mycological literature reference databases; a listing of specimens in the National Fungus Collections (BPI); an index to Saccardo's "Sylloge Fungorum;" and and index to the "Index of Fungi." Alternate access is through telnet to fungi.ars-grin.gov (login USER; password: USER).
Vedam's Books International
New books (India).
Willamette Valley Mushroom Society (USA)
The website of this mushroomers society in Oregon (USA) includes their newsletter, The Puffball.
Xylariaceae
Excellent monographic treatments of various genera of the family Xylariaceae (Ascomycota) by J.D. Rogers, Y.-M. Ju, and M.J. Adams. Keys are available for the genera Biscogniauxia, Creosphaeria, Daldinia, Discoxylaria, Entoleuca, Hypoxylon, Jumillera, Kretzschmaria, Kretzschmariella, Stilbohypoxylon, Vivantia, and Whalleya, and each species is illustrated and thoroughly described. An index to more than 1200 species epithets is provided for the treated genera. A key to genera of the Xylariaceae has recently been completed. Wow.
Zeitschrift für Mykologie
A scientific journal of mycology.
Discussion Forums
Ananet
The taxonomy of anamorphic fungi is the topic of this discussion forum/electronic newsletter maintained by Keith Seifert of Agriculture Canada.
Basidiomycete phylogeny
Researchers interested in the phylogeny of basidiomycetes now have a home on the WWW that includes a list of meetings and workshops, an address book of like-minded mycologists, and a bibliography of relevant references.
BIOSCI Electronic Newsgroup Network
An international newsgroup network covering many different areas of biology. Groups are devoted to discussion of specific topics in biology; here are some that might pique a mycologist's interest:
bionet.mycology
bionet.microbiology
bionet.biology.symbiosis
bionet.parasitology
bionet.molbio.yeast
bionet.protista
bionet.plants
bionet.molbio.evolution
bionet.population-bio
bionet.general
Archives of the BIOSCI/bionet newsgroups and an alternative posting method for those with older web browsers can be found through the BIOSCI Web page. You can also search the archives of all bionet groups.
British Columbia Ectomycorrhizal Research Network
BCERN presents an online version of the 1996 book, Manual of Concise Descriptions of North American Ectomycorrhizae. The descriptions are augmented with photomicrographs to aid identification. The BCERN newsletter is also available.
Candida News
An electronic discussion list for researchers studying the molecular biology of Candida species.
Caribbean Mycorrhizal Research Net (CARIVAM)
Deep Hypha website
An ambitious project aimed at refining our understanding of the phylogeny of all fungi. The Deep Hypha webpage includes the original proposal to the National Science Foundation (USA), a discussion group, list of participants, schedule of proposed symposia, and links to offsite resources.
FUNGUS home page
FUNGUS was an electronic newsletter devoted mushroom growing. Sadly, it was discontinued in 1997. Although the searchable archives are no longer updated, they're worth a look for answers to all kinds of questions on mushroom cultivation.
LICHENS-L
An electronic discussion group devoted to lichens. To subscribe, send the message "subscribe LICHENS-L Your Name" (e.g. subscribe LICHENS-L Kathie Hodge) to listproc@hawaii.edu.
MICO-IT
An Italian electronic discussion group devoted to fungi. To subscribe, send a message with a blank subject line and the words "subscribe MICO-IT" in the body of the message to majordomo@fastnet.it. Or for more information, send the command "info MICO-IT".
Morels.com
This site provides access to many different morel-hunting bulletin boards in the US. If you're seeking morels in your area, visit here first to pick up tips.
MSA Bulletin Board (MSAPOST)
The electronic bulletin board of the Mycological Society of America is a moderated (spam-free!) web-based forum for information exchange. Membership in MSA is not required to access thees mycological announcements.
Mushrooms.com
A discussion board for discussion of mushrooms, plus a collection of mushroom links.
MycoInfo
This interesting e-journal devoted to fungi provides synopses of fungus-related news, articles, as well as interesting editorials and book reviews. Although previously highly recommended, it is sadly being discontinued.
Mycological Society of America
The web page of the Mycological Society of America includes information on activities and officers of the society, searchable abstracts of annual meetings, and membership information. Links are provided to the official MSA journal, Mycologia; the MSA newsletter, Inoculum; a directory of MSA members; and the MSA Bulletin board, MSAPOST.
Mycology Net
Mycology Net is a launching place for studies in systematic mycology, and includes a discussion forum, links to searchable literature databases and other resources.
Mycomania
Mycomania is a really nice French e-zine of mycology. It also includes a glossary of French mycological terms.
Mycorrhizae Mailing List (Micronet)
A mailing list dedicated to discussion of mycorrhizae and fungus-root interactions. To join, send the message "subscribe micronet Your Name" (e.g. subscribe micronet Kathie Hodge) to listserv@listserv.uoguelph.ca
PERMIT-L
PERMIT-L is a moderated electronic mailing list for discussions on permits for biological collecting, import/export, and site access. It covers all kinds of organisms and is hosted by the Smithsonian Institution. To subscribe, send an email message to LISTSERV@SIVM.SI.EDU (leave subject line blank and omit signature): "Subscribe PERMIT-L Firstname Surname" (e.g. Subscribe PERMIT-L Kathie Hodge).
TAXACOM
A dynamic electronic mailing list for discussions on biosystematics, biogeography and collection curation. To subscribe, send a message to mailto:listserv@usobi.org (leave subject line blank and omit signature): "signup taxacom your name" (e.g. signup taxacom Kathie Hodge) TAXACOM archives are available for browsing and searching
The Edible Mycorrhizal Mushroom Research Group
The research group of Eric Dannell at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences will be of interest to those studying Cantharellus (chanterelles), and other edibles.
The+mycoculture-list
The+mycoculture-list is a private discussion group for cultivators of gourmet (non-psychoactive) mushrooms. It is not intended for beginners. To subscribe, send an email to the+mycoculture-request@teleport.com with the word SUB in the message/subject field.
Truffle.org
An organization promoting research on truffles. The site includes images, molecular methodologies, a directory and bulletin board, and Tuberkey, a Delta-based key to Tuber species. Neat!
USENET Newsgroups
A large global network of newsgroups covering every topic you can imagine. USENET groups are accessed through a Newsserver (maintained by one's institution or service provider) using Newsreader software (incorporated in most web browsers). Some USENET groups of interest to mycologists are listed below. See also various BIOSCI groups (q.v.), or try the Dejanews website, which provides a useful keyword search across hundreds of USENET newsgroups.
alt.nature.mushrooms
sci.agriculture
sci.bio.misc
sci.bio.botany
sci.bio.microbiology
sci.bio.ecology
sci.bio.evolution
sci.bio.phytopathology
sci.bio.systematics.
Mycological Resources on the Internet: Resources for Teaching
Sites for teaching and learning about fungi
A practical guide to mycorrhiza
A basic introduction to mycorrhizae, with tips on how to select and use inoculum in your garden or landscape. A Japanese version is also available.
Alexopoulos textbook errata and additional index items
Errata and additional index items for the textbook "Introductory Mycology," by Alexopoulos, Mims and Blackwell (1996) are available through Dr. Blackwell's web pages.
American Type Culture Collection (ATCC)
The ATCC web page provides a searchable interface to their extensive holdings of filamentous fungi and yeasts, ordering instructions, and information about ATCC workshops and products.
Biology of Mycorrhizas
A good introduction to mycorrhizae, their functions and evolution.
Centex Naturalist
This site includes information on the flora and fauna of central Texas, USA. Jerry Evans has developed a nice guide to noncrustose lichens growing on trees at the Miller Springs Nature Center, and is developing a treatment of the mushrooms, too.
Cryptogams in Depth
Fred M. Rhoades maintains this collection of 3-dimensional images of fungi, myxomycetes, bryophytes, and lichens from Washington, USA.
Dermatophytes
A web page on fungal infections of the skin is available through the Singapore National Skin Care Centre.
Dictionary of the Fungi
The systematic arrangement of fungal genera as suggested in Ainsworth and Bisby's Dictionary of the Fungi (8th edition) can be searched online.
Dr. Fungus
Dr. Fungus provides a thorough introduction to fungi that impact human health. There is plentiful information on fungal pathogens of humans, diagnosis of the diseases they cause, and discussions of treatments and patient resources (this site was formerly called FungusWeb).
Electronic Image Management Guide
Sabine Huhndorf and her group at the Chicago Field Museum (USA) provide this user-friendly guide to digital imaging of fungi using a microscope, video camera, and computer.
Forest Pathology
These pages constitute an excellent on-line textbook of forest and shade tree pathology (including a good introduction to fungi) by Jim Worrall, a pathologist with the US Forest Service.
Forest Pathology and Control, Sir Sanford Fleming College, Canada
An online course in Forest Pathology and Control at Sir Sanford Fleming College, Canada.
Fun Facts about Fungi
A great guide to fungi for beginners and students, Fun Facts about Fungi reveals some of the amazing abilities of fungi, and suggests some experiments you might do to discover them.
Fungal Genetics Stock Center (FGSC)
The FGSC serves databases on the genetics of Aspergillus, Fusarium, Neurospora, Sordaria and other fungi, as well as catalogs of mutant and wild type strains; cloned genes and gene libraries; and useful recipes and methods. The Fungal Genetics Newsletter is online with full text and quality images. Some laboratory exercises demonstrating fungi can be found here. European users will achieve faster access through the U.K. mirror site.
Fungal infections
A tutorial that deals with fungal infections of humans, their therapy, and the organisms responsible. It is provided by the Microbiology component of the University of Leeds Laboratory and Scientific Medicine Course.
Fungi at Manhattan College and the College of Mt. St. Vincent
Home page of the fungi at Manhattan College and the College of Mt. St. Vincent.
Fungi Images on the Net
A metadirectory of the many images of fungi to be found on the internet.
Fungi in Buildings
A glossary and index of fungi important in indoor air quality from the University of Minnesota, with advice on remediation.
Fungi Perfecti
Fungi Perfecti (Olympia, Washington, USA) supplies a plethora of mushroom-growing equipment, spawn and kits, books, and dried edible and medicinal mushrooms. Their online catalog and information about Paul Stamets' mushroom cultivation seminars and consultation services can be found here. This elegant web site includes many impressive images of mushrooms and other products, including scanning electron micrographs of mushroom ultrastructure.
George Barron's website
This website includes some lovely images of fungi, including Entomophthora, Spinellus, and some nematode parasites. It also includes information on Barron's book "Mushrooms of Northeast North America" (in Canada entitled "Mushrooms of Ontario and Eastern Canada").
Glossary of Technical Terms in Plant Pathology
This useful Glossary of technical terms in Plant Pathology is edited by Phil Arneson of Cornell University. It includes definitions, illustrations, and sound files by Richard Korf to aid pronunciation.
Irish Potato Famine
A compilation of information on the Irish Potato Famine of the 1840s, during which time over 3 million Irish died, and many others (including some of my own ancestors) emigrated to other parts of the world. The Famine resulted from an outbreak of late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans.
John C. Tacoma Mushroom Slide Collection
Many, many scanned images of mushrooms and allies, from photographs taken by John C. Tacoma, 1968-1978. Maintained by the Library of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.
LichenLand
Lichenland provides a fine introduction to lichens for both professionals and amateurs. Synoptic keys to taxa and to terms lead to many fine images of lichens, a compilation of their characteristics, and pertinent literature.
Lichens as bioindicators
An interesting discussion of the use of lichens as indicators of the health of an ecosystem. These pages include suggestions for class study and an overview of lichen biology.
Magical Mushrooms and Mystical Molds
The home page of a course, BOT 135, at the University of Hawaii. The course provides an introduction to fungi and their interactions with people.
Microfungal home page
Color images of many microfungi taken under the microscope. Over 100 genera of molds are represented.
Morels: identification of morels and false morels
Michael Kuo's illustrated guide to true (yummy) and false (potentially dangerous) morels.
Moulds: their isolation, cultivation and identification
An online version of David Malloch's excellent guide to moulds (University of Toronto Press, 1981), complete with keys, media recipes, and illustrations of common genera. This book makes a great introduction to hyphomycetes for those with access to a microscope.
Mushroom Toxins
This discussion of mushroom toxins and the symptoms they produce forms a chapter of the "Bad Bug Book" by the US Food and Drug Administration. Other mycotoxins (aflatoxin and ilk) are discussed in a subsequent chapter.
Mushrooms and Magic
The Mycotheology Home Page provides an interesting discussion of the role of fungi in magic, folklore, and religion.
Mushrooms of North Carolina
Mycology students at Duke University (NC, USA) have prepared this site documenting the mushrooms of North Carolina. Their excellent photographs are available here.
Mycologue Publications
Mycologue is a publishing company founded by W. Bryce Kendrick. It provides books, teaching materials, and computerized keys to fungi (Canada). The site also includes information and many illustrations of fungi that complement Dr. Kendrick's textbook, The Fifth Kingdom (q.v.).
Mycology class at Arizona State University
Home page of the General Mycology class at Arizona State University, USA.
Mycology class at Oregon State University
Home page of the mycology class at Oregon State University, USA.
Mycology class at Towson University
The home page of the Mycology class at Towson University, in Maryland, USA.
Mycology classes at Humboldt University
Home page of Mycology classes at Humboldt University, California, USA.
Mycology Course at the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign
This web site for Dr. Carol Shearer's Mycology class includes a syllabus, lab exercises, and many excellent lecture illustrations.
Mycology Online
Mycology Online is a guide to fungal pathogens of humans, the diseases they cause, and selected case studies. This Australian site is searchable, nicely illustrated (not for the squeamish!), and replete with information.
Mycorrhiza information exchange
The Mycorrhiza Information Exchange covers everything you need: literature databases, job ads, teaching tips, images, inoculum sources, links, etc. Participation is invited.
Mycorrhizas webpage
This guide to mycorrhizal associations (adapted and excerpted from a larger book) is provided by Mark Brundett at CSIRO (Australia). It details the structure and development of mycorrhizae, with handsome images and good textual explanation. It makes a wonderful teaching tool.
Mycorrhizospheres of boreal forest trees
This site from the Biocenter at the University of Helsinki (Finland) includes scientific publications documenting the diversity, interactions and functions of forest tree mycorrhizae.
Mycotoxin homepage
A unit of the US Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service that focuses on mycotoxin research. 3-dimensional molecular structures of a few mycotoxins produced by molds are available here.
Myxo Web
This nice web site devoted to myxomycetes provides comprehensive information on the plasmodial slime molds, including some impressively gooey images.
Natural Perspective's introduction to fungi
Natural Perspective's nicely illustrated introduction to the fungal kingdom.
North American Lichen Project
The North American Lichen Project includes essays on lichen biology and the uses of lichens by people and animals, as well as excerpts and lovely photographs from the forthcoming book Lichens of North America, by I.M. Brodo, S.D. Sharnoff, and S. Sharnoff (Yale University Press).
North American Mycological Association
NAMA is a great group for amateur mycologists. It provides a national mushroom poisoning registry, sponsors an annual foray, and publishes a fine annual journal, McIlvainea, and a bimonthly newsletter, The Mycophile. Also available through NAMA are suggestions for teaching K-12 students about fungi, and other tidbits.
Penn State Mushroom Spawn Lab
Pennsylvania State University's strong program in mushroom cultivation presents fact sheets and other information about commercial mushroom production on these pages. PSU's mushroom growers' information pages are part of this site.
Plant Pathogenic Fungi
The University of Kentucky's course in plant pathogenic fungi has web pages that include the syllabus and other information.
Plant Pathology
The Plant Pathology courses at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (USA). Most materials are for registered students only; a distance learning course is offered.
Plant Pathology Internet Guidebook
The Plant Pathology Internet Guidebook is a comprehensive source for Plant Pathology resources online. It is available through the Institute of Plant Diseases and Plant Protection in Hannover, Germany.
Plant Pathology Simulations
Computer simulations for teaching aspects of plant pathology and epidemiology.
Plasmodiophorid Home Page
These are pages devoted to the Plasmodiophorales from Ohio University. Information about life histories, cytology, and biology of this interesting group of fungus-like protists is available here.
Pythium insidiosum
Pythiosis is a disease of humans and animals that can be caused by the subject of this web page, Pythium insidiosum. The site includes graphic images and information on biology, epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment.
Spongospora: the European powdery scab workshop (2000)
Spongospora subterranea is a plasmodiophorid pathogen of potatoes (and other plants) and an emerging pathogen in some regions. This workshop site introduces the biology and control of S. subterranea and related species, and includes images and a discussion board.
The Fifth Kingdom
W.B. Kendrick's delightful introductory mycology textbook, The Fifth Kingdom, is partly available online. This site includes over 800 lavish, colorful illustrations as a supplement to the text, which is available from Mycologue Publications (q.v.). The text of sample chapters is available, too.
The Rhynie Chert and its Flora
The Rhynie Chert is a fossilized Devonian lake shore in Scotland that includes some of the oldest fossils of plants and their associated fungi. This nice site introduces the botanical and mycological finds of the Rhynie Chert, and provides photos of the oldest known lichen and early arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.
This is Not Just Plant Pathogenic Fungi!
Students at Texas A M University have prepared a guide to plant pathogenic (and other) fungi.
Tom Volk's web pages
One stop shopping for mycology. These pages feature a "fungus of the month" column, with entertaining text and nice photos, in addition to a plethora of other information about fungi. Tom is a professor at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, USA.
Tree of Life
This phylogenetic navigator provides a tree that shows the evolutionary relationships of living organisms, including fungi. It also supplies descriptive pages on selected terminal taxa. Like biological systematics itself, it's a work in progress.
UC Berkeley's Introduction to Fungi
The Museum of Paleontology at the University of California, Berkeley provides a well-prepared introduction to the kingdom Fungi, and also to two groups that have historically been studied by mycologists, the Oomycota and slime molds. Similar introductions are available for all other taxa. This link makes a valuable addition to any teaching program.
University of Tennessee Mycology Labs
Drs. Ron Petersen and Karen Hughes maintain a nice set of web pages that include a primer on Botanical Nomenclature, a synopsis of molecular phylogenetic techniques. These pages also provide an important resources on color standards used by mycologists: a synopsis of Fries' color terminology, and a concordance of colors in the Ridgway and Methuen color handbooks. Lots of information is also provided on the projects of staff and students.
Views of the Famine
An illustrated history of news coverage of the Irish Potato Famine that occurred in the 1840s due to Phytophthora infestans, causal agent of late blight of potato.
Wayne's Word on the fungal kingdom
A delightful introduction to selected members of the kingdom Fungi from the e-zine, Wayne's Word.
Western Montana Mycological Association (USA): Fungal Jungal
The Western Montana Mycological Association maintains this nice site. It includes photos of Montana mushrooms, recipes, an oyster mushroom cultivation project, a mushroom "trunk" for teachers, a morel information site, and information on the WMMA's current activities.
World-Wide Web Virtual Library
You're there now! This is a distributed library of resources maintained at many different sites all over the world. Unlike some of the big search engines, VL site maintainers personally select and evaluate the links they recommend, with the result that VL sites generally have a high signal to noise ratio. The WWW VL is a good place to start when looking for electronic information on all kinds of different topics.

Mycological Resources on the Internet: Taxonomy
Fungal taxonomy and nomenclature See also the Regional Guides page, and the Mushrooms page
Agaricales of Java and Bali
Mushrooms occuring in Java and Bali are documented in these pages.
All Species Foundation
A foundation that aims to promote the discovery and description of all species of life on earth.
American Society of Plant Taxonomists
This site includes the ASPT newsletter, and information about the ASPT journal Systematic Botany, and Systematic Botany Monographs.
Ananet
The taxonomy of anamorphic fungi is the topic of this discussion forum/electronic newsletter maintained by Keith Seifert of Agriculture Canada.
Anateleo
Anateleo is a database of anamorph-teleomorph connections. Anamorphs are the asexual reproductive states of ascomycetes and basidiomycetes; a special article of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature allows us to give them their own names. This database includes only ascomycetes, so far, and is searchable either by anamorph or holomorph (=teleomorph) names. Opportunity is provided for new submissions (with documentation) and corrections.
Armillaria
Tom Volk has made available on the web his key to Armillaria species, accompanied by lots of information on the history and taxonomy of the genus.
Basidiomycete phylogeny
Researchers interested in the phylogeny of basidiomycetes now have a home on the WWW that includes a list of meetings and workshops, an address book of like-minded mycologists, and a bibliography of relevant references.
Basidiomycetes of the Greater Antilles
This project aims to create a baseline inventory of the Basidiomycetes of the Greater Antilles, a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea. The study area includes Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and also some islands of the Lesser Antilles: St. John and the US Virgin Islands. These web pages include some nice photographs of mushrooms and their allies, and keys to selected genera. D.J. Lodge, T.J. Baroni, L. Ryvarden, and K.K. Nakasone are the principal investigators.
Biocode
Rules for naming organisms are currently governed by several different codes, depending on the group you're considering: for Fungi we use rules set forth in the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (q.v.). Some argue there should be a single system of rules for naming all organisms; a draft version of this proposed "Biocode" is provided at this web site.
Bruns Lab web pages
Laboratory of Dr. Tom D. Bruns, University of California at Berkeley, USA. Copies of many of Dr. Bruns' papers are available. A database of DNA sequences to facilitate identification of ectomycorrhizal fungi is available through these pages. The database was described by Bruns et al. in Molecular Ecology 7: 257-272 (1998) and has been recently updated.
Caliciales
Lichenized members of the Caliciales are treated on this site, which provides keys, illustrations, and taxonomic and ecological information, with a focus on Scandinavian representation.
Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures (CBS)
CBS is an important center for mycological research in The Netherlands. Their extensive culture collection can be searched on many criteria, including cultural characteristics. CBS also provides access to nomenclatural databases on the Aphyllophorales and the genus Fusarium, and archives of an ongoing discussion on fungal nomenclature.
Checklist of Lichens of North America
T.L. Esslinger's cumulative checklist for the lichen-forming, lichenicolous and allied fungi of the continental United States and Canada is an important resource for American lichenologists. It includes lists of synonyms and some nomenclatural notes.
Chytrid fungi online
A website devoted to chytrids, a group of microscopic, mostly aquatic fungi. The site focuses on the taxonomy of the order Chytriales, but provides good introductory discussion of chytrids in general. A searchable literature database, photogallery, and isolation methods are among the resources presented.
Collybia
A WWW adaptation of Roy Halling's 1983 monograph entitled "A revision of Collybia sensu lato in the northeastern United States and adjacent Canada." The site includes an online key and index to taxa in Collybia, Rhodocollybia, and Gymnopus.
Comparative studies on the macrofungi of China and eastern North America
Qiuxin Wu and Greg Mueller document fungi which have disjunct distributions in China and eastern North America.
Concise Descriptions of North American Ectomycorrhizae
An identification guide edited by D.M. Goodman, D.M. Durall, J.A. Trofymow and S.M. Berch.
Conserved plant names: proposals and disposals
The Smithsonian Institution provides this searchable index to plant and fungus names that have been the subject of proposals to conserve or reject under the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (q.v.). All such proposals are published in the journal Taxon.
Coprinus
Technical keys and taxonomic resources on inky cap mushrooms (Coprinus species) are provided through this web page, which also includes a downloadable mushroom identification program.
Cornell Center for Fungal Biology
The CCFB is building a database of fungal diversity at the Lindsay-Parsons Biodiversity Preserve in Central New York, including images. The Preserve is owned by the Finger Lakes Land Trust.
Cortbase: nomenclature of corticioid fungi
A nomenclatural database of corticioid fungi is available for download at this site. The Corticiaceae are a group of basidiomycetes that, on a macroscopic level, look a lot like a splash of paint on wood. Up close they can be strikingly beautiful.
Deep Hypha website
An ambitious project aimed at refining our understanding of the phylogeny of all fungi. The Deep Hypha webpage includes the original proposal to the National Science Foundation (USA), a discussion group, list of participants, schedule of proposed symposia, and links to offsite resources.
DELTA
DELTA (DEscription Language for TAxonomy) is a powerful software package for IBM-compatible computers that facilitates character analysis in taxonomic and phyogenetic studies. Through add-on Intkey software, users can create identification keys from on DELTA datasets.
DERMBASE: names of Dermateaceae
DERMBASE is a nomenclatural database of fungal names in the family Dermateaceae, a difficult family of discomycetes. It has been compiled by Burghard Hein.
Dictionary of the Fungi
The systematic arrangement of fungal genera as suggested in Ainsworth and Bisby's Dictionary of the Fungi (8th edition) can be searched online.
Digital Exsiccate of Fungi
The developing Digital Exsiccate Pages provide thorough descriptions of genera and species of fungi with illustrations and keys to species. They are an impressive effort of the mycology program at University Tübingen in Germany and the University of Göteborg, Sweden.
Dutch Herbaria: catalog of type specimens
This database of type specimens held in herbaria in the Netherlands is searchable by taxon, author, and many other fields. It includes about 55,000 specimens of plants, fungi and lichens held at Amsterdam (AMD), Leiden (L), Utrecht (U) and Wageningen (WAG). Images of some specimens are available.
Electronic Image Management Guide
Sabine Huhndorf and her group at the Chicago Field Museum (USA) provide this user-friendly guide to digital imaging of fungi using a microscope, video camera, and computer.
Expert Center for Taxonomic Information (ETI)
ETI develops information systems, and promotes knowledge in taxonomy and biodiversity. ETI maintains a directory of expert taxonomists across all disciplines (add your name!).
Flammulina web page
A taxonomic revision of the mushroom genus Flammulina (fuzzy foot mushrooms) is provided by R.H. Petersen, K.W. Hughes, and S.A. Redhead. The site includes a discussion of the family Xerulaceae and a key to Flammulina species.
FloraMap
This computer program from CIAT can be used to map the distributions of plants and other organisms, especially in tropical parts of the world.
Freshwater Ascomycetes and their Anamorphs
The freshwater ascomycete database is a compilation of water-dwelling unitunicate and bitunicate taxa, their substrates and distributions, and their anamorphic states, many species are illustrated by fine microphotographs. It is maintained by Carol Shearer of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (USA).
Fritschiana
A publication of the Herbarium des Institutes für Botanik der Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz. Fritschiana includes indices to specimens in the exsiccatae Lichenotheca Graecensis and Mycotheca Graecensis.
FungalWeb
FungalWeb provides a searchable classification system for fungi. It incorporates links to other databases including anamorph-teleomorph relationships, DNA and protein sequences, and fungal nomenclature.
Fungi exsiccati praesertim scandinavici
This index to specimens included in the exsiccatae Fungi Exsiccati Praesertim Scandinavici was compiled by Christian Scheuer.
Fungimap
Fungimap is an Australian project aiming to improve our understanding of the distribution of native Australian fungi. The Fungimap website includes the newsletter, and provides information on target species and other fungi of Australia.
FunIndex
A massive, searchable index of names of fungi, provided by CABI Bioscience (q.v.). These pages also include the classification from the Dictionary of the Fungi, Species2000, and the CABI culture collection (IMI).
Fusarium
These pages include abstracts from the 8th International Fusarium Workshop (U.K.), news of the next workshop, and links of interest to Fusarium workers.
Fusarium Internotes
Newsletter of the International Soceity for Plant Pathology Committee on Fusarium.
FusKey
An interactive key to the species of Fusarium complete with illustrations and references to pertinent literature. Courtesy of Keith Seifert of Agriculture Canada.
Gruppo Micologico G. Camisola (Italy)
This mycological society in Asti, Italy provides illustrated guides to species of Helvella, Peziza, Boletus, and Inocybe that occur in Italy (in Italian).
Hypomyces
An identification guide to species of Hypomyces, a genus of fungal parasites in the order Hypocreales. The site provides an interactive, synoptic key, lovely images, and descriptions of Hypomyces species.
Index Herbariorum
The online version of the Index Herbariorum can be searched and updated online through the New York Botanical Garden.
Index Nominum Genericorum (Plantarum)
The WWW version of the ING is a massive searchable index of generic names of organisms covered by the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (including, of course, Fungi). A bibliographic citation, and information on typification, status, and classification are provided for each generic name.
Index of Fungi
Names included in the important CABI Biosicence publication, "Index of Fungi" are searchable (along with other databases) through a WWW interface provided by the USDA-ARS Systematic Botany and Mycology Lab.
Index to American Botanical Literature
This useful and searchable Index to American Botanical Literature is provided by the New York Botanic Garden, and includes much useful bibliographic information about fungi.
Index to Plantae Graecenses
This index to specimens included in Poelt et al.'s exsiccatae Plantae Graecenses was compiled by Christian Scheuer.
Infoforum Schimmelpilz
Infoforum Schimmelpilz is a German site on molds, with a special focus on those that occur inside, where they're not wanted.
International Code of Botanical Nomenclature
The current version of the ICBN (St. Louis Code, 2000) is available online in English and Slovak. Its appendices include lists of conserved and rejected names. The code specifies the rules by which plants and fungi are named.
International Plant Names Index
This site provides a searchable index of names of seed plants, and also of the authors of plant and fungus names. This project doesn't aim to include fungal names; for mycologists it is most useful for looking up author names and abbreviations.
Key to Cortinarius subg. Dermocybe
A key to the species of Cortinarius subgenus Dermocybe that occur in the Nordic countries of Europe.
Key to North American Lactarius species
Michael Kuo's key to Lactarius species of North America facilitates identification based on macroscopic features.
Laccaria in North America
Greg Mueller's handsome monograph of the mushroom genus Laccaria in North America includes keys, phylogenetic trees, photographs, morphological and ecological information.
Lactarius in Sweden
Lists and illustrations of species of the mushroom genus Lactarius that occur in Sweden (in Swedish).
LIAS
LIAS is a developing DELTA-based system to facilitate systematic studies of lichenized and lichenicolous Ascomycetes. It is coordinated by the Botanische Staatssammlung München.
Lichen checklist of Japan
Lichens recorded from Japan since 1980 are listed on this page at the lichenology lab at Kochi University.
Lichen Home Page
The Lichen Home Page serves a database of red-listed epiphytic lichens of Switzerland, complete with distribution maps.
Lichen research at the Smithsonian Institute
This site provides a survey of lichen research going on at the Smithsonian Inst. (Washington D.C., USA). Among the included resources are checklists and keys for the lichenized fungi recorded from the Guianas; a nomenclator of names in the Parmeliaceae; a list of lichen types in the US National Herbarium; and a brief introduction to lichens.
LichenLand
Lichenland provides a fine introduction to lichens for both professionals and amateurs. Synoptic keys to taxa and to terms lead to many fine images of lichens, a compilation of their characteristics, and pertinent literature.
Lichens: Keys
This survey of keys to various lichens available on the web was compiled by Harrie Sipman, who wrote more than a few of them himself.
Lichens of the National Parks (USA)
A searchable listing of lichen species recorded from US National Parks is available through the Wisconsin Cooperative Park Studies Unit at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
M. Noordeloos' Website
Dr. Noordeloos provides keys and information on a growing list of mushroom genera for Europe, including Entoloma, Psilocybe, Hemimycena, and some boletes.
Mapping of Macromycetes in Norway
This project aims to provide information on the distribution and diversity of Norwegian macromycetes (larger fungi) in order to better understand and conserve fungal biodiversity.
Matsushima Mycological Memoirs no. 8
Searchable text, plus illustrations from Matsushima Mycological Memoirs no. 8.
Microfungal home page
Color images of many microfungi taken under the microscope. Over 100 genera of molds are represented.
Microfungi Exsiccati
A series issued by the Botanische Staatssammlung München.
Morels: identification of morels and false morels
Michael Kuo's illustrated guide to true (yummy) and false (potentially dangerous) morels.
Moulds: their isolation, cultivation and identification
An online version of David Malloch's excellent guide to moulds (University of Toronto Press, 1981), complete with keys, media recipes, and illustrations of common genera. This book makes a great introduction to hyphomycetes for those with access to a microscope.
Mushrooms and Toadstools of the Hampshire and Surrey borders
The Hampshire Fungus Recording group provides these images of mushrooms and their kin.
Mushrooms of North Carolina
Mycology students at Duke University (NC, USA) have prepared this site documenting the mushrooms of North Carolina. Their excellent photographs are available here.
Mycena Page
Photographs and descriptions of some (mainly European) species of the mushroom genus Mycena are provided by Arne Aronsen.
Mycologue Publications
Mycologue is a publishing company founded by W. Bryce Kendrick. It provides books, teaching materials, and computerized keys to fungi (Canada). The site also includes information and many illustrations of fungi that complement Dr. Kendrick's textbook, The Fifth Kingdom (q.v.).
Mycology Net
Mycology Net is a launching place for studies in systematic mycology, and includes a discussion forum, links to searchable literature databases and other resources.
Mycology Online
Mycology Online is a guide to fungal pathogens of humans, the diseases they cause, and selected case studies. This Australian site is searchable, nicely illustrated (not for the squeamish!), and replete with information.
Myconet
An online and print journal of mycological systematics, specializing in checklists, inventories, and notes on classification.
Mycorrhiza information exchange
The Mycorrhiza Information Exchange covers everything you need: literature databases, job ads, teaching tips, images, inoculum sources, links, etc. Participation is invited.
Mycotheca Generalis
This index to specimens included in Petrak's exsiccatae Mycotheca Generalis was compiled by Christian Scheuer.
Myxo Web
This nice web site devoted to myxomycetes provides comprehensive information on the plasmodial slime molds, including some impressively gooey images.
Names in Current Use-3e
NCU-3e is a searchable nomenclatural database of generic names in current use for organisms (including fungi) treated under the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature. This is an online version of a book published in 1993 by Koeltz Scientific as vol. 129 of the Regnum Vegetabile series.
National Center for Biotechnology Information
NCBI provides GenBank, an invaluable database of DNA sequences from all organisms. Use the taxonomy browser, or perform a BLAST search to find sequences of interest.
North American Fungi
This index to specimens included in the exsiccatae North American Fungi (by Ellis and Everhart) was compiled by Christian Scheuer.
North American Lichen Project
The North American Lichen Project includes essays on lichen biology and the uses of lichens by people and animals, as well as excerpts and lovely photographs from the forthcoming book Lichens of North America, by I.M. Brodo, S.D. Sharnoff, and S. Sharnoff (Yale University Press).
NZFungi: New Zealand Fungi
NZFungi is a database of fungal species reported from New Zealand. It includes a searchable interface for names, bibliographic references, collection data, and other attributes, and can generate distribution maps to illustrate its records. It is a handsome effort. It's worth finding the right web browser (a recent version of Internet Explorer) to fully access the data.
Pezweb
This fine site provides comprehensive information on the discomycete order Pezizales (cup fungi which have operculate asci). The nice synoptic key will help you identify your specimens, especially if you collected them in western North America.
Phylocode
A radical proposal to change the way we name organisms. The Phylocode is a system that defines species according to their phylogenetic relationships. It is presented by the authors as an alternative to "Linnaean" nomenclature of the sort governed by the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (q.v.). Some problems remain to be worked out, such as how to refer to a species.
PhysarumPlus
PhysarumPlus is a resource for researchers studying Physarum and allied slime molds. It includes life cycle information, a question and answer forum, images, protocols for culturing and molecular biology, and even an ode to Physarum.
PhytID - for the identification of Phytophthora species
CABI Bioscience provides this online identifier of Phytophthora species. It is based on DNA data: you PCR-amplify the ITS region of the genome, cut it with restriction enzymes, then input your results for comparison to a database of known strains.
Plant Diversity of Central French Guiana
The site documents an ongoing project of the New York Botanic Garden on the flora of French Guiana. It currently includes preliminary information on pyrenomycetes and loculoascomycetes from Sabine Huhndorf, as well as information on plant diversity.
Plant Taxonomists Online
An online directory of plant taxonomists, including a few mycologists and lichenologists.
Reliquiae Holwayanae
This index to specimens included in the exsiccatae Reliquiae Holwayanae was compiled by Christian Scheuer.
Reliquiae Petrakianae
This index to specimens included in the exsiccatae Reliquiae Petrakianae was compiled by Christian Scheuer.
Safrinet
A cooperative African effort to build resources in microbial systematics.
Sclerotiniaceae and Rutstroemiaceae
These fine keys and information on the stromatic inoperculate discomycetes were prepared by Trond Schumacher and Arne Holst-Jensen. They focus on those taxa found in the Nordic countries.
Singer Index
A searchable index to fungal names published by Rolf Singer, a North American expert on macrofungi. Extracted from Mueller and Wu's 1997 book: Mycological Contributions of Rolf Singer: Field Itinerary, Index to New Taxa, and List of Publications.
Studies in the genus Amanita
Rod Tulloss' pages on the genus Amanita include photos, keys, and technical descriptions of selected species from various parts of the world.
Studies in the Lasiosphaeriaceae
Sabine Huhndorf's website is entitled Studies in the Lasiosphaeriaceae: Monographs of two key genera and a family-level phylogeny. The site provides keys to genera as well as introductory and phylogenetic information on this family of perithecial ascomycetes in the order Sordariales.
TAXACOM
A dynamic electronic mailing list for discussions on biosystematics, biogeography and collection curation. To subscribe, send a message to mailto:listserv@usobi.org (leave subject line blank and omit signature): "signup taxacom your name" (e.g. signup taxacom Kathie Hodge) TAXACOM archives are available for browsing and searching
Taxonomic Resources and Expertise Directory
TRED is a growing directory of American taxonomists that is searchable by field of expertise. It is maintained by the Association of Systematics Collections.
Texas Plant Disease Handbook
The Texas Plant Disease Handbook is a pretty comprehensive guide to plant diseases and the organisms that cause them.
The Echinosteliales (Myxomycetes)
A taxonomic treatment of the Echinosteliales (a group of slime molds) prepared by Francisco Pando. An INTKEY identification resource for use with DELTA software (q.v.) is provided.
The Lichenologist
A scientific journal of lichens.
The Phlegmacium website
This yucky-sounding website is actually a lovely treatment of a subgenus of the very large mushroom genus, Cortinarius. Species of Cortinarius subgenus Phlegmacium in Denmark and neighboring Europe are named and illustrated on this site.
The Russulales website
A guide to the genera Russula, Lactarius and hypogeous allies in the western hemisphere, thie site includes a useful bibliography, images, and illustrations of important characters and chemical tests.
TRANSLAT: software for translating English to botanical Latin
Peter Bostock provides this DOS/Windows-based software for translating from English to botanical Latin.
Tree of Life
This phylogenetic navigator provides a tree that shows the evolutionary relationships of living organisms, including fungi. It also supplies descriptive pages on selected terminal taxa. Like biological systematics itself, it's a work in progress.
Tricholoma in Denmark
A checklist and illustrations of species of the elegant mushroom genus Tricholoma in Denmark.
Trichomycetes of Chironomidae
These pages by R.W. Lichtwardt and L.C. Ferrington document on ongoing project on the taxonomy and co-evolution of Trichomycetes (fungi that inhabit insect guts) and their blackfly hosts. Keys to trichomycete orders and genera, an extensive literature database, and an overview of trichomycete systematics.
TRITON
The Taxonomy Resource and Index To Organism Names is a developing database of nomenclatural information that covers all kingdoms of organisms.
U.S. National Fungus Collections databases
This incredibly valuable USDA-ARS site is the superstar of all mycological internet resources. It provides searchable data from "Fungi on Plants and Plant Products in the US;" and "Literature Guide for Identification of Plant Pathogenic Fungi;" mycological literature reference databases; a listing of specimens in the National Fungus Collections (BPI); an index to Saccardo's "Sylloge Fungorum;" and and index to the "Index of Fungi." Alternate access is through telnet to fungi.ars-grin.gov (login USER; password: USER).
UC Berkeley's Introduction to Fungi
The Museum of Paleontology at the University of California, Berkeley provides a well-prepared introduction to the kingdom Fungi, and also to two groups that have historically been studied by mycologists, the Oomycota and slime molds. Similar introductions are available for all other taxa. This link makes a valuable addition to any teaching program.
Xylariaceae
Excellent monographic treatments of various genera of the family Xylariaceae (Ascomycota) by J.D. Rogers, Y.-M. Ju, and M.J. Adams. Keys are available for the genera Biscogniauxia, Creosphaeria, Daldinia, Discoxylaria, Entoleuca, Hypoxylon, Jumillera, Kretzschmaria, Kretzschmariella, Stilbohypoxylon, Vivantia, and Whalleya, and each species is illustrated and thoroughly described. An index to more than 1200 species epithets is provided for the treated genera. A key to genera of the Xylariaceae has recently been completed. Wow.
Zoosporic Fungi Online
Zoosporic Fungi Online provides up-to-date information on fungi (chytrids) and things we used to think were fungi (stramenopiles). There are reviews of publications, tips on cultural methods, phylogenetic trees