Funga Obscura - by Alison Pouliot (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

An unforgettable visual journey through the kingdom of fungi, both enigmatic and entrancing.

Recyclers, creators of soil, enablers of life, and food for many--fungi are as dynamic as they are diverse. And, throughout her career, Alison Pouliot has observed these organisms with a unique vision. As a scientist and photographer, she has led hundreds of forays through the forests of the Americas, Australia, and Europe. In this book, readers can travel along with her on these global explorations through stunning photographs and meditations on the landscape. She says her camera is where fungal lives come most clearly into focus. And like the camera obscura, this book, Funga Obscura, captures brief mycological moments and unforgettable fungus microcosms.

The word funga refers to the fungi of a region, and Pouliot's photography spans continents. We see a parade of violet webcap mushrooms, spotted in the understory of a Pacific Northwest forest; brilliantly blue pixie's parasols in Australia; an Italian alpine lichen, looking for all the world like a treasure map; and a showstopping whitelaced shank, ready to spread its spores in Switzerland. We learn that fungi live almost everywhere, from our lawns to forests and woodlands, from the ocean's depths to deserts and alpine peaks. Yet, like a web of rootlike mycelium, Funga Obscura goes deeper to investigate how fungi shape landscapes and interact with other organisms, including humans. This journey spans eons, from long ago in evolutionary time, when fungi first emerged from the ocean onto land, to today, when we witness their work all around us. The scenes here challenge our ideas about what fungi are, what they do, and why they matter.

In Pouliot's photographs, you might recognize a few old friends, but many mushrooms will be new acquaintances. Sometimes they make their presence immediately known; at other times, they just provide clues--and trails to follow.

Review Quotes

"Funga Obscura is beautifully written: Whilst Pouliot may observe with a naturalist's eye, she writes with the soul of a poet. Plus, the words are enriched and enlivened by Pouliot's own pictures, from her fungal forays around the globe in search of myriad marvelous mycoforms...a veritable fungal photofest."-- "Plant Cuttings"

"Pouliot's [new book] showcase some of the most striking members of this often-overlooked kingdom of life."-- "New Scientist"

"Funga Obscura is an extraordinary exploration of the hidden kingdom of fungi, presented through a unique combination of evocative writing and stunning photography. Pouliot takes us on a journey not just across the world but through time itself, beginning with the origins of life on Earth. Her narrative is a masterful blend of science, art, and personal discovery, making the book a truly immersive experience."-- "Australian Garden History Society"

"Funga Obscura is a beautifully crafted book that explores the world of fungi through a blend of storytelling and photography. It features Pouliot's stunning, high-quality photographs of fungi--each thoughtfully composed--paired with personal reflections and engaging insights into her deep passion for fungi and the art of capturing them on camera...Funga Obscura invites you to wander into nature and study fungi for yourself."-- "The Tasmanian Times"

"Who'd have thought fungi could be so...fabulous? Ecologist and environmental photographer Alison Pouliot has a focus on fungi and her pictures take us across continents and hemispheres...This festival of fungi encompasses the cute and the creepy and reminds us that fungus is a vital component of life on Earth."-- "Canberra Times"

"[Pouliot makes a] convincing case. . . . Fungi are essential to the world as we know it."--The New York Review of Books "Previous praise for Pouliot"

"A charming, informative presentation of a world beneath our feet."--Booklist "Previous praise for Pouliot"

"Pouliot conveys the otherworldly charisma of mushrooms with love and skill."--The Sydney Morning Herald "Previous praise for Pouliot"

"She brings fungi to life with lush descriptions, infectious enthusiasm, and gorgeous pictures."--Book Riot "Previous prasie for Pouliot"

About the Author

Alison Pouliot is an ecologist and photographer with a passion for fungi. She has written several books, including Mushroom Day: A Story of 24 Hours and 24 Fungal Lives and Meetings with Remarkable Mushrooms, also published by the University of Chicago Press.