Fungi have had a cultural moment in recent years, and Mushroom Mania arrives at exactly the right time. Illustrated by Mirri Rowland, the design is a dense, colourful arrangement of mushroom species — from the familiar red-capped fly agaric through to varieties most people have never seen outside a field guide. Each one is labelled with its name. It is the kind of puzzle that teaches you something while you are assembling it, which is a rarer quality than it should be.
Rowland's illustration treats fungi the way a good botanical print would — with accuracy and genuine visual interest. The colour range is wider than you might expect. Some species sit in warm earth tones; others are vivid orange, deep violet, or an almost electric blue. The variety is not decorative for its own sake — it reflects how genuinely strange and varied the fungal world is. That makes the illustration interesting to look at once the puzzle is complete, not just during the assembly.
How it assembles
The collage format works well here — individual mushroom specimens arranged across the frame, each with enough distinction to sort by. The labels add an extra layer of reference; once you know you are looking for a specific species, you have both the colour and the text as guides. That combination makes the middle sections — usually where a puzzle loses momentum — move faster than expected.
The colour variety across the illustration means there are always clear sorting categories to work from. The warmer, woodier species group naturally together; the more vivid ones stand apart. Beginners will find the distinct specimens helpful as anchor points. Experienced puzzlers will appreciate the fine detail in Rowland's linework once sections start to fill in.
Build quality
Made from FSC-certified board with House of Puzzles' uniquely shaped pieces — no two the same. Pieces are thick and fit firmly. Finished size: 48 x 69 cm. The illustration frames well if you want to keep it — botanical prints have a long history on walls for good reason.
As a gift
An obvious choice for anyone interested in foraging, mycology, or botanical illustration. It also works for people who simply want a puzzle with something genuinely unusual to look at. At $34.99, it is a considered gift for someone with specific interests — the kind that shows you paid attention.