AMERICAN FUNGI
TOADSTOOLS, MUSHROOMS, FUNGI,
EDIBLE AND POISONOUS
AMERICAN FUNGI
HOW TO SELECT AND COOK THE EDIBLE; HOW TO
DISTINGUISH AND AVOID THE POISONOUS
WITH FULL BOTANIC DESCRIP1 IONS
BY CHARLES McILVAINE
PRESIDENT PHILADELPHIA MYCOLOGICAL CENTER, HONORARY MEMBER SALEM COUNTY AND
GLOUCESTER COUNTY, N. J., MCOICAL SOCIETIES
AND
ROBERT K. MACADAM
coition
Revised Throughout by CHARLES FREDERIC MILLSPAUGH, Curator
of Botany, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, with
Supplementary Chapter and Many
New Illustrations
INDIANAPOLIS
THE BOBBS-MERRILL COMPANY
PUBLISHERS
Copyright 1900
THE BOWEN-MERRILL COMPANY
Copyright 1912
THE BOBBS-MERRILL COMPANY
PRESS or
BRAUNWORTH & CO.
BOOKBINDERS AND PRINTERS
BROOKLYN, N. Y.
CONTENTS
General Index v
Preface vii
Introduction ix
Instructions to Students xxiii
Text 1
Toadstool Poisoning and Its Treatment 621
Recipes for Cooking and Preparing for the Table 635
Raising Mushrooms at Home 650
Abbreviations of Names of Authors of Species 656
Names of the Principal Reporters of American Species 658
Glossary 661
Preface to Second Edition 703
Preface to Third Edition 705
Supplementary Text 707
Index to Genera, Species and Illustrations 739
242993
GENERAL INDEX
PAGE.
Abbreviations of the Names of Au-
thors, 656
Agaricaceae. Family, xvii, 1
Spore color chart, iv
Tabular view of
genera, iv
Agarics. Progressive growth of, iii
Graphic section of, vii
Amanitine, 5
Analysis, Agaricus campester,
Coprinus atramentarius, 374
Coprinus comatus, 371
Cortinarius collinitus, 314
Lycoperdon bovista, 590
Marasmius oreades, 225
Morchella esculenta, 543
Pleurotus ostreatus, 137
Anthony, Mrs. Emilia C., xxi
Arnold, Prof. J. P., xxi
Ascomycetes. Sub-Class, xviii, 534
Auriculariese. Sub-Family, 526
Author's and Publisher's Note, xxii
Bake, A Camp, 649
Baked Toadstools of any gilled kind, 648
Basidiomycetes. Sub-Class, 1, 568
Benson, Berry, xxi
Boleti, 640
To bake, 641
To broil, 640
To dry, 641
To fry, 641
To stew, 640
To make B. edulis soup, 641
Boston School of Natural History, xxi
Briscoe, Frank D., xxi
Britton, Prof. N. L., x, xx
Brown, Hon. Addison, xx
Cantharellus cibarius, 641
To fry, 641
To preserve for winter use, 642
To roast, 641
To stew, 641
Carter, Prof. W. S.,
Clavaria. To cook,
To pickle,
Clavariaceae. Family,
Clitocybe multiceps,
To bake,
With cheese,
xiii, xxi, 621
642
642
xviii, 1, 511
642
642
642
PAGE.
Collins, Thomas J., xxi
Cooking, Recipes for, 635
Coprinus. To cook (Mrs. S. T. Ro-
rer), 642
Croquettes. Toadstool, 643
Curtis, Rev. M. A., xiv
Dacryomycetes. Sub-Family, 527
Daniels, Dr. Edwin A., xx
Dewey, Melvil, xxi
Discomycetes. Cohort, 534
Easton, Prof. Morton W., xx
Ewing, Mrs. Emma P., xx
Farlow, Prof. William G., xxi
Fistulina Hepatica. To cook, 643
Fistulina hepatica salad, 643
Fungi. Class, 1
Fungus. To broil any capped, 643
Gastromycetes. Sub-Class, xvi, 568
Gill shapes i
Glossary, 661
Harpel, Luther G.,
Harshberger, Dr. J. W.,
Helvellaceae. Family,
Hydnacese. Family,
Hydnei. To cook,
xxi
XX
534
xviii, 1, 492
644
Hymenogastraceae. Family, 569
Hymenomycetes. Cohort, xvi, xvii, 1
Hypholomas, 644
To bake, 645
To stew, 644
Index to Species,
Instructions to Students,
Introduction,
Lactarii. To cook,
Langlois, Rev. A. B.,
Leucosporae. Chart of genera,
Series,
Lloyd, C. G.,
Lycoperdacese. Family,
Lycoperdons (Puff-balls),
To fry,
To stew,
To make salad of,
739
xxiii
ix
645
565
v
2
xxi
569, 577
647
647
647
647
General Index
PAGE.
Marasmius oreades. To cook, 645
Massachusetts Horticultural Society,
xxi
Melanosporae. Series, 368
Mendel, Lafayette B., xiii
Metrical Scale and Table of Meas-
ures, xxv
Miller, Henry Irving, xxi
Morchella (the Morel). To cook, 645
Morelles a 1'Italienne, 645
Morgan, Prof. A. P., xv, 589
Morgan, Laura V., x
Mushrooms. To cook, 636
Baked, on toast, 637
Catchup (English method), 640
Catchup (Mcllvaine), 639
Crusts of, 637
Fricassee of, 638
Pickles (English method), 639
Pickles (Mcllvaine), 638
Sauce, canned (Mrs. E. P. Ew-
ing), 640
Sauce, fresh (Mrs. E. P. Ewing), 640
Stewed, on toast, 638
To dry (English method), 637
To fry, 638
Names of the principal American
Reporters of Species, 658
Pates. Toadstool, 646
Peck, Prof. Charles H., x, xi
Pezizae. Family, 552
Phalloideae. Family, 569, 570
Pleurotus ostreatus. To cook, 646
In chafing dish, 646
To fry, 646
To stew, 646
With cheese, 646
Polyporaceae. Family, xviii, 1, 396
Porphyrosporae (Pratelli). Series, 330
Preface,
Preparing for the table,
Pyrenomycetes. Family,
PAGE.
vii
635
561
Recipes for cooking and preparing
for the table, 635
Rhodosporae (Hyporhodii). Series, 239
Ring shapes and positions, ii
Rorer, Mrs. Sarah Tyson, xx
Schadle, Dr. J. E., xxi, 5
Sclerodermaceas. Family, 569, 615
Spore color chart, Agarics, iv
Spore-prints, To make and pre-
serve, xxiv
Starnes, Val W., xxi
Sterling, E. B., xxi
Thelephoraceae. Family, 1, 506
Toadstool poisoning and its treat-
ment, 621
Toadstools of any gilled kind, baked 648
Toadstools deviled, 643
Toadstools fried, 644
Toadstool salads, 648
Toadstool soups, 648
Toadstools. To stew tougher kinds
of, 647
Toadstools with cheese, 648
Toast. Hunter's, 644
To test edibility of species, xxvii
Tremellaceae. Family, 1, 526
Tricholoma. To cook, 647
Tricholoma personatum. To stew, 647
Truffles, (Tuberaceae), 565
Tuberaceae. Family, 565
Tuckahoe, civ, 567
Volva shapes, ii
Weist, Dr. James R., xxi
VI
PREFACE
A SCORE of years ago (1880-1885) I was living in the mountains of
West Virginia. While riding on horseback through the dense forests of
that great unfenced state, I saw on every side luxuriant growths of fungi,
so inviting in color, cleanliness and flesh that it occurred to me they
ought to be eaten. I remembered having read a short time before this
inspiration seized me a very interesting article in the Popular Science
Monthly for May, 1877, written by Mr. Julius A. Palmer, Jr., entitled
"Toadstool Eating." Hunting it up I studied it carefully, and soon
found myself interested in a delightful study which was not without im-
mediate reward. Up to this time I had been living, literally, on the
fat of the land — bacon; but my studies enabled me to supplement this,
the staple dish of the state, with a vegetable luxury that centuries ago
graced the dinners of the Caesars. So absorbing did the study become
from gastronomic, culinary and scientific points of view, that I have con-
tinued it ever since, with thorough intellectual enjoyment and much
gratification of appetite as my reward. I hope to interest students in
the study as I am myself interested.
For twenty years my little friends — the toadstools — have been my
constant companions. They have interested me, delighted me, fed me,
and I have found much pleasure in making the public acquainted with
their habits, structure, lusciousness and food value.
My researches have been confined to the species large enough to ap-
pease the appetite of a hungry naturalist if found in reasonable quantity ;
and my work has been devoted to segregating the edible and innocuous
from the tough, undesirable and poisonous kinds. To accomplish this,
because of the persistent inaccuracy of the books upon the subject, it
was necessary to personally test the edible qualities of hundreds of
species about which mycologists have either written nothing or have
followed one another in giving erroneous information. While often
wishing I had not undertaken the work because of the unpleasant results
Preface
from personally testing fungi which proved to be poisonous, my reward
has been generous in the discovery of many delicacies among the more
than seven hundred edible varieties I have found.
For ten years I have planned to publish in book form what I know
about toadstools ; each effort to compile my information has shown me
how much more I ought to know before going into print. Even now
my work is still unfinished.
I am urged by my many toadstool friends (as I lovingly call those
who, from all over the land, send me specimens for identification, and
grow interested with me in the work), to publish what I already know
upon the subject, that they, and others, may have a helpful book to
guide them to a goodly portion of the edible species, and away from
those that are inedible or poisonous.
In this book I comply with these requests. I have selected over seven
hundred of the most plentiful and best varieties for the table, from my
toadstool bill of fare; and I describe and caution against several species,
some of which are deadly in their effects, if eaten; others of which in-
duce ill-effects more or less serious. One thousand species and varieties
are named and described.
Birds, flowers, insects, stones delight the observant. Why not toad-
stools? A tramp after them is absorbing, study of them interesting,
and eating of them health-giving and supremely satisfying.
CHARLES MC!LVAINE.
VI 11
INTRODUCTION
AMERICA is without a text-book of the American species of Fungi,
among which the edible and poisonous varieties are found. Many
excellent but expensive foreign volumes describe species common to
both continents, and several special but widely scattered monographs
have been published here. The need of the mycologist, mycophagist
and amateur toadstool student is a book giving the genus, names and
descriptions of the prominent American toadstools whose edibility has
been tested, or whose poisonous qualities have been discovered. The
absence of such a book, and the universal and rapidly-growing interest
all over the United States in edible fungi, have led to the publication of
the present work, which includes every species known to be esculent in
North America. As a precautionary measure, full explications of all
those known or suspected to be poisonous are included.
Many species found in this country only have been described and
named by various authors, from the time of Schweinitz (1822) to the
present day. These have been published in the botanical magazines
and in the papers of scientific societies and colleges. The greater num-
ber have as author Professor Charles H. Peck, New York State Botanist,
who has contributed an annual report each year from 1868. These
appear in the reports of the State Museum of New York, and coming
from the pen of our ablest mycologist are of great value to everyone
interested in the study. The classifications and (in many instances)
modified descriptions by such an eminent authority upon fungoid growth
should therefore be the guides to American forms, that the confusion
created by numerous descriptions of the same fungus by different ob-
servers may be avoided.
Professor N. L. Britton, editor of the Torrey Botanical Club, has
courteously given permission to use the descriptions of new species
given in its instructive Bulletins.
Professor A. P. Morgan and Laura V. Morgan, with equal courtesy,
ix
Introduction
grant the use of text and illustrations contained in the most complete
monograph published upon the Lycoperdaceae (puff-balls, etc.) of
America.
While the scientific classifications and descriptions have been strictly
followed, the language has been simplified — with no sacrifice of scientific
accuracy — that this volume may be fully adapted to popular use.
Professor Peck has given his valuable assistance in the identification
of many species, all that were difficult or obscure having been submitted
to him, and the writer is deeply indebted to him for many and long-
continued courtesies, aiding in study and in the preparation of this work.
Several new species have been found by the writer, the greater part
of excellent food value. He preferred that these should be named, de-
scribed and placed in their proper genus and section by Professor Peck,
believing it to be best for the discoverers of new species to defer to one
whose vast experience enables him to name and classify in accordance
with the demands of American species.
Where a species is vouched for as edible, it has been personally tested
by the author and his willing undertasters up to eating full meals of it,
or at least beyond all doubt as to its safety. Where others have eaten
species which he has not had the opportunity to test, their names and
opinions are given. When species heretofore under the ban of suspicion
are in this volume, for the first time, announced to be edible (there are
many of them), personal tests have not been considered sufficient, as
idiosyncrasy might have affected the results. Others, at the writer's re-
quest, have eaten of the species until their innocence was fully established.
In some cases, where the reputation of the fungi eaten was especially bad,
scientists of note have made elaborate and exhaustive physiological tests
of their substances, and in every instance* confirmed the human testing.
While species which contain deadly poisons are few, their individuals
are produced in great number. Nicety in distinguishing their botanic
variance from edible species closely resembling them is necessary. No
charm will detect the poison. Eating toadstools before their certain
identification as belonging to edible species, is neither bravery nor
common sense. The amateur should go slow.
The question often asked is : By what rule do you distinguish between
edible and poisonous mushrooms? The answer usually surprises the
questioner — there is no general rule. All such rules which have been
given are false and unreliable. The quality of each was learned, one at
x
Introduction
a time. Sweet and sour apples alike grow on large and small trees, may
be red or green, large or small, oblong or globular, and no visible ap-
pearance gives the least clue to the quality.
In a few genera certain rules may be applied, as in Clavaria — all not
bitter or tough are edible. But such generalizations are each limited to
its own genus.
The toadstools containing deadly poisons are thought to be confined
to one genus of the gilled kind — Amanita, and to Helvella esculenta,
now Gyromitra esculenta, to which are charged fatal results. The
poisonous qualities of Gyromitra esculenta are not proven. Recent
testings of this species prove it to be harmless and of good quality. By
far the greater number of species contained in Amanita are notable for
their tender substance and delicious flavor. By their stately beauty and
unusual attractiveness both the poisonous and harmless kinds are seduc-
tive. Any toadstool with white or lemon-yellow gills, casting white
spores when laid — gills downward — upon a sheet of paper, having rem-
nants of a fugitive skin in the shape of scabs or warts upon the upper
surface of its cap, with a veil or ring, or remnants or stains of one, hav-
ing at the base of its stem — in the ground — a loose, skin-like sheath sur-
rounding it, or remnants of one, should never be eaten until the collector
is thoroughly conversant with the technicalities of every such species, or
has been taught by one whose autJiority is well known , that it is a harm-
less species. This rule purposely includes the renowned Amanita Cas-
saria, everywhere written as luscious. I regard it as the most dangerous
of toadstools, because of its close resemblance to its sister plant — the
Amanita muscaria — which is deadly. In the description of these spe-
cies, other forcible reasons are given.
Another deadly species — the Amanita phalloides — is frequently mis-
taken by the inexperienced for the common mushroom. Safety lies in
the strict observance of two rules : Never eat a toadstool found in the
woods or shady places, believing it to be the common mushroom.
Never eat a white- or yellow-gilled toadstool in the same belief. The
common mushroom does not grow in the woods, and its gills are at first
pink, then purplish-brown or black.
If through carelessness, or by accident, a poisonous Amanita has
been eaten, and sickness results, take an emetic at once, and send for a
physician with instructions to bring hypodermic syringe and atropine
sulphate. The dose is y^-g- of a grain, and doses should be continued
xi
Introduction
heroically until the -£$ of a grain is administered, or until, in the phy-
sician's opinion, a proper quantity has been injected. Where the vic-
tim is critically ill the -jV of a grain may be administered.
In every case of toadstool poisoning, the physician must be guided
by the symptoms exhibited. Professor W. S. Carter, by numerous
exhaustive trials upon animals, has proved that atropine, while valuable
as against the first, is not an antidote for the late effects of the greater
toadstool poisons. (See his chapter on toadstool poisons, especially
prepared for this work.)
There are other species which contain minor poisons producing very
undesirable effects. These are soon remedied by taking an emetic,
then one or two doses of whisky and sweet oil; or vinegar may be
substituted for the whisky. A few species of fungi are innocuous to
the majority of persons and harmful to a few. So it is with many
common foods — strawberries, apples, tomatoes, celery, even potatoes.
The beginner at toadstool eating usually expects commendation for
bravery, and fearfully watches for hours the coming of something
dreadful. Indigestion from any other cause is always laid to the tradi-
tionary enemy, fright ensues, a physician is called, the scare spreads,
and a pestilential story of " Severe Poisoning by Toadstools," gets into
the newspapers. The writer has traced many such publications to im-
prudences in eating, with which toadstools had nothing to do.
The authoritative analysis of several common food species by La-
fayette B. Mendel, of Sheffield Laboratory of Physiological Chemistry,
Yale University, is given, and will correct the popular error about the
great nutritive value of fungi, arising from previous erroneous analyses.
While species are reported as found in certain localities, it by no
means follows that their growth is confined to these places. A species
reported as found in the Adirondack mountains, unless belonging to the
few peculiar to northern regions and high altitudes, is reasonably sure
to be more plentiful in a like habitat south and west of them. South
it will appear earlier and its season last longer .
Size is largely dependent upon latitude and may vary greatly in the
same group. Temperature, moisture, favorable nourishment are im-
portant factors in growth.
Each species has its favorite habitat, and will thrive best upon it.
There are few things under the sun upon which fungi do not grow.
Their mission is particularly directed toward converting decaying mat-
xii
Introduction
ter, or matter which has accomplished its work in one direction, into
usefulness in another. They are the wood-choppers, stewards, caterers
of the forest, converters in the fields and chemists everywhere. They
can not assimilate inorganic matter because of the absence of chlorophyl
in their composition, but in organic matter they are omnivorous. When
they feed on dead substances they are called saprophytes ; when their
support is derived from living tissues, parasites.
Scores of species of fungi were found in the forests, ravines and clear-
ings of the West Virginia mountains from 1881 to 1885 inclusive, and
eaten by the writer years before he had the opportunity to learn their
names from books or obtain the friendly assistance of experts in identi-
fying them. He knew the individuals without knowing their names, as
one knows the bird song and plumage before formal introduction to the
pretty creatures that charm him.
After he was able to get European publications upon the subject, and
by their aid trace the species he had eaten to their names, descriptions
and qualities, he was surprised to read that many of them were warned
against as deadly. As informed by these books, he properly ought to
have died several times. It soon became evident that authors had fol-
lowed one another in condemning species, some because they bore brill-
iant hues, others because they were unpleasant when raw (just as is a
potato), rather than investigate their qualities by testing them. Here
was a realm of food-giving plants almost entirely unexplored. The
writer determined to explore it. Instead of the one hundred and eleven
species then recorded by the late Doctor Curtis as edible, my number
of edible species now exceeds his by over six hundred.*
Let us clear away the rubbish and superstition that have so long ob-
scured the straight path to a knowledge of edible toadstools. Let us
bear in mind that a mushroom is a toadstool and a toadstool is a mush-
room— the terms are interchangeable. If toads ever occupied the one-
legged seat assigned them from time immemorial, they have learned in
* This book contains one hundred and fifty pages more than were originally esti-
mated and promised to the subscribers. That all known edible and poisonous species
might be fully described and published within one volume, the author was compelled
to cut fifly thousand words from his manuscript. The localities from which species
have been reported and the names of the reporters have been taken out, excepting
where it was desirable to show that foreign species have been found in the United
States, and where tested species have been found by the author. The principal cut
has been from the notes of the author and of enlarged descriptions.
xiii
Introduction
this enlightened age that the ground is much more reliable, and so squat
upon it, except when exercising their constitutional right to hop. Snails,
slugs, insects of many kinds, mice, squirrels and rabbits prey upon good
and bad, each to its liking, notwithstanding oft-repeated assertion that
snails and slugs infect noxious varieties only, or that animals select the
innocuous only. We are warned against those which grow in the dark
or damp ; the mushroom of commerce is grown by the ton in the sub-
terranean quarries of France, and everywhere in vaults and cellars for
domestic use. The valued truffle never sees the light until it is taken
from darkness to be eaten, and other varieties of the best prefer seclu-
sion.
The wiseacres tell us that they must have equal gills, must not have
thin tops, must not turn yellow when sprinkled with salt, must not
blacken a silver spoon, that we must not eat of those changing color
when cut or broken, of those exuding milk, or those which are acrid,
hot, or bitter, and give many other specifics for determining the good
from the bad. These tests are all worse than worthless, for if confidence
is placed in them they will not only lead us away from esculent and
excellent varieties but directly into eating venomous ones.
There are whole genera of fungi which are innocuous ; but in the
Family of Agaricaceae, where the greatest variety of the edible and poison-
ous species are found, it is necessary to master one by one the details
of their construction and learn to distinguish their differences as one
does those of the many kinds of roses, or pinks, or hundreds of bright-
faced pansies, and in the mastery of them lies the only charm that will
safely guide.
Carefully remove the first toadstool found from whatever it is growing
upon, and with it a portion of that from which it springs. If it is the
earth a curious white network is discernible, fine as the delicate spin-
ning of the spider, spreading its meshes throughout the mass. It will
often remind of miniature vines climbing over miniature lattices. This
is the mycelium from which the toadstool grew. In many instances it
penetrates the earth to a considerable depth, and takes possession of
large territory. It is often seen as the gardener turns up the soil or its
fertilizer, and is perhaps taken for a mold. If the specimen is gathered
from mat of wood leaves, the same white vine is observable slipping in
between its layers. If taken from a tree, the decay ing wood is traversed
xiv
Introduction
by it. From wherever a toadstool is plucked, it is removed from its
mycelium.
This mycelium is but a thread-like mass of simple cells joined
together at their ends and interlacing in a way a thousand-fold more
intricate than a Chinese puzzle. Nothing in its structure indicates what
its special product will be. The fungus which, is plucked from it is in
all its parts simply a mass of these threads — cells strung together, in-
terlacing and ramifying.
When the season favors, the mycelium — which has, winter and sum-
mer and from year to year, lived its hidden life, or has sprung from a
germinating spore — develops a number of its cells in a minute knob,
small as a pin head. At this point the cells make special growth
efforts to bring themselves within the favoring influences of heat and
moisture; this tiny knob labors within itself, producing cell after cell,
which takes shape and function for the future toadstool.
As it rapidly enlarges it pushes its way toward the surface of the
ground, becomes more or less egg-shaped in this stage of its growth,
and if cut in half longitudinally and examined, it will display what it is
going to be when it grows up.
Suppose that it belongs to the first of the two great sections into
which fungi are divided under the classification of Fries, who modified
that of Persoon. The first has the spores — which represent the seeds
in plants — naked, and it is called sporifera or spore-bearing. The sec-
ond, which has the spores enclosed in cells or cysts, is called sporidifera
or sporidia-bearing. If the cap of a gill-bearing toadstool be laid, gills
downward, on a watch crystal or piece of white paper for a few hours,
or, in some instances, a few minutes, a complete representation of the
spaces between the gills will be found deposited as an impalpable pow-
der. These are the spores.
The first section is divided into four cohorts. Two of these have
hymeniums or spore-bearing surfaces more or less expanded. These
are Hymenomycetes and Gastromycetes. In Hymenomycetes the
hymenium is always exposed in matured plants, as with the common
mushroom. When young, some plants are covered with a membrane.
In Gastromycetes the hymenium is always concealed within a covering
which bursts at maturity, as with the Lycoperdons or puff-balls. Cohort
Coniomycetes includes rusts, smuts, etc., formed for the most part on
living plants. There is no hymenium present. The spores are produced
xv
Introduction
on the ends of inconspicuous threads, free or enclosed in a bottle-like
receptacle called a perithecium. Cohort Hypomycetes is composed
of those species of fungi commonly called molds. The spores are
produced, naked, from the ends of inconspicuous threads.
In the Agaricaceae — the first family in Hymenomycetes — the young
plant is completely enveloped. (Plate III, fig. B, p. 2.) Its head is
as yet undefined and its body may be classed as dumpy, but shut in
and protected are a great quantity of knife-like plaits (Plate III, fig. C.,
p. 2), on the outer surface of which, when the plant matures, will be
borne its spores. It therefore belongs to the Hymenomycetes, and to
the Family Agaricaceae — gill-bearing.
If the ground becomes moist or there comes a heavy dew or a rain,
the young plant, closely compacted and very solid, which has been
under the surface for many days waiting its chance to get forth to light
and air, rapidly swells, breaks through the moistened earth, goes
rapidly to cell-making, ruptures its outside covering, the head expands
and in so doing spreads out its gills or hymenium. (Plate III, figs. C,
D, E, p. 2.) The membrane which covered the gills either vanishes,
or gathers round the stem in the form of a ring or circular apron, or it
may partially adhere to the edges of the top, cap or pileus and hang as
a fringe from it ; the stem elongates ; the whole plant assumes the colors
of its species and in a few hours or days at most it stands forth, a
marvel of beauty, structure and workmanship.
But little is known of how these spores reproduce themselves. The
microscope fails to completely penetrate the mystery. A whole fungus
is but a mass of cells, the spore is but one of them. That these simple
cells do produce after their kind there is no doubt, but so minute is the
germ and hidden its methods that science has failed to solve them.
The first Family of Hymenomycetes is Agaricaceae. Its members
always have gills or modifications of them. In some cases — notably in
Cantharellus — the gills have the appearance of smooth, raised veins
over which is the spore-bearing surface. The hymenium is but an
extension of the fibers of the cap, folded up like the plaits and flutings
of ruffles, and laundered with exquisite neatness. If it is carefully
detached and spread out like a fan it will cover a large surface, many
times the size of the cap from which it has been taken, and will show
that what is a consumption of material in dress ornamentation is
utilized by economical Dame Nature to increase the spore-bearing
ii xvi
Introduction
surface within a small space and for purely business purposes — spore-
bearing. The color of these spores has much to do with the classifica-
tion. The microscope with high light reveals the delicate shades of
their coloring, but the main colors are readily distinguished by the
naked eye when the spores are collected in a mass on glass or paper.
The Polyporaceae have in place of gills closely packed tubes on the
inside of which is the spore-bearing surface ; each has a mouth from
which to eject the spores.
The Hydnaceae bear their spores from spines or spicules of various
length protruding from the external surface of the cap. Sometimes the
spines mock in miniature the stalactites of the Caverns of Luray, some-
times the shaggy mane of the lion, sometimes flowing locks of hair.
These three Families belong to the Cohort Hymenomycetes, having
their spore-bearing surface exposed early in life by the rupture of the
universal veil.
The Lycoperdons or Puff-balls have the hymenium enclosed within an
outer case, just as the apple with its seeds is enclosed for a dumpling.
When the spores are matured the sack is ruptured and they escape as
the dusty powder so well known to all. The Puff-ball belongs to the
Cohort Gastromycetes, because its spores are protected within the hy-
menium until they are matured.
There are other Families which contain edible species. The Clavar-
iaceae — branched or club-shaped often found in as beautiful forms as
delight us in coral, includes a few.
In Ascomycetes, of the covered spore division Sporidifera, there are
several species which are excellent, and as they dry readily are much
valued for flavoring purposes when winter forbids the growth of outdoor
fungi. Of these the Morell has preference. The cap is covered with
sinuosities and pits which bear the spores. There are several varieties
of the Morell in the United States. They are known among the coun-
try people who cook and pickle them, as Honey-comb mushrooms.
The Tuberaceae are subterranean fungi. The common truffle so
much prized by epicures is a good representative. It is found a foot or
more under the surface of the earth, and of such value is it that in some
countries pigs are trained to hunt it from its hiding place. It is one of
the few foreign growths apparently not taking kindly to our country.
Efforts have been made to import and cultivate it, but without success.
xvn
Introduction
It is possible, even probable, that it may yet be found in America by
assiduous search.
I have said that there is but one way to distinguish the edible from
the non-edible fungi ; that is by mastering the characteristics of each
species one by one. There are signs which point to the evil and those
which point to the good, but they must be used as signals, not directors.
A nauseous, fetid odor should condemn a species as non-edible at
once. Those having the flavor of flour or fresh meal are generally
accepted as worthy of trial. Slimy, water-soaked, partially decom-
posed plants, or those impressing one as unpleasant in any way, should
never find their place upon the table. Do not eat of any toadstool,
unknown to the collector, beyond the careful and systematic testing
required to determine whether it is edible or not.
A few species have a serious charge remaining against them ; that of
partiality. They unmistakably signify with whom they will agree and
with whom they will not. These are notably Clitocybe illudens, Lepiota
Morgani, Panaeolus papilionaceus, all specialized in their places in the
text.
Other species have hereditary taints upon their reputations. Most,
if not all of them have stood present tests and relieved themselves of
suspicion. But, alas that it should be so ! The stigma must rest upon
them for yet a while and until their defenders are so numerous that their
purity, without a smirch, is popularly proclaimed.
Wherever wood grows and decays as it will, Polyporus, Panus, Len-
zites, Schizophyllum and kindred genera stand prominently forth in
countless numbers. The great majority of them are inedible because of
their woody substance. A few are valued as food. Very many of them
yield their soluble matter and flavor when boiled, and in this way make
excellent soups and gravies, just as flax-seed and the bark of the slip-
pery elm yield succulent matter. These, however, are not, with a few
exceptions, mentioned in this book. Numbers of Clavarieae and Hyd-
neae are in the same category. M. C. Cooke tersely says: "Fruits
that are not peaches or apricots maybe very good plums." In the in-
troductions to genera their attributes are given; under "Instructions to
Students" every guide to identification and selection will be found.
A Glossary, containing the botanic terms used in this book and, it is
believed, all other terms used by mycologists in describing fungi, follows
the descriptive text. It is strongly advised that it be carefully studied.
Introduction
The roots and derivatives of the botanic terms are fully and carefully
given by Dr. John W. Harshberger, professor of botany, University of
Pennsylvania, to whom the author is specially indebted.
The excellent Glossary published by Dr. Edwin A. Daniels, Boston,
has furnished many comprehensive definitions. It is the property of
the Boston Mycological Club, and can be obtained from its secretary
for twenty-five cents.
The determination of the proper accentuation of the generic and spe-
cific terms has been in many cases a difficult task, and, in some cases,
owing to the dubious origin of the words in question, there is certainly
room for difference of opinion. This task has been kindly and con-
scientiously performed by Prof. M. W. Easton, professor of Compara-
tive and English Philology, University of Pennsylvania. Thanks are
due to the Hon. Addison Brown, president of the Torrey Botanical
Club, and Dr. Nathaniel L. Britton, professor of Botany in Columbia
College, authors of " Illustrated Flora," for the determination of the
accentuation of non-classical words ending in imis.
Three indexes are given : the first refers to the general contents, the
second to the genera, the third to species and their genera, alphabetic-
ally arranged.
Mrs. Emma P. Ewing and Mrs. Sarah T. Rorer have kindly furnished
some of their recipes for the preparation of several varieties of toad-
stools. The best results of the author's long experience in cooking
toadstools are given in the chapter ' ' Recipes for Cooking and Prepar-
ing for the Table," together with others selected from many sources.
The personal taste of the server must be guide to the choice.
A child-friend of the writer, in telling him of her mother's cook, said :
" She's a good cooker, but she has a bad temper." A good "cooker"
will soon learn how to best display the individual flavor of each species.
And be it known that each species of toadstool has a flavor of its own.
These flavors vary as much as among meats and vegetables. No one
species can be taken as standard of excellence.
The greatest care has been taken to secure illustrations correct in
every botanic detail. With few exceptions the colored figures were
drawn and painted by the writer. To obtain this important feature the
requirements of art have frequently been sacrificed. An artist can make
a picture of a toadstool ; the mycologist must guide his brush or pencil
in the making of a correct presentation. The happy combination of
Introduction
artist and mycologist occurs in Mr. Val. W. Starnes, Augusta, Ga., to
whom this volume owes many of its illustrations. Mr. Frank D. Bris-
coe, widely known as an artist of rare ability, has arranged and painted
in groups the studies made by the writer from typical plants, and added
to the illustrations many excellent drawings of his own.
The unfailing reliability of the sun has been masterfully used by Dr.
J. R. Weist, ex-Secretary of the American Society of Surgeons, Rich-
mond, Ind. ; H. I. Miller, Superintendent Terre Haute and Indianapolis
Railroad, Terre Haute, Ind., and Mr. Luther G. Harpel, Lebanon, Pa.,
in making the unexcelled photographs generously contributed by them.
The author is most thankful to them and to Mr. C. G. Lloyd, Cincin-
nati, Ohio — a scientific gentleman devoting lavishly of his time and
money to the spread of mycological knowledge — for the privilege of
selecting from his extensive collection of realistic photographs those
adaptable to the species described herein.
The author's thanks are gratefully given to the many who have by
help and encouragement furthered his efforts in producing this, the
first American text-book upon fungi. Space precludes the naming of
the many, but the few named do not outrank them in their interest, help
and the author's appreciation:
Miss Lydia M. Patchen, President of the Westfield, N. Y., Toadstool
Club (the first in America); Mrs. E. C. Anthony, Thomas J. Collins,
E. B. Sterling, Berry Benson, Melvil Dewey, New York State Librarian;
Dr. J. E. Schadle, Prof. J. P. Arnold, University of Pennsylvania;
Prof. W. S. Carter, University of Texas; Boston School of Natural
History; Massachusetts Horticultural Society; Prof. Wm. G. Farlow,
University of Harvard.
Thus aided the author believes that his own conscientious, patient,
loved labor in the study of edible and non-edible fungi and the produc-
tion of this volume will be far-reaching in its one object — encouraging
the study of toadstools.
The time for writing a complete flora of the United States has not
yet come ; a large part of the country remains as yet unexplored by
mycologists ; new species are being constantly discovered in the districts
best known. Every book on the subject must be necessarily incomplete.
On the other hand, so far as concerns the known fungus-flora, there
is imperative need of some guide to the student, which shall at least
save him some part of the weary toil of hunting through the scattered
xx
Introduction
literature in which alone, as things are at present, can be found the in-
formation he seeks. In this book I have tried to meet this need. It is
not complete, but I have tried to so arrange the matter that the student
can always decide whether the particular specimen in hand is or is not
included, and, at least for all of our more conspicuous fungi, determine
the family and genus. If the student can do so much, the task of find-
ing the specific name, even when not included in this book, becomes
very much simpler.
So much for the more scientific aspect of my book. But I have
also kept in constant view the needs of the large and constantly growing
number of persons who have no aim further than to learn to know the
principal toadstools seen in their walks, just as they wish to know the
principal trees and the more conspicuous birds. For such as these, the
difficulty of deciding whether or no a particular individual fungus is
described in the brief (sketching) manuals hitherto accessible is even
more formidable than with the special student of botany.
Finally, I have kept in view throughout the work the needs of the
mycophagists. They are not pot-hunters; they care much less for the
physical pleasure of the appetite than for the close study of Nature
that their inclination leads them into. Some day the delights of a
mushroom hunt along lush pastures and rich woodlands will take the
rank of the gentlest craft among those of hunting, and may perchance
find its own Izaak Walton.
AUTHOR'S AND PUBLISHER'S NOTE.
It is the intention of the author and the publisher to keep this book
up to date. Recognizing that future testing will prove many more
species of toadstools to be edible, and that scientists will have more
exact knowledge of toadstool poisons and their antidotes, they announce
that illustrated sheets publishing new edible species and current informa-
tion upon fungi will be, from time to time, issued, conforming in shape
and style to this volume and at an acceptable price.
That the author and publishers may keep in touch with the owner of
each volume, and be informed of new discoveries in species and of new
experience, owners are requested to communicate their book numbers
to Captain Charles Mcllvaine, or the Bobbs-Merrill Co., Indianapolis.
xxi
INSTRUCTIONS TO STUDENTS
To CATCH fish one must know more than the fish ; to find toadstools
one must know their season and habitats. They are propagated by their
spores and from their mycelium — that web-like growth which is the re-
sult of spore germination.
The spores of ground-growing kinds, when shed upon the ground,
are washed by rains along the natural drainage ; therefore, when a speci-
men of one of these kinds is found, it is well to look up and down the
natural water-shed, and follow it. Good reward will usually come of it.
Few fungi are strictly solitary.
Careful observation of the habitats of the various genera and species
will enable the student to know what may and may not be expected in
a particular locality, and will save many a hunt.
When an unknown species is found, collect it carefully, examine it
closely, note all its features. Determine to which division of fungi it
belongs. If to the gilled family (Agaricaceae) obtain the color of the
spores (see directions). Look at the chart "Tabular View of Genera
of Agaricaceae," Plate I, p. 2 (after W. G. Smith, but enlarged, redrawn
and emended). If the spores are white, it belongs to one of the genera
in the first column — Leucosporae; if pink, to one in the second column,
and so on. It is often difficult to determine the spore color, because
spores vary through many shades of the typical color. What are called
white spores may be creamy, dirty, yellowish or brownish-white ; pink
spores will vary from almost white to reddish and salmon-color ; brown
spores from light-ochraceous through cinnamon to rusty ; purple spores
from dark-violet to purplish-black. Experience alone will enable the
student to decide which color series is present. The Genera Charts, pre-
ceding the five different color series, show typical spore colors only.
Again, authors describing the species frequently fail to see colors alike;
if they do, their names for them frequently vary. For instance, few
persons will agree upon a color expressed as " livid."
xxiii
Instructions to Students
The color system principally used by botanists is Saccardo's "Chro-
motaxia," costing fifty cents. It is decidedly inadequate. Ridgway's
"Nomenclature of Colors for Naturalists" is far better, but it is out of
print and obtainable only at the principal libraries. "The Prang Stand-
ard of Color" is the most complete ever issued, but it is inapplicable to
existing descriptions of fungi.
Take, to print upon, sheets of Bristol-board or any stiff, hard-sur-
T M , . faced white paper 6x9 inches or larger. Cut a round
Preserve hole, four inches in diameter, in one of the sheets. Use
this as a stencil. Lay it upon a print-sheet and where
the opening occurs, paint with a weak solution of gum arabic — H oz.
(one teaspoonful) to one pint of water. Dry the print-sheets.
When a spore-print is to be taken, select a fully-grown specimen, re-
move the stem, place the spore-bearing surface upon the gummed
paper, cover tightly with an inverted bowl or saucer, and allow to stand
undisturbed for eight or ten hours. The moisture in the plant will
soften the gummed surface ; the spores will be shed and will adhere to
it, making a perfect, permanent print. When the print is plain, remove
the specimen carefully and dry the print. Number the print-cards to
correspond with the number of the specimen in the "Record of Fungi,"
and place them in a box or cover. Some genera shed their spores sooner
and more freely than others. A surplus of spores is objectionable. In
order to know when a print is plainly made, without disturbing the
process, have either a specimen of the same age, or a piece of the one
under the bowl, on another piece of gummed paper, covered in like
manner. This can be examined and will give the desired information.
A little experience will enable the student to obtain good and lasting
prints.
The large black figures on some calendars, if cut with the white about
them, are convenient as trial sheets for spore-printing. Lay the speci-
men partly on the white, partly on the black. If the spores are light,
they show best on black ground, and if colored, they show best on the
light.
Spore measurements, as given by different observers, vary to such a
degree that they are of little value, excepting as determining a few
species, but spore shapes and characteristics are of use as a last resort,
in accurate determinations. A microscope of considerable power is
needed.
xxiv
Instructions to Students
A metrical scale and table of measures is here given, that the student
may have a present guide to such measurements as are given in myco-
logical publications.
INCHES
J
2 3 «
MINIMI,
Sixteenths
INI
II 1 1 II 1 II 1 II 1 1 1 1 II 1 1 1
1
1 1 1 M 1 1 II M 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
1 1
Millimetre!
i ILIIII
JJ.
II II
|l!| Illllll II
IIIHIIII
LLU1LLU
Dee«j»c
1 II 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 III 1 1
3 1
34 5 6 7 « » 10
CENT1METBE5
i Metre (m) 39-371 Inches.
I Decimetre (dm) 3-9371 Inches.
i Centimetre (cm) 39371 Inch.
i Millimetre (mm) 039371 Inch.
i Line.
TT2 Inch.
i Micron
Millimetre
Inch.
i Gramme 15-433 Grains Troy.
I Decigramme 1 . 5433 Grains Troy.
I Centigramme 15433 Grains Troy.
i Milligramme 015433 Grains Troy.
The spore color being determined, turn to the Genera Chart, showing
Use of Charts spores of like color. Ascertain from the specimen whether
of Genera. or not j£S cap or hymenophore is distinct or easily sep-
arable from the stem and the gills free from the stem; if they are, it
may belong to one of the genera in the upper row of figures ; if the cap
is not easily separable nor the gills free, look at the shape of the gills,
and find on the chart a corresponding gill-shape. It is probable that
the genus can thus be determined. Then turn to this genus in the text,
read the heading, look over the "Analysis of Tribes," go to the tribe
nearest in designating the properties of the specimen ; comparing the
specimen with the descriptions of species given thereunder, will probably
enable the seeker to decide upon its name.
It should be remembered that the descriptions in the text are of the
xxv
Instructions to Students
specimen or specimens which the author of the species saw. What the
author says fixes the type of the species. Specimens of the species
may, and very frequently do, vary greatly from the type. If the first
attempt to fix the genus is not satisfactory, try again, and keep on try-
ing until reasonably sure. The amateur will find, however good an
opinion may exist in his mind of the stock of patience on hand, that the
territory of patience has just been reached.
An excellent blank form for "Collectors' Notes" is published by the
Maki , Boston Mycological Club, at one cent. It is desirable
Preserving: that there should be uniformity in collectors' notes, and
Notes
that they should be as full as possible. A form of this, or
a similar kind, should be filled in and kept, and should also be used
when specimens are sent to an expert for identification. Such specimens
should be fresh, wrapped separately in tissue paper, numbered, and a
few should be packed in a box that will not crush in the mail. The
address of the sender should be upon the outside. The collector's
notes should be sent in a letter, with a postage stamp for reply enclosed.
If the specimens have to go a great distance, they should be partially
dried in a slow, open oven, or they will be a rotten mass when they
reach their destination.
There is but one way by which to determine the edibility of a species.
To Test ^ ^ ^°°^s and smells inviting, and its species can not be
Edibility of determined, taste a very small piece. Do not swallow it.
Q|k/lSfjS}Q
Note the effect on the tongue and mouth. But many
species, delicious when cooked, are not inviting raw. Cook a small
piece; do not season it. Taste again; if agreeable eat it (unless it is
an Amanita). After several hours, no unpleasant effect arising, cook a
larger piece, and increase the quantity until fully satisfied as to its
qualities. Never vary from this system, no matter how much tempted.
No possible danger can arise from adhering firmly to it. Recipes for
preparing, cooking and serving are given in chapter on cooking.
It is better for the student to first become familiar with the common
species, one at a time, than to attempt tracing the rare or many.
Worry, fatigue and uncertainty are plentiful in an indiscriminate gather-
ing of fungi. One species a day, properly traced and named, means
learning three hundred and sixty-five species a year.
XXVI
Instructions to Students
Unfamiliar terms will be encountered in the descriptive text. The
Glossary defines them ; and not only those in this book,
The Glossary. . . . .. , , . , ,
but, it is believed, all those found in other books upon
fungi. Where possible throughout the text, botanical terms have been
anglicized. The meanings of those remaining unchanged should be
memorized. It is quite as easy, and far better, to learn the botanical
names of species and their characteristics, as to learn their common
names; easier in fact, for the common names often vary with locality.
The writer received a letter from an Alsatian living in St. Louis, telling
him of favorite fungi he used to eat when in his own country. To all
he gave local names, not one of which could be referred to the particu-
lar species meant.
Success and pleasure in the study of fungi will attend the student
who observes carefully and who systematically records that which is
observed.
xxvn
PLATES I AND II
GILL SHAPES
RING SHAPES AND POSITIONS
VOLVA SHAPES
XXIX
PLATE I.
GILL SHAPES.
PIG. 1. GILLS AS VEINS ; CAP INFUNDIBULIFOBM. FIG. 9.
2. GILLS BOUNDED IN FEONT (anteriorly.) 10.
3. GILLS BOUNDED BEHIND (posteriorly.) 11.
4. GILLS LANCEOLATE. 12.
5. GILLS VENTEICOSE. 13.
6. GILLS UNEQUAL ; CAP CONVEX. 14.
7. GILLS ADNEXED.
8. GlLLS EMAEGINATE, ALSO ADNATB AND 15.
HAVING DECUEEENT TOOTH.
GlLLS 8EBBATB.
GILLS FLEXUOSE; WAVED.
GILLS DICHOTOMOUS.
GILLS FEEE ; CAP BBOADLY UMBONATE.
GILLS NAEEOW ; CAP MAEGIN EEFLEXED.
GlLLS SLIGHTLY ADNEXED ; CAP UMBO-
NATE; MAEGIN INVOLUTE.
GILLS DECUEBENT ; CAP UMBILICATE.
PLATE it.
RING SHAPES AND POSITIONS; VOLVA SHAPES.
FIG. 1. RING SUPERIOR, BROAD.
2. RING MEDIAL, PENDULOUS.
3. RING INFERIOR (low down).
4. RING NARROW, FRAGMENTS APPENDICU-
LATE.
5. RING FIBRILLOSE.
FIG. 6. RING PERSISTENT, SOMETIMES MOVABLE.
7. VOLVA FREE.
8. VOLVA SEPARATING, CIRCUMSCTSSILE.
9. VOLVA IRREGULARLY, CIRCUMSCISSILE.
10. VOLVA FRIABLE, DISAPPEARING.
CLASS, FUNGI
SUB-CLASS BASIDIOMYCETES
COHORT HTMENOMTCETES. Gr.-a membrane, a fruit-bearing sur-
face; Gr. — a mushroom. (So called from the hymenium or fruit-bearing surface.)
UNGI composed of membranes, fleshy, woody or gelatin-
ous, growing on wood or on the ground. The hymenium
or spore-bearing surface exposed at an early stage. The
spores are borne on basidia, spread over the surface.
The common mushroom is typical of the family. All the
members resemble it, more or less, in organization and reproductive
organs. These latter, in the mushroom, are spread over lamella; or
gills. The spores, after ripening and dissemination, germinate and
produce a mycelium or thread-like vine, which in turn develops the
spore-producing part of the plant. Hymenomycetes is divided into the
following six Families: —
a. HYMENIUM FIGURATE.
I. Spread over the surface of lamellae or gills AGARICACE^E.
II. Lining the interior of tubes or pores POLYPORACE^E.
III. Clothing the surface of spines or protuberances of various forms HYDNACE^E.
b. HYMENIUM EVEN.
IV. Horizontal and mostly on the under surface THELEPHORACE^:.
V. Vertical and produced all over the surface CLAVARIACE^.
VI. Superior, gelatinous fungi .TREMELLACE^E.
FAMILY I.— AGARIC ACE^J.
In the Agaricaceae the hymenium is spread over lamellse or gills
which radiate from a center or stem. The gills are composed of a
double membrane, and are simple or branched.
The parts of an Agaric may all be present as in Amanitae, or severally
absent in other genera. When the young fungus is entirely enclosed in
a wrapper or case, this case is called the universal veil. When this
veil is ruptured by the growth of the stem, that part which remains
i
Agaricaceae
attached to the base is called the volva. The membrane reaching from
the stem to the margin of the cap is the partial veil ; when it ruptures
by the expansion of the cap and all or a portion adheres to and about
the stem it forms the annulus or ring. In some species one or both
veils may be present, or one or both may be absent.
The stem is central when supporting the cap at its center ; excentric
when at one side of the center; lateral when it supports the cap from
the side. If the stem is absent, the cap is said to be sessile; if the cap
is horizontal and supported by a broad base it is dimidiate; if attached
to its place of growth by its back it is rcsnpinate.
Genera are largely distinguished by the manner in which the gills are
attached to the stem. These distinguishing attachments are shown in
the plates illustrating genera and in Plate IV. Gill-shapes.
For convenience Agaricaceae is divided by the color of the spores into
five series: white, pink, brown, purple, black. The last two, owing
to the similarity of hue, are by some writers (preferably) included in
the black-spored series. Spore color is a valuable assistant in deter-
mining species.
Series I. LEUCOSPOR-ffi. Or. — white; Gr. — seed.
Spores white, rarely dingy or inclining to reddish. In the genus
Russula the spores of some species are white, in some cream-color, and
in several pale ochraceous. Variations from pure white are found in
the spores of Tricholoma personatum and a few other species. Gill-
color is not a guide \ to spore-color. Purple, yellow, brown, pinkish
gills may produce white spores.
AMANITA.
(A name given to some esculent fungi by Galen, perhaps from
Mount Amanus.)
Amanita. Universal veil (volva), which is at first continuous (completely en-
veloping the young plant), distinct from the skin of the cap. Hymen-
ophore or cap, the part which bears the spore-bearing surface, distinct
and easily separable from the stem, which leaves a socket in the flesh
when it is removed. All growing upon the ground. Fries.
Pileus somewhat fleshy, convex then expanded. Gills free. Uni-
versal veil at first enclosing the entire plant, which as it grows bursts
2
PLATE IV.
TABULAR VIEW or THE GENERA OF AGARICACEAE.
LEUCOSPORAE -RHODOSPORAE -(JCHROSPORAE -PORPHYROSPORAE-MELANOSPORAE.
(WHITE)
AMANITA
AMANITOPSIS
LEPIOTA
(?INK) (BROWN) (PURPLE)
VOLVARIA
PLUTLUS
ACETABUIARIA
BOLBITIUS
PAN/EOLU
ANELLARIA
ARMILLARIA
PHOLIOTA
CORTINARIUS
ENTOLOMA
HEBELOMA
INOCYBE
H VGROPHORUS
CLITOCYBE
XEROTUS
NVCTALIS
CLITOPILUS
LENZI TES
LENTINIUS
PLEUROTU5
PANUS
TROGI A
SCHIZOPHYLLUM
CLAUDOPU5
CREPIDOTU5
COLLYBIA
MARASM iu s
HELIOMYCES
LEPTONfA
NAUCORIA
MYCENA
MIATUIA
NOLANEA
PLUTEOLUS
GALLRA
OMPHALIA
ECCILIA
TUBARIA
T.\r.n,AK VIKW t)F THE (;K.NEI:A OF AUAKICACEAB,
LEUCOSPORAE.
Hyatoklxo'cutS.
Xeiotu/s .
Nyctcolis.
McM/ct/sm/i
CHART OF GENBRA IN WHITE SPORED SERIES— I.EUCOSPORAE
PLATE III.
A. STERILE CELLS.
B. BASIDIA.
C. CYSTIDIA.
PROGRESSIVE GROWTH OF AGARICS.
FIGS.
FIGS.
A. B. C. D. E. STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT OF AN AGAEIC. A.' SPORE-PRINT.
*. GILLS SHEDDING SPOKES. G. SECTION OF GILL MAGNIFIED.
Leucosporee
(Plate VII.)
LAMELLAE OR GILLS
OR RING r
STIPE
OB
6TEM
VOtV« OR PAR
MYCELIUM
WHITE. TREE FROM SUM
0* PARTIAL VEIL
ING PENDULOUS.
STEM
' HOLLOW
(Of UNIVERSAL VEIL. >
BULB
SECTION QF AMANITA PHALLOIDES.
through, generally carrying the upper part on the pileus, where it ap- Amanita.
pears as patches or scales, the remainder enclosing the stem at the
base as a volva, either in a cup-like
form, closely adherent or friable
and evanescent. The partial veil in
youth extends from the stem to the
margin of the pileus, enclosing the
gills ; when ruptured it depends from
the stem as a ring. Stem furnished
with a ring, and different in sub-
stance from that of the pileus.
Spores white.
On the ground.
The nearest allied genus, Aman-
itopsis, is separated by the absence
of a ring, and Lepiota by its lack
of a volva; Volvaria, Acetabula-
ria and Chitonia, possessing volvas,
are distinguished by the color of
their spores.
Amanitae are the most beautiful and conspicuous of fungi. While
there are comparatively few species of them, the individual members
are plentiful in appearing from spring until the coming of frost. They
are solitary or gregarious in growth. Occasionally two or three are
found together. They frequent woods, groves, copse, margins of woods
and land recently cleared of trees. They are seldom found in open
fields. A careful study of all their botanic points should be the first
duty of the student of fungi. Familiarity with every characteristic of
the Amanitae will insure against fatal toadstool poisoning, for it is the
well-grounded belief of those who have made thorough investigation
that, with the exception of Helvella esculenta, now Gyromitra escu-
lenta, the Amanitae, alone, contain deadly poisons.
No Amanita, or piece of one, should be eaten before its identity is fully
established and its qualities ascertained by referring to the descriptions
Jierein given or to the opinion of an expert.
They are the aristocrats of fungi. Their noble bearing, their beauty,
their power for good or evil, and above all their perfect structure, have
placed them first in their realm ; and they proudly bear the three badges
3
Agaricaeeae
Amanita. of their clan and rank — the volva or sheath from which they spring, the
kid-like apron encircling their waists, and patch-marks of their high
birth upon their caps. In their youth, when in or just appearing above
the ground, they are completely invested with a membrane or universal
veil, which is distinct and free from the skin of the cap. As the plant
grows the membrane stretches and finally bursts. It sometimes ruptures
in one place only and remains about the base of the stem as the volva.
When such a rupture occurs the caps are smooth. In most species por-
tions of the volva remain upon the cap as scruff or warts — pointed or
rough — or as feathery adornment ; any or all of which may in part or
whole vanish with age or be washed away by rain.
Extending from the stem to the margin of the cap, and covering the
gills, is the partial veil — a membranaceous, white texture of varying
thickness. As the cap expands this veil tears from it. Portions fre-
quently remain pendant from the edges, the rest contracts to the stem
as a ring, or droops from it as a surrounding ruffle, or, if of slight con-
sistency, may be fugacious and disappear, but marks, remains, or the
veil itself will always be traceable upon the stem.
The Amanitae are of all colors, from the brilliant orange of the A.
Caesarea, the rich scarlet or crimson of the A. muscaria, to the pure
white of the A. phalloides in its white form.
Their stems are usually long, and taper from the base toward the top.
In some forms the base is distinctly bulbous. The volva at the base is
attached to the stem at its lower extremity. It may be visible as a
cup or ruptured pouch with spreading mouth, or it may be of such
friable texture as to appear like mealy scales. Often, when the plant
is pulled from the ground, the volva remains, but the marks of its
attachment will appear and should be carefully looked for. Their gills
are commonly white, are of equal length and radiate from near the
stem, which they do not reach, to the circumference of the cap. They
are white, unless tinged with age, excepting upon A. Caesarea and A.
Frostiana where they are yellow.* Their caps are umbrella-shaped, flat
or convex. Their flesh is white, does not change color when bruised.
They are scentless and almost tasteless when fresh, when old they have
a slightly offensive odor and taste.
The family is not a large one, not over thirty members complete its
circle. Every feature, every part of its several members, should be
thoroughly known before the intimacy of eating. While at least nine
* A. Frostiana is not always yellow gilled.
4
1'LATE Vila.
Photograph by C. F. Millspaugh. Illinois.
A POISONOUS PAIR.
(Above} AGARICUS MORGANI.
(Below} AMANITA MUSCARIA.
The upper might be readily mistaken for the excellent A, procej-us, the lower for the common
mushroom A, cam Centre,
Leucosporse
of the family are not only edible but delicate and sapid, far better will Amanita,
it be to leave all alone than to make a mistake. A piece of a poison-
ous variety the size of a dime will often cause serious disorders if eaten.
Many persons have died from eating very small quantities.
Because of its ovate or button-like form when young, it is frequently
mistaken for the common field mushroom; even experienced mycoph-
agists have been deceived by it. No other poison has so puzzled
scientists. Other varieties of fungi may interfere with digestion, but to
the Amanitae all deaths from toadstool-eating are traceable. Its subtle
alkaloid is absorbed by the system, and in most cases lies unsuspected
for from six to twelve hours, then its iron grip holds to the death. For
centuries it has defied all remedies. The problem has been partially
solved. At Shenandoah, Pa., August 31, 1885, a family of five were
poisoned by toadstools ; two died, three lived. Noting the sad account
in the newspapers, I at once wrote to Shenandoah for specimens of the
fungi eaten and a description of the treatment. I promptly received
from Dr. J. E. Schadle (now Professor Schadle), the physician in
charge of the cases, a box containing two harmless varieties and sev-
eral fine specimens of the Amanita phalloides, all of which were gath-
ered on the same spot and by the same person who gathered the toad-
stools doing the poisoning. They told the tale. A remarkably full
and interesting account of the cases was sent to me by Dr. Schadle.
After exhausting all other remedies, and after two of the five had died,
he administered subcutaneously, by hypodermic injection, sulphate of
atropine — a product of the deadly nightshade analagous to belladonna
— rir to ^h °* a grain at a dose. It proved to be an antidote and
saved the lives of the remaining three.
The action of atropine in arresting the deadly work of poisoning by
amanitine had been foreshadowed by Schmidberg and Koppe, and
dwelt upon in numerous published articles by Mr. Julius A. Palmer, to
whom more than any other is due the branding of the murderous mem-
bers of the Amanita family ; but for the first time atropine was used
upon the human system to ward their blows.
All of the species herein described are found in the United States.
Of the twenty-seven, nine are edible, nine are either known to be deadly
or are so closely allied to deadly species that it is unsafe to class them
as other than poisonous until absolute proof is obtained of their harm-
Agaricaceae
Amanita. lessncss. The remaining nine I have not seen, neither is there any rec-
ord of their qualities.
ANALYSIS OF SPECIES.
* Volva opening at the top or splitting all around, leaving a mani-
fest, free border at the base of the stem. Pileus naked or with broad
membranace'ous patches.
** Volva splitting regularly all round the lower portion, persistent,
more or less closely embracing the base of the bulbous stem. The
upper portion being adnate to the pileus appears on it by expansion as
scattered, thick warts.
*** Volva friable, entirely broken up into wart-like scales, there-
tore not persistent at the base of the stem, which is at first globose-bulb-
ous, becoming less so as it lengthens. Pileus bearing mealy patches,
soon disappearing or with small, hard, pointed warts.
**** Volva rudimentary, flocculose, wholly disappearing.
* Volva bursting at top, etc.
A. viro'sa Fr. — virus, poison.
MINING white. Pileus 3-4 in. broad, fleshy, at
first conical and acute, afterwards bell-shaped,
then expanded, naked, viscous in wet weather,
shining when dry, margin always even, but most
frequently unequal, turned backward and inflexed.
Flesh white, unchangeable. Stem 4-6 in. long,
-wholly stuffed, almost solid, split up into longitudinal fibrils, cylindrical
from the bulbous base, often compressed at the apex, torn into scales
on the surface, springing from a lax, wide, thick volva, which bursts
open at the apex. Ring close to the top, lax, silky, splitting up into
floccose fragments. Gills free, thin, narrow, narrowing at both ends,
but a little broader in front, not decurrent on the stem (although the
apex of the stem is often striate), crowded, somewhat floccose at the
edge. Fries.
The pilei are most frequently oblique, extended and lobed on one
side as in Hygrophorous conicus, scarcely ever depressed. The pileus
rarely becomes yellow. The fragments of the veil often adhere to the
edge of the gills.
6
PLATE VI
"} -3
> >
rl
•ti
13
., >
o-~jc
OS 3'*-'
' ' Q
Leucosporee
In woods. Uncommon. August to October. Amanita.
Fetid, poisonous. Stevenson.
Spores spheroid or subspheroid, io-i6/x K.; 8/* W. P.; sub-
globose, 8— io/x Massee.
POISONOUS.
I think it a variety of A. phalloides.
A. phalloi'des Fr. Gr. — phallus-like. (Plate VI, figs. 2, 3, p. 6.)
Pileus 3-4 in. broad, commonly shining white or lemon-yellow, fleshy,
oval bell-shaped, then expanded, obtuse, covered over with a pellicle
which is viscid (not glutinous) in wet weather, naked, rarely sprinkled
with one or two fragments of the volva, the regular margin even. Stem
3—5 in. long, /£ in. and more thick, solid downward, bulbous, hollow
and attenuated upward, rather smooth, white. Ring superior, reflexed,
slightly striate, swollen, commonly entire, white. Volva more or less
buried in the soil, bulbous, semifree, bursting open in a torn manner. at
the apex, with a lax border. GUIs free, ventricose, 4 lines broad, shin-
ing white. Fries.
PileilS very variable in color, commonly white or yellow (A. citrina
Pers.), becoming green (A. viridis Pers.), olivaceous and occasionally
variegated with tiger spots ; in late autumn with the disk almost black
but whitish round the margin. Odor somewhat fetid, but little remark-
able as compared with that of A. virosa.
In woods. Frequent. August to November.
A very POISONOUS and dangerous species. Stevenson.
Spores 8-9/A W. G.S.; 8-io/* B.; 7-9^ diam. Massee; globose, 7.6x6/1
Peck.
Pileus at first ovate or subcampanulate, then expanded, slightly
viscid when young and moist, smooth or rarely adorned by a few
fragments of the volva, even on the margin, white, yellowish-brown or
blackish-brown. Lamellae rather broad, rounded behind, free, white.
Stem equal or slightly tapering upward, stuffed or hollow, smooth or
slightly floccose, ringed, bulbous, the ruptured volva either appressed
loose or merely forming a narrow margin to the bulb.
Plant 4-8 in. high. Pileus 2-5 in. broad. Stem 3-6 lines thick.
This species is common and variable. It occurs everywhere in woods
and assumes such different colors that the inexperienced mycologist is
apt to mistake its different forms for distinct species. With us the pre-
7
Agaricaceae
Amanita. vailing colors of the pileus are white, yellowish- white, grayish-brown
and blackish-brown. It is remarkable that the form with a greenish
pileus, which seems to be common enough in Europe, does not occur
here. Fries also mentions a form having a white pileus with a black
disk. A somewhat similar form occurs here, in which the pileus is
grayish-brown with a black disk. Some of the variously colored forms
were formerly taken to be distinct species, in consequence of which
several synonyms have arisen, of which A. virescens Fl. Dan., Amanita
viridis Pers., and Amanita citrina Pers., are examples. A. verna
Bull, is a variety having a white pileus, a rather thick annulus and an
appressed volva. It sometimes occurs early in the season; hence the
specific name. It also occurs late in the season and runs into the typical
form so that it is not easy to keep it distinct. The flesh and the lam-
ellae are white, the stem is white, pallid or brownish, and the annulus is
either white or brownish. The bulb is generally very broad and abrupt
or depressed, though it sometimes is small and approaches an ovate
form. The large bulbs are sometimes split externally in two or three
places and are, therefore, two- or three-lobed. In such cases the volva
is less persistent than usual and its free portion then furnishes merely an
acute edge or narrow margin to the bulb. Specimens sometimes occur
in which the margin of the pileus is narrowly adorned with a slight
woolly hairiness, but usually it is perfectly smooth and even. By this
character, taken in connection with the membranous volva and bulbous
base of the stem, the species is readily distinguished. Sometimes a
strong odor is emitted by it, but usually the odor is slight. Authors
generally pronounce this a poisonous and very dangerous species. Its
appearance is attractive, but its use as food is to be avoided. Peck,
33d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Common in woods and recently cleared woodlands. Frequent over
the United States. June to frost.
An exceedingly poisonous, dangerous, seductive species, responsible
for most of the deaths from toadstool eating ; because in its white form
it is mistaken for the common mushroom — Agaricus campester. The
real fault is with the collector, who should never eat any fungus found
in the woods, believing it to be the mushroom. The mushroom does
not grow in the woods. Neither has it white gills, nor white spores, nor
a volva at the base of the stem as have Amanitae.
The caps of A. phalloides vary in color — white, oyster-color, smoky
Leucosporae
brown. The color of the commonest form is from white to a light hue Amanita.
of greenish yellow. The center of the cap, whatever may be the pre-
vailing color, is usually several shades darker. In shape, the cap
changes from a knob in youth, through the shapes of expansion, until
it becomes fully spread, when it is umbrella-shaped, or almost flat.
Some forms have a slightly raised portion or umbo in the center of the
cap. The gills are white, of good width, rounded next to the stem and
free from it.
The stem conforms in color to the cap, but in lighter shades. White-
capped varieties have white stems. The stem has a sudden broad, dis-
tinct bulb at the base. On the upper side of the bulb there is usually a
margin or rim. The stem tapers more or less toward the cap, from
which it is easily separable. The cup, wrapper or volva is torn or split
or irregular at the upper part, and is not pressed to the stem as in some
forms.
Professor Peck, in his 48th Report, gives the following excellent synop-
sis of differences between the poisonous Amanita and edible fungi, for
which it could only by great stupidity be mistaken :
Poison amanita. Gills persistently white. Stem equal to or longer
than the diameter of the cap, with a broad, distinct bulb at the base.
Common musliroom. Gills pink, becoming blackish-brown. Stem
shorter than the diameter of the cap, with no bulb at the base.
From all forms of the edible Sheathed amanitopsis the Poison ama-
nita differs in its distinctly bulbous stem, in having a collar on the stem
and in the absence of striations on the margin of the cap.
From the edible Reddish amanita, it is easily separated by the entire
absence of any reddish hues or stains and of warts upon its cap.
From the Smooth lepiota its distinct, abrupt and marginal bulb at
once distinguishes it.
A. ver'na Bull. — vernus, of spring. A variety of A. phalloides.
POISONOUS. White. Pileus ovate then expanded, somewhat de-
pressed, viscid, margin orbicular, even. Stem stuffed then hollow,
equal, floccose, closely sheathed with the free border of the volva. Ring
reflexed, swollen. Gills free. Pileus glabrous, even on the margin,
white, viscid when moist. Gills white. Stem ringed, white, floccose,
stuffed or hollow, closely sheathed at the base by the remains of the
membranous volva, bulbous. Spores globose, 8/* broad .
9
Agaricaceee
Amanita. In woods. Spring and summer.
The Vernal Amanita scarcely differs from white forms of the A.
phalloides except in the more persistent and more closely sheathing
remains of the wrapper at the base of the stem. It is probably only a
variety of that species, as most mycologists now regard it, and it should
be considered quite as dangerous. I have not found it earlier than in
July, although in Europe it is said to appear in spring, as its name im-
plies. Peck, 48th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Common over the United States. West Virginia, New Jersey, Penn-
sylvania, May to November. It appeared at Mt. Gretna, Pa., on May
28, 1899. Mcllvaine.
The absence of a ring separates white forms of A. volvata and A.
vaginata.
The virulence of its poison is the same as that of A. phalloides.
A. magnivela'ris Pk. — magnus, large; velum, veil. Pileus con-
vex or nearly plane, glabrous, slightly viscid when moist, even on the
margin, white or yellowish-white. Gills close, free, white. Stem long,
nearly equal, glabrous, white, furnished with a large membranous white
annulus, sheathed at the base by the appressed remains of the mem-
branous volva, the bulbous base tapering downward and radicating.
Spores broadly elliptical, 10x6-8;*.
Pileus 3-5 in. broad. Stem 5-7 in. long, 4-6 lines thick.
Solitary in woods. Port Jefferson, Suffolk county. July.
The species resembles Amanita verna, from which it is separated by
its large persistent annulus, the elongated downwardly tapering bulb of
its stem, and especially by its elliptical spores. Peck, 5oth Rep. N. Y.
State Bot.
I have not seen this species. Its resemblance to A. verna is enough
to place the ban upon it until it has been tested.
A. map'pa Fr. — mappa, a napkin. From the volva. Pileus 2-3 in.
broad, commonly white or becoming yellow, slightly fleshy, convexo-
plane, obtuse or depressed, orbicular, dry, margin for the most part
even. Stem 2-3 in. long, 3-5 lines thick, stuffed then hollow, almost
equal above the bulb, rather smooth, white. Ring superior, soft, lax,
here and there torn. Volva regularly circularly split, somewhat ob-
literated; the globoso-bulbous base united with the stem, with an acute
10
Leucosporae
and distant margin; the portion covering the pileus divided into broad, Amanita.
irregular, somewhat separating scales. Gills annexed, crowded, nar-
row, shining, white. Fries.
Odor stinking. The color is that of A. phalloides, with which A.
virosa exactly agrees, more rarely straw color, lemon-yellow, becoming
green.
In mixed woods. Frequent. Stevenson.
Spores spheroid, J-iopK.; 8-9x6-8)". B.; subglobose, 7~9/x diame-
ter Massee.
New York woods and fields, common, September to October, Peck,
22d Rep. ; North Carolina, Curtis; New England, Frost; Minnesota,
Johnson; Ohio, Morgan; District Columbia, Miss Taylor.
POISONOUS.
Probably but a variety of A. phalloides.
A. spre'ta Pk. — spreta, hated. (Plate VI, fig. I, p. 6.) Pileus
subovate, then convex or expanded, smooth or adorned with a few
fragments of the volva, substriate on the margin, whitish or pale-brown.
Gills close, reaching the stem, white. Stem equal, smooth, annulate,
stuffed or hollow, whitish, finely striate at the top from the decurrent
lines of the lamellae, not bulbous at the base, but the volva rather large,
loose, subochreate. Spores elliptical, generally with a single large
nucleus, 10-13x6—8^.
Plant 4-6 in. high. PileilS 3-5 in. broad. Stem 4-6 lines thick.
Ground in open places. Sandlake and Gansevoort. August. Peck,
32d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
This is a dangerous species, because containing a deadly poison and
resembling the most common forms of Amanitopsis, therefore likely to
be mistaken for them. Specimens sent by me to Professor Peck were
identified as his species. I add my own description.
Pileus oval, broadly umbonate, date-brown toward and on umbo,
soft, dry, smooth, more or less sulcate on edge. Flesh white, thin,
except at center. Stem tapers rapidly above ring and at base, white-
reddish-brown toward middle, narrows toward volva from which it is
almost free at the base, hollow, furfuraceous above ring. Gills white,
crowded, free. Ring white, thin, persistent, but at times hard to dis-
tinguish because clinging to stem. Volva free, fitting close, upper
II
Agaricacese
Amanita. margin thin, lower part quite thick, making stem appear bulbous, which
it is not. White forms occur.
Not as virulent as A. phalloides, but like it in its POISONOUS ef-
fects. It differs from Amanitopsis in having a ring.
Grows in woods and on wood-margins.
Angora woods, West Philadelphia. On ground in mixed woods,
open and grassy places in wood and wood-margins. August to Sep-
tember. Mcllvaine.
A. recuti'ta Fr. — having a fresh or new skin. Pileus convex then
plane, dry, smooth, frequently bearing fragments of the volva, margin
nearly even. Stem stuffed then hollow, attenuated, silky, volva cir-
cumscissile, becoming obliterated, margin closely pressed to stem ; ring
distant, white. Gills striate-decurrent.
In pine woods. Common.
No report upon quality.
A. Csesa'rea Scop. — king-like. (Called by the Greeks Cibus Deorum,
food of the gods.) CAUTION. Pileus 3-8 in. across, hemispherical,
then expanded, free from warts, distinctly striate on the margin, red or
orange becoming yellow. Gills free, yellow. Stem 4-6 in. long, up
to % in. thick at base, slightly tapering upward, yellowish, flocculose,
stuffed with white fibrils or hollow, with a conspicuous yellowish ring
or veil. Volva white, large, distinct and membranous. Spores ellip-
tical, 8-io/u. Peck.
Open woods, under pines on lawns. July to October.
Reported from North Carolina, South Carolina, Massachusetts, Mary-
land, New Jersey, Ohio, Alabama, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, New York.
Peck, Rep. 23, 32, 33, 48.
This emperor of fungi is the most showy of its race. It grows to 10
in. in height. The cap reaches 8 in. in diameter and the stem over i %
in. in thickness. In very much smaller specimens about the same pro-
portions occur. The cap is at first ovate, then hemispherical, then ex-
panded. It has no warts or scales upon it. The margin is distinctly
striate. The flesh is white, yellow or reddish under the skin; next to
the gills it is usually yellow.
The stem tapers upward from the socket at its base. It is yellowish
and covered with loose fibrils of darker hue. The ring is white, but
12
Iieucosporse
frequently tinged with yellow. In taste and smell it is mild. Open Amanita.
woods is its favorite habitat, yet it is found growing luxuriantly under
pines, maples, elms, on lawns. It is not often found, but when it is, it
is solitary, or in groups or rings. In the latitude of Philadelphia it is
found from July until October ist. Further south its stay conforms to
temperature, and it is more frequent. There is no doubt of its rare
edibility abroad, and of its being eaten in America.
A specimen believed to be it should never be eaten until carefully
distinguished from A. muscaria and A. Frostiana, which have warts or
scales on the cap (which sometimes are not discernible after rain),
white gills, and a volva which soon breaks up into fragments or scabs.
Appearing like a small form of A. muscaria, to which it was formerly
referred, is A. Frostiana Pk. (Frost's Agaric). It closely resembles
small A. Caesarea, especially in the yellow tinge of stem, ring and gills.
The volva and ring (persistent in A. Caesarea) soon disappear, but are
traceable by fluffy fragments, or yellow stains. It is extremely poison-
ous.
The differences, concisely, are these : A. Caesarea (Orange Amanita).
Cap smooth, though occasionally with a few fragments of the volva as
patches upon it. Gills yellow. Stem yellow. Volva usually persistent,
sometimes breaking up into soft, fluffy masses.
A. muscaria (Fly Amanita). Poisonous. Cap covered with remains
of the volva as scales or wart-like patches. Gills white. Stem white or
light-yellow. Volva not persistent, breaking up into fluffy fragments
or scales.
A. Frostiana. Poisonous. Smaller and more delicate than the two
preceding. Cap smooth or with yellow scales or wart-like patches.
Gills yellow or tinged on edge with yellow. Stem white or yellow,
the ring evanescent, but always leaving a yellow mark on stem. Volva
yellow, breaking up into yellow fluffy fragments.
Far better for the amateur to let the A. Caesarea, and anything re-
sembling it, respectfully alone.
New York, Gansvoort. Circle forty feet in diameter. Peck, 32d
Rep. ; Maryland. There is not a doubt that this fungus can be eaten
with impunity, Banning; Alabama, abundant. Edible. Alabama Bull.
No. 80.
Roques and Cordier, French writers, regard it as the finest and most
delicate of fungi, the perfume and taste being exquisite.
13
Agaricaceae
Amanita. The writer has not had opportunity to eat A. Caesarea. If such
should occur he would go about it very cautiously. No suspicion
attaches to it abroad, but evidence is accumulating in the hands of the
writer (not yet convincing) that either locality may render it poisonous
or that A. muscaria varies so much in appearance as to deceive even
the expert into mistaking it for A. Caesarea. It is possible that A.
muscaria is, at times, in certain localities, harmless; but no such ex-
ception as this is noted in the entire fungoid realm. It is not so common
that collectors should mourn its waste. It is better, far, to let it alone.
**Volva splitting regularly all around; pileus bearing thick warts, etc.
A. musca'l'ia Linn. — nnisca, a fly. (Plate VI, fig. 4, p. 6. Plate
VIII.) POISONOUS. Pileus 4 in. and more broad, normally at first
blood-red, soon orange and becoming pale, whitening when old, globose,
then convex and at length flattened, covered with a pellicle which is at
first thick, and in wet weather glutinous, but which gradually disappears,
and sprinkled with thick, angular, separating fragments of the volva ;
margin when full-grown slightly striate. Flesh not compact, white,
yellow under the pellicle. Stem as much as a span long, shining white,
firm, torn into scales, at first stuffed with lax, spider-web fibrils, soon
hollow\ the adnate base of the volva forms an ovate bulb, which is mar-
ginate with concentric scales. Ring very soft, torn, even, inserted at
the apex of the stem, which is often dilated. Gills free, but reaching
the stem, decurrent in the form of lines, crowded, broader in front,
white, rarely becoming yellow.
Var. rega'lis, twice as large. Stem stuffed, solid when young, as
much as 1—2 in. thick, becoming light-yellow within; the volva ter-
minates in 8— 10 concentric squamoso-reflexed rows of scales. Pileus
very glutinous, bay-brown or the color of cooked liver. Gills yel-
lowish.
Var. formosa, soft, fragile. Pileus at first lemon-yellow, with mealy,
lax, yellowish, easily-separating warts, often naked. Gills often becom-
ing yellow. A. formosa, with the warts rubbed off.
Var. umbri'na, thinner and more slender. Stem hollow, often twist-
ed, bulb narrowed. PileilS at first umber, then livid, with the excep-
tion of the disk, which is dingy-brown. Gills at length remote. Stev.
PileilS at first ovate or hemispherical, then broadly convex or nearly
plane, slightly viscid when young and moist, rough with numerous
PLATE VIII.
z
H
5=
C
n
2
>
Leucosporse
whitish or yellowish warts, rarely smooth, narrowly and slightly striate Amanita.
on the margin, white, yellow or orange-red. Gills white. Stem equal
or slightly tapering upward, stuffed with webby fibrils or hollow, bear-
ing a white ring above, ovate-bulbous at the base, white or yellowish;
the volva usually breaking up into scales and adhering to the upper part
of the bulb and the base of the stem. Spores elliptical, 8-iox6-8/A.
Plant 5-8 in. high. PileuS 3-6 in. broad. Peck, 33d Rep. N. Y.
State Bot.
A white variety, with the pileus thickly studded with sharp warts,
occurs in Albany Rural Cemetery. July. Peck, 24th Rep.
Var. atba Pk. It also occurs on Long Island in two forms, the
normal one and a smaller one, in which the warts of the pileus are
evanescent or wanting. Not unfrequently it makes a close approach to
white forms of A. pantherina, in having the upper part of the bulb uni-
formly margined by the remains of the definitely circumscissile volva,
but this margin is more acute than in that species. Peck, 46th Rep.
N. Y. State Bot.
Spores spheroid-ellipsoid, 10-12x8-9^ K.; 6x9/^1 W. G. S.; ellip-
tical, 8-10x6-8/1 Peck.
"At Cincinnati, yellow A. muscaria are all we find." Lloyd.
Reported from most of the states. At Mt. Gretna I found it in great
quantity, and frequently three or four tightly crowded together. Many
pounds of it were sent to Professor Chittenden, Sheffield Laboratory,
Yale University. Near Haddonfield, N. J., large patches annually
grow under pines, gorgeous in their rich orange-red caps, usually scaly,
with at times lemon-yellow in the same clusters, smooth as A. Caesarea.
It grows from July until after hard frosts.
It is undoubtedly poisonous to a high degree. Its juices in minute
quantity, carefully and scientifically injected into the circulation of ether-
ized cats, kill in less than a minute. A raw piece of the cap, the size
of a hazel nut, affects me sensibly if taken on an empty stomach. Diz-
ziness, nausea, exaggeration of vision and pallor result from it. The
pulse quickens and is full, and a dreaded pressure affects the breathing.
I have not noticed change in the pupil of the eye. Nicotine from
smoking a pipe with me abates the symptoms, which entirely dis-
appear in two hours, leaving as reminiscence a torturing, dull, skull-
pervading headache. If, as is asserted on good authority, the Siberians
use it as an intoxicant, they certainly suffer the accustomed penalty.
15
Agaricaceae
Amanita. It is possible that persons may, in a degree, become immune to its poi-
son, as they do to arsenic, strychnia, opium, nicotine, or it may be that
a portion of the poison is extracted by boiling. It is, however, ex-
tremely dangerous to rely upon extracting by any means the poison of
the Amanita, and to eat the residue. Acetic acid or vinegar does not
destroy the poison ; it dissolves it to an extent and extracts it, and be-
comes as poisonous as the plant itself. There is no means of telling
how much of the poison remains in the plant after such treatment. The
safe plan is to eat, only, of toadstools which do not contain any poison
to extract.
One redeeming virtue, alone, rests with A. muscaria — it kills flies.
A. Frost'iana Pk.— in honor of Charles C. Frost. POISONOUS.
(Plate VI, fig. 5, p. 6.) Pileus convex or expanded, bright-orange or
yellow, warty, sometimes nearly or quite smooth, striate on the margin.
Gills free, white or slightly tinged with yellow. Stem white or yellow,
stuffed, bearing a slight, sometimes evanescent ring, bulbous at the base,
the bulb slightly margined by the volva. Spores globose, 8-io/x. in
diameter.
Plant 2-3 in. high. Pileus 1-2 in. broad. Stem about 2 lines
thick. June to October.
This appears like a very small form of the Fly Agaric, to which, as
var. minor, it was formerly referred. The only decided characters for
distinguishing it are its small size and globose spores. Our plant some-
times grows in company with A. muscaria, but it seems to prefer more
dense woods, especially mixed or hemlock woods. It is generally very
regular and beautiful and has the stem quite often of a yellow color, and
the bulb margined above with a collar-like ring. Peck, 33d Rep. N. Y.
State Bot.
West Virginia, New Jersey, North Carolina, Mcllvaine.
A. Frostiana is found well over the land. It is frequent in shady
woods and seems to favor ground under the prevailing tree — oak, chest-
nut, pine, hemlock, whichever it may be. From the many hundreds
I have seen, I think it more likely to be mistaken by the novice for A.
Caesarea than A. muscaria, because of its often yellow gills and stem.
It is much smaller and thinner than either. In the states I have found
it, it is darker than described, being a rich reddish-orange or scarlet.
The partial veil or ring is very evanescent but often found upon the
16
Leucosporae
stem as a yellow, floccose remnant. The stain of the ring is always Amanita.
noticeable. The volva is seldom found entire. It, too, is evanescent,
but, like the veil, is found yellow and fluffy, adhering to the fingers
when touched.
It is probable that its highly colored cap has caused it to be gathered
by the careless collector of bright-capped Russulae, and that thus R.
emetica got its bad name. Examine carefully any toadstool resembling
it. The Russulae have neither ring nor volva.
A. excel'sa Fr. — excelsus, tall. POISONOUS. Pileus 4-5 in. broad,
brownish-gray, darker in the center, fleshy, soft, globose, then plane,
pellicle thin, but viscous, and in reality separable in wet weather, then
the surface is often wrinkled-papillose, or in a peculiar manner hollowed
and pitted, sprinkled with angular, unequal, whitish-gray, easily sep-
arating warts, the remains of the friable volva; margin at first even,
but when properly /developed manifestly striate, even furrowed. Flesh
soft, white throughout, unchangeable. Stem 4-6 in. long, I in. thick,
at first stuffed, almost solid, but at length hollow, globose-depressed at
the base, attenuated upward from the bulb, covered, sometimes as far
as the ring, sometimes only on the lower part \vlthdense, squarrose, con-
centric scales (from the epidermis of the stem being torn), striate at the
apex. Ring superior, large, separating-free or at length torn. Gills
quite free, rounded (not decurrent on the stem in the form of lines),
very ventricose, K in. and more broad, shining white.
The bulb when young is somewhat marginate, but by no means sep-
arable, the margin proper, like that of A. muscaria, is marked with
scales, buried in the soil, somewhat rooting, beneath the margin marked
here and there with a concentric furrow. The shorter gills intermixed
are more numerous than is usual among Amanitae. There is a smaller
variety, with the margin more frequently striate and the stem stuffed,
then hollow. Fries.
Solitary, in woods, chiefly under beech. Stevenson.
Spores 6x9/A W. G. S.; 8-9x5-6^ Massee.
North Carolina, Schweinitz, Curtis; South Carolina, Ravenel; Cali-
fornia, Harkness and Moore; Massachusetts, Frost, Andrews; Minne-
sota, Johnson; Rhode Island, Olney.
\. pantheri'na De C. — spotted like a panther. Doubtful. Pileus
2 17
Agaricaceae
Amanita. commonly olivaceous-umber when young, fleshy, convex then flattened
or somewhat depressed, with a sticky pellicle, which is at first thick and
olivaceous dingy-brown, then thinned out, almost disappearing and
Jivid, the disk only becoming brownish; margin evidently striate; the
fragments of the volva divided into small, equal, white, regularly
arranged, moderately persistent warts. Flesh wholly 'white, never
yellow beneath the pellicle. Stem 3-4 in. long, >2 in. thick, at first
stuffed then hollow with spider-web fibrils within, equal or attenuated
upward, slightly firm and sometimes scaly downward, greaved at the
base by the separable volva which has an entire and obtuse margin.
Ring more or less distant, adhering obliquely, white, rarely superior.
Gills free, reaching the stem, broader in front, 3-4 lines broad, shining
white.
It is readily distinguished from A. muscaria, var. umbrina, by the
white flesh never becoming yellow beneath the pellicle. Variable in
size and color, which, however, is never red or yellow, and in the posi-
tion of the ring.
In woods and pastures. Stevenson.
Spores 7-8x4-5/4 A'./ 6-zo//, B.; 8x4^ W. G. S.; 7.6x4.8^ Morgan.
Not poisonous, W. G. S.; not edible, Roze; poisonous, Leuba.
North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio, California, Wisconsin, Minne-
sota, Iowa, New York. Peck.
A. Ravenel'ii B. and C. — in honor of Henry W. Ravenel. PileilS
4 in. across, convex, broken up into distinct areas, each of which is
raised into an acute, rigid, pyramidal wart. Stem 3 in. high, bulbous.
Volva thick, warty, somewhat lobed. King deflexed.
South Carolina, June, H . W. Ravenel; a very fine species allied to
A. strobiliformis, Vitt. Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., 1859; Alabama,
Atkinson (LI. Volvae).
Properties not stated.
A. rilSSllloi'des Pk. — resembling a Russula. PileilS at first ovate,
then expanded or convex, rough with a few superficial warts, or entirely
smooth, viscid when moist, widely striate-tuberculate on the margin,
pale-yellow or straw color. Gills close, free, narrowed toward the
stem, white. Stem firm, smooth, stuffed, annulate, equal or slightly
tapering upward, bulbous; annulus thin, soon vanishing. Volva fra-
gile, subappressed. Spores broadly elliptical, iox8/A.
18
PLATK IX.
Grouped by F. D. Briscoe — Studies by C. Mcllvaine.
FIG.
1. AMANITA CHLORINOSMA,
2. AMANITA BUBESCENS AND SECTION,
PAGE. FIG.
25 3. AMANITA STROBILIFORMIS.
21
PAGE,
19
Leucosporae
Plant 2-3 in. high. Pilens 1.5-2 in. broad. Stem 3-5 lines thick. Amanita.
Grassy ground in open woods. Greenbush. June.
This species is remarkable for the thin striate-tuberculate margin of
the pileus, which causes it to resemble some species of Russula. Peck,
25th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Qualities not stated.
Massachusetts, Francis.
A. Strobilil'or'mis Vitt. — strobilis, a pine-cone, from the shape of
the warts. (Plate IX, fig. 3, p. 18.) Cap 3-10 in. across, convex
or nearly plane, white or cinereous, sometimes yellow on the disk,
rough with angular, mostly persistent warts which sometimes fall away
and leave the pileus nearly smooth ; generally whitish, sometimes tinged
with brown ; the margin even and extending a little beyond the lamellae.
Gills free, rounded behind. Veil large and portions sometimes adhere
to margin of cap. Stem 3-8 in. long, up to 1*4 in. thick, equal or
slightly tapering upward, solid, floccose-scaly, white, bulbous, the bulb
very large, sometimes weighing a pound, margined above and furnished
with one or two concentric furrows, somewhat pointed below, firmly
and deeply imbedded in the earth, floccose-mealy when young.
Spores ellipcical, 13-15x8-10^1 Peck.
Open woods and borders. June to October.
Edible. W. G. Smith, Curtis, Peck.
This is among the best of species. Its size, solidity, flavor are
marked. I have found specimens weighing a pound and a half. It
grows singly, but when one is found several are apt to be neighbors.
When young, the cap is but a small knob upon a beet or top-shaped
base, which is largely under ground. It cuts like a soft turnip, and has
a strong, pungent, unmistakable odor, like chloride of lime, which en-
tirely disappears in cooking. As the plant develops the bulb decreases
in size. On all the many specimens the author has seen and eaten, the
scabs are light brown and reddish-brown.
A. SOlita'ria Bull. — growing alone. Pileus convex or plane, warty,
white or whitish, even on the margin. Gills reaching the stem, white
or slightly tinged with cream color. Stem at first mealy or scaly, equal,
solid, white, bulbous, the bulb scaly or mealy, narrowed below into a
root-like prolongation. Ring lacerated, often adhering in fragments to
the margin of the pileus and gills. Spores elliptical-oblong, 8-13x6.5^.
19
Agaricaceae
Amanita. Plant 4-8 in. high. Pileus 3 -6 in. broad. Stem 4-6 lines thick.
Peck, 33d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Solitary in woods and open places. July to October.
Georgia, H. N. Starnes; Indiana, H ' . I . Miller; West Virginia, New
Jersey, Pennsylvania, Mcllvaine.
Edible. Curtis, H. N. Statues, Philadelphia Myc. Club.
In many localities I find it quite plentiful, and it is so reported from
Georgia. Southern and middle New Jersey woods abound with it, and
at Mt. Gretna, Pa., it is always present in its growing months.
The cap is sometimes tinged with brown as are the angular, erect
warts which are generally numerous, but often falling off or few and
scattered. The flesh is white and smells like chloride of lime, but not
nearly so strong as A. strobiliformis. The volva is broken up into
floccose scales which cling to bulb and lower part of stem. These scales
may be white and mealy or brownish. The entire fungus has a fluffy
exterior, which is easily removed by rubbing. The annulus is torn, a
part often adhering to the margin of the pileus and the gills. This and
the long, tapering, rooting bulb are marked characteristics. The bulb
is brittle. It is difficult to get the fungus from the ground entire.
Stem and cap are juicy, tender, mild in flavor, wholesome. It is not
equal in flavor to A. rubescens, but is more delicate.
By many its properties have been stated as poisonous, doubtful.
Quantities of it have been eaten by myself and friends. Hypodermic
injection of its juices into the blood circulation of live animals prove it
perfectly harmless.
A. can'dida Pk. — shining white. PileilS thin, broadly convex or
nearly plane, verrucose with numerous small, erect, angular or pyramidal,
easily separable warts, often becoming smooth with age, white, even on
the margin. Flesh white. Gills rather narrow, close, reaching to the
stem, white. Stem solid, bulbous, floccose-squamose, white, the annulus
attached to the top of the stem, becoming pendent and often disappear-
ing with age, floccose-squamose on the lower surface, striate on the
upper, the bulb rather large, ovate, squamose, not margined, tapering
above into the stem and rounded or merely abruptly pointed below.
Spores elliptical, 10-13x8^.
Pileus 3-6 in. broad. Stem 2.5-5 m- long, 5-8 lines thick, the
bulb 1-1.5 m- thick in the dried specimens.
20
lieucosporae
This is a fine large species related to A. solitaria, but differing from Amanita.
it in the character of its bulb and of its annulus. The bulb is not mar-
ginate nor imbricately squamose. Its scales are small and numerous.
Nor is it clearly radicating, though sometimes it has a slight abrupt
point or myceloid-agglomerated mass of soil at its base. The veil or
annulus is large and well developed, but it is apt to fall away and dis-
appear with age. Its attachment at the very top of the stem brings it
closely in contact with the lamellae of the young plant and the striations
of its upper surface appear to be due to the pressure of the edges of
these upon it. It separates readily from the margin of the pileus and is
not lacerated. In the mature plant the warts have generally disap-
peared from the pileus and sometimes its margin is curved upward
Peck, Bull. Torr. Bot. Club, Vol. 24, No. 3.
Woods. Auburn, N. Y., Alabama, U. and E.; Pennsylvania, West
Virginia, New Jersey, August to October, Mcllvaine.
A dozen or more specimens were found in oak woods near Philadel-
phia, and carefully tested. Their edible qualities were found to be
precisely the same as A. solitaria.
*** Whole volva friable, etc.
A. rubes'cens Pers. — rubesco, to become red. (Plate IX, fig. 2,
p. 18. Plate XII, fig. 4, p. 32.) Pileus about 4 in. broad, dingy-
reddish, becoming pale flesh-color, tan, scarcely pure, fleshy, convex,
then plane, obtuse, moist but not glutinous in rainy weather and opaque
when dry, covered with unequal, soft, mealy, whitish, easily-separating
warts, which are smaller, harder and more closely adherent in dry
weather ; margin even and, when old, slightly striate only in wet weather.
Flesh commonly soft, white when fresh, reddening when broken. Stem
4-5 in. long, as much as I in. thick, stuffed, somewhat solid, though
soft within, conico-attenuated from the thickened base, reddish-scaled,
becoming red-white, and without a trace of a distinct volva at the base.
Ring; superior, large, membranaceous, soft, striate and white within.
Gills reaching the stem in an attenuated manner, forming decurrent lines
upon it, thin, crowded, soft, as much as % in. broad, shining white.
Very changeable, but readily distinguished from all others of the
same group by the flesh being reddish when broken; the stem and pileus
are commonly spotted-red when wounded. In dry weather it is firmer,
flesh reddening more slowly, warts minute. Odor scarcely any. There
21
Agaricaceae
Amanita. is a remarkable variety circinata, pileus becoming plane, umber-brown,
warts adnate, crowded, roundish. A. circinatus Schum. Stevenson.
Spores spheroid-ellipsoid, 7-8x6ju, K.; 8x6/1 W.G.S.; 7-9x6-81* B.;
elliptical, 8-9/x. long. Peck.
Not reported west of the Mississippi river.
Oak woods, borders and open places. July to September. Indiana,
H . I. Miller; West Virginia, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsyl-
vania, Mcllvaine.
It is quite common, often growing in large patches. Recent authors
agree upon the edibility and deliciousness of this species. The author
knows it to be one of the most plentiful, useful and delicious, after sev-
eral years of pleasant experience with it.
In July, 1899, at Mt. Gretna, I found, growing from the ground gre-
gariously, a singular fungoid growth from 2-5 in. high; cap hemis-
pherical, i in. in diameter, tightly fitting a solid stem of nearly the
diameter of the cap. The whole was watery white, and evidently af-
fected by a parasite. It was edible. September ist Professor Peck
wrote to me : "I think I have found the identity of the diseased
Agaric, of which you sent me samples some time ago. I mean the one
affected by Hypomyces incequalis Pk. The host is Amanita rubescens,
at least sometimes, and probably always."
The plant is very heavy for its size. The lack of a volva, the dingy
color and reddish stains .distinctly separate this from any poisonous
Amanita.
A. spis'sa Fr. — compact, dense; — of the warts. Pileus umber, sooty
or gray, fleshy, somewhat compact, convexo-plane, obtuse, smooth,
even, but marked with small, ash-colored, angular, adnate warts; mar-
gin even, but often torn into fibers. Flesh firm, white, quite imchange-
able. Stem 2—3 in. long, as much as I in. thick, solid, turnip-shaped
at the base, somewhat rooting with a globoso-depressed not marginate
bulb, curt, firm, shining white, at length squamulose with concentric
cracks. Ring superior, large. Gills reaching the stem, slightly striato-
decurrent, broad, crowded, shining white. Fries.
Spores I4f- W.G.S.; subglobose, 8-10/1 C.B.P.; 6/* W.P.; rather
pear-shaped, 9—10x6^ Massee.
Cap 2—3 in. across. Stem 2/^—3 in. long, up to % in. thick.
New Jersey, oak woods, August and September. Mcllvaine.
22
Leucosporae
A. spissa has been reported from but few localities. It is rare in the Amanita.
latitude of Philadelphia. Half a dozen specimens have been found in
neighboring New Jersey.
Taste and smell strong, but when cooked the dish is savory and not
unlike one of A. rubescens.
A. as'pera Fr. — asper, rough. Pileus 2-3 in. across. Flesh rather
thick at the disk, whitish, white or reddish with tints of livid or gray,
reddish or brownish under the cuticle; convex then plane, margin thin
and even, rough with firmly adnate, minute, closely crowded, angular
warts, reddish-brown or livid-brownish, not pure white, unchangeable.
Gills free and rounded behind, not striately decurrent, ventricose, white.
Stem stuffed, striate above the ring, short at first, ovate, then elon-
gating to 2-3 in., attenuated upward from a wrinkled bulb, squamulose,
white without and within. Ring superior, entire.
Spores 8x6/u. Massee; 8x6—7/4 W.G.S.
The flesh of stem and bulb when eaten by insects is reddish, the bulb
when old is a reddish-brown. The large ring and stem become red
when touched. In these particulars it resembles A. rubescens. In smell
it is somewhat strong, not unlike A. strobiliformis, but not nearly so
pungent.
Cooked it is of excellent quality and flavor. I have eaten it since 1885 .
A. abrup'ta Pk. — abrupt, of the bulb. Pileus thin, broadly convex
or nearly plane, covered with small angular or pyramidal, erect, some-
what evanescent warts, white, slightly striate on the margin. Flesh
white. Gills moderately close, reaching the stem and sometimes ter-
minating in slightly decurrent lines upon it, white. Stem slender, gla-
brous, solid, bulbous, white, the bulb abrupt, subglobose, often coated
below by the white persistent mycelium, the ring membranous, per-
sistent. Spores broadly elliptical or subglobose, 8-iox6-8/x.
Pileus 2-4 in. broad. Stem 2.5-4 m- l°ng, 3~4 lines thick.
The chief distinguishing mark of this species is the abrupt, nearly
globose, bulbous base of the stem. This is somewhat flattened above
o
and is sometimes longitudinally split on the sides. The small warts of
the pileus are easily separable, and in mature specimens they have often
wholly or partly disappeared. The remains of the volva are not pres-
ent on the bulb in mature dried specimens, which indicates that the
23
Agaricaceae
Amanita. species should be placed in the same group with A. rubescens, A.
spissa, etc. The latter species have the bulb of the stem similar to that
of our plant, but the color of the pileus and other characters easily sep-
arate it. Peck, Bull. Torr. Bot. Club, Vol. 24, No. 3.
Alabama, Underwood; New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Mcllvaine. July
to September.
This species is edible and quite equal in quality to A. rubescens.
Great care should be exercised in distinguishing it.
A. nit'ida Fr. — niteo, to shine. Pileus when flattened 4 in. broad,
whitish, fleshy, somewhat compact, at first hemispherical, wrapped up, the
thick volva forming a floccose crust, then broken up into thick, remark-
ably angular, adhering warts, which become brownish, dry, shining,
without a glutinous pellicle, margin always even. Flesh white, quite
unchangeable. Stem 3 in. long, i in. thick, solid, firm, conico-attenu-
ated, with a bulb-shaped base , squamulose, white. Ring superior, thin,
torn, slightly striate, white, villous beneath, at length disappearing.
Gills free, crowded, very broad, as much as % in., ventricose, shining
white. Fries.
Menands. Albany county. Our plant is more slender than the
typical form, and has smaller but more numerous warts, but in other
respects it exhibits the characters of this species. Peek, 43d Rep. N. Y.
State Bot.
California, H. and M.; Maryland. Common in nearly every woods
in Maryland. Banning.
From its likeness to poisonous species it should be suspected.
A. prairiic'ola Pk — prairie, colo, to inhabit. Pileus thin, convex,
slightly verrucose, white, more or less tinged with yellow, even on the
margin. Flesh white. Gills rather broad, subdistant, reaching the
stem, white. Stem equal or slightly tapering upward, somewhat
squamose toward the base, white or whitish, the annulus persistent.
Spores large, broadly elliptical, 12-14^ long, 7-9/4 broad.
Pileus 1.5-3 m- broad. Stem 2-2.5 m- l°ng, 2~4 lines thick.
Bare ground on open prairies. Kansas. September. E. Bartholomew.
This species belongs to the same tribe as A. abrupta. The only evi-
dence of the presence of a volva shown by the dried specimens is found
in a few inconspicuous, but separable warts on the pileus. There is no
24
Leucosporae
well marked bulb to the stem and no evidence remains of a volva at its Amanita.
base. Peck, Bull. Torr. Bot. Club, Vol. 24, No. 3.
Reported from Kansas only. Qualities unknown.
A. monticulo'sa Berk. — mountain, from the warts. Pileus 2.5-3 m-
across, convex, areolate, with a wart in the center of each areola; those
toward the margin consisting of soft threads meeting in a point, but
sometimes simply flocculent, the central warts angular, pyramidal, trun-
cate, discolored. Stem bulbous, scaly, flocculent, white. Veil thick,
at length distant. Gills free, ventricose, remote, forming a well-defined
area around the top of the stem. The warts are not hard and rigid as
in A. nitida, and the free remote gills separate it from that and the
neighboring species. Berk.
North Carolina, sandy woods, common. Curtis.
Properties not known.
A. dail'cipes B. and M. — daucum, a carrot; pes, afoot. Pileus 2—5
in. broad, hemispherical, globose. Flesh white, soft, warts regular,
pyramidal, saffron color. Gills narrow, reaching the stem, broadest in
the middle. Stem 5—6 in. high, solid, base bulbous, with a restricted
cortina above, squamulose downward. Veil fibrillose, extending from
the margin of the pileus to the apex of the stem, fugacious.
In cultivated fields. Ohio. Sullivant. Properties not given.
A. lenticillar'is Lasch. — resembling (the stem) a lentil.
Fries places this species in Amanita, in which Stevenson follows him.
Cooke and Massee place it in Lepiota, where it will be found.
* Volva rudimentary, wholly disappearing.
A. chlorilios'ma Pk. — smelling like chlorine. (Plate IX, fig. i,
p. 1 8.) Pileus convex or expanded, warty on the disk, covered on
the even margin with a light powdery, at length evanescent substance,
white. Gills white. Stem nearly cylindrical, stout, deeply penetrating
the earth. Spores broadly elliptical, 7-10^ long. Odor distinct, chlo-
rine-like.
Plant 6-7 in. high. Pileus 4-6 in. broad. Stem 1-2 in. thick.
Peck, Bot. Gaz., Vol. 4.
25
Agaricacese
Amanita. Burnt ground in woods. August. Closter, N. J., C. F. Austin;
Alabama, U. and E.; West Virginia, Nuttall; New Jersey, Ellis;
Mt. Gretna, Pa., July, in a cluster of a dozen individuals, and after-
ward until frost, strong smelling, warts brownish-white, Mcllvaine.
It is edible and equal to A. strobiliformis.
A. calyptra'ta Pk. Pileus fleshy, thick, convex or nearly plane,
centrally covered by a large irregular persistent grayish-white fragment
of the volva, glabrous elsewhere, striate on the margin, greenish-yellow
or yellowish-brown tinged with green, the margin often a little paler or
more yellow than the rest. Lamellae close, nearly free, but reaching
the stem and forming slight decurrent lines or striations on it, yellowish-
white tinged with green. Stem stout, rather long, equal or slightly
tapering upward, surrounded at the base by the remains of the ruptured
volva, white or yellowish white with a faint greenish tint. Spores
broadly elliptic, IO/A long, 6/u- broad, usually containing a single large
nucleus.
Pileus 10-20 cm. broad. Stem 10-15 cm. long, 12-20 mm. thick.
Rich ground in fir woods or their borders. Autumn. Oregon. Dr,
H . Lane.
This is a large and interesting species, well marked and easily recog-
nized by its large size, by the greenish tint that pervades the pileus,
lamellae, annulus and stem, and especially by the large persistent patch
of grayish-white felty material that covers the center of the pileus and
sometimes extends nearly to the margin. This is in fact the upper part
of the ruptured volva that is carried up by the growing plant, and is
very suggestive of the specific name. In the young state the plant is
entirely enveloped in the volva, which then is similar to a goose egg in
size and shape, and its walls are one-fourth to one-half inch thick. So
thick and firm are they that the young plant appears sometimes to be
unable to break through and it decays in its infancy.
Dr. Lane says that, having found that the Italians made use of this
mushroom for food, he began eating it and introducing it to his friends,
and he learned by personal trial that it is a thoroughly good and whole-
some mushroom, which, when broiled with bacon, fried, baked or
stewed, may be eaten with perfect safety and that it is a nutritious food.
Peck, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, Vol. 27, January, 1900.
26
Leucosporee
A. Creimla'ta Pk. PileuS thin, broadly ovate, becoming convex Amanita.
or nearly plane and somewhat striate on the margin, adorned with a few
thin whitish floccose warts or with whitish flocculent patches, whitish or
grayish, sometimes tinged with yellow. Lamellsp close, reaching the
stem, and sometimes forming decurrent lines upon it, floccose crenulate
on the edge, the short ones truncate at the inner extremity, white.
Stem equal, bulbous, floccose mealy above, stuffed or hollow, white,
the annulus slight, evanescent. Spores broadly elliptic or subglobose,
7.5-101". long, nearly as broad, usually containing a single large nucleus.
PileuS 2.5-5 cm- broad. Stem 2.5-5 cm- l°ng> 6-8 mm. thick.
Low ground, under trees. Eastern Massachusetts. September. Mrs.
E. Blackford and George E. Morris.
The volva in this species must be very slight, as its remains quickly
disappear from the bulb of the stem. The remains carried up by the
pileus form slight warts or thin whitish areolate patches. The annulus
is present in very young plants, but is often wanting in mature ones, in
which state the plant might be mistaken for a species of Amanitopsis.
Its true affinity is with the tribe to which A. rubescens belongs. As in
that species, the bulb soon becomes naked and exhibits no remains of
the volva. It is similar to A. farinosa also in this respect, but quite
unlike it in color, in the adornments of the pileus and in the character
of its margin, which is even in the young plant and but slightly striate
in the mature state. Its dimensions are said sometimes to exceed those
here given, and it is reported to have been eaten without harm and to
be of an excellent flavor. I have had no opportunity to try. Peck,
Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, Vol. 27, January, 1900.
Agaricaceae
AMANITOFSIS Roze.
Amanita; op sis, resembling.
Amanitopsis. AFLFH AVING a universal veil at first completely envel-
oping the young plant, which soon bursts through,
carrying particles of it on the pileus, where they
appear as scattered warts readily brushed off; the
remainder or volva closely enwraps the base of the
stem. Ring absent. Spores white. This genus
r ^^»B-^>Jwrj= _--.
^ •** was formerly included in Amanita. It differs from
Amanita in the absence of a ring or collar upon the stem and in the
more sheathing volva. It differs from Lepiota in having a volva.
Close observation is necessary in collecting Amanitopsis for the table.
It has no trace of ring or veil upon the stem . So far as the species are
known no poisonous one exists. But Amanita spreta Pk., which is
deadly, so closely resembles forms of Amanitopsis that those confident
of their knowledge will be deceived. The veil or traces of veil, which
Amanita spreta always has, sometimes so adheres to and wraps the stem
that it is not noticeable without close examination, thus giving to it
every appearance of an Amanitopsis.
The volva of A. spreta is attached for a considerable distance to the
base of the tapering stem, and is not readily removed. This is a guide
to detect it. It is a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Amanitopsis corresponds to Volvaria in the pink-spored series, in
which, as far as known, there is no poisonous species.
All American species of Amanitopsis are given. Several have not
been tested by the writer because of lack of opportunity.
A. vagina'ta Roze — vagina, a sheath. (Plate X, figs. I, 2, p. 28.)
PileilS thin, fragile, glossy, smooth except in rare instances where a
few fragments of the volva adhere to it for a time, deeply and distinctly
striate on the margin, sometimes umbonate. Flesh white, in the dark
forms grayish under the skin. Stem ringless, sometimes smooth, but
generally mealy or floccose, hollow or stuffed with a cottony pith, not
bulbous. Volva long, thin, fragile, closely sheathing yet free from the
stem, except in the lower part, easily detachable and frequently remain-
ing in the ground when the plant is pulled. Color variable, generally
mouse-gray, sometimes livid, tawny-yellow or white, in one variety a
28
mi
Eli? ^ *
Grouped by F. D. Briscoe — Studies by C. Mcllvaine.
FIG
1. AMANITOPSIS VAGINATA,
2. AMANITOPSIS VAGINATA, VAR. L.IVIDA,
3. AMANITOPSIS NIVALIS.
4. AMANITOPSIS STBANGULATA,
PAGE. FIG.
5. MYOENA GALEBICTILATA,
6. MYCENA PBOLIFEBA,
7. MYCENA PBOLIFERA (SECTION),
PAGE.
127
126
126
Leucosporse
rich date-brown. Spores globose, 8— IO/A broad Peck; elliptical 10x7— 8/* Amanitopsis.
Massee.
Var. liv'ida Pers. — livid. Leaden brown, gills dingy. (Plate X,
fig. 2, p. 28.)
Var. futva Schaeff. — yellowish. Tawny-yellow or pale ochraceous.
This plant is widely dispersed, having been reported from many local-
ities in the United States, also from Nova Scotia and Greenland.
On ground in woods and on margins of woods, under trees, in shaded
grassy places. Sometimes in open stubble and pastures. June to frost.
Mt. Gretna, September, 1899, found a cluster on decayed chestnut
stump. Various colors abound — hazel, brown, gray, yellow, whitish.
The caps and stems are tender as asparagus tips, but without much dis-
tinct flavor when cooked.
Great care must be taken to distinguish these forms from Amanita
spreta Pk. which is poisonous. See heading of genus — Amanitopsis.
A. niva'lis Grev. — snowy. (Plate X, fig. 3, p. 28.) Pileus at first
ovate, then convex or plane, smooth, striate on the thin margin, white,
sometimes tinged with yellow or ochraceous on the disk. Flesh white.
Gills subdistant, white, free. Stem equal, rather tall, nearly smooth,
bulbous, stuffed, white; the volva very fragile, soon breaking tip into
fragments or sometimes persisting in the form of a collar-like ring at the
upper part of the bulb. Spores globose, 7.5-10^ in diameter.
Plant 4-6 in. high. PileilS 2-3 in. broad. Stem 2-4 lines thick.
July to October.
It approaches in some respects A. Frostiana, but its larger size,
smooth pileus, lighter color and the absence of an annulus will easily
distinguish it from that species. Peck, 33d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Specimens have been repeatedly found by the writer in open oak
woods near Philadelphia.
A strong, unpleasant bitter, which appears to develop while cooking,
renders it unpalatable. It is harmless, but its use is not advised.
A. velo'sa Pk. — velosus, fleecy. Pileus at first subglobose, then bell-
shaped or nearly plane, generally bearing patches of the remains of the
whitish felty or tomentose volva, elsewhere glabrous, becoming sulcate-
striate on the margin, buff or orange-buff. Flesh compact, white.
Gills close, reaching the stem, subventricose, pale cream color. Stem
29
Agaricaceee
Amanitopsis. firm, at first attenuated and tomentose at the top, then nearly equal,
stuffed, white or whitish, closely sheathed at the base by the thick volva.
Spores globose, io-13/x.
Pileus 2-4 in. broad. Stem 3-4 in. long, 3-4 lines thick
Under oak trees. Pasadena, California. April. A. J. McClatchie.
This fungus is closely related to A. vaginata, from which it may be
separated by the more adherent remains of the thicker volva which
sometimes cover the whole surface of the pileus, and by the thicker gills
which are somewhat adnate to the stem and terminate with a decurrent
tooth. Bull. Torr. Bot. Club, Vol. 22, No. 12.
As it is probable this species will be found elsewhere than California,
and from its close relation to A. vaginata likely to be edible, its descrip-
tion is here given.
A. Strangllla'ta (Fr.) Roze — choked, from the stuffed stem. (Plate
X, fig. 4, p. 28.) Pileus at first ovate or subelliptical, then bell-shaped,
convex or plane, warty, slightly viscid when moist, deeply and distinctly
striate on the margin, grayish-brown. Gills free, close, white. Stem
equal or tapering upward, stuffed or hollow, nearly smooth, white or
whitish, the volva soon breaking up into scales or subannular fragments,
Spores globose, io-i3)u,.
Plant 4-6 in. high. Pileus 2-4 in. broad. Stem 3-6 lines thick.
Peck, 33d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
A. Cecilia B. and Br. is a synonym.
Not distinct in color and general appearance from A. vaginata, but
distinctly separated by its warty pileus and evanescent mouse-colored
volva which does not sheath the stem. Pileus striate when young, then
sulcate. Stem mealy, especially on the upper part.
Woods, open grassy places, wheat stubble, etc. June to September.
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Mcllvaine.
In the latitude of Philadelphia the plant is found in great abundance.
Its rather early appearance, staying quality, delicate consistency and
flavor make it valuable as a food supply.
Pearl color, bluish-gray and gray are the prevailing cap-coloring.
A. adna'ta (W.G.S.) Roze — adnatus, adnate, of the gills. Pileus
about 3 in. across. Flesh thick, whitish, firm, convex, then expanded,
rather moist, pale yellowish-buff, often furnished with irregular, woolly
30
Leucosporae
patches of volva ; margin even, extending beyond the gills. Stem 2-4 Amanitopsis.
in. long, )'2 in. thick, cylindrical, rough, fibrillose, pale buff, flesh dis-
tinct from that of the pileus, stuffed, then hollow; base slightly swollen.
Volva adnate, white, downy, margin free and lax, sometimes almost
obsolete. Gills truly adnate, crowded, with many intermediate shorter
ones, white. Spores subglobose, with an oblique point, 7-8/ut Massee.
Tender, good flavor, yielding more substance when cooked than any
other Amanitopsis.
A. volva'ta Pk. — possessing a volva. Pileus convex, then nearly
plane, slightly striate on the margin, hairy or floccose-scaly, white or
whitish, the disk sometimes brownish. Gills close, free, white. Stem
equal or slightly tapering upward, stuffed, minutely floccose-scaly,
whitish, inserted at the base in a large, firm, cup-shaped, persistent
volva. Spores elliptical, lOxSyu,.
Plant 2-3 in. high. Pileus 2-3 broad. Stem 3-4 lines thick.
Peck, 33d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
The plant is easily recognized by its large, cup-shaped volva and cap,
which is not smooth, as is usual in a species with a persistent mem-
branous volva, more or less scaly with minute tufts of fibrils or tomen-
tose hairs. The gills are white in the fresh plant.
Professor Peck notes the species as quite rare. Numerous specimens
occur in the sandy oak woods of New Jersey, and in oak woods near
Angora, Philadelphia. July to October.
Care must be taken to determine the absence of an annulus or any
trace of one. Tender, delicate, without pronounced flavor. Equal to
Amanitopsis vaginata.
A. farino'sa Schw. — covered with farina, meal. PileilS nearly plane,
thin, flocculent-pulverulent, widely and deeply striate on the margin ,
grayish-brown or livid-brown. Gills free, whitish. Stem whitish or
pallid, equal, stuffed or hollow, mealy, stib-bulbous, the volva flocculent-
pulverulent, evanescent. Spores variable, elliptical ovate or subglobose ,
6-8/u, long.
Plant about 2 in. high. Pileus I in. to 15 lines broad. Stem 1-3
lines thick. July to September.
This is our smallest Amanita (now Amanitopsis). It is neither very
common nor very abundant when it does occur. It is described by
3!
Agaricaceee
Amanitopsis. Schweinitz as "solid," but I have always found it stuffed or hollow.
Peck, 33d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
A. pusil'la Pk. — small. Pileus thin, broadly convex or nearly plane,
subglabrous, slightly umbonate, even on the margin, pale brown. Gills
narrow, thin, close, free, becoming brownish. Stem short, hollow,
bulbous, the bulb margined by the remains of the membranous volva.
Spores broadly elliptical, 5-6x4/x.
Pileus about i in. broad. Stem 8-12 lines long, 1-2 lines thick.
Grassy ground. Gouverneur, St. Lawrence county. September. Mrs.
Anthony. Peck, 5oth Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Edibility not tested.
A. pubes'cens Schw. — downy. Pileus yellow, covered with a thin
pubescence, margin involute. Stem short, about I in. in length, at
first white becoming yellowish, bulbous, bulb thick. Volva evanescent.
Gills white.
In grassy grounds. Rare.
North Carolina, Schweinitz, Curtis.
A. agglutina'ta B. and C. — viscid. Pileus 1-2 in. broad, white,
hemispheric then plane, viscid, areolate-scaly from the remains of the
volva, margin thin, sulcate. Stem .5-1-5 in. long, 2 lines thick, short,
solid, bulbous. Volva with a free margin. Gills broad, ventricose,
rotundate-free. Spores elliptic.
In pine woods.
North Carolina, Curtis.
Resembling some of the dwarf forms of A. vaginata but at once dis-
tinguished by its solid stem and decidedly viscid, areolate-squamose
pileus. Am. Jour. Sci. and Arts, 1848.
Leucosporae
LEPIO'TA Fr.~
Lepis, a scale.
PileilS generally scaly from the breaking up of the cuticle and the Lepiota.
adherence of the concrete veil. Grills free, often very distant from the
stem and attached to a cartilagi- X^i^ (Plate XI.)
nous collar. Stem hollow or stuffed,
its flesh distinct from that of the
pileus. Ring at first attached to
the cuticle of the pileus, often mov-
able, sometimes evanescent.
On the ground . Several are found
in hot-houses and hot-beds, and are
probably introduced species.
The universal veil, covering the
entire plant when very young, is
closely applied to the pileus, which
from the breaking up of the cuticle
is generally scaly. The stem in
most species differs in substance
from the pileus. This is readily
seen by splitting the plant in half
from cap to base. It is easily sep-
arated from the cap, leaving a cup-
like depression therein. Grills usu-
ally white. In some species they are yellow-tinted. In others they
become a dingy red when wounded or ageing.
The veil in this genus, being concrete with the cuticle of the pileus,
never appears as loose warts or patches, neither is there a volva as in
Amanita and Amanitopsis. These three genera are the only ones in
the white-spored series having gills free from the stem. In a few species
the gills are slightly attached to the stem, but are never decurrent upon
it as in Armillaria. When the plant is young it is egg-shaped. It then
gradually spreads, becomes convex, and opens until it is nearly flat,
with a knob in the center.
The only species in this genus known to be poisonous to some persons
is L. Morgani Pk., which is distinguished by its green spores and white
3 .'3
SECTION OF LEPIOTA PROCERA.
Agaricaceae
Lepiota. gills becoming green. L. Vittadini has also been regarded with sus-
picion.
ANALYSIS OF TRIBES.
A. PILEUS DRY.
PROCERI (L. procera}. Page 35.
King movable. The plant is at first entirely enclosed in a universal
veil, which splits around at the base, the lower part disappearing on
the bulb, the upper part attached to the pileus breaking up into scales.
Stem encircled at the top with a cartilaginous collar to which the free,
remote gills are attached.
CLYPEOLARII {L. clypeolaria) . Page 39.
Ring fixed, attached to the upper portion of the universal veil which
sheaths the stem from the base upward, making it downy or scaly below
the ring. The remainder of the veil united with the pileus breaking up
and becoming downy or scaly. Collar at the apex of stem not so large
as in Proceri, hence the gills are not usually so remote. Taste and
smell unpleasant, resembling that of radishes.
ANNULOSI (annulus, a ring). Page 44-
Ring fixed, somewhat persistent, universal veil closely attached to the
pileus. Collar absent or similar in texture to the stem. Stem, not
sheathed.
GRANULOSI {L. granulosa}. Page 49.
Pileus granular or warty. Universal veil sheathing the stem, at first
continuous from the stem to the pileus, finally rupturing, forming a ring
nearer the base. Stem not so distinctly different from the pileus as in
other sections.
MESOMORPHI (L. mesomorpha).
Small, slender, stem hollow. Pileus smooth, dry.
B. PILEUS VISCID. NEITHER SCALY NOR WARTY.
34
PLATK XII.
PLATB XIIJ.
Photographed by Dr. J. R. Weist.
LEPIOTA PROCER\
Leucosporae
A. PILEUS DRY.
PROCE'RI. Ring movable, etc.
L. proce'ra Scop. — procems, tall. (Plate XIII, p. 34.) Tall Lepiota.
Lepiota, Parasol Mushroom, in some localities Pasture Mushroom (a
misleading title).
HE Flesh not very thick, soft, permanently white.
Pileus at first ovate, finally expanded, cuticle soon
breaking up into brown scales, excepting upon the
umbo, umbo smooth, dark-brown, distinct. The
caps vary in shades of brown, sometimes they
have a faint tinge of lavender. Gills whitish,
crowded, narrowing toward the stem, and very re-
mote from it. Stem variable in length, often very
long, tubular, at first stuffed with light fibrils,
quite bulbous at base, generally spotted or scaly with peculiar snake-
like markings below the ring, which is thick, firm and readily movable.
When the stem is removed from pileus it leaves a deep cavity extending
nearly to the cuticle.
Pileus 3-6 in. broad. Stem 5-12 in. high, about % in. thick.
White spores elliptical, 14-18x9-1 I/A Peck; 12-15x8-9^ Massee;
14x10/11 Lloyd.
Readily known by its extremely tall stem, shaggy cap, distinct umbo
and the channel between the gills and stem. Resembles no poisonous
species.
Before cooking the scurf should be rubbed from the caps, which alone
should be eaten, as the stem is tough. Though the flesh is thin, the
gills are meaty and have a pleasant, nutty flavor. Fried in butter it
has few equals. It makes a superior catsup.
L. raclio'des Vitt. Gr. — a ragged, tattered garment. PileilS very
fleshy, but very soft when full grown, globose then flattened or depressed,
not umbonate, at first incrusted with a thick, rigid, even, very smooth,
bay-brown, wholly continuous cuticle, which remains entire at the disk
but otherwise soon becomes elegantly reticulated with cracks; these very
readily separate into persistent, polygonal, concentric scales, which are
revolute at the margin and attached to the surface with beautifully
radiating fibers, the surface remaining coarsely fibrillose-downy. Flesh
35
Agaricaceae
Lepiota. white, immediately becoming saffron-red when broken, easily separating
from the apex of the distinct stem, which is encircled with a prominent
collar. Stem stout, at the first bulbous with a distinct margin upon the
bulb, conical when young, then elongated, attenuated upward, as much
as a span long, very robust, I in. thick, and more at the base, always
even, and without a trace of scales or even of fibrils although the ap-
pearance is obsoletely silky, wholly whitish, hollow within, stuffed with
spider-web threads, the walls remarkably and coarsely fibrous. King
•movable, adhering longer to the margin of the pileus than to the apex
•of the stem, hence rayed with fibers at the circumference, clothed
beneath with one or two zones of scales. Gills very remote, tapering
toward each end or broadest at the middle, crowded, whitish, some-
times reddening. Stevenson.
Veil remarkable in its development and thick margin.
Spores 6x8/A W.G.S.
Fort Edward, Howe; Westfield, N. Y., Miss L. M. Patchen; Penn-
sylvania, New Jersey, Mcllvaine.
A heavier species than L. procera, of which by some writers it has
been considered a variety, but it differs in the absence of umbo and flesh
becoming tinged with red.
Stem is decidedly swollen downward. Veil heavy, apparently double,
thickest at margin of cap to which it remains attached in heavy frag-
ments. It tears from the stem, leaving no mark of ring.
Var. puellaris Fr. — puella, a girl. Smaller than typical form, shining
white, pileus with downy scales. Not yet reported in America.
Edible qualities similar to those of L. procera. It is sold indiscrimi-
nately with it in London markets.
L. excoria'ta Schaeff. — stripped of its skin. Flesh spongy, rather
thick, white, unchangeable. Pileus at first globose, then flat, hardly
umbonate, pale-fawn or whitish, disk dark; cuticle thin, silky or scaly,
sometimes areolate, more or less peeled toward margin, hence its name.
Gills ventricose, white, free, somewhat remote. Stem attenuated,
hollow or stuffed, short, scarcely bulbous, smooth, white, not spotted,
very distinct from flesh of pileus. Ring movable but not so freely as
that of L. procera.
Stem \y*-2.% in. high, less than >£ in. thick. Pileus 2-3 in. broad.
Spores 1 4- 1 5x8-9/4 Massee.
36
ILeucosporae
In pastures or grassy lawns. May to September. Lepiota.
North Carolina, edible, Curtis; Massachusetts, Frost; California, H.
and M.; Ohio, Morgan; Minnesota, Johnson.
Distinguished from the preceding by its smaller size and short stem
which is scarcely bulbous.
Esculent qualities good.
L. mastoi'dea Fr. Gr. — breast-shaped. Pileus rather thin, ovate,
bell-shaped, then flattened, with a conspicuous acute umbo, cuticle thin,
brownish, breaking up in minute scattered scales; the pileus appears
whitish beneath. Stem hollow, smooth, tough, flexible, attenuated
from the bulbous base to the apex. Ring entire, movable. Gills very
remote, crowded, broad, tapering at both ends, white.
Pileus 1-2 in. broad. Stem 2-3 in. long, 3-4 lines thick at base,
1/^-2 lines at apex.
North Carolina, edible, Curtis. It is generally eaten in Europe.
In woods, especially about old stumps. October.
The entire plant is whitish and is well marked by the prominent umbo,
which generally has a depression around it. It has the least substance
of any in this section, and consequently not much value as food.
L. gracilen'ta Krombh. — gracilis, slender. Pileus rather fleshy,
thickest at the disk, ovate then bell-shaped, finally flattened, obscurely
umbonate; at first brownish from the adnate cuticle, which, breaking
up into broad adpressed scales, allows the whitish pileus to be seen be-
neath them. Gills remote, very broad, crowded, pallid. Stem whit-
ish, obscurely scaly, hollow or containing slight fibrils, slightly bulbous.
Ring thin, floccose, vanishing.
Stem 5—6 in. long, 3-5 lines thick. In pastures, also in woods.
Spores nx8/A W.G.S.
Almost as tall as L. procera, but slighter in stem and pileus; the
ring, instead of being firm and persistent, is thin and fugacious, and
the stem is hardly bulbous.
Edible, but not of the first quality.
L. Mor'gani Pk. — in honor of Professor Morgan. (Plate XIV.)
Pileus fleshy, soft, at first subglobose, then expanded or even depressed,
white, the brownish or yellowish cuticle breaking up into scales except
37
Agaricacese
Lepiota. on the disk. Gills close, lanceolate, remote, white, then green. Stem
firm, equal or tapering upward, subbulbous, smooth, webby-stuffed,
whitish, tinged with brown. Ring rather large, movable. Flesh both
of the pileus and stem white, changing to reddish and then to yellowish
when cut or bruised. Spores ovate or subelliptical, mostly uninucleate,
sordid green, 10—13x7—8/1..
Plant 6-8 in. high. Pileus 5-9 in. broad. Stem 6-12 lines thick.
Peck in Bot. Gaz., March, 1879.
Open dry grassy places. Dayton, Ohio. A. P. Morgan.
This species is remarkable because of the peculiar color of the spores.
No green-spored Agaric, so far as I am aware, has before been dis-
covered, and no one of the five series, in which the very numerous species
of the genus have been arranged, is characterized in such a way as to
receive this species.
It seems a little hasty to found a series (Viridispori) on the strength
of a single species. Until other species of such a supposed series shall
be discovered it seems best to regard this as an aberrant member of the
white-spored series. The same course has been taken with those Agarics
which have sordid or yellowish or lilac-tinted spores.
It gives me great pleasure to dedicate this fine species to its discoverer
Mr. Morgan. Peck.
Commonly 6-8 in. high, 5-9 in. diameter, though larger specimens
are sometimes found. It is the most conspicuous Agaric in the meadows
and pastures of the Miami valley; it appears to flourish from spring to
autumn whenever there is abundance of rain.
It is heavier and stouter than L. procera and I am disposed to claim
that it is the largest Agaric in the world. Spores 10-12x7-8)".. In
immature specimens they are greenish-yellow. Morgan.
Kansas, Bartholomew (Peck, Rep. 50); Kansas, Cragin; Alabama,
U. and E.; Georgia, Benson; Louisiana, Rev. A. B. Langlois; Michigan,
C. F. Wheeler (Lloyd, Myc. Notes) ; Texas, Prof. W. S. Carter;
Indiana, H. I. Miller.
L. Morgan! is one of the largest, handsomest of the genus. It is
very abundant in the western and southwestern states. Mr. H. I.
Miller, Terre Haute, Ind., writes August 18, 1898: "I have recently
measured several which were more than twelve inches across. At the
present time this mushroom is growing in more abundance throughout
Indiana than any other. It grows luxuriantly in the pastures, generally
38
PLATE XIV.
m
33
O
H
O
70
O
Leucosporse
in grand fairy rings, five, ten, fifteen feet in diameter. We find it also Lepiotn,
in the woods. It is beautifully white and majestic, and these rings can
be seen in meadows where the grass has been eaten close, for half a
mile or more. The gills are white until the cap is almost opened, by
which time the green spores begin to cause the gills to change to green.
The meat is fine and is usually more free from worms than other mush-
rooms. Six families, here, have eaten heartily of them. The experi-
ence is that one or two members of each family are made sick, though
in two families, who have several times eaten them, no one was made
sick. I enjoy them immensely, and never feel any the worse for eating
them. I doubt if we have a finer-flavored fungus. The meat is simply
delicious. One fairy ring yields a bushel."
Prof. W. S. Carter, University of Texas, Galveston, reported to me
(and sent specimens of L. Morganii) the poisoning of three laboring
men from eating this fungus. They were seriously sick, but recovered.
The conclusion is inevitable that this green-spored Lepiota contains a
poison which violently attacks some persons, yet is harmless upon others.
I have not had opportunity to test it. It should be tested with great
caution. (See Supplement, pages 730 and 738.)
CLYPEOLA'RII. Clypeus, a shield. Ring fixed; stem sheathed, etc.
L. Frie'sii Lasch. — in honor of Fries. Pileus fleshy, soft, lacerated
into appressed tomentose scales. Stem hollow, with a webby pith, sub-
bulbous, scaly. Ring superior, pendulous, equal. Gills subremote,
linear, crowded, branched. Fries.
Pileus fleshy but rather thin, convex or nearly plane, clothed with a
soft, tawny or brownish-tawny down, which breaks up into appressed,
often subconfluent scales, the disk rough with small acute, erect scales.
Flesh soft, white. Grills narrow, crowded, free, white, some of them
forked. Stem equal or slightly tapering upward, subbulbous, hollow,
colored like the pileus below the ring, and there clothed with tomentose
fibrils which sometimes form floccose or tomentose scales, white and
powdered above. Ring well developed, flabby, white above, tawny
and floccose-scaly below. Spores 7-8x3-4;*.
Plant 2-5 in. high. Pileus 1-4 in. broad. Stem 2-5 lines thick.
Catskill mountains and East Worcester. July to September.
\ have quoted the description of this species as it is found in Epicri-
39
Agaricaceae
Lepiota. sis, because the American plant which I have referred to it does not in
all respects agree with this description, but comes so near it that it can
scarcely be specifically distinct. In the American plant, so far as I
have seen it, erect, acute scales are always present, especially on the
disk, and the down of the pileus does not always break up into distinct
areas or scales. Neither is the stem usually scaly, but rather clothed
with soft tomentose or almost silky fibrils. The gills are crowded and
some of them are forked. At the furcations there are slight depressions
which interrupt the general level of the edges, and give them the ap-
pearance of having been eaten by insects. The plant has a slight odor,
especially when cut or bruised. Peck, 35th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Remarks under L. acute*squamosa apply to L. Friesii, which Fries
himself doubts being distinct from the first. The plants vary greatly in
size, color and habitat. The name — acutesquamosa— carries a descrip-
tive meaning with it that L. Friesii does not.
It does not appear to have been reported except by Professor Peck,
but probably appears as L. acutesquamosa in other lists.
The edible qualities are excellent.
L. acutesquamo'sa Wein. — acutus, sharp; squama, a scale. Pileus
fleshy, obtuse, at first hairy-floccose, then bristly with erect, acute,
rough scales. Stem somewhat stuffed, stout, bulbous, powdered above
the moderate-sized ring. Gills approximate, lanceolate, simple. Fries.
PileilS convex or nearly plane, obtuse or broadly subumbonate,
clothed with a soft tawny or brownish-tawny tomentum, which usually
breaks up into imperfect areas or squamae, rough with erect, acute scales,
which are generally larger and more numerous on the disk. Gills close,
free, white or yellowish. Stem equal, hollow or stuffed with webby fila-
ments, subbulbous. Spores about 7x3—4/4.
Woods and conservatories. Buffalo, G. W. Clinton; Albany, A. F.
Chat field; Adirondack mountains and Brewertown, Peck.
The form found in the hot-houses seems to have the tomentum of the
pileus less dense and the erect scales more numerous than in the form
growing in woods. The annulus is frequently lacerated. In the speci-
mens of the woods the erect scales are sometimes blackish in color, and
they then contrast quite conspicuously with the tawny or brownish-
tawny tomentum beneath them. They vary in size and shape. Some
resemble pointed papillae, others, being more elongated, are almost
40
Leucosporse
spine-like. These are sometimes curved. They are generally larger Lepiota.
and more numerous on the disk than elsewhere, and often they are
wholly wanting on the margin. Peck, 35th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
West Philadelphia, 1897, on lawn and growing from trunk of a maple
tree; Mt. Gretna, Pa., mixed woods. Mcllvaine.
I first saw specimens of L. acutesquamosa when sent to me by Miss
Lydia M. Patchen, President Westfield Toadstool Club. It was later
found by myself and tested. Specimens were sent to Professor Peck
and identified as L. acutesquamosa.
Caps and stems brownish-purple. The pointed squamules or tufts
have dark-brown points, shaded to a delicate purple at base. Gills
light, faint flesh-color. Veil is silky, transparent, beautiful, quite tena-
cious— stretching until cap is well expanded, persistent, though at times
fugacious. Smell like stewed mushrooms. The caps are of excellent
substance and flavor.
L. his'pida Lasch. — rough. Pileus 2-3 in. across. Flesh thin,
white, unchangeable; hemispherical then expanded, umbonate, tomen-
tose or downy at first from the remains of the universal veil ; during
expansion the down becomes broken up into small, spreading, scaly
points, which eventually disappear, umber-brown, sometimes with a
tawny tinge. Gills free but near to the stem, the collar of the pileus
prominent and sheathing the stem, crowded, ventricose, simple, white.
Stem about 3-5 in. long, 3-5 lines thick, attenuated upward, densely
squamosely-woolly up to the superior, membranaceous, reflexed ring,
dingy-brown, stem tubular, but fibrillosely stuffed. Spores 6— 7x4/u.
Massee.
In margins of and in open mixed woods, under pine trees, Haddon-
field, N. J., July to September, 1892. Quite plentiful year after year in
the same places. The American plant is taller than the English species,
the stem reaching five inches, and the color of the cap a delicate tawny-
brown. Smell slight, but pungent like radishes.
The whole fungus is tender and delicious. It is one of the few Lepi-
otae that stews well.
L. feli'na Pers. — belonging to a cat. Pileus thin, bell-shaped or
convex, subumbonate, adorned with numerous subtomentose or floccose
blackish-brown scales. Gills close, free, white. Stem slender, rather
41
Agaricaceae
Lepiota. long, equal or slightly tapering upward, hollow, clothed with soft, loose,
floccose filaments, brown. Ring slight, evanescent. Spores elliptical,
6-8x4-5/1.
Plant 2-3.5 in. high. Pileus .5-1.5 in. broad. Stem 1-2 lines
thick.
Woods. Adirondack Mountains. August and September.
It is easily distinguished from A. rubrotincta by the darker color of
the scales of the pileus, by the loose floccose filaments that clothe the
brown stem, by the fugacious ring and the smaller spores. Peck, 35th
Rep. N. Y. State Dot.
The caps compare favorably with other Lepiotae in substance and
flavor.
L. crista'ta A. and S. — crista, a tuft, crest. Pileus thin, bell-shaped
or convex, then nearly plane, obtuse, at first with an even reddish or
reddish-brown surface, then white adorned with reddish or reddish-
brown scales formed by the breaking up of the cuticle, the central part
or disk colored like the scales. Gills close, free, white. Stem slender,
hollow, equal, smooth or silky-fibrillose below the ring, whitish. Rin^
small, white. Spores oblong or narrowly subelliptical, 5-7x3-4/1.
Plant 1-2 in. high. Pileus .5-1.5 in. broad. Stem 1-2 lines thick.
Grassy places and borders of woods. June to September.
This species is easily known by its small size and the crested appear-
ance of the white pileus, an appearance produced by the orbicular un-
ruptured portion of the cuticle that remains like a colored spot on the
disk. The fragments or scales are more close near this central part and
more distant from each other toward the margin, where they are often
wholly wanting. The scales are sometimes very small and almost gran-
ular. In very wet weather the margin of the pileus in this and some
other species becomes upturned or reflexed. Peck, 35th Rep. N. Y.
State Bot.
Found in Woodland Cemetery, Philadelphia. June to September,
1897. Mcllvaine.
Scales were appressed and slightly tinged with brown, often very
small. Caps of same, upturned and bare near margin. Taste sweet,
slightly like new meal. Odor strong.
Cooked it is of good consistency and pleasing to taste.
42
Leucosporae
L. alluvi'naPk. — alluvies, the over-flowing of a river. Pileus thin, Lepiota.
convex or plane, reflexed on the margin, white, adorned with minute
pale-yellow hairy or fibrillose scales. Grills thin, close, free, white or
yellowish. Stem slender, fibrillose, whitish or pallid, slightly thickened
at the base. Ring slight, subpersistent, often near the middle of the
stem. Spores elliptical, 6-7x4-5^.
Plant 1-2 in. high. Pileus .5-1 in. broad. Stem 1-1.5 lmes thick.
Alluvial soil, among weeds. Albany. July.
In the fresh plant the scales are of a pale yellow or lemon color, but
in drying they and the whole pileus take a deeper rich yellow hue. The
ring is generally remote from the pileus, sometimes even below the
middle of the stem. Peck, 35th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
In 1897, I found it growing among weeds on lot near University of
Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Seemingly it is a city resident.
The taste and smell are pleasant. Cooked it is tender and savory.
Both stems and caps are good.
L. metulse'spora B. and Br. — metula, an obelisk. Pileus thin, bell-
shaped or convex, subumbonate, at first with a uniform pallid or brown-
ish surface, which soon breaks up into small brownish scales, the margin
more or less striate, often appendiculate with fragments of the veil.
Gills close, free, white. Stem slender, equal or slightly tapering up-
ward, hollow, adorned with soft floccose scales or filaments, pallid.
Ring slight, evanescent. Spores long, subfusiform.
Plant 2-3.5 in. high. Pileus .5-1 -5 in- broad. Stem 1-2 lines
thick.
Woods. Adirondack mountains. August and September.
This species occurs with us in the same localities as L. felina, which
it very much resembles in size, shape and general characters, differing
only in color, the striate margin of the pileus and the character of the
spores.
The species has a wide range, having been found in Ceylon, England,
Alabama and Kentucky. Peck, 35th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
This has not been elsewhere noted in the United States, probably
from neglect of the spore characters, being reported as L. clypeolaria.
New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Mcllvaine,
43
Agaricaceee
ANNULO'SI. Ring large, fixed; stem not sheathed.
Lepiota. L. lioloseri'cea Fr. Gr. — entire, silken. PileilS 3 in. and more
broad, whitish or clay-white, fleshy , soft, convex then expanded, rather
plane, obtuse, floccoso-silky , somewhat fibrillose, becoming even, fragile,
disk by no means gibbous ; and wholly of the same color ; margin in-
volute when young. Flesh soft, white. Stem 2)^-4 in. long, % in.
and more thick, solid, bulbous and not rooted at the base, soft, fragile,
silky-fibrillose, whitish. Ring superior, membranaceous, large, soft,
pendulous, the margin again ascending. Gills wholly free, broad,
ventricose, crowded, becoming pale-white. Fries.
A species well marked from all others. Inodorous.
On soil in flower beds.
Spores elliptical, 7-8x5/4 Massee; 6x9/A W.G.S.
Wisconsin, Bundy; Minnesota, Johnson.
Considered esculent in Europe.
L. Vittadi'ni Fr. — in honor of the Italian mycologist. PileuS 3-4
in. across. Flesh 4-6 lines thick at the disk, becoming very thin at
the margin, white; convex then plane, obtuse or gibbous, densely
covered with small, erect, wart-like scales, altogether whitish. Gills
free but rather close to the stem, 3-4 lines broad, rounded in front,
thickish, ventricose, with a greenish tinge. Stem 2/^-3)2 in. long,
up to % in. thick, cylindrical, with numerous concentric rings of squar-
rose scales, up to the superior, large ring; whitish, or the edges of the
scales often tipped with red, solid. Fries.
In pastures, etc.
Intermediate between Lepiota and Amanita.
Noted by Fries as poisonous. It may or may not be, but as a matter
of precaution it is described. A large species, pure white, extremely
beautiful.
Massachusetts, Farlow.
L. nauci'na Fr. No translation applicable. Pileus i-i % in. broad,
white, the disk of the same color, fleshy, soft, gibbous or obtusely um-
bonate when flattened, even, the thin ctiticle splitting up into granules.
Stem 1-^-3 in. long, stuffed, at length somewhat hollow, but without
a definite tube, attenuated upward from the thickened base, fibrillose,
44
PLATE XV.
r-
m
2
O
H
c
O
Z
O
D
m
C/D
Leucosporee
unspotted, white. Ring superior, tender, but persistent, adhering to Lepiota.
the stem, at length reflexed. Gills free, approximate, crowded, ventri-
cose, soft, white.
There is a prominent collar, as in the Clypeolarii, embracing the stem.
Stature and appearance of L. excoriata, but commonly smaller, the
superior ring adfixed, etc. Fries.
Spores subglobose, 6-7/u. Massee.
L. naucina Fr. is the European species which has its American coun-
terpart in L. naucinoides Pk. The variations in the American species
are noted under L. naucinoides.
As Amanita phalloides — in its white form — the poisonous white Ama-
nita, resembles L. naucina or L. naucinoides in some stages of its growth
and may be confounded with it, careful note should be taken of their ex-
ternal differences. In L. naucinoides the bulb and stem are continuous,
each passing into the other imperceptibly; in A. phalloides the junc-
tion of stem and bulb is abrupt and remains so, and the bulb is more
or less enwrapped in the volva. The ring is also larger than in L. nau-
cinoides and is pendulous, and the gills are permanently white. A cer-
tain means of distinguishing between them is by the application of heat
as in cooking. On toasting both it will be found that the gills of the
Amanita remain white, but those of the Lepiota turn quickly brown.
L. naucinoi'des Pk. No translation applicable. (Plates XV, XII,
fig. 2, p. 32.) Pileus soft, smooth, white or snowy-white. Gills free,
white, slowly changing with age to a dirty pinkish-brown or smoky-
brown color. Stem ringed, slightly thickened at the base, colored like
the pileus. Spores subelliptical, uninucleate, white, 8-10 long xS-8/*
broad. Peck, 48th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Kansas, Cragin; Wisconsin, Bundy; New Jersey, Ellis; Iowa, Mac-
bride; New York, Peck, 23d, 29th, 35th Rep.; Indiana, H.I. Miller,
Dr. J. R. Weist.
L. naucinoides Pk. is the American counterpart of L. naucina Fr.,
a European species, excepting that the spores of the latter are described
as globose. The caps are ovate when young and usually from I /£— 3 in.
across when expanded, but occasionally reach 4 in., smooth, but
frequently rough or minutely cracked in the center, white or varying
shades of white deepening in color at the summit. In a rare form var.
squamo'sa, large, thick scales occur which are caused by the breaking
45
Agaricaceae
Lepiota. up of the cap surface. When young the gills are white or faintly yellow,
becoming pinkish or dull brown in age. The pinkish hue is not always
apparent. The outer edge of the veil or ring is thickest; usually it is
firmly attached to the stem, but movable rings are frequently noticed.
When the plant ages the ring is often missing, but traces of it are always
discernible. Stem rarely equal, often it is distinctly bulbous, generally
tapering upward from a more or less enlarged base, hollow when fully
grown, until then containing cottony fibers within the cavity or appearing
solid, 2-3 in. long, %—% in. thick.
Its habitat is similar to that of the common mushroom — lawns,
pastures, grassy places — though unlike the latter it is found in woods.
Until thoroughly acquainted with it, specimens found in woods and
supposed to be L. naucinoides should not be eaten. An Amanita might
be mistaken for it. It is readily distinguishable from the common
mushroom and its allies by the color of the gills and spores which are
white, and differences in stem and veil.
It is found from July until after hard frosts. It was first reported
edible by Professor Peck in 1875, under the name of Agaricus naucinus.
The L. naucinoides is rewarding the favor with which it has been
received as an esculent, it being equal to the common mushroom and
quite free from insects. Large crops of it are reported from all over the
country, and from many sections it is told of as a stranger. During
1897-98 the author has found it in plenty upon ground familiar to him
for years, upon which it had not previously shown itself. The common
mushroom must look to its laurels.
Its cultivation as a marketable crop is possible and probable.
L. cepsesti'pes Sow. — cepa, an onion; stipes, stem. (Plate XII, fig.
3, p. 32.) Pileus thin, at first ovate, then bell-shaped or expanded,
umbonate, soon adorned with numerous minute brownish scales, which
are often granular or mealy, folded into lines on the margin, white or
yellow, the umbo darker. Grills thin, close, free, white, becoming
dingy with age or in drying. Stem rather long, tapering toward
the apex, generally enlarged in the middle or near the base, hollow.
Ring thin, subpersistent. Spores subelliptical, with a single nucleus,
8-10x5-8/4.
Plant often cespitose, 2-4 in. high. Pileus 1-2 in. broad. Stem
2-3 lines thick.
46
Leucosporae
Rich ground and decomposing vegetable matter. Also in graperies Lepiota.
and conservatories. Buffalo, G. W. Clinton; Albany, A. F. Chatfield.
Peck, 35th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Spores elliptical, 7-8x4/1 Massee; 8x4^ W.G.S.; 8-10x5-81". Peck.
Haddonfield, N. J., Pennsylvania, Mcllvaine; New York, Mrs. E.
C. Anthony; Indiana, H. I. Miller. July to October.
Whoever has seen the seed-stalks of an onion knows the shape from
which this fungus takes its name. The dense clusters are graceful,
dainty, and contain many individuals of all ages — from the very young
with egg-shaped heads, like pigmy C. comatus, to the fluff-capped eld-
est, willowy and fair to look upon. The out-door kind soon droops
when matured ; the young plants of a cluster will remain fresh for
several days after taken from their habitat. Stems in these tufts are
often quill-shaped, and the striations on the cap margins are shorter
than those on their indoor cousins. These grow in hot-houses and sta-
bles. One of the two forms has a yellow cap, the other is white and
fair.
These forms have often come to my table as a pleasant winter sur-
prise. Children in the hot-houses of Haddonfield, N. J., watched for
its appearance among the bedded plants, sure of a present when they
brought me a meal of it. Both the white and yellow varieties were
equally enjoyed.
The entire fungus is tender and delicious cooked in any way.
L. farino'sa Pk. — farina, meal. Pileus thin, rather tough, flexi-
ble, at first globose or ovate, then bell-shaped or convex, covered with
a soft, dense, white veil of mealy down, which soon ruptures, forming
irregular, easily-detersible scales, more persistent and sometimes brown-
ish on the disk. Flesh white, unchangeable. Gills close, free, white,
minutely downy on the edge. Stem equal or slightly tapering upward >
somewhat thickened at the base, slightly mealy, often becoming gla-
brous, hollow or with a cottony pith above, solid at the base, white,
pallid or straw-colored, the ring lacerated, somewhat appendiculate on
the margin of the pileus, evanescent. Spores subovate, 10-13x81*.
Pileus 1.5-2.5 in. broad. Stem 2-3 in. long, 2-4 lines thick.
Mushroom beds in a conservatory, Boston, Mass. March. Com-
municated by E. J. Forster.
This species is related to L. cepaestipes, from which it may be dis-
47
Agaricaceae
Lepiota. tinguished by its pileus, which is not folded on the margin, and by its
larger spores. It is edible. It is very distinct from Amanita farinosa.
Peck, 43d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Ohio, Lloyd, Prof. William Miller (Lloyd Myc. Notes).
L. Americana Pk. (Plate XII, fig. i, p. 32. Plate XVa.) Pileus
at first ovate, then convex or expanded, urnbonate, scaly, white, the
umbo and scales reddish or reddish-brown. Gills close, free, white.
Stem somewhat thickened at or a little above the base, hollow, bearing
a ring, white. Spores subelliptical, uninucleate, 8-iox5-8/u,.
The American lepiota belongs to the same genus as the parasol
mushroom and the Smooth lepiota. It has one character in which it
differs from all other species of Lepiota. The whole plant when fresh
is white, except the umbo and the scales of the cap, but in drying it
assumes a dull reddish or smoky-red color. By this character it is
easily recognized.
In the very young plant the cap is somewhat egg-shaped and nearly
covered by the thin reddish-brown cuticle, but as the plant enlarges the
cuticle separates and forms the scales that adorn the cap. On the
central prominence or umbo, however, it usually remains entire. The
margin of the cap is thin and is generally marked with short radiating
lines or striations. The gills do not quite reach the stem and are, there-
fore, free from it. Sometimes they are connected with each other at or
near their inner extremity by transverse branches. They are a little
broader near the margin of the cap than at their inner extremity. The
stem affords a peculiar feature. It is often enlarged towards the base
and then abruptly narrowed below the enlargement, as in the Onion-
stemmed lepiota. In some instances, however, the enlargement is not
contracted below and then the stem gradually tapers from the base up-
ward. The stem is hollow and usually furnished with a collar, but some-
times this is thin and may disappear with advancing age. Wounds or
bruises are apt to assume brownish-red hues.
The caps vary in width from 1-4 in. ; the stems are from 3-5 in.
long, and 2-5 lines thick. Sometimes plants attain even larger
dimensions than these. The plants grow singly or in tufts in grassy
ground or on old stumps. They may be found from July to October.
In flavor this species is not much inferior to the parasol mushroom,
but when cooked in milk or cream it imparts its own reddish color to
48
PLATE XVA.
r-
m
15
O
H
O
>
2
Leucosporse
the material in which it is cooked. It is, however, a fine addition to Lepiota.
our list of esculent species. Peck, 49th Rep. N. Y. State Dot.
I found several on a decaying willow trunk, and on the ground beside
it, in Philadelphia. In July, 1898, large quantities, often clustered,
grew under the great, open auditorium of the Pennsylvania Chautauqua,
at Mt. Gretna, Pa., from ground covered with crushed limestone.
The caps are meaty and excellent in flavor. They should be broiled
or fried.
GRANULOSI. Pileus granular or warty. Stem sheathed, etc.
L. granillo'sa Batsch. — granosus, full of grains. Pileus thin, con-
vex or nearly plane, sometimes almost umbonate, rough, with numer-
ous granular or branny scales, often radiately wrinkled, rusty-yellow or
reddish-yellow, often growing paler with age. Flesh white or reddish-
tinged. Gills close, rounded behind and usually slightly adnexed,
white. Stem equal or slightly thickened at the base, stuffed or hollow,
white above the ring, colored and adorned like the pileus below it.
Ring slight, evanescent. Spores elliptical 4-5x3-4^.
Plant 1-2.5 in- high- Pileus 1-2.5 in- broad. Stem 1-3 lines
thick. Woods, copses and waste places. Common. August to October.
This is a small species with a short stem and granular reddish-yellow
pileus, and gills slightly attached to the stem, a character by which it
differs from all the preceding. The ring is very small and fugacious,
being little more than the abrupt termination to the coating of the stem.
Peck, 35th Rep. N. Y. State Hot.
Spores 5-6x3//. B.; 3x4/4 W.G.S.; elliptical, 4-5x3-4^ Peck.
Var. rufes'cens B. and Br. Pure white at first, then partially turning
red and in drying acquiring everywhere a reddish tint.
Var. atbida Pk. Persistently white.
Though small many plants grow neighboring. Being fleshy for their
size, and of pleasing quality, they well repay gathering. Remove stems.
Open woods, Angora, West Philadelphia; Haddonfield, New Jersey,
Mcllvaine.
A. CUTICLE VISCID. NEITHER SCALY NOR WARTY.
L. delica'ta Fr. — delicatus, delicate. Up to I K in. across, reddish,
becoming yellowish toward margin. Flesh well proportioned to cap,
4 49
Agaricaceee
Lepiota. convex, obscurely umbonate, glabrous, slightly viscid. Stem I K-2 in.
long, very thin, but covered with dense downy scales, equal, lighter
than cap. Ring usually entire, membranaceous, fluffy from scales.
Gills free, crowded, ventricose, white.
Haddonfield, N. J., January, 1896-97, in hot-houses. Mcllvaine.
A delicate, delicious Lepiota. Though small, it is meaty. Its ap-
pearance in hot-houses (it is found in woods) insures a crop at a time of
year when other species are not plentiful, and when anything edible in
the toadstool line is most welcome to their lovers.
L. lenticula'ris Lasch. — lenticula, a lentil. Pileus at first globose,
then convex, even, naked, pinkish-tan color. Flesh thick, spongy,
white. Gills close to stem, but free from it, ventricose, crowded,
whitish. Stem 4—6 in. high, thick, equal or swollen at base, solid but
spongy, more or less covered with scales; above the ring it is frequently
covered with drops of water more or less green, which leave spots when
they dry. Veil superior and very large.
Pileus 3-4 in. across. Stem 4-6 in. long, % in. and more thick. In
damp woods.
Redman's Woods, Haddonfield, N. J. September, 1894. Mcllvaine.
This species is included in Amanita by Fries and Stevenson. Massee
places it in Lepiota. In the dozen or more specimens I have found,
there was no trace of a volva, even when very young. I tested it care-
fully and at one time ate three good-sized caps without experiencing
any indications of poison. I have seen it during but one season and
not then (at one time) in sufficient quantity to make a meal off it.
Cooked it has a slight oheesy flavor which is pleasant.
L. illi'nita Fr. — illino, to smear over. PileilS rather thin, soft, at
first ovate, then campanulate or expanded, subumbonate, smooth, white,
very viscid or glutinous, even or striate on the margin. Gills close,
free, white. Stem equal or slightly tapering upward, stuffed or hollow,
viscid, white. Spores broadly elliptical, 5x4/1, broad.
Plant 2-4 in. high. Pileus 1-2.5 in. broad. Stem 2-3 lines thick.
Thin or open woods. Adirondack mountains. July to September.
This is a smooth white species with the stem and pileus clothed with
a clear viscid or glutinous veil. The margin of the pileus is often even,
but the typical form of the species has it striate. The flesh is soft and
50
JJeucosporee
white. The species may be distinguished from the viscid white species Lepiota.
of Hygrophorus by the free, not adnate nor decurrent lamellae. Peck,
35th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Springton and Mt. Gretna, Pa., 1887-1897. Mcllvaine.
Not yet found by me in quantity. Several specimens eaten were of
good flavor.
L. rilglllo'sa Pk. Pileus thin, submembranaceous, broadly con-
vex or nearly plane, umbonate, rugulose, widely striate on the margin,
whitish. Lamellae thin, narrow, close, free, whitish. Stem short,
equal, slightly silky, whitish, the annulus thin, persistent, white. Spores
elliptic, 7-5/i long, 4/4 broad.
Pileus 12-20 mm. broad. Stem about 2.5 cm. long, 2 mm. thick.
Moist grassy places under trees. Washington, D. C. July. Mrs.
E. M . Williams. Perhaps in the fresh state the pileus is not as dis-
tinctly rugulose as when dry. Peck, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, Vol. 27,
January, 1900.
Agaricaceaa
ARMILLA'RIA Fr.
Armilla,3i ring.
Armuiaria. Pileus and Stem continuous. Veil partial, sometimes only indicated
(Plate XVII.) by the scales which clothe the stem
terminating in the form of a ring.
Spores white. On the ground or on
stumps.
In the young plant the veil extends
from the stem to the pileus, some-
times forming scaly patches upon it ;
below the ring it is attached to the
stem often in scales.
But for the presence of the ring
the species of this genus could be dis-
tributed in Tricholoma, Clitocybe and Collybia, with which they agree
in all other characters.
In Amanita and Lepiota, the other ringed genera of the white-spored
series, the flesh of the stem and pileus is not continuous; and their stems
are therefore easily separated. Amanita is also distinguished by its
ARMILLARIA MELLEA.
ANALYSIS OF TRIBES.
TRICHOLOMATA. Page 52.
Gills sinuately adnexed, stem fleshy, ring often evanescent. (Like
Tricholoma.)
CLITOCYBE. Page 55-
Gills not sinuate, more or less decurrent, narrowed behind; ring per-
manent. (Resembling Clitocybe.)
COLLYBLE. Page 58.
Gills adnate, equal behind ; stem somewhat cartilaginous outside ;
ring permanent. (Resembling Collybia.)
I. — TRICHOLOMATA. Gills sinuately adnexed, etc.
A. robus'ta A. and S. — robustus, robust, sturdy. Substance of entire
plant compact. Pileus 2-3 in. across, varying in shades of gray and
52
PLATE XVI.
Leucosporae
brown, scaly, fibrillose on margin, decreasing toward center or smooth, Armillaria.
convex or top-shaped and margin involute at first, expanding. Flesh
firm, very thick. Gills broad, emarginate, nearly free, crowded, whitish,
up to >2 in. broad. Veil large, membranaceous, sometimes floccose,
remaining adherent to the stem. Stem 1-2 in. long, obese, solid,
tapering at the base, brownish-white and fibrillose below veil, white and
flocculose above, flesh of stem continuous with that of the cap.
Stevenson gives var. minor with even cap with both gills and ring
very narrow.
Spores ovoid-spherical. 7/u,. Q.
Edible, Curtis; District Columbia, Mrs. M. Fuller.
In mixed woods. Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New Jersey, Mcll-
vaine.
The substance of A. robusta differs from all other Armillaria in being
very compact. It is not acrid but has a marked flavor. Cut into small
pieces and well cooked it makes an acceptable dish. It is best in
croquettes and patties, or served with meats.
A. viscid'ipes Pk. — viscidus, sticky; pes, a foot. PileilS fleshy, com-
pact, convex or nearly plane, glabrous, whitish with a slight yellowish
or reddish-yellow tint. Flesh white, odor peculiar, penetrating, sub-
alkaline. Gills narrow, crowded, sinuate or subdecurrent, whitish.
Stem equal, solid, viscid and slightly tinged with yellow below the
narrow membranous ring, whitish above. Spores elliptical, 8x5/4.
Pileus 3-6 in. broad. Stem 3-4 in. long, 6-12 lines thick.
In mixed woods. Rock City, Dutchess county. October.
It is a large fine fungus, easily known by its white and yellowish hues,
its crowded gills, viscid stem and peculiar penetrating almost alkaline
odor. The cuticle of the pileus is thin and soft to the touch, but it
sometimes cracks longitudinally and is sometimes slightly adorned with
innate fibrils. A. dehiscens is said to have a viscid stem, but it is also
squamose and the pileus is yellowish-ochraceous. Peck, 44th Rep
N. Y. State Bot.
Quite common in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Mcllvaine.
It loses its strong odor when cooked and is equal to other Armillaria
in edibility. Unless well cooked it has a slight saponaceous flavor.
This is easily overcome by a few drops of lejnon juice or sherry.
53
Agaricacese
Armillaria. A. appendicula'ta Pk. — bearing an appendicula or small appendage.
Pileus broadly convex, glabrous, whitish, often tinged with rust color
or brownish rust color on the disk. Flesh white or whitish. Gills
close, rounded behind, whitish. Stem equal or slightly tapering up-
ward, solid, bulbous, whitish, the veil either membranous or webby,
white, commonly adhering in fragments to the margin of the pileus.
Spores subelliptical, 8x5/1*,.
Pileus 2-4 in. broad. Stem 1.5-3.5 in. long; 5-10 lines thick.
Auburn, Ala. October. C. F. Baker.
The general appearance of this species is suggestive of Tricholoma
album, but the presence of a veil separates it from that fungus and places
it in the genus Armillaria. The veil, however, is often slightly lacer-
ated or webby and adherent to the margin of the pileus. Peck, Bull.
Torrey Bot. Club, Vol. 24.
Mt. Gretna, Pa., Angora, Pa. On decaying roots in ground. August
to November. Found plentifully in resorts of other Armillaria. Edi-
bility the same. Mcllvaine.
A. pondero'sa Pk. — ponderosus, weighty, ponderous. Pileus thick,
compact, convex or subcampanulate, smooth, white or yellowish, the
naked margin strongly involute beneath the slightly viscid, persistent
veil. Gills crowded, narrow, slightly emarginate, white inclining to
cream color. Stem stout, subequal, firm, solid, coated by the veil,
colored like the pileus, white and furfuraceous above the ring. Flesh
white. Spores nearly globose, 4;* in diameter.
Plant 4-6 in. high. Pileus 4-6 in. broad. Stem about I in. thick,
Ground in woods. Copake, Columbia county. October.
The veil for a long time conceals the gills, and finally becomes lacera-
ted and adheres in shreds or fragments to the stem and margin of the
pileus. Peck, 26th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
New England, Frost; New York, Peck, Repts. 26, 29, 41. West Vir-
ginia and Pennsylvania. Ground in woods. September to November.
Mcllvaine.
Professor Peck says in 26th Report: "This species has not been
found since its discovery in 1872."
Where the Armillaria mellea frequents I have often found A. pon-
derosa. It was plentiful at Mt. Gretna, Pa., in September, 1898.
54
Leucosporae
Young specimens are quite as edible as A. mellea, and rather more
juicy.
' II. — CLITOCYB^E. Gills not sinuate, etc.
A. mel'lea Vahl. — melleus, of the color of honey. (Plate XVI, fig. i,
p. 52.) PileilS adorned with minute tufts of brown or blackish hairs,
sometimes glabrous, even or when old slightly striate on the margin.
Gills adnate or slightly decurrent, white or whitish, becoming sordid
with age and sometimes variegated with reddish-brown spots. Stem
ringed, at length brownish toward the base. Spores elliptical, white,
8-io/n long. Peck, 48th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Spores 9x5-6;* W.G.S.; iox8/* B.; 8-io/u, Peck.
The A. mellea is unusually prolific and is common over the United
States and Europe. Specimens may be found in the spring-time, but
in middle latitudes it is common from August until after light frosts. It
is usually in tufts, some of which contain scores of plants and are showy
over ground filled with roots, or on stumps or boles of decaying trees.
It frequents dense woods and open clearings. I have seen acres of dense
woodland at Mt. Gretna, Pa., so covered with it and its varieties that
but few square yards were unoccupied.
A description of the typical A. mellea will rarely apply to any one
plant. A combination of its variable features in one description would
include something of nearly every white-spored Agaric under the sun.
Yet there is something indescribable about it which once learned will
unerringly betray it.
Its Caps vary from perfectly smooth, through tufts of scales and hairs,
more or less dense, to matted woolliness. It may show any one of these
conditions in youth and be bald in age. Some shade of yellow is the
prevailing color, but this will vary from whitish to dark-purplish or
reddish-brown. When water-soaked it is one color, when dry, another.
Commonly the margins of the Caps are striated, sometimes they are
smooth as a cymbal, and not unlike one, have a raised place or umbo
in the center. Flesh white or whitish. Gills when young are white or
creamy, usually running down the stem, sometimes slightly notched at
attachment. They freckle in age and lose their fair complexion. The
Veil or collar about the stem is as variable as fashion — thick and closely
woven or flimsy as gossamer, or vanishing as the plant grows old. The
55
Agaricaceae
Armiiiaria. Stems may be even as a lead pencil, or swollen like a pen-holder, or
bulbous toward the base, or distorted by pressure in the tufts. It is as
variable in color as the cap, usually darkening downward in hues of
brown. The outside is firm and fibrous, sometimes furrowed, inside
soft or hollow.
Cap 1-6 in. across. Stem 1-6 in. long, %-% in. thick.
Var. obscu'ra has the cap covered with numerous small blackish scales.
Var. flava has the cap yellow or reddish-yellow, but in other respects
it is like the type.
Var. glabra has the cap smooth, otherwise like the type.
Var. radica'ta has a tapering, root-like prolongation of the stem,
which penetrates the earth deeply.
Var. bulbd ' sa has a distinctly bulbous base to the stem, and in this
respect is the reverse of var. radicata.
Professor Peck writes: "Var. exannulata (Plate XVI, fig. 2, p. 52)
has the cap smooth and even on the margin, and the stem tapering at
the base. The annulus is very slight and evanescent or wholly wanting.
The cap is usually about an inch broad, or a little more, and the plants
grow in clusters, which sometimes contain forty or fifty individuals. It
is more common farther south than it is in our state (N. Y.), and is
reported to be the most common form in Maryland. This I call var.
exannulata." From Dr. Taylor, Washington, D. C. ; Indiana, H. I.
Miller.
To these may be added also var. al'bida Pk. in which the pileus is
white or whitish.
A variety, perhaps a variation of var. bulbosa was sent to me by E.
B. Sterling, Trenton, N. J., and afterward found by myself at Mt.
Gretna, Pa. The Cap purplish-brown, convex, striate and light on
margin, edge irregular with parts of veil attached. Flesh white, very
thin. Gills decurrent, arcuate, pinkish-gray. Stem stuffed, fibrous, white
above, dense floccose veil, same color as cap below, swollen toward
base which is pointed, sulcate, white inside, closely clustered and some of
the stems distinctly bulbous. Taste decidedly unpleasant. An intense
acridity develops and increases when the juices of raw pieces are swal-
lowed, and the salivary glands are much excited. The acridity is not
lost in cooking. It simply can not be eaten. Specimens were sent by
me to Professor Peck who referred it to A. mellea.
I have never seen the abortive form of Clitopilus abortivus, though
56
Leucosporee
found in many places and in great quantity, showing any part or trace ArmUiaria.
of the original plant. But that a similar monstrosity occurs upon A.
mellea is shown by individuals and parts of individuals of a cluster being
aborted. Without such positive proof, no one would suspect either of
these odd formations to be abortive of either C. abortivus or A. mellea,
or any other fungus. I consider the abortive form of A. mellea far
superior in substance and flavor to it or any of its varieties.
The Armillaria can not be ranked among the tender or high-flavored
toadstools, yet their abundance, meaty caps and nourishing qualities
place them among our most valuable food species.
The caps when chopped into small pieces make good patties and
croquettes. They have an impressive flavor of their own, and offer an
esculent medium for seasoning and the gravies of various meats.
A. nardos'mia Ellis — nardosmius, of the odor of nardus. (A name
applied by the ancients to several plants, especially spica nardi — spike-
nard.) Pileus fleshy, firm, thick and compact on the disk, thin toward
the margin, whitish, variegated with brown spots, with a thick, tough
and separable cuticle. Flesh white. Gills crowded, subventricose,
slightly emarginate, whitish. Stem solid, fibrous, not bulbous, sheathed
below by the brown velvety veil, the ring narrow, spreading, uneven on
the edge. Spores subglobose, 6/* in diameter.
Pileus about 3 in. broad. Stem 1.5-3 m- long, 4-6 lines thick.
Ground in woods, Suffolk county. September. Peck, 43d Rep. N. Y.
State Bot.
Several specimens from sandy grounds in pine woods, Haddonfield,
N. J., were sent by me to Professor Peck and were identified by him.
Plentiful at Mt. Gretna, Pa., September to frost, 1898. In mixed
woods, on gravelly ground. Eaten in quantity by several persons.
Mcllvaine.
Cuticle of caps when dry breaking up into brownish, squamulose
scales, margin involute. Gills subdecurrent. Veil thick, persistent.
Stem short, subbulbous, solid. Flesh white. Very much resembles a
short-stemmed Lepiota. Smell and taste strong, like almonds. Disap-
pears in cooking.
Agaricaceee
III. — COLLYBI/E. Gills adnate, stem somewhat cartilaginous.
ArmUiaria. A., mu'cida Schrad. — mucidus, slimy. Pileus commonly shining
white, thin, almost transparent, hemispherical then expanded, obtuse,
more or less radiato-wrinkled, smeared over with a thick tenacious glu-
ten; margin striate when thinner. Stem 1^—3 in. long, 1-2 lines thick
at the apex, thickened at the base, stuffed, thin, rigid, curved ascend-
ing, smooth, white, but sooty scaly at the base when most perfectly de-
veloped. Ring inserted at the apex of the stem, bent downward and
glued close to the stem, furrowed, the white border again erect, with a
swollen and entire margin, which sometimes becomes dingy brown.
Gills rounded behind, obtuse, adhering to the stem and striato-decurrent,
distant, broad, lax, mucid, always shining white.
Very variable in stature, from i in. (when of this size the stem is
almost equal) to as much as 6 in. broad. The color of the pileus varies
gray, fuliginous, olivaceous. The gills sometimes become yellow, but
only from disease. Sometimes solitary, sometimes a few are joined in
a cespitose manner at the base. Stevenson.
Spores elliptical, 15-16x8-9/1 Massee; 17x14/1* W.G.S.
North Carolina, Schweinitz, Curtis; Pennsylvania, Schweinitz; Mary-
land, Miss Banning.
West Virginia mountains, 1882, Haddonfield, N. J., 1891-94, on
beech trees and roots. Mcllvaine.
Commonly considered esculent in Europe.
Dirt adheres so tenaciously to it that it is difficult to clean. This,
however, occurs only when the fungus grows from roots and pushes its
way up through covering earth. When growing from trees it is attractive
and of good quality.
Should be chopped fine and well cooked.
PLATE XVIII.
Grouped by F. D. Briscoe — Studies by C. Mcllvaine.
FIG.
1-2. TRICHOLOMA PERSONATUM
3. TRICHOLOMA RDSSULA.
4. THICHOLOMA TERREUM,
PAGE. FIG.
79 5. TRICHOLOMA COLUMBETTA,
65 6. TRICHOLOMA HUMILE,
71
PAGE.
68
81
Leucospores
TRICHOLO'MA Fr.
Gr. — a hair, a fringe.
PileilS symmetrical, generally fleshy, never truly umbilicate, seldom Tricholon.
umbonate. Veil absent or appearing only as fibrils or down on the
margin of the pileus. Gills sinuate _- ^ (Plate XIX.)
(the small sudden curve near the
stem always apparent in the young
plant), sometimes with a slightly de-
current tooth. Stem central, usually
stout, fleshy-fibrous, without a bark-
like skin. Flesh continuous with
that of the pileus. Ring and Volva
absent. Spores white or dingy.
But one is known to be poisonous.
Some are acrid or unpleasant in fla-
vor. With one exception all grow
on the ground in pastures and woods,
appearing from May to late in the
autumn.
. Gills generally white or dingy, fre-
quently spotted or stained. The pi-
leus may be smooth or adorned with
fibrous or downy scales, dry, moist,
viscid or water-soaked.
The distinguishing feature of Tricholoma is the sinuate gills. In
Collybia the stem bears a distinct bark-like skin ; in Clitocybe the gills
are never sinuate ; species of Pleurotus are distinguished by growing on
wood only, and Paxillus by their strongly-incurved margin and anas-
tomosing gills.
In cooking Tricholoma consistency must 'be the guide to plan and
time. The tougher varieties require to be cut into small pieces and to
be well cooked, while the brittle and delicate varieties will cook quickly.
Many of them make excellent soups.
ANALYSIS OF TRIBES.
A. PILEUS VISCID, FIBRILLOSE, SCALY OR DOWNY, NOT WATER-SOAKED.
Stem fibrillose from the remains of the adnate universal veil.
59
SECTION OF TRICHOLOMA.
Agaricaceae
LIMACINA (/imas, a slug or snail, slimy). Page 61.
Trichoioma. Cuticle of pileus viscid when moist, innately fibrillose or scaly, but not
lacerated ; flesh of pileus thick, firm ; margin almost naked.
* Gills not discolored, nor becoming reddish.
** Gills discolored, usually spotted with reddish-brown.
GENUINA. Page 67.
Cuticle of the pileus never moist or viscid ; torn into downy or floe-
cose scales. Flesh soft, not water-soaked ; margin involute and slightly
downy at first.
* Gills not changing color, nor spotted with red or black.
** Gills becoming reddish or gray, the edge at last generally with
reddish or black spots.
RiGlDA (rigeo, to be stiff). Page 74.
Pileus rigid, hard, somewhat cartilaginous when fleshy, very fragile
when thin, cuticle rigid, granulated or broken up when dry into smooth
scales, not torn into fibrils. Young specimens occur which are fibrillose
from the veil, not from laceration of the cuticle.
* Gills white or pallid, not becoming spotted with red or gray.
** Gills becoming reddish, grayish or spotted.
SERICELLA {sericeus, silky). Page 74.
Pileus first slightly silky, soon becoming smooth, very dry, neither
moist, viscid, water-soaked, nor distinctly scaly; rather thin, opaque,
absorbing moisture, but is the same color as the gills. Stem fibrous, by
which the smaller species resembling Collybia may be distinguished.
* Gills broad, rather thick, somewhat distant.
** Gills narrow, thin, crowded.
B. PILEUS EVEN, SMOOTH, NOT DOWNY NOR SCALY, NOT VISCID.
In rainy weather moist ; when very young pruinose (but rarely con-
spicuously) from the universal veil. Flesh soft and spongy or very
thin when it is water-soaked.
GUTTATA (gutta, a drop). Page 76.
Pileus fleshy, soft, fragile, marked with drop-like spots or rivulose.
Appearing in spring, rarely in autumn.
60
Leucosporae
Cespitose, in troops or often in rings. Trichoioma.
* Gills whitish.
** Gills becoming reddish or smoky-gray.
SPONGIOSA (spongia, a sponge). Page 78.
Pileus compact, then spongy, obtuse, even, smooth, moist but not
hygrophanous ; firm, growing in troops late in the autumn. Stem
stout, base usually thickened, spongy fibrous. Gills at length decur-
rent but sinuate, by which character they are distinguished from Clito-
cybe..
* Gills not discolored.
** Gills discolored.
HYGROPHANA (Gr. , wet; to appear). Page 80.
Pileus thin, somewhat umbonate; flesh at length soft, watery. Stem
rootless, containing a pith, entirely fibrous.
Flesh not exceeding in depth the width of the not broad, thin gills;
thinnest toward the margin, hence somewhat umbonate. Color of the
pileus either moist or dry, very variable in the same species. Pileus
sometimes pulverulent from the persistence of the veil in dry weather.
* Gills whitish, not spotted.
** Gills more or less violet, gray or smoky. Not represented.
Series A.
PILEUS VISCID OR FIBRILLOSE, DOWNY OR SCALY.
I. — LIMA'CINA. Viscous when moist.
* Gills not becoming discolored, nor becoming reddish.
T. eques'tre Linn. — eqttestre, belonging to a horseman or knight,
from distinguished appearance. Pileus fleshy, compact, convex becom-
ing expanded, obtuse, pale-yellowish, more or less reddish tinged, the
disk and. central scales often darker, the margin naked, often wavy.
Flesh white or tinged with yellow. Gills rounded behind, close, nearly
free, sulpJnir-yellow. Stem stout, solid, pale-yellow or white, white
within. Spores 6.5^8x4-5^.
Pileus 3-5 in. broad. Stem 1-2 in. long, 6-10 lines thick.
. 61
Agaricaceee
Trichoioma. Pine woods, especially in sandy soil. Albany county. September
to November.
This is a noble species but not plentiful in our state (N. Y.). The
pileus is said to become greenish very late in the season. The stem, in
the typical form, is described as sulphur-yellow in color, but with us it
is more often white. The scales of the disk are sometimes wanting.
In our plant the taste is slightly farinaceous at first, but it is soon
unpleasant.
Var. pinastreti A. and S. is a slender form having a thin, even pileus,
thinner and more narrow gills and a more slender stem. A. crassus
Scop., A. aureus Schaeff. , and A. flavovirens Pers. are recorded as
synonyms of this species. Peck, 44th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Professor Peck later says in "Mushrooms and Their Use," p. 52:
"I confidently add it to the list of edible species."
New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. In pine forests and
groves. September to frost. Mcllvaine.
I have eaten it since 1883. All disagreeable odor about T. equestre
(which I have seldom noticed) disappears upon cooking. The substance
is rather tough, but good.
T. COryphse'um Fr. — chief, leader. From its distinguished appear-
ance. Pileus very fleshy but not compact, convex then plane, obtuse,
viscid, yellowish, streaked with small brownish scales. Stem solid,
attenuated upward. Gills emarginate, crowded, white, edge yellow.
Large and of striking appearance. In shady beech woods.
Pronounced a good edible by the Boston Myc. Club.
-The color of the plants is given as greenish-yellow. Bull. Boston
Myc. Club, 1896.
T. UStale Fr. — uro, to burn. Pileus fleshy, convex, then plane,
obtuse, even, smooth, viscid, bay-brownish. Stem stuffed, equal, dry,
rufo-fibrillose, apex naked, silky, nearly smooth. Gills emarginate,
crowded, white, at length with reddish spots. Cooke.
Chiefly in pine woods.
Pileus 3 in. Stem 2-3 in. long, about Yz in. thick,
Spores SxSju, W. G.S.; 7-8x51* Massee.
North Carolina, Curtis, pine woods, Schweinitz; Kansas, Cragin.
Massachusetts. Edible. Boston Myc. Club, Bull. No. 5.
62
Leucosporse
T. resplen'dens Fr. — shining brightly. PileilS fleshy, convex then Tricboioma.
nearly plane, even, bare, viscid, white, sometimes hyaline-spotted or
yellowish on the disk, shining when dry, the margin straight. Flesh
white, taste mild, odor pleasant. Gills nearly free when young, then
emarginate, somewhat crowded, rather thick, entire, white. Stem
solid, bare, subbulbous, even, dry, white. Spores 8x47*.
Pileus 2-4 in. broad. Stem 2-3 in. long, 4-8 lines thick.
Thin woods. Catskill mountains. September. Peck, 44th Rep.
N. Y. State Bot.
Mt. Gretna, Pa. , in mixed woods. October and November. Mcllvaine.
It is of excellent flavor, consistency and food value.
T. transmu'tans Pk. — changing. PileilS convex, nearly bare, viscid
when moist, brownish, reddish-brown or tawny-red, usually paler on the
margin. Flesh white, taste and odor farinaceous. Gills narrow, close,
sometimes branched, whitish or pale yellowish, becoming dingy or red-
dish-spotted when old. Stem equal or slightly tapering upward, bare
or slightly silky-fibrillose, stuffed or hollow, whitish, often marked with
reddish stains or becoming reddish-brown toward the base, white within.
Spores subglobose, 5/*.
Pileus 2-4 in. broad. Stem 3-4 in. long, 3-6 lines thick.
Woods. The plants are often cespitose.
I suspect that Agaricus frumentaceus of Curtis's catalogue belongs to
this species. Both the pileus and stem, as well as the gills, are apt to
assume darker hues with age or in drying, and this character suggested
the specific name. The species is classed as edible. Peck, 44th Rep.
N. Y. State Bot.
Curtis catalogues T. frumentaceum as edible.
T. transmutans is reported from many states. It has a mealy taste
and odor. Wherever it is found it is a valuable food species.
T. sejunc'tum Sow. — separated ; from the peculiar manner in which
the gills separate from the stem. PileilS fleshy, convex then expanded,
umbonate, slightly viscid, streaked with innate brown or blackish fibrils,
whitish or yellowish, sometimes greenish-yellow. Flesh white, fragile.
Gills broad, subdistant, rounded behind or emarginate, white. Stem
solid, stout, often irregular, white. Spores subglobose, 6.5/t.
PileilS 1-3 in. broad. Stem 1-3 in. long, 4-8 lines thick.
63
Agaricacese
Trichoioma. Mixed woods. Suffolk county, N. Y. September.
The plants referred to this species are not uncommon on Long Island,
growing on sandy soil in woods of oak and pine. They are usually
more or less irregular and the pileus becomes fragile. It is quite vari-
able in color, sometimes approaching a smoky-brown hue, again being
nearly white. The taste of the typical form is said to be bitter, but the
flavor of our plant is scarcely bitter. In other repects, however, it
agrees well with the description of the species. Peck, 44th Rep. N. Y.
State Bot.
Spores 6/n W.G.S.
Flesh is tender. Cooked, of good body and peculiar but pleasant
flavor. A valuable species, baked, scalloped, fried.
T. terri'ferum Pk. — terra, earth ; fero, to bear. Pileus broadly convex
or nearly plane, irregular, often wavy on the margin, glabrous, viscid,
pale-yellow, generally soiled with adhering particles of earth carried up
in its growth. Flesh white, with no decided odor. Gills thin, crowded,
slightly adnexed, white, not spotted or changeable. Stem equal, short
solid, white, floccose-squamulose at the apex. Spores minute, sub-
globose, 3/A.
Pileus 3-4 in. broad. Stem 1-1.5 m- l°ng> 6-8 lines thick.
Woods. Catskill mountains. September. Peck, 44th Rep. N. Y.
State Bot.
Found in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey. August to frost,
Mcllvaine.
Not inviting, hard to clean, nevertheless edible and good.
T. portento'sum Fr. — portentosus, strange, monstrous. Pileus 3-5 in.
broad, sooty, livid, sometimes violaceous, fleshy, but thin in comparison
with the stoutness of the stem, convexo-plane, somewhat umbonate,
unequal and turned up, viscid, streaked with black lines (innate fibrils),
but otherwise even and smooth, the very thin margin naked. Flesh
not compact, white, fragile. Stem commonly 3 in. often 4-6 in long,
i in. thick, stout, solid, the whole remarkably fibrous-fleshy, somewhat
equal, naked, but fibrilloso-striate , white; the base, which is occasionally
attenuato-rooted, villous. Gills rounded, almost free, 3-4 lines to as
much as i in. broad, distant, white, but varying, becoming pale-gray
or yellow. Fries.
64
Leucosporee
4-5X4/A K.; 5X4/A W.G.S. Tricboloma.
West Virginia, 1882 ; New Jersey, Pennsylvania, in woods and open
places. May to November. Mcllvaine.
It is one of the first toadstools I experimented upon. I have been
constant to it. Its caps fried in butter are unsurpassed.
** Gills discolored, usually spotted with reddish-brown.
T. fla'vo-bl'im'neum Fr. — flavus, yellow; brunneus, brown. Pileus
fleshy, conical, then convex, at length expanded, subumbonate, viscid,
clotJied with streak-like scales. Stem hollow, somewhat ventricose,
fibrillose, at first viscid, yellowish witliin, tip naked. Gills emarginate,
dccnrrent, crowded, yellowish, then reddish. Fries.
Odor that of new meal. Stem 3—5 in. long, % in. thick, dull-reddish
or brownish. Pileus 3—6 in. broad, disk darker, dingy dull-red or
reddish-brown.
North Carolina, Curtis; damp woods, A. fulvus, Schweinitz.
Edible, Cooke, 1891.
T. rus'sula Schaeff.— reddish. (Plate XVIII, fig. 3, p. 60.) Pileus
fleshy, convex, becoming plane or centrally depressed, obtuse, viscid,
even or dotted with granular squamules on the disk, red or incarnate,
the margin usually paler, involute and minutely downy in the young
plant. Flesh white, sometimes tinged with red, taste mild. Gills sub-
distant, rounded behind or subdecurrent, white, often becoming red-
spotted with age. Stem solid, firm, whitish or rose-red, squamulose at
the apex. Spores elliptical, 7x4^.
Pileus 3-5 in. broad. Stem 1-2 in. long, 6-8 lines thick.
Mixed woods. Albany. Cattaraugus and Steuben counties. Sep-
tember and October.
According to the description the typical plant has the pileus incarnate
and the stem rosy-red, but in the American plant the pileus is generally
more clearly red and the stem white, though this is often varied by red-
dish stains. Peck, 44th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Mixed woods. August until after frost. At Mt. Gretna, Pa. 1897-
1898 the patches were large, generous yielders.
Edible, Cooke; edible, Cordier, Rogues.
T. russula is a dressy fungus and has a fashion of its own. The mot-
5 65
Agaricaceee
Trichoioma. lings upon its cap, gill and stem, in shades of red, subdued though
they be, give it a handsome personality distinct from any other.
The species is a variable one in its minor markings. When moisture
is prevalent the caps of all are viscid. Both young and old are often
cracked. Stems frequently not squamulose at apex, frequently rosy
when young, often flattened. The fibrous interior of the stem and its
fibrous connection with the flesh of the cap are very marked. Gills
emarginate in youth as well as in age. It is solitary, gregarious, occa-
sionally bunched.
An excellent fungus, a free late grower, meaty, easily cooked, and
of fine flavor.
T. frumenta'ceum Bull. — frumentum, made of corn. Pileus 2-3 in.
broad, whitish or clay-color and variegated dull red, truly fleshy, con-
vex then plane, obtuse, viscous, dry in fine weather, even, smooth.
Flesh white. Stem 3 in. long, % in. thick, solid, equal, fibrillose
when dry, whitish. Grills rounded, somewhat crowded, rather broad,
white, at length spotted-red.
Wholly becoming pale white, but the stem and pileus are alike marked-
red, and the gills are at length reddish, wherefore, as well as for the
strong smell of new meal, it is undoubtedly nearest to A. pessundatus.
When full grown it has all the appearance of Entoloma. On the
ground. Stevenson.
Spores 6/u. W.G.S.
North Carolina, Curtis. Edible. Porcher says Dr. Curtis was the
. first to declare it edible.
T. pessunda'tum Fr. — pessum dare, bent downward. Pileus fleshy,
compact, convex, very obtuse, repand, viscid, granulose or spotted.
Stem solid, firm, at first ovato-bulbous, everywhere villose with whitish
scales. Gills emarginate, nearly free, crowded, white, at length spotted
with red.
In pine woods. Odor and taste mealy.
Pileus bay, reddish, paler at the margin. Stature of Ag. eques-
tris. Fries.
Spores 5x2.5/1* Massee; very minute, globose, 2—3/4 C.B.P.
Reckoned edible, but very rare. Stevenson.
California, H. and M.
66
Leucosporae
II. — GENUl'NA. Cuticle of pileus torn into downy or fibrillose scales.
* Gills not changing color nor becoming spotted.
T. decoro'sum Pk. — decorus, decorous. Pileus firm, at first hemi-
spherical, then convex or nearly plane, (Plate XX.)
adorned with numerous brownish sub-
squarrose tomentose scales, dull ochra-
ceous or tawny. Flesh white. Gills
close, rounded and slightly emarginate
behind, the edge slightly scalloped.
Stem solid, equal or slightly tapering
upward, white and smooth at the top,
elsewhere tomentose-scaly and colored
like the pileus. Spores broadly el-
liptical, 5x4^.
PileilS 1-2 in. broad. Stem 2-4
in. long, 2-4 lines thick.
Decaying trunks of trees. Catskill
mountains and Alleghany county.
September and October.
A rare but beautiful species. It is
often cespitose. It departs from the
character of the genus in growing on
decaying wood. Peck, 44th Rep.
N. Y. State Bot.
Trichoioma decorosum is not rare in Pennsylvania. I have found it
at Angora, Philadelphia and in Chester county, Pa., growing in clus-
ters and singly. At first sight one might take it for one of the many
forms of Armillaria, but even cursory examination shows the difference.
It is of good consistency and flavor, having a decided mushroom taste.
T. flaves'cens Pk. — pale yellow. Pileus convex, firm, often irregu-
lar, dry, slightly silky becoming bare, sometimes cracking into minute
scales on the disk, whitish or pale yellow. Flesh whitish or yellowish.
Gills close, white or pale-yellow, emarginate, floccose on the edge.
Stems firm, solid, often unequal, central or sometimes eccentric, single or
cespitose, colored like the pilous. Spores subglobose, 5/* in diameter.
67
TRICHOT.OMA DECOROSUM.
Two-thirds natural size.
Agaricaceae
Trichoioma. Pileus 2-3 in. broad. Stem 1-2.5 in- long, 4-6 lines thick.
Pine stumps. Albany and Rensselaer counties. October.
The species seems to be related to T. rutilans but has not the red or
purplish tomentum of that fungus. It, like T. decorosum, is always
lignicolous. T. rutilans is sometimes so. Peck, 44th Rep. N. Y. State
Bot.
Frequently found in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
Pine stumps. September to frost. Mcllvaine.
The flesh compares with that of T. rutilans, and makes an equally
good dish.
T. gran'de Pk. Pileus thick, firm, hemispherical, becoming con-
vex, often irregular, dry, scaly, somewhat silky-fibrillose toward the
margin, white, the margin at first involute. Flesh grayish-white, taste
farinaceous. Gills close, rounded behind, adnexed, white. Stem stout,
solid, fibrillose, at first tapering upward, then equal or but slightly
thickened at the base, pure white. Spores elliptical, 9-1 ix6/*.
Pileus 4-5 in. broad. Stem 2-4 in. long, 1-1.5 in. thick.
Among fallen leaves in woods. Cattaraugus county. September.
The plants are often cespitose, and then the pileus is more or less
irregular and the gills somewhat lacerated. The species is related to
T. columbetta, from which its larger size, constantly scaly pileus, more
cespitose mode of growth, larger spores and farinaceous taste separate
it. The scales of the pileus are brownish, and the pileus itself is some-
times slightly dingy on the disk. The young margin is pure white like
the stem, and both it and the upper part of the stem are sometimes
studded with drops of moisture.
The plant was found on trial to be edible, but not of first quality.
The flesh is not very tender, nor the flavor captivating even in young
specimens. Peck, 44th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Mt. Gretna, Pa. Mixed woods. August to frost. Mcllvaine.
Gross when old. Young specimens of medium quality and flavor.
T. columbet'ta Fr. — columba, a pigeon. (Plate XVIII, fig. 5 , p, 60. )
Pileus convex, then nearly plane, fleshy, obtuse, rigid, somewhat flex-
uous, dry, at first bare, then silky-fibrillose, becoming even or scaly,
white, the margin at first involute, more or less tomentose. Flesh white,
68
Leucosporae
taste mild. Gills close, emarginate, thin, white. Stem stout, solid, Trichoioma.
unequal, nearly bare, white. Spores 7-8x4. 5/x.
The species is very variable and the following varieties have been de-
scribed :
Var. A. Pileus nearly always repand or lobed, at first bare, even,
at length cracked-scaly, often reddish spotted, the margin when young
indexed, tomentose. Stem obese, even, unequal, swollen, an inch thick.
The typical form.
Birch wood among mosses.
Var. B. Pileus subflexuous, silky-fibrillose, at length scaly, some-
times dingy-brown spotted, the margin scarcely tomentose. Stem
longer, equal or slightly narrowed at the base.
Bushy places. Intermediate between A and C.
Var. C. PileilS regular, flattened, evidently fibrillose, sometimes
spotted with blue, four inches broad. Stem equal, cylindrical, fibrillosc-
striate, four inches long.
Beech woods. A showy variety so diverse from variety A that it
might be regarded as a distinct species, did not variety B connect them,
and so much resemble both that it might with equal propriety be re-
ferred to either.
Pileus 2-4 in. broad. Stem 1-4 in. long, 3-12 lines thick.
Woods and pastures. Albany county, N. Y.
It may be distinguished from T. album by its mild taste. It is re-
corded as edible. Peck, 44th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Edible, Curtis, Cooke, Stevenson.
This much varied Trichoioma is as varied in its habitat. I have
found it on vacant lots in Philadelphia, in mixed woods at Devon, Pa.,
and in the forests of the West Virginia mountains, and eaten it since
1881.
It cooks readily and is of mild, agreeable flavor.
T. ru'tilans Schaeff. — rutilo, to be reddish. Pileus fleshy, campanu-
late becoming plane, dry, at first covered with a dark-red or purplish
tomentum then somewhat scaly, the margin thin, at first involute. Flesh
yellow. Gills crowded, rounded, yellow, thickened and down}' on the edge.
Stem somewhat hollow, nearly equal or slightly thickened or bulbous at
the base, soft, pale-yellow variegated with red or purplish floccose scales.
Spores 6.5-8x6.5^.
69
Agaricaceee
Tricholoma.
(Plate XXI.)
TRICHOLOMA RUTILANS.
About three-eighths natural size.
mallow confection.
Pileus 2-4 in. broad. Stem 2-4
in. long, 5—8 lines thick.
On or about pine stumps, rarely on
hemlock trunks. July to November.
Peck, 44th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Spores subglobose, 5-6/A diameter
Massee; 6-8x6^ B.; 6x91* W.G.S.
West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New
Jersey. May to November. Mc-
Ilvaine.
Quite common in West Virginia
mountains and in pine woods of New
Jersey. The Boston Mycological
Club reports it found in quantity in
Massachusetts. The flesh when
cooked is gummy, like the marsh-
It is excellent.
** Gills becoming reddish or gray , etc.
T. vacci'num Pers. — vacca, a cow. Pileus fleshy, convex or cam-
panulate, becoming nearly plane, umbonate, dry, floccose-scaly, reddish-
brown, the margin involute, tomentose. Flesh white. Gills adnexed,
subdistant, whitish, then reddish or reddish-spotted. Stem equal, hol-
low, covered with a fibrillose bark, naked at the apex, pale reddish.
Spores subglobose, 6/u,.
Pileus 1-3 in. broad. Stem 2-3 in. long, 4-6 lines thick.
Under or near coniferous trees. Greene and Essex counties. Sep-
tember and October. Peck, 44th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Recorded as edible by Gillet.
Plentiful in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia. Have eaten it
since 1885. Fair.
T. fuligi'neum Pk. — fuligineus, resembling soot. Pileus convex or
nearly plane, obtuse, often irregular, dry, minutely scaly, sooty-brown.
Flesh grayish, odor and taste farinaceous. Gills subdistant, uneven on
the edge, ash-colored becoming blackish in drying. Stem short, solid,
equal, bare, ash-colored. Spores oblong-elliptical, 8x4/4.
70
Leucosporse
Pileus 1-2.5 in. broad. Stem I-I-5 m- long, 3~5 lines thick. Trichoioma.
Among mosses in open places. Greene county. September. Rare.
Peck, 44th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Quite common in Pennsylvania and New Jersey on mossy wood
margins. It is of fair quality and flavor.
(Plate XVIII, fig. 4, p. 60.)
(Plate XXII.)
TRICHOLOMA TERREUM.
One-half natural size.
T. ter'reum Schaeff. — the earth. (Plate XVIII, fig. 4, p. 60. ) Pi-
leus fleshy, thin, soft, convex, cam-
panulate or nearly plane, obtuse or
umbonate, innately fibrillose or ftoc-
cose-scaly, ashy-brown, grayish-
brown or mouse color. Flesh white
or whitish. Gills adnexed, subdis-
tant, more or less eroded on the edge,
white becoming ash-colored. Stem
equal, varying from solid to stuffed
or hollow, fibrillose, white or whitish.
Spores broadly elliptical, 6-7x4-5^.
Pileus 1-3 in. broad. Stem 1-2
in. long, 2—4 lines thick.
Woods. Albany, Rensselaer and Cattaraugus counties. September
to November. Peck, 44th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
Spores 7x5.5/4 Morgan; 5-6/4 Massee; 6-7x411 K.; 6/* W.G.S.
Eaten by Professor Peck. Eaten by Mcllvaine. Quality fair.
T. ter'reum Schaeff. — var. fra grans Pk. Pileus convex or nearly
plane, dry, innately-fibrillose or minutely floccose-scaly, grayish-brown
or blackish-brown. Gills rather broad, adnexed, whitish or ash-colored.
Stem equal, solid or stuffed, rarely hollow, whitish. Spores broadly
elliptical, 6-7x4-5/4.
The Fragrant tricholoma has a distinct farinaceous odor and flavor.
In other respects it closely resembles the Earth-colored tricholoma of
which it is considered a mere variety. The typical European plant is
said to be without odor or nearly so and has not been classed among
the edible species by European writers. But our variety, though not
high-flavored, is fairly good and entirely harmless. Its cap varies con-
siderably in color but is some shade of gray or brown. Its center is
without any prominence or very bluntly prominent, and its surface is
71
Agaricacese
Trichoioma. commonly very obscurely marked with innate fibrils or in small plants
may have very small flocculose tufts or scales. The flesh is whitish as
also are the gills, though these sometimes assume a more decided gray-
ish hue. They are rather broad and loose and sometimes uneven on
the edge or even split transversely. They are usually deeply excavated
next the stem and attached to it by a narrow part. The stem is whitish
or slightly shaded with the color of the cap. It often has a few longi-
tudinal fibrils, but never any collar. It may be either solid, stuffed or
spongy within, or in large specimens, hollow.
The plants grow gregariously or sometimes in tufts on the ground
under or near trees or in thin woods, especially of pine, or in mixed
woods. The caps vary from 1-4 in. broad, and the stems from 1-3 in.
long and from 2-6 lines thick. The plants occur in autumn. In Europe
there is a variety of this species which also has a farinaceous odor, but
it differs from our plant in having reddish edges to the gills. It is called
variety orirubens. Peck, 49th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Var. fragrans is plentiful and gregarious among New Jersey pines.
October to frost. Other varieties are often found. Specimens found
by me at Mt. Gretna, Pa., and sent to Professor Peck who identified
them as var. fragrans Pk., were decidedly umbonate. Gills were easily
separable from cap.
Var. fragrans is a favorite. It is pleasant to many, even raw. Plenti-
ful salting while cooking develops a high and exquisite flavor.
T. fumes'cens Pk. — smoky. PileilS convex or expanded, dry,
clothed with a very minute appressed tomentum, whitish. Gills narrow,
crowded, rounded behind, whitish or pale cream color, changing to
smoky-bine .or blackish where bruised. Stem short, cylindrical, whitish.
Spores oblong-elliptical, 5-6.5^.
Pileus i in. broad. Stem I-I-5 in. high, 2-3 lines thick.
Woods. Columbia county. October. Rare.
The species is remarkable for the smoky or blackish hue assumed by
the gills when bruised and also in drying. It is apparently related to
T. immundum Berk., but in that species the whole plant becomes
blackish when bruised, and the gills are marked with transverse lines
and tinged with pink. Peck, 44th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Mt. Gretna, Pa. September to November, 1898. Mcllvaine.
The size of cap sometimes attains to 3 in and stem to % in. in thick-
72
Leucosporas
ness. Taste at first farinaceous then sweetish. The caps are of excellent
quality and flavor.
Pileus fleshy, compact,
(Plate XXIII.)
^ — X
0=1 R
T. imbriea'tum Fr. — covered with tiles,
convex or nearly plane, obtuse, dry,
innately scaly, fibrillose toward the
margin, brown or reddish-brown, the
margin thin, at first slightly in flexed
and pubescent then naked. Flesh firm,
thick, white. Gills slightly emargi-
nate, almost adnate, rather close,
white when young, becoming reddish
or spotted. Stem solid, firm, nearly
equal, fibrillose, white and mealy or
pulverulent at the top, elsewhere col-
ored like the pileus. Spores 6.5x
4— 5/w.. TRICHOLOMA IMUKICATUM.
-r,-! • i j CIA One-half natural size.
Pileus 2-4 in. broad. Stem 2-3
in. long, 4-10 lines thick. Under or near coniferous trees. Greene and
Essex counties. September and October.
This is an edible species. It has a farinaceous odor and taste when
fresh. Peck, 44th Rep. N. Y. State Dot.
Closely resembles T. transmutans in size, color and taste. It is, how-
ever, easily separated by its dry cap and solid stem. Peck.
Plentiful in pine woods of New Jersey, and among hemlocks in West
Virginia. Mt. Gretna, Pa., under pines. October and November,
1898. Me livable.
Specimens found at Mt. Gretna had caps dark umber when young,
and margin incurved to stem. Gills yellowish. Stem up to 4 in. long,
stout, solid, swollen at base, and having a short pointed ending, firm,
fibrillose, white. Flavor farinaceous.
Flesh of good texture and taste.
Agaricaceae
Trichoioma. III. — Rio'iDA. Pileus rigid, cuticle broken up into smooth scales, etc.
* Gills white or pallid, not becoming spotted with red or gray .
Not represented.
** 'Gills becoming reddisJi or grayish, spotted, etc.
T. sapona'ceum Fr. — sapo, soap. Strong, smelling of an undefina-
ble soap. Cap 2—4 in. across, involute at first, convex then flattened,
dry, glabrous, moist in wet weather, never viscid, brownish, more or
less spotted or having the skin cracked into scales, occasionally covered
with dark fibrils. Flesh firm, whitish becoming reddish when wounded.
Gills emarginate, with a hooked tooth (uncinate) thin, distant, pale
white. Stem 2-4 in. long, about ,4 in. thick, often unequal, base
sometimes long and rooting, usually smooth, at times reticulated with
black fibrils, or is scaly. Distasteful.
The species is variable in size and color. Stevenson remarks:
"Scarcely any species has been more confounded with others." It may
always be safely distinguished by its odor, by its distant gills, by the
smooth cuticle of the cap cracking into scales, and by the change of
color to reddish when bruised.
West Virginia mountains. August to frost. 1881-85. New Jersey,
Pennsylvania. Mcllvaine.
This fungus is not extremely unpleasant when eaten — like T. sulphu-
reum, but no one will care to eat it. There is nothing in the flavor to
recommend it or to inspire a cultivation of taste for it.
IV. — SERICEL'LA. Pileus slightly silky, soon smooth, etc.
* Gills broad, rather thick, somewhat distant.
T. sulplm'reum Bull. — sulphur, brimstone. Odor strong, fetid or
like gas tar. Cap 1-4 in. across, subglobose, then convex and plane,
slightly umbonate, sometimes depressed, fleshy, margin at first involute.
Color dingy or reddish sulphur-yellow, at first silky, becoming smooth
or minutely tomentose. Flesh thick., yellow. Gills rather thick, nar-
rowed behind, emarginate or acutely adnate, sometimes appearing arcu-
ate from shape of cap. Stem 2-4 in. long, 3-5 lines thick, equal or
74
Leucosporae
slightly bulbous, often curved, smooth striate, sulphur-yellow, stuffed, Trichoioma,
fibrous or hollow, yellow within, at times having yellow fibrous roots.
Spores 9- 1 ox 5 /* Massee.
Very variable in size. Gregarious, common in mixed woods.
West Virginia, 1 88 1. West Philadelphia, 1886. Mcllvaine.
When quite young T. sulphureum is showy and inviting. Its smell
is discouraging, its taste forbidding. No amount of cooking removes
its unpleasant flavor. I have tried to eat enough of it to test its quali-
ties, but was satisfied after strenuous efforts to mark it INEDIBLE.
T. chrysenteroi'des Pk. — like gold. PileilS fleshy, convex or plane,
not at all umbonate, firm, dry, glabrous or slightly silky, pale-yellow
or buff, becoming dingy with age, the margin sometimes reflexed, flesh
pale-yellow, taste and odor farinaceous. Gills rather close, emarginate,
yellowish, becoming dingy or pallid with age, marked with transverse
-ccinlets along Hie upper edge, the interspaces veined. Stem equal,
firm, solid, bare, fibrous-striate, yellowish without and within. Spores
elliptical, 8-10x5-6/4.
Pileus 1-2 in. broad. Stem 2-3 in. long, 3-4 lines thick.
Woods. Lewis and Cattaraugus counties. September.
Nearly allied to T. chrysenterum, but separable by the gills, which
are somewhat veiny and not free, by the entire absence of an umbo and
by its farinaceous odor and taste. Peck, 44th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Frequently found at Angora, and in Woodland Cemetery, West
Philadelphia.
Edible. Fair flavor and good quality.
T. o'picum Fr. — uncouth. Pileus i-i ^ in. across. Flesh rather thin,
becoming grayish; convex, then expanded, obtusely-umbonate, at
length usually upturned and split, very dry, even at first, then minutely
scaly, gray. Gills broadly emarginate, ventricose, rather thick, scarcely
distant, hoary. Stem 2-3 in. long, 2-3 lines thick, equal, fibrillose,
becoming almost glabrous, pallid then grayish, stuffed. Massee
Among moss, in pine woods, etc.
Inodorous. Somewhat resembling T. saponaceum, but distinguished
by the absence of smell.
Waretown, N. J. Under pines and open places in pine woods. Au-
gust to September, 1889. Mcllvaine.
75
Agaricaceae
Trichoioma. When wet the caps become darker and have a mottled appearance.
They are tender, but rather tasteless. The species serves to make
quantity when cooked with others of higher flavor.
T. pipera'tum Pk. — piper, pepper. PileilS rather thin, firm, dry,
convex, obtuse or subumbonate, virgate with innate brownish fibrils,
varying in color from grayish-brown to blackish-brown, sometimes with
greenish or yellowish tints. Flesh white or whitish, taste acrid. Gills
broad, close, rounded behind, adnexed, whitish or yellowish. Stem
generally short, equal, solid, silky, slightly mealy or pruinose at the
top, white or slightly tinged with yellow. Spores elliptic, 6-7/x. long,
SfJ- broad. PileilS 4-7 cm. broad. Stem 5-7 cm. long, 6-12 mm. thick.
The central part of the pileus is sometimes a little darker than the
rest. The peppery or acrid taste is very distinct and remains in the
mouth many minutes. This and the innately fibrillose character of the
pileus are distinguishing characters of the species. The plants appear
from September to November. Peck, Torr. Bull., Vol. 26.
Mt. Gretna, Pa. October to November, 1898, on damp ground
among moss. Mcllvaine.
Cap up to 3 in. across, bell-shaped, then convex, depressed in center
and undulate, light-brown, darker toward center, dry, minutely fibril-
lose. Flesh thick, white, thin toward margin. Gills emarginate, un-
equal, not forked. Stem 1/^—2 in. long, hard, equal or enlarging
toward base, white, silky, striate.
Though peppery raw, this Trichoioma is of good substance and flavor
when cooked.
B. PILEUS EVEN, SMOOTH, NOT DOWNY, SCALY, NOR VISCID, ETC.
V. — GUTTA'TA. Pileus marked with drop-like spots or rivulose.
* Gills whitish.
T. gambo'sum Fr. — gambosus, swelling near the hoof. PileilS
3-4 in. and more broad, becoming pale-tan, fleshy, hemispherico-convex ,
then flattened, obtuse, undulated and bent backward, even, smooth, but
spotted as with drops, at length widely cracked (not, however, torn into
squamules), the margin at the first involute and tementose. Flesh thick,
soft, fragile, white. Stem 2 in. and more long, ^2 — 1 in. thick, solid _
fleshy-firm, almost equal, often curved-ascending at the base,
76
Iieucosporee
downy at the apex. Gills rounded or emarginato-adnexed, with a some-
what decurrent tooth and when old sinuato-decurrent, crowded, ventri-
cose, 2-3 lines broad, whitish. Fries.
Odor pleasant, of new meal. Often forming large rings or clusters.
A whitish form must not be confounded with T. albellus.
Spores I3XH/X, W.G.S.; 13-14x8-9/1* Massee; 13x10^ Cooke.
Angora, Philadelphia. Chester and Lebanon county, Pa. Mcllvaine.
Fair.
** Gills becoming reddish or smoky-gray.
T. tigl'i'num Schaeff. — spotted like a tiger. Pileus 2 in. broad, pal-
lid-brown, variegated with crowded and darker dingy-brown spots, com-
pactly fleshy, convex then expanded, obtuse, repand. Flesh thick,
firm, white, unchangeable, but thin at the involute margin. Stem I in.
long and thick, very compact, solid, pruinate, white. Gills rounded
behind, at length decurrent with a tooth, crowded, narrow, white, at
length darker.
Solitary or cespitose. Very distinguished, obese, and without any
marked smell of new meal. In fir woods and open grassy ground.
Rare. June to July. Stevenson.
Edible, Cooke, Fries.
T. albel'lum Fr. — albus, white. Pileus about 3 in. broad, becom-
ing pale-white, passing into gray when dry, fleshy, thick at the disk,
thinner at the sides, conical tJien convex, gibbous when expanded, when
in vigor moist on the surface, spotted (mottled) as with scales, the thin
margin naked. Flesh soft, floccose, white, unchangeable. Stem curt,
i ,12— 2 in. long, i in. thick at the base, reaching % in. toward the apex,
solid, fleshy-compact, ovato-bulbous (conical to the middle, cylindrical
above the middle), fibrillose-striate, white. Gills very much attenuated
behind, not emarginate, becoming broad in front, very crowded, quite
entire, white. Fries.
Spores elliptical, 6—7x441 Massee; ovoid, 3/* W.G.S.; ovoid, 3/u.
Cooke .
Pileus not becoming yellow. Odor weak when fresh, taste pleasant,
almost that of cooked flesh. There are two forms: one larger, solitary,
another smaller, connato-cespitose, quite as in A. albellus Sow. It is
often confounded with smaller forms of A. gambosus. Stevenson.
North Carolina, Curtis. Damp woods. Edible.
77
Agaricaceae
Tciciioioma. VI. — SPONGlo'SA. Pileus compact then spongy, smooth, moist.
* Gills not discolored,
T. vires'cens Pk. — viresco, to grow green. Pileus convex or nearly
plane, sometimes centrally depressed, moist, bare, dingy-green, the mar-
gin sometimes wavy or lobed. Gills close, gradually narrowed toward
the outer extremity, rounded or slightly emarginate at the inner, white.
Stem subequal, stuffed or hollow, thick but brittle, whitish, sometimes
tinged with green. Spores broadly elliptical, 5x4/4.
Pileus 3-5 in. broad. Stem 3-4 in. long, 6—12 lines thick.
Thin woods. Essex county. July.
The dull smoky-green hue of the pileus is the distinguishing feature
of this species. Peck, 44th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Quite common in West Virginia, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. July
to October. Mcllvaine.
Edible. Tastes somewhat like many Russulae, when cooked. Flavor
good.
T, fumidel'lum Pk. — smoky. Pileus convex, then expanded, sub-
umbonate, bare, moist, dingy-white or clay-color clouded ^vith brown,
the disk or umbo generally smoky-brown. Gills crowded, subventri-
cose, whitish. Stem equal, bare, solid, whitish. Spores minute, sub-
globose, 4-5X4/A.
Pileus 1-2 in. broad. Stem 1.5-2.5 in. long, 2-3 lines thick.
Woods. Albany county and Catskill mountains. September and
October.
The stem splits easily and the pileus becomes paler in drying. It
sometimes becomes cracked in areas. Peck, 44th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
On ground. Mt. Gretna. October and November. 1897. Mcll-
vaine.
The species was plentiful among the leaf mold, growing from the
ground in mixed woods.
The caps are delicate in substance and flavor.
T. leucocepll'alum Fr. Gr. — white; head. Pileus iM-2 in. across,
convex then plane, even, moist, smooth, but when young covered with
a satiny down; water-soaked after rain. Flesllthin, tough, white. Gills
rounded behind and almost free, white. Stem up to 2 in. long, K in.
78
Leucosporae
thick, exterior hard, shining, fibrous; interior hollow but solid at base Tricboior
which is attenuated and rooting, twisted. Smell strong of new meal.
Taste pleasant.
Spores 9-10x7-8/1.
Mt. Gretna, Pa. Grassy woods and borders. October to November,
1898. Mcllvaine.
Quite common. The caps are excellent.
T. al'bum Schaeff. — albns, white. Pileus fleshy, tough, convex,
becoming plane or depressed, obtuse, very dry, even, glabrous, white,
sometimes yellowish on the disk, rarely wholly yellowish, the margin at
first involute. Flesh white, taste acrid or bitter. Grills emarginate, some-
what crowded, distinct, white. Stem solid, elastic, equal or tapering
upward, externally fibrous, obsoletely frosted at the apex, white. Spores
elliptical, 5-6/* long.
Pileus 2-4 in. broad. Stem 2-4 in. long, 4-6 lines thick.
Woods. Common. August to October. This species is variable in
color and in size, being sometimes robust, sometimes slender. It grows
singly, in troops or in tufts. It has no decided odor, but a bitter un-
pleasant taste. Peck, 44th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Cooked, tender and of fair flavor.
** Gills becoming discolored.
T. persona'tum Fr. — wearing a mask (from its many varieties of
colors). (Plate XVIII, p. 60.) Pileus compact, becoming soft,
thick, convex or plane, obtuse, regular, moist, bare, variable in color,
generally pallid or ashy tinged with violet or lilac, the margin at first
involute and frosted with fine hairs. Flesh whitish. Gills broad,
crowded, rounded behind, free, violaceous becoming sordid-whitish or
dingy-brown. Stem generally thick, subbulbous, solid, fibrillose or
frosted with fine hairs, whitish or colored like the pileus. Spores dingy
white, subelliptical, 8-9x4-5^. On white paper the spores have a
slight salmon tint, but they are regular in shape, not angular as in En-
toloma.
Pileus 2-5 in. broad. Stem 1-3 in. long, 6-12 lines thick. Peck,
44th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Woods and open places, and growing from old, matted stable straw.
Common over the United States.
79
Agaricaceae
When T. personatum becomes known to the collector, either in the
field or on the table, it is sure to become a favorite. It is fleshy, rotund,
stocky, moist and smooth, with a tendency in its cap to be wavy-rimmed
and jauntily cocked in wet weather. It grows singly or in troops, oc-
casionally in tufts of from five to six individuals. A patch of it is valu-
able and worth husbanding with covering of fine straw. Cortinarius
violaceus resembles it somewhat in color and shape, but it shows a spi-
dery veil, and has brown spores. It is edible.
The common name of T. personatum in England is Blewits, which
translated into understandable English is believed to be "blue-hats."
It is everywhere eaten, being of substantial substance, good flavor and
cookable in any way. It is especially fine in patties, stews and cro-
quettes.
T. nu'dum Bull. — naked. PileilS about 3 in. broad, becoming purple-
violaceous then changing color, reddish, fleshy, comparatively thin, con-
vexo-plane then depressed, obtuse, even, smooth, with a pellicle which
is moist and manifest in rainy weather; margin inflexed, thin, naked.
Flesh thin, pliant, colored. Stem about 3 in. long, % in. thick, stuffed,
clastic, equal, almost naked, mealy at the apex, violaceous then becoming
pale. Gills rounded then decurrent (on account of the depressed pileus ) ,
crowded, narrow, of the same color as the pileus or deeper violaceous,
but soon changing color, at length reddish without the least tinge of
violet. Stevenson.
Spores 7x3. 5/x Massee; 6-8x4^ B.t • 6x3/01 W.G.S. On ground
among leaves. Esculent, very good and delicate. Cordier. Edible.
Rose. Edible, all American authorities.
VII. — HYGROPH'ANA. Pileus thin, water-soaked, etc.
* Gills whitish, not spotted.
T. grammopo'dilim Bull. Gr. — aline; Gr. — afoot. Pileus 3-6 in.
broad, pallid-livid or brownish-red when moist, whitish when dry,
fleshy, very thin toward the margin, campanulate then convex, and at
length flattened, obtusely umbonate, even, smooth, pellicle moist in
rainy weather, not viscous, separating, flesh-colored when moist, white
when dry, soft, fragile. Stem tall, about 3-4 in. long, ^ in. and more
80
Leucosporae
thick, solid, elastic, equal with exception of the thickened base, cyl- Trichoioma.
indrical, firm, smooth, evidently longitudinally sulcate, whitish. Gills
arcuato-adnate or broadly horizontally emarginate, acute at both ends,
very crowded, quite entire, very many shorter, somewhat branched
behind, white.
Odor moldy. Striking in appearance; the chief of this group.
There is a variety wholly white. In pastures and grassy woods. Stev-
enson .
Spores 5-6> Massee.
Distinguished by the grooved stem and crowded gills, which are
adnate when the pileus is expanded. Often growing in rings.
North Carolina, Curtis. Not reported elsewhere. Esculent. Cooke.
Much eaten in Europe.
T. bre'vipes Bull. — brevis, short; pes, a foot. Pileus about 2 in.
broad, umber then becoming pale, fleshy, soft, convex then becoming
plane, even, smooth, moist (opaque when dry) ; flesh of the pileus be-
coming brownish when moist, becoming white when dry. Stem solid,
very rigid, at length fibrous, pruinate at the apex , externally and in-
ternally fuscous; otherwise very variable, sometimes very short, 2—3
lines only long and thick, attenuated downward; commonly I in.,
sometimes bulbous, sometimes equal, more slender. Gills emarginato-
free, crowded, ventricose, disappearing short of the margin, quite entire,
becoming fuscous then whitish. Solitary. Inodorous. The pileus is
often stained with soil. Stevenson.
Spores elliptical, 7-5x5/x Peck; J-^ Massee.
Esculent and very delicate. Paulet. Esculent. Cooke.
T. hu'mile Pers.— low, small. (Plate XVIII, fig. 6, p. 60. ) Very
variable in form and color. Cap 2-3 in. across, convex then expanded,
wavy, flattened, sometimes umbonate, sometimes depressed, glabrous,
occasionally powdered with thin white dust, fragments of veil, some-
times viscid. Color changes with moisture, blackish, grayish, and
having somewhat the appearance of an oyster. Gills rounded-adnexed,
with a slight tooth, arcuately decurrent, crowded, 2—3 lines broad,
whitish. Flesh soft, whitish or grayish. Stem 1-2 in. long, up to %
in. thick, equal (misshapen by pressure when tufted), light gray, cov-
Agaricaceee
Trichoioma. ered with fine down, stuffed, becoming hollow, soft, fragile. Gregari-
ous, usually tufted.
Spores 7-8x5-61* K,
Open woods, in gardens, among cinders, grass, etc., September to
frost.
Woodland Cemetery, Philadelphia, 1897. Mcllvaine.
Its tufted habit and fair size, fleshy cap of good flavor, make it a de-
sirable species. It cooks readily and the caps are of fine flavor.
T. pse'didum Fr. — pcedidus, nasty. Pileus about I Yz in. across.
Flesh very thin, tough, becoming whitish; bell-shaped then convex, at
length expanded, umbonate, at length depressed round the conical,
prominent umbo, moist, virgate or streaked with innate fibrils radiating
from the center, otherwise almost even, smoky-mouse color, opaque,
margin naked. Gills adnexed with a slight decurrent tooth, slightly
sinuate, crowded, narrow, white then gray. Stem about I in. long and
2 lines thick, base slightly bulbous, tough, slightly striate, naked, dingy-
gray. Spores elliptic-fusiform, 10-11x5-6/1.
In gardens, on dung-hills, etc. Small, tough, color dingy, without
a trace of violet tinge. Massee.
Edible. Cooks tender, and is of good flavor, notwithstanding its
name, which in no way applies.
T. Subpulvenilen'tlim Pers. — slightly dusty. Pileus 1-2 Y* in. across,
convex then plane or depressed in center, even, innately pruinose,
hoary, white, whitish, grayish, margin extending as a slight rim in-
curved beyond gills. Flesh white, thick, firm, liygrophanous. Gills
rounded without a tooth, close, narrow, white. Stem 2-3 in. long,
3-5 lines thick, equal, solid, somewhat striate, whitish.
Spores 5x3/4 Massee ; 4x3/4 W.G.S.
Biological grounds, University of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia. May
to November, 1898. Mcllvaine.
A species one is glad to find. It has a healthy substantial presence
full of promise. It is a solitary grower among grass on lawns and past-
ures, but its individuals are neighborly. Caps and stems are excellent.
82
PLATE XXIV
85
Leucosporae
CLITO'CYBE Fr.
Gr. — sloping. (From the depression of the pileus.)
PileilS generally fleshy, becoming thin toward the margin, flexible or ciitocybe.
tough, plane or depressed, margin involute. Gills adnate or decurrent,
never sinuate. Stem confluent and homogeneous with flesh of pileus,
somewhat elastic, with a spongy stuffing, frequently becoming hollow,
externally fibrous. Universal veil when present conspicuous on the
pileus like frost or silky dew, but commonly wanting.
Growing on the ground, frequently in groups. The thinner and
hygrophanous species appear late in autumn. Some are quite fragrant.
Collybia, Mycena and Omphalia are separated by their stems being car-
tilaginous, not externally fibrous as in Ciitocybe. Tricholoma by its
sinuate gills.
Variations in species of Ciitocybe are great. A few are easily fixed
in the genus, but many of them will puzzle the amateur and perplex
the expert. The gills are always attached to the stem, and usually run
down it. They are not notched next to the stem as in Tricholoma.
Like Tricholoma, Ciitocybe has many species, most of which are com-
mon, and are probably edible. I therefore give Professor Peck's de-
scription of all Clitocybes thus far submitted to him.
I know of but one species which is injurious to some persons — Ciito-
cybe illudens. Many eat and enjoy it. It does not agree with others.
A few untried species are suspicious to a like extent. Ciitocybe illu-
dens possesses the property of phosphorescence.
Several species of Ciitocybe have not been seen or tested by me, nor
have I information that these have been tested.
ANALYSIS OF TRIBES.
A. PILEUS FLESHY, OFTEN PALLID WHEN DRY, not hygrophanous.
Flesh firm, not watery, nor splitting into plates. Those which turn
pale in drying differ from Series B by their silky luster.
DlSClFORMES (disk-shaped). Page 85.
Pileus somewhat equally fleshy ; convex then plane or depressed, ob-
tuse, regular; gills at first adnate or regularly adnato-decurrent. Nor-
mally solitary.
83
Agaricaceee
ciitocybe. * Pileus gray or brownish.
* Pileus violet or reddish.
* Pileus becoming yellowish.
**** Pileus greenish, becoming pale.
* Pileus white, becoming shining white.
Distinguished from white hygrophanous species and white species of
Paxillus.
DlFFORMES (irregularly shaped). Page 94.
Pileus fleshy in the center, thin at the margin, at first umbonate, then
expanded and depressed, irregular. Gills unequally decurrent, longer
in some places than in others, sometimes rounded on one side of the
stem or only reaching it as in Tricholoma. Stem somewhat cartilagi-
nous externally, but fibrous.
Cespitose, often grown together at base, variable in form, sometimes
solitary.
INFUNDIBULIFORMES (funnel-shaped). Page 98.
Pileus becoming thin from the fleshy center to the margin, at length
funnel-shaped or deeply umbilicately depressed in the center. Stem
spongy, externally fibrous. Gills deeply and equally decurrent from
the first. Pileus often becoming discolored or pallid, not hygrophanous.
* Pileus colored or becoming pale, the surface (at least under a lens)
innately flocculose or silky, bibulous, not moist.
* Pileus colored or pallid, smooth, moist in rainy weather.
* Pileus shining whitish, with scattered superficial flocci or becom-
ing smooth.
B. PILEUS FLESHY-MEMBRANACEOUS.
Flesh thin, soft, watery, hygrophanous.
CYATHIFORMES (cup-shaped). Page 104.
Flesh of pileus thin, consisting of two separable plates, disk not com-
pact, hygrophanous, depressed then cup-shaped ; gills at first adnate
then decurrent, descending, straight. Color dingy when moist.
ORBIFORMES (round-shaped). Page 109.
Pileus somewhat fleshy, hygrophanous. convex then flattened or de-
84
Leucosporae
pressed, polished, not squamulose nor mealy; gills plane, horizontal, cntocybe.
thin, crowded, adnate or decurrent with a small tooth. Color dingy or
becoming watery pale.
* Gills becoming ash-colored. Pileus at first dark.
** Gills whitish. Pileus becoming pale.
VERSIFORMES (variable in shape). Page 1 06.
Pileus thin, convex then deformed, tough, more or less squamulose
or furfuraceous ; gills adnate, broad, rather thick, generally distant.
Color hygrophanous.
* Pileus squalid or brownish with dark squamules. None known to
be edible.
** Pileus bright, of one color.
Series A.
I. — DISCIFOR'MES.
* Pileus gray or brownish.
C. nebllla'risBatsch. — nebula, a cloud. (Plate XXIV, fig. 7, p. 82.)
The Clouded clitocybe, Clitocybe nebularis, takes its name from the
clouded-gray appearance of its thick cap, which is at first convex, but
when mature, either flat or a little depressed. Its flesh is white, thick-
est in the middle, and in a vertical section is seen to taper rapidly down-
ward into the stem. The gills are close together and rather narrow for
the size of the plant. They are white or yellowish-white. The stout
solid stem usually tapers upward from the base and is whitish.
The cap is two to four inches or more broad, the stem one to two
inches long and about half an inch thick. The Clouded mushroom
grows in woods, and sometimes forms large tufts or clusters among fallen
leaves. It is found in autumn, but is not very common in this country.
Authors differ in their estimate of the edible qualities of this mushroom,
but the more recent ones generally agree in classing it as edible . ' ' Mush-
rooms and Their Use," C. H. Peck.
Spores 4.5x3/4 Cooke / elliptical 6x3.5/4 Massee ; 3x4/4 W.G.S. •
There has been great diversity of opinion as to the edibility of this
species on the continent. Cordier and a friend suffered from it. Paulet
counseled mistrust.
85
Agaricaceae
cntocybe. This fungus is quite common in the West Virginia mountains and in
some parts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, where I have found it. It
is, however, limited to localities. It is one of my favorites, being of
marked flavor and agreeable consistency. I have not known it to harm
anone .
C. cla'vipes Pers. — clava, a club; pes, a foot. Pileus
(Plate
-^z n.
across, rather convex at first, soon
plane, at length almost obconical,
very obtuse, even, glabrous, dry,
sometimes all one color, brown,
sooty, livid-gray, etc., sometimes
whitish towards the margin, very
rarely entirely white. Flesh loose in
texture, white, thin at the margin.
Gills deeply decurrent, continued
down the stem as straight lines,
rather distant, flaccid, quite entire,
broad, entirely and persistently white.
Stem 2 in. long, base Yz in. and
more thick> conical|y attenuated up-
rather fibrillose, livid, sooty, solid, spongy within.' Spores
CLITOCYBE CLAVIPES.
About two-thirds natural size.
ward,
elliptical,
In woods, especially pine. Resembling C. nebularis in color, but
quite distinct. Smell pleasant, entire substance soft and elastic, fries.
Spores elliptical, 6-7x4^ Massee; sub-ellipsoid, 5-7x3-4^ K.;
6x8/4 W.G.S.
Found in pine woods of New Jersey, and under spruce in West
Virginia. Its substance is spongy, therefore does not stew well. Cooked
in any other way it is delicate and of excellent flavor.
C. gangraeno'sa Fr. — gangrcena, gangrene. Pileus fleshy, convex
then plane, obtuse, whitish, at first sprinkled with white powder, then
naked, variegated, streaked. Gills slightly decurrent, arcuate, crowded,
dingy-white. Stem somewhat bulbous, soft, striate, spongy, solid.
Stinking; large, flesh becoming blackish and variegated with black.
Stem curved, sometimes excentric. Pileus whitish, here and there
greenish, livid, etc. Fries.
86
LeucosporsQ
Yar. nigres'cens Lasch. Whitish; pileus thin, soft, at first convex, ciitocybe.
obtuse then plane, somewhat umbonate, and somewhat depressed ; gills
decurrent, very much crowded, narrow, stem solid, downy.
Pileus 2-3 in. broad. Stem I1i-i>2 in. long, 2-3 lines thick.
Odor rather sweet, taste unpleasant. Cooke.
New Jersey, Haddonfield, pine woods. July to August. Mcllrainc.
This Clitocybe is in every way unattractive. It is not poisonous, but
no one would care to eat it.
CLITOCYBE MEDIA.
One-half natural size.
C. me'dia Pk. — medius, middle.. Because intermediate between C.
nebularis and C. clavipes. PileuS^plate XXVIJ-
fleshy, convex, becoming plane or
slightly depressed, dry, dark grayish-
brown, the margin often wavy or ir-
regular, flesh white, taste mild. Gills
broad, subdistant, adnate or decur-
rent, whitish, .the interspaces some-
what venose. Stem equal or but
slightly thickened at the base, solid,
elastic, not polished, colored like or
a little paler than the pileus. Spores
elliptical, 8x5/n.
Pileus 2-4 in. broad. Stem 1-2
in. long, 4—8 lines thick. Mossy ground in deep woods.
September.
This species is intermediate between C. nebularis and C. clavipes.
In its general appearance, and in the character of the pileus and stem,
it resembles C. nebularis, but in the character of the more distant gills
and in the size of the spores it is nearer C. clavipes, of which it might
perhaps be regarded as a variety. Two forms are distinguishable. In
one the gills are more distant, slightly rounded behind, and adnate or
abruptly terminated ; in the other they are closer and more distinctly
decurrent. The plant is edible. Peck, 42d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
I have known this fungus very favorably since 1883, and regard it as
one of the best. I have seen it in the West Virginia mountains only,
but it will probably be found in cool, shaded, high localities all over the
country. Both it and the C. nebularis are well worthy df search.
North Elba.
Agaricaceae
cntocybe. C. viles'ceilS Pk. — vilesco, of little value. PileilS convex, then plane
or depressed, often irregular, glabrous, slightly pruinose on the in-
volute margin, brown or grayish-brown, becoming paler with age, often
concentrically rivulose. Gills close, adnate or decurrent, cinereous,
sometimes tinged with dingy-yellow. Stem short, solid, sometimes
compressed, grayish-brown, with a whitish tomentum at the base.
Spores subglobose or broadly elliptical, 5-6. S/A; flesh whitish-gray,
odor slight.
Plant gregarious, 1-2 in. high. Pileus 1-1.5 in. broad. Stem
1-2 lines thick. Grassy pastures. Jamesville, August. Peck, 33d
Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
A pale form of this species grows on sandy soil, in which the pileus
is smoky white, but it becomes grayish-brown in drying. The mycelium
binds together a mass of sand, so that when the plant is taken up
carefully a little ball of sandy soil adheres to the base of the stem. The-
stem is sometimes pruinose. The flavor is mild and agreeable. Peck,
50th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Sometimes plentiful about Philadelphia. Edible. Caps tender, slight
flavor.
C. COmitia'lis Fr. — belonging to an assembly. PileilS about i >a in.
across, fleshy, convex, then plane, obtuse, even, glabrous, rather moist
but not hygrophanous, every part colored alike, sooty-umber, almost
black. Flesh firm, white. Gills very slightly decurrent, horizontal,
plane, thin, crowded, white. Stem 2-3 in. long, 3-4 lines thick,
equally attenuated upward from the base, glabrous, sooty, elastic,
stuffed. Spores elliptical, 7-8x4/1.
Damp places among mosses in pine woods, etc. Distinguished by
the blackish color of the almost flat pileus, and the very slightly decur-
rent gills. Somewhat allied to C. clavipes, but firmer, smaller and in-
odorous. Massee.
Rather rare. Found in New Jersey among pines; in Pennsylvania
in mixed woods.
Edible. Good texture and flavor.
** Violet or reddish.
C. cyanophse'a Fr. Gr. — blue. Pileus 3-4 in. broad, becoming
bluish-dusky-brown, compact, convex then plane, obtuse, smooth.
88
PLATE XXVII.
Photographed by Dr. J. R. Weist.
CLITOCYBE MONADELPHA.
Leucosporae
Stem 3 in. long, I in. thick at the base, attenuated upward, robust, cntocybe.
solid, smooth, becoming azure-blue when young, abruptly white at the
apex . Gills deeply decurrent, crowded, violaceous, then becoming pale.
New York, Albion. In woods. October. Edible. Dr. E. L.
dishing.
Specimens sent to me by Dr. Gushing are the first and only ones of
the species I have seen. The description is accurate. The spores were
cream color.
C. monadel pha Morg. — monas, single; adelphos, a brother. From
its cespitose habit. (Plate XXVII.) Densely cespitose. Pileus fleshy,
convex then depressed, at first glabrous, then scaly, honey color, vary-
ing to pallid-brownish or reddish. Stem elongated, solid, crooked,
twisted, fibrous, tapering at the base, pallid-brownish or flesh color.
Gills short, decurrent, not crowded, pallid flesh color. Spores white,
a little irregular, 7.5x5.5/4.
On the ground in wet woods, spring to late autumn. Pileus 1-3 in.
Stem 3-7 in. Morgan.
Grassy places. Menands. Albany county. September. Edible.
Resembling Armillaria mellea, but distinguished from it by the absence
of a collar from the stem, by the more decidedly decurrent lamellse and
by the solid stem. It is also more agreeable in flavor. It is related to
C. illudens in habit and manner of growth. Peck, 5ist Rep. N. Y.
State Bot.
•
Spores 8x5/4 Peck.
October 15, 1898. Identified by Professor Peck. September until
frost.
Grows in great clusters about roots, etc., at Mt. Gretna. Frequently
much water-soaked and uninviting. Taste variable, sometimes strong,
woody.
It is edible, but care should be exercised in collecting to get young
fresh groups.
C. SOCia'lis Fr. — socius, a companion. Pileus about I in. broad,
pale-yellowish with a reddish tinge, fleshy, convex then expanded,
acutely umbonate especially when young, even, smooth, dry. Flesh
moderately thin, white. Stem i in. long, 2 lines or a little more thick,
89
Agaricaceae
ciitocybe. solid, fibrous, commonly ascending, smooth, reddish, the rooting base
hairy, (jills plano-decurrent, scarcely crowded, becoming yellow. Fries.
A very pretty species, densely gregarious, inodorous. The stem is
sheathed-hairy at the base like Marasmius peronatus. Its greatest af-
finity is with A. vernicosus, of which it is perhaps a variety. Sf even son .
Quite common in pine woods of New Jersey. Though small, goodly
messes of it may be gathered from its patches. The caps make a pleas-
ing dish.
** Pileus becoming yellow.
None reported as tested for edibility.
**** Pileus greenish or becoming pallid.
C. odo'ra Bull. — odortts, fragrant. (Plate XXIV, fig. 9, p. 82.)
Fragrant. PileilS about 2 in. across, flesh rather thick, tough; soon
plane and wavy, even, smooth, pale dingy green, silky when dry. Gills
adnate, rather close, broad, greenish or pallid. Stem about 1—1/2 in.
long, 2 lines thick, base incrassated, elastic, stuffed. Spores elliptical,
6— 8x4— 5/t. In woods. Massee.
Readily distinguished by the strong, aniseed smell, dingy bluish-
green pileus, and the pallid or greenish gills.
Sometimes somewhat cespitose. Tough; size variable, color varies
between pale green and greenish-gray, usually all colored alike, but the
gills are sometimes white; smell pleasant, spicy, especially when dry.
Fries.
Spores 6xs/x K.; 8x4/x B.
A rather delicate, even exquisite dish. Cooke.
Edible. Exceedingly spicy. The flavor is pleasant, but rather
strong. A few specimens mixed with others of like texture but less
flavor make a tasty dish.
C. rivulo'sa Pers. — rivus, a stream. (Named from rivulet-like streaks
on pileus.) Pileus 1-3 in. across, flesh thin, convex then plane and
depressed, obtuse, often undulately lobed, dingy flesh-color or reddish,
becoming pale, glabrous, then covered with a whitish down. Gills
slightly decurrent, broad, rather crowded, pinkish-white. Stem about
2 in. long, 3-4 lines thick, rather fibrillose, tough, elastic, whitish,
stuffed. Spores elliptical, 6x3.5/1. Massee.
90
Leucosporse
Among grass by road-sides, etc. cntocybe.
Not common, but when found it is basket-filling. I have found it in
Pennsylvania, New Jersey and West Virginia.
Edible. The caps are rather tough but become glutinous and tender
when well cooked. Flavor fine.
***** Pileus white, shining when dry.
C. cemssa'ta Fr. — cerussa, white lead. Pileus 1^-3 in. across,
flesh thick at the disk, becoming thin toward the margin ; convex then al-
most plane, obtuse, even, minutely floccose then almost glabrous, white.
Gills adnate, then decurrent, very much crowded, thin, permanently
white. Stem about 2 in. long, 3—5 lines thick, smooth, tough, elastic,
naked, spongy and solid, white. Among dead leaves, etc.
Taste mild, smell almost obsolete. Stem rather thickened at the base
and often tomentose. Pileus said to be gibbous, but not umbonate nor
becoming rufescent. Gills not changing to yellowish. Fries.
Spores 3/* W.G.S.
Edible. Good.
C. phyllopll'ila Fr. Gr. — leaf-loving. Whitish-tan. Pileus 1-3 in.
across, rather fleshy, convex then plane, becoming umbilicate and de-
pressed, sometimes wavy, smooth and even. Gills thin, subdistant,
white then tinged with ocher, rather broad, very slightly decurrent.
Stem 2-3 in. long, equal, stuffed then hollow, whitish, tough, silky-
fibrillose. Spores 6x4/4.
Among leaves in woods, etc.
Spores 6x4/1. Massee; 6x3/1* W.G.S.; 5.5x2.87* Morgan.
Found at Devon, Pa., 1888 ; Angora, West Philadelphia, 1897. It is
equal to the Pleurotus ostreatus (oyster mushroom) in texture, but not
so high in flavor. Well cooked it is an agreeable and valuable food.
C. pitliyoph'ila Seer. Gr. — pine-loving. Pileus 2-3 in. broad, dead-
white when moist, shining whitish when dry, fleshy but thin, rather
plane, umbilicate, at length irregularly shaped, repand and undulato-
lobed, even, smooth, flaccid, the margin slightly striate when old. Stem
somewhat hollow, rounded then compressed, equal, even, smooth, ob-
soletely or scarcely pruinose at the apex, white tomentose at the (not
91
Agaricacese
ciitocybe. bulbous) base. Gills adnate, somewhat decurrent, very crowded, planev
2-3 lines broad, distinct, quite entire, white.
Odor not remarkable, but pleasant. Gregarious, somewhat cespi-
tose ; white indeed, but when moist watery and somewhat hygrophanous,
in which it evidently differs from A. phyllophila. A. tuba, which ap-
pears in the same places, is very like it. Stevenson.
Spores 6-7x4^ B.
Massachusetts, Sprague ; New York, Peck, Bull. 1887.
Albion, Orleans county, N. Y., October, 1898, Dr. Gushing.
Several specimens received were clearly referable to C. pithyophila,
though varying in having caps deeply depressed but not umbilicate.
The white tomentosity at base was present but indistinct.
Four specimens were eaten and found good. Eaten enjoyably by
Dr. Gushing.
C. fus'cipes Pk. — ftisctis, dirty; pes, a foot. Pileus thin, broadly
convex or plane, umbilicate, glabrous, whitish and striatulate when
moist, pure white when dry, odor and taste farinaceous. Gills nearly
plane, subdistant, adnate or slightly decurrent, white. Stem equal,
glabrous or slightly mealy at the top, hollow, dingy brown when moist,
paler when dry. Spores globose, 5-6/4.
PlleilS 4—8 lines broad. Stem about I in. long. Under pine trees.
Carrollton. September. Peck, 44th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Edible. Its small size gives it minor importance, but a quantity of
it makes an excellent meal.
C. can'dicans Pers. — candico, to be shining white. Entirely white.
Pileus about i in. across, flesh thin, convex then plane or slightly
depressed, umbilicate, regular or slightly excentric, even, with an
adpressed silkiness, shining, shining white when dry. Gills adnate
then slightly decurrent, crowded, very thin, narrow, straight. Stem
1-2 in. long, 1—2 lines thick, even, glabrous, cartilaginous, polished,
equal, hollow, base incurved, rooting, downy. Spores broadly elliptical
or subglobose, 5-6x4^. Massee.
Among damp fallen leaves, etc.
Entirely white, small, rather tough; approaching Omphalia in the
structure of the stem. The following form is described by Fries as
occurring in. pine woods: Stem thin, flexuous, base glabrous; pileus
92
Leucosporae
plane, not umbilicate, naked (without silky down). Gills scarcely cutocybe.
decurrent.
A remarkable form but scarcely to be separated as a species. Fries.
Quite common in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey. The
caps are excellent when well cooked.
C. dealba'ta Sow. — dealbo, to whitewash. Pileus about I in. or a
little more broad, white, slightly fleshy, tough, convex then plane and
at length revolute and undulated, always dry (not watery in rainy
weather), even, smooth, somewhat shining, but as if innately pruinose
under a lens. Flesh thin, arid, white. Stem i in. long, 2 lines thick,
stuffed, wholly fibrous, at length also tubed, equal, but often ascending,
whitish, mealy at the apex. Gills adnate, scarcely decurrent, thin,
crowded, white.
Pileus sometimes orbicular, sometimes upturned and wavy. Odor
weak, pleasant, but not very remarkable. Most distinct from A. can-
dicans in the nature of the stem.
Edible. Its top is exceedingly like ivory. Its charming flavor is ex-
ceeded by very few other fungi. Stevenson.
Among leaves and grass. Woodland Cemetery, Philadelphia.
This charming fungus is common over the land. I have known it
since 1881, and found it from North Carolina to West Virginia.
C. robus'ta Pk. — robustus, stout. Pileus thick, firm, at first convex,
soon plane or slightly depressed in the center, glabrous, white, the mar-
gin at first involute or decurved, naked. Flesh white. Gills narrow,
close, decurrent, whitish. Stem stout, rather short, solid, glabrous,
equal or slightly tapering upward, often with a bulbous base, white.
Spores elliptical, 8x4-5^.
Pileus 3-4 in. broad. Stem 1-2 in. long, 8-12 lines thick.
Woods among fallen leaves. Catskill mountains. September to
November.
This large and robust fungus is closely allied to C. Candida Bres.,
from which it differs in the naked margin of the pileus, the absence of
any marked odor and especially in the more elliptical shape of its spores.
The same plant has been collected in Maryland by Mr. L. J. Atwater,
who considers it edible, having eaten it with satisfaction and safety.
Peck, 49th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
93
Agaricacese
Clitocybe. This fungus is quite plentiful in Pennsylvania and in open oak woods
in New Jersey. Its size and sometimes gregarious growth give it a
permanent food value. Its texture is coarse, but when cooked it is
highly satisfactory.
C. gallina'cea Scop.-t-/w//wwf a hen. Application not apparent.
White; acrid. Pileus 1-1% in. across, rather fleshy at the disk, mar-
gin thin; convex then depressed, but not funnel-shaped, even, dry,
opaque. Gills slightly decurrent, narrow, crowded, thin. Stem about
1% in. long, 2 lines thick, equal, even, solid. Among grass, moss, etc.
Resembling C. dealbata in form, but smaller, opaque, dingy-white,
taste somewhat acrid. Stem solid, but not cartilaginous, about 2 in.
long, equal, ascending or flexuous, excentric, at first floccosely mealy,
always opaque, white. Pileus slightly fleshy, convex then plane, not
depressed, obtuse, % — i in. broad, unequal, dry, pruinosely hoary;
flesh white, compact, but thin. Gills adnato-decurrent, thin, crowded,
plane. Fries.
It loses its acridity in cooking and is quite equal to C. dealbata.
C. tmnci'cola Pk. — truncus, trunk of a tree. Pileus thin, firm,
expanded or slightly depressed in the center, smooth, dry, white. Gills
narrow, thin, crowded, adnate-decurrent. Stem equal, stuffed, smooth,
often excentric and curved, whitish.
Plant I in. high. Pileus I in. broad. Stem I line thick.
Trunks of frondose trees, especially maples. Croghan. September.
Peck, 26th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Spores SxS.S/* Morgan.
Found on maple trees in West Philadelphia, Pa. Edible. Good
quality.
II. — DIFFOR'MES.
C. decas'tes Fr. Gr. — a decade; a number of ten. From the stems
being often joined in bundles of about ten. Densely cespitose. Pileus
5—12 in. across, soon almost plane, disk gibbous or obtuse; margin at
first shortly incurved, then expanded, very much waved and often lobed,
even, glabrous, dingy-brown or livid when moist, pale clay-color when
dry. Flesh exceedingly thin except at the disk, whitish. Stem 4-7
in. long, % — \% in. thick, usually slightly thinner upward, rather soft,
94
PLATE XXVIII.
Leucosporaa
entirely fibrous, solid, white, usually curved and ascending, coalescent ciitocybe.
into a solid mass at the base. Gills adnato-decurrent, or often more or
less adnexed, up to % in. broad, rather narrowed towards the margin,
often wavy. Spores globose, smooth, 4/4 diameter.
On the ground and on sawdust.
Albion, Orleans county, N. Y., Dr. dishing. October, 1898.
On ground in grassy places (Woodland Cemetery, May 22, 1897).
Mel r lvalue.
Particularly welcome to toadstool lovers are the early comers. The
present species is among the first. It is rich in quantity, substance and
flavor.
C. mul'ticeps Pk. — multus, many; caput, a head. (Plate XXVIII,
p. 94.) Pileus fleshy, thin except on the disk, firm, convex, slightly
moist in wet weather, whitish, grayish or yellowish-gray. Flesh white,
taste mild. Gills close, adnate and slightly decurrent, whitish. Stems
densely cespitose, equal or slightly thickened at the base, solid or stuffed,
firm, elastic, slightly pruinose at the apex, whitish. Spores globose,
5-8*.
Pileus 1-3 in. broad. Stem 2-4 in. long, 3-6 lines thick.
Open places, grassy ground, etc. Albany and Sandlake. June and
October. This species forms dense tufts, often composed of many in-
dividuals. In this respect it is related to such species as C. tumulosa,
C. aggregata and C. illudens. From the crowding together of many
individuals the pileus is often irregular. Sometimes the disk is brown-
ish and occasionally slightly silky. The gills are sometimes slightly
sinuate, thus indicating a relationship to the species of Tricholoma. The
taste, though mild, is somewhat oily and unpleasant. The plants appear
in wet, rainy weather, either early in the season or in autumn. Speci-
mens have been sent to me from Massachusetts by R. K. Macadam and
Professor Farlow, and from Pennsylvania by Dr. W. Herbst. Peck,
43d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
West Virginia, New Jersey, Mt. Gretna, Pa. In May, and in autumn
months. Very variable in size, color, shape of gills, texture and taste.
Mcllvaine.
The early spring clusters are remarkable for their tenderness and
excellence. Clusters of hundreds of individuals grew abundantly at Mt.
Gretna in May, 1899. When the fungus was young the gills were
95
Agaricaceae
Clitocybe. sometimes adnate, almost free, often decurrent. The varying color of
oysters is well seen in C. multiceps.
Edible. They should be well cooked. The addition of a little lemon
juice or sherry conceals a slight raw taste sometimes present.
C. illu'dens Schw. — mocking, deceiving. (Frontispiece.) Pileus
fleshy, convex or expanded, smooth, generally with a small umbo.
Gills not crowded, unequally decurrent, some of them branched, nar-
rowed toward each end, the edge, in dry specimens, discolored. Stem
firm, solid, long, smooth, tapering at the base.
Height 5-8 in., breadth of pileus 4-6 in. Stem 6-8 lines thick.
Spores 4- 5 yx Peck.
Grows in clumps or large masses about stumps or decaying trees from
August to October. Its bright, deep yellow is attractive from a distance.
As many as fifty plants may form a cluster. Cap from 2-6 in., fleshy,
convex or expanded, often with a raised center directly over the stem;
flesh juicy and yellow; gills yellow, widely separated, running down
stem unequally; stem long, firm, solid, smooth, tapering toward base.
When cooked the taste is rather saponaceous. Strong stomachs can
retain a meal of them, but the fungus generally sickens the eater.
Many testings show it to contain a minor poison. It is not deadly, but
should not be eaten. Bull. No. 2, Phila. Myc. Center.
New York, Peck, Rep. 23-49. Well known in southern states.
Indiana, H. I. Miller.
The mysterious property of phosphorescence is possessed by this
fungus. As heat is known to develop in masses of the fungus it is of
interest to know whether it is from the phosphorescence or a ferment.
Its radiance by night surpasses its splendor by day. Mr. H.I. Miller,
of Terre Haute, Ind., first drew the writer's attention to this quality.
A large box of specimens sent by him retained their luminous quality
after three days of travel to such an extent that the print of a newspaper
could be read when held close to the mass.
Mr. Miller writes: "There is something about this fungus which
generates heat. When I bring in a basketful of it. for the pleasure its
phosphorescence affords my friends, I find that after having been in the
6asket for two or three hours, and while piled one bunch upon top of
another, that to insert one's hand among the different clusters is like
putting it close to a hot stove."
Q6
Leucosporae
This fungus is so inviting in quantity and beauty that one turns from ciitocybe.
it with a regret that lingers. Eaten in quantity it acts upon some persons
as an emetic. I have several times eaten of it without other than
pleasurable sensations, but persons partaking of the same cooking have
been sickened.
C. fumo'sa Pers. — fumus, smoke. Pileus 1-3 in. across, fleshy, mar-
gin thin; convex, often gibbous when young, regular or wavy, even,
pellicle not separable, glabrous, sooty-brown, soon livid or gray when
dry. Gills adnate in regular forms, but often decurrent when the pileus
is irregular, crowded, distinct, grayish-white from the first. Stem 2—3
in. long, 3-6 lines thick, almost equal, often twisted or curved, gla-
brous, dingy-white, apex mealy, solid, fibrous. Spores subglobose,
5-6/x diam.
In woods. Autumn.
Gregarious, somewhat cespitose, tough, rather cartilaginous. Pileus
truly obtuse, never streaked, often regular. Smell none. Fries.
Var. po'lius. Densely and connately cespitose. Pileus convex, then
plane, obtuse, smooth, gray. Stem flexuous, smooth. Gills crowded,
whitish. Edible. Cooke, 1891.
Var. polius found growing in large quantities in Boston navy yard in
stone barn. Determined by Professor Peck. A fair edible. R. K.
Macadam.
This woods-growing Ciitocybe has been many times found by me in
a hot-house in Haddonfield, N. J. Professor Peck confirmed my iden-
tification. Either its spores or mycelium had evidently been carried
thither in the wood-earth used by florists. The hot-house crops ap-
peared in March, and continued until June.
Several of the plants showed an effort to comply with some condi-
tion unusual to them, by producing gills upon the upper side of the
pileus. Those below were venose and crisped.
This wild species had thus been brought into cultivation. The culti-
vated plants were much more tender than the wild. Both are excellent.
C. COnnex'a Pk. — connexus, joined. From its relation to Tricholoma.
Pileus thin, convex or expanded, subumbonate, clothed with a minute
appressed silkiness, white, the margin sometimes faintly tinged with
7 97
Agaric aceae
cutocybe. blue. Grills crowded, narrow, white inclining to yellowish. Stem
equal or tapering downward, solid, whitish.
Plant 2-3 in. high. Pileus 2-3 in. broad. Stem 2 lines thick.
Ground in woods. Croghan. September.
The gills sometimes terminate rather abruptly and are not strongly
decurrent, hence it might easily be mistaken for a Tricholoma. The
margin of the pileus is sometimes marked with slight ridges as in Ag.
laterarius. The odor is weak but aromatic and agreeable. Peck, 26th
Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Found in plenty in oak woods near Philadelphia, and in West Vir-
ginia; a few specimens in southern New Jersey. Autumn.
Edible, and quite equal to most of the Clitocybes.
C. tumulo'sa Kalchbr. — tumulus, a mound. Cespitose. Pileus 1-2
in. across, disk fleshy, margin thin; conico-convex then expanded, ob-
tusely umbonate or obtuse, even, glabrous, brownish-umber, becoming
pale, margin drooping. Grills more or less decurrent or slightly emar-
ginate, crowded narrow, white, then grayish. Stem 3—5 in. long, un-
equal, usually thicker below, minutely downy, pallid, solid.
On the ground in woods. Spring and autumnal months. Readily
distinguished by the densely clustered habit, and the umber pileus.
The gills are very variable, sometimes distinctly decurrent, at others
rounded behind, and almost resembling a Tricholoma. Spores sub-
globose, 5-6/*. Massee.
California, H. and M.; New York, Peck, Rep. 42.
Sent to me by Mrs. Mary Fuller, Washington, D. C. The specimens
eaten were of good consistency and flavor.
III. — INFUNDIBULFOR'MES.
* Pileus colored or becoming pale, etc., surface innately ftocculose or
silky ; not moist.
C. gigante'a Sow. — giganteus, of gigantic size. PileilS 6-10 in.
across. Flesh rather thin in proportion to the size of the fungus, white,
or tinged with tan, glabrous when moist, slightly flocculose when dry;
margin involute then spreading, glabrous, rather coarsely grooved.
Gills slightly decurrent, broad, very much crowded, branched and con-
98
Leucosporse
nected by veins, whitish then pale tan-color, not separating spontane- ciitocybe.
ously from the hymenophore. Stem 1-2 in. long and nearly the same
in thickness, equal, pallid, solid. Spores white, 5x3/x.
In woods, etc.
A very distinct species, very showy, large, subcespitose, entirely
whitish tan-color; without close affinities. Stem solid, compact, and
firm inside and outside, 2%. in. long, % in. thick, equal, even, glabrous.
Pileus depressed from the first, then broadly, i. e., plano-infundibuli-
form, thin but equally fleshy, soft, not flaccid, but easily splitting from
the margin toward the center (almost papery and involute when old),
upward of a foot broad, often excentric and generally sinuately lobed,
moist and adpressedly downy when growing, slightly flocculose and
cracked into scales when dry; margin at first very thin, involute,
pubescent, soon spreading, glabrous, at length revolute, coarsely fur-
rowed or radiately wrinkled. Gills slightly decurrent, closely crowded,
almost 3 lines broad (2—3 times as broad as thickness of flesh of pileus),
connected by veins, thin, fragile, straight, but sometimes varying to
crisped and anastomosing, whitish then yellowish or tinged with rufous,
smell weak. Fries.
This species was placed in Ciitocybe in Syst. Myc. and Epicrisis, but
in Hym. Europ. Fries removed it to Paxillus in which he is followed by
Stevenson. Cooke and Massee continue it in Ciitocybe. Dr. Somers
found one measuring over 15 inches in diameter. R. K. M.
North Carolina, Sclnveinitz. Edible, Curtis; Wisconsin, Bundy; Cali-
fornia, H. and M.; Nova Scotia, Dr. Somers.
Large quantities of Ciitocybe gigantea grow in the West Virginia
mountains, and in woods around Philadelphia. July to November.
Its substance is coarse, but of good flavor. It should be chopped fine.
C. max'ima Gartn and Meyer. (Fl. Wett.) — greatest. (Plate
XXIV, fig. 5, page 82.) Pileus as much as I foot broad, becoming
pale-tan or whitish, fleshy, compact at the disk, otherwise thin, some-
what flaccid (wA capable of being split), broadly funnel-shaped, gib-
bous with a central ^tmbo, always very dry, the surface becoming silky-
even or squamulose ; margin involute, pubescent, always even. Flesh
white, at length soft. Stem as much as 4 in. long, i in. thick, solid,
compact, but internally spongy, elastic, attenuated upward, fibrillose-
99
Agaricacese
cntocybe. striate, whitish. Gills deeply decurrent, pointed at both ends, some-
what crowded, soft, simple, whitish, not changeable.
The pileus is always very dry because the surface absorbs moisture.
Odor weak, pleasant, almost that of A. infundibuliformis. On account
of its gigantic stature and color, it has often been interchanged with A.
gigantea Sow. ; it is in no wise, however, allied to that species, but is so
closely allied to A. infundibuliformis that it might be taken for a very
luxuriant form of it. Stevenson.
Spores 6x4^ Massee; 5x3/01 W.G.S.
New England, Frost; California, H. and M.
Common in the West Virginia mountains, mixed woods in New Jer-
sey and Pennsylvania. June to November. Mcllvaine.
It is coarse, dry, hard, but chopped fine and cooked in various ways,
either by itself or with meats, it is a good food.
C. infundibulifor'mis Schaeff . — infundibulumt a funnel ; forma, form.
(Plate XXIV, fig. n, p. 82.) The Funnel-form clitocybe, Clitocybe
infundibuliformis, is a neat and pretty species easily recognized by the
funnel shape of its mature cap and by its pale red color. When very
young the cap is slightly convex and often adorned with a slight umbo
in its center. As it matures the margin becomes elevated so that the
cap assumes a shape somewhat resembling that of a wine glass. The
margin is sometimes wavy. The flesh is thin and white. The gills are
close, thin, white or whitish and decurrent. The stem is smooth, col-
ored like or a little paler than the cap and mostly tapering from the
base upward.
The cap is 2-3 in. broad, the stem I %— 3 in. long and K->£ in. thick.
The funnel-shaped mushroom grows in woods or copses in summer
and autumn, especially in wet seasons. It is somewhat variable in color,
but is usually a pale-red, tinged with buff, and sometimes becoming
more pale with age. It delights to grow among fallen leaves, and often
there is an abundant white cottony mycelium at the base of the stem.
When it grows in clusters the caps are apt to be irregular because of
mutual pressure. "Mushrooms and Their Use." Peck.
Spores 5-6x3-4 B.
Very common and in plenty after rains, when large patches of it may
be found. I have usually found the light pinkish-buff color to abound,
100
Leucosporae
and the stem thinner than described by Prof. Peck. Size of cap from cutocybe.
1-3 in.
It is a good, reliable food species. The stem should be removed, and
the caps well cooked.
** Pileus colored or pallid, smooth, moist in wet weather.
C. Sllbzonal'isPk. — sub, under; zonalis, pertaining to a zone. Pileus
thin, centrally depressed or subinfundibuliform, marked with two or
three obscure zones, with a slight appressed silkiness, pale yellow. Gills
close, narrow, equally decurrent, some of them forked, pallid or yellow-
ish. Stem equal, slightly fibrillose, stuffed, pale yellow.
Plant 2 in. high. Pileus 2-3 in. broad. Stem 2-3 lines thick.
Ground in woods. Croghan. September. Peck, 26th Rep. N. Y.
State Bot.
Found in oak woods, Angora, West Philadelphia, growing singly.
Specimens few. Edible; pleasant.
C. gil'va Pers. — gilvus, pale brownish-yellow. Pileus 2-4 in. broad,
pale yellowish*, fleshy , compact, convex then depressed, very obtuse, even,
smooth, dampish when fresh, polished and shining when dry, here and
there spotted as with drops, the margin remaining long involute. Flesh
compact, not laxly floccose, but at length fragile, somewhat of the same
color as the pileus. Stem 1-2 in. and more long, >£ in. and more thick,
solid, fleshy, stout, not elastic, somewhat equal, smooth, paler than the
pileus, villous at the base. Gills decurrent, thin, very much crowded,
often branched, arcuate, narrow, pallid then ocJiraceous.
Odor not remarkable. The stem has been noticed aj: length also
hollow, perhaps eroded by larvae. It corresponds with the Paxilli.
The primary form, which is very different from all the rest, is curt,
obese, robust, scarcely ever infundibuliform. Stevenson.
Spores 4-5x5/1 K.; 4-5^ Massee.
North Carolina, Schweinitz, Curtis; Pennsylvania, Schweinitz; New
York, Peck, R. 51, under pines. July to September.
Mt. Gretna, Pa. July, 1898, ground, mixed woods. Mcllvaine.
Pileus 1—2% in. across, depressed, almost infundibuliform, smooth.
Color varied lemon to bright orange. Flesh lemon color throughout.
Gills varying in color, usually same color as pileus. Stem all of one
101
Agaricacece
ciitocybe. color, same as pileus, stuffed, sometimes short, and pointed, sometimes
thickened at base. Taste and smell pleasant. Edible; good.
C. Sllbinvolu'ta Batsch. — turned under at the margin. PileilS
brick color, convex, depressed, smooth, margin closely involute. Flesh
pallid. Stem paler, stout, straight, somewhat equal, veined on the
lower part with oblique coalescing slightly elevated wrinkles, tomentose
and inclining to flesh color above toward the gills, base obtuse. Gills
decurrent, rather broad, of the same color as the pileus.
The stem is rough on the surface and destitute of luster. It resem-
bles Paxillus involutus in size and habit, in the crenate and involute
margin of the pileus, and in the stem being obsoletely veined at the
base and tomentose toward the gills. Stevenson.
New England, Frost; New York, Peck, Rep. 22.
Edible, Cooke.
C. geo'tropa Bull.; Gr. — the earth; Gr. — to turn. From the turned
down margin. Pileus 2-5 in. across. Flesh thick, white convex,
then plane and finally more or less depressed, obtusely umbonate, the
prominence remaining after the pileus becomes depressed, very smooth,
even, margin thin, incurved, downy, pale pinkish-tan or buff. Gills
decurrent, crowded, narrow, simple, white, then colored like the pileus.
Stem 3-5 in. long, i in. or more thick at the base, slightly attenuated
upward, compact, fibrillose, colored like the pileus or paler, solid.
Spores elliptical, 6-7x4-5^. Massee.
In woods and on their borders. Often in rings or troops.
Differs from C. maxima in being firmer, glabrous, and color much
more variable; from C. gilva in the thinner pileus, less crowded gills,
and white flesh.
Spores 5-7/* W.G.S.
In England and on the continent it is considered excellent and supe-
rior to most edible fungi.
Found in West Virginia, 1881; Haddonfield, N. J., 1891. Spring
and autumn. Mcllvaine.
Edible, coarse, dry. In stews and mixed to form croquettes or pat-
ties, it is a desirable species, owing to its plentifulness.
C. splen'dens Pers. — splendens, shining. Solitary. Pileus 2-3 in.
across, flesh rather thick, white, plane then depressed or funnel-
102
Leucosporse
shaped, glabrous, shining, yellowish. Gills deeply decurrent, narrow, ciitocybe.
crowded, simple, white. Stem about I in. long, 3 lines thick, gla-
brous, colored like the pileus, solid, slightly thickened at the base or
equal. Massee,
In woods, among pine leaves, etc.
Intermediate between C. gilva and C. flaccida. The typical form of
C. gilva differs in the compact pileus, often with drop-like markings,
the very much crowded, somewhat branched, pale ochraceous gills and
flesh. Fries.
Sent to me from Trenton, N. J., by E. B. Sterling.
Edible; quality good, deficient in flavor.
C. inver'sus Scop. — inverto, inverted. Pileus 2-3 in. across. Flesh
thin, fragile; convex, soon funnel-shaped, margin involute, glabrous,
even, reddish or dull brownish-orange. Gills decurrent, simple, pallid
then reddish. Stem about I % in. long, 2 lines thick, glabrous, rather
rigid, paler than the pileus, stuffed, soon hollow. Spores subglobose,
4/u, diameter. Massee.
Among leaves, etc.
Gregarious, subcespitose, forming very large tufts, especially late in
the autumn, deformed. Smell peculiar, slightly acid. Stem sometimes
stuffed, usually hollow, hence compressed, rather rigid and corticated
outside, not elastic, without a bulb, glabrous, whitish; the somewhat
rooting base with white down, and often growing together in tufts,
variously deformed, curved, ascending, etc. Fries.
Spores subglobose, 4/1 Massee; 3/u, W.G.S.
Closely resembles C. infundibuliformis, but differs from it in the color
of gills and flesh. The entire plant is dark in color. Solitary ; in troops ;
cespitose.
Found in mixed woods. Haddonfield, N. J. Summer and autumn.
That part of the plant which readily breaks away from the stem is
tender and of good flavor. The remainder is tough.
C. flac'cida Sow. — ftaccidus, limp. Pileus 2—3 in. across, flaccid,
orbicular, umbilicate, umbo persistently absent, margin spreading,
arched, glabrous, even, rarely cracking into minute squamules, tawny-
rust colored, shining, not becoming pale. Flesh thin, pallid, rather
fragile when fresh, but quite flaccid when dry. Gills deeply decurrent,
103
Agaricaceae
Clitocybe. arcuate, crowded, narrow, about I line broad, white, then tinged yel-
lowish. Stem imperfectly hollow, elastic, tough, 1-2 in. long, 2-3
lines thick somewhat equal, polished, naked, reddish-rust color, base
thickened, downy. Spores subglobose, 4-5x3—47*.
Among leaves, etc. Gregarious, stems often grown together at the
base. Sometimes solitary and regular. Summer and autumn. Massee.
Spores subglobose, 4-5x3-4/1..
Found in 1886 in West Philadelphia — oak woods. Since in New
Jersey, North Carolina, and interior of Pennsylvania.
Edible. Well cooked it compares favorably with C. infundibuliformis
and others of like texture.
*** Pileus shining white.
C. cati'na Fr. — catinus, a bowl. Pileus 2 in. broad, at first white,
in no wise hygrophanous, then passing into pale flesh-color during rain,
and into tan-color in dry weather, fleshy, moderately thin, plane then
funnel-shaped, always obtuse, even, smooth. Flesh thin, flaccid, white.
Stem 3 in. long, i /£ in. thick, stuffed, internally spongy, elastic, tough,
thickened and tomentose at the base. Gills decurrent, straight, de-
scending, not horizontal, broad, not much crowded, persistently white.
Fries.
Ray Brook, Adirondack mountains. August. The pileus is at first
white, but in wet weather it becomes pallid or discolored with age. The
plants were found growing among pieces of bark of arbor vitas lying on
the ground. Peck, 43d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Quite common in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey. Woods
among dead leaves. August until frost.
Edible. Excellent in flavor and quality.
Series B.
IV. — CYATHIFOR'MES.
C. cyathifor'mis Bull. — cyathus, a cup; formis, form. Pileus I ^-3
in. across, flesh thin, piano-depressed when young, then infundibuli-
form, even, glabrous, hygrophanous, rather slimy and usually dark
brown when moist, becoming pale and opaque when dry, undulate in
104
Leucosporae
large specimens, the margin remains involute for a long time. Flesh cutocybe.
watery, similar in color to the pileus, splitting. Gills adnate, becoming
decurrent with the depression of the pileus, joined behind, distant, gray-
ish-brown, sometimes branched. Stem spongy and stuffed inside, elas-
tic, at length often hollow, 2-4 in. long, 3-4 lines thick, attenuated
upward, brownish-fibrillose, fibrils forming an imperfect reticulation,
colored like the pileus or a little paler, apex naked (not mealy), base
villous. Massee.
On the ground in pastures and woods, rarely on rotten wood.
Usually blackish-umber, but varies to paler grayish-brown, pinky-
tan, pale cinnamon or brownish; then dingy-ochraceous or tan-color.
Margin expanded when old, and also indistinctly striate. Fries.
Var. cineras'cens Fr. Pileus up to I in. across, thin, infundibuli-
form, pale smoky-brown. Gills decurrent, yellowish-white. Stem I— 2
in. long, iM line thick, grayish, reticulately fibrillose, hollow.
Spores 8x5 /A W.G.S.; I o- 12x5-6/1 B. ; 9x6^ Morgan.
Mt. Gretna, Pa. Among leaves in woods. September to October.
Gregarious. Mcllvaine.
Fair in quality.
C. bruma'lis Fr. — bruma, winter. From its late appearance. Pileus
about i in. across. Flesh thin, expanded, umbilicate then infundibuli-
form and usually variously waved and lobed, glabrous, flaccid, hygroph-
anous, livid, whitish or yellowish when dry, disk often darker. Gills
decurrent, about I line broad, crowded, pallid. Stem up to 2 in. long
and about 2 lines thick, nearly equal, slightly curved, glabrous, whitish,
often compressed, imperfectly hollow. Spores 4-5x3-4/4.
In woods, etc.
Truly autumnal, being most abundant in November. There are
two forms: (#) on pine leaves in pine woods; (<£) among heather.
(#) Stem rather firm, hollow, about 2 in. long, 2 lines thick, equal or
slightly thickened at the apex, at length compressed, somewhat in-
curved, glabrous, naked, becoming livid, white when dry, base white
and -downy. Flesh of pileus membranaceous, at first convex, umbilicate,
margin reflexed, about I in. across, then funnel-shaped, often irregular
and undulate, up to 2 in. broad, glabrous, even, livid when moist,
whitish then becoming yellowish when dry, disk at first usually darker.
Gills decurrent, at first arcuate, then descending, I line broad, crowded,
105
Agaricacese
ciitocybe. distinct, livid then yellowish-white, smell weak, not unpleasant. (£)
Entirely watery white; stem hollow, somewhat striate, base glabrous;
pileus infundibuliform, margin deflexed, milky-white when dry. Gills
less crowded, but rather broader, whitish. Fries.
Spores 3/A W.G.S.; 4-5x3-4^ Massee.
Edible. Cooke.
C. morbi'fera Pk. — morbus, disease ; fero, to bear. Pileus thin, frag-
ile, glabrous, convex, becoming plane or centrally depressed, slightly
hygrophanous, grayish-brown when moist, whitish or cinereous when
dry, sometimes slightly umbonate. Gills narrow, close, adnate or
slightly decurrent, whitish or pallid. Stem short, equal, hollow, col-
ored like the pileus or a little paler. Spores minute, broadly elliptical,
4/x long, almost as broad.
Pileus .5-1.5 in. broad. Stem about I in. long, ^-\ in. thick.
Grassy ground and lawns. November. Washington, D. C. F. J.
Braendle.
The species seems related to C. expallens, but the margin of the
pileus is not striate as in that fungus. The taste is very disagreeable
and remains in the mouth a long time. Two persons were made ill by
eating it, but their sickness lasted only about three hours. Peck.
I have not seen this species. Its reputation is bad. Caution should
be observed.
V. — VERSIFOR'MES.
** Pileus bright, of one color.
C. trullisa'ta Ellis. Pileus fleshy, plano-convex, at length depressed
in the center, innate fibrous-scaly, becoming smoother on the disk, mar-
gin thin. Gills unequal, not crowded, coarse and thick, adnate with a
decurrent tooth, at length white pulverulent, purple-violet at first, be-
coming dark brick-red. Stem stuffed, fibrillose, with a long club-
shaped base penetrating deeply into the sand. Spores large, cylindric-
oblong, I5-2O/A.
In old sandy fields. September to October.
The interior of the stem in the young plant is like the gills, violet-
purple, and the club-shaped base is covered with a tomentose coat, to
which the sand adheres tenaciously.
1 06
Leucosporee
Related to A. laccatus and A. ochropurpureus B. ciitocybe.
Resembles the larger forms of A. laccatus, but it has a stouter habit,
the pileus is more squamulose, the stem is bulbous or thickened at the
base, the mycelium is violet-colored and the spores are oblong. Bull.
Torrey Bot. Club, November, 1874.
New Jersey, Ellis; New York, Peck, Rep. 33.
Haddonfield, Watertown, N. J. Sandy soil in pine woods. Mcll-
vaine,
Densely cespitose. Caps and stems brown, glutinous and so in-
crusted with sand that it is almost impossible to clean them. Edible,
but not desirable.
C. lacca'ta Scop. — made of lac. (Plate XXIV, fig. 10, p. 82.)
Pileus thin, fleshy, convex, sometimes expanded, even or slightly um-
bilicate, smooth or minutely tomentose-scaly, hygrophanous when moist,
dull reddish-yellow or reddish flesh-colored, sometimes striatulate when
dry, pallid or pale dull ochraceous. Gills broad, rather thick and dis-
tant, attached, not decurrent, flesh-colored. Stem slender, firm, fibrous,
stuffed, equal, concolorous.
Height 1-6 in., breadth of pileus 6 lines to 2 in. Common. June
to October.
An extremely variable and abundant species occurring almost every-
where throughout the season. Peck, 23d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Spores 8-9/u. Massee; 8-io/tt B,
Var. pallidi folia Pk. — pallidus, pale; folium, leaf. Gills whitish or
pallid, decurrent.
Var. stria tula Pk. — stria, a furrow. Pileus moist, smooth, thin,
showing shading radiating lines, extending from near the center to the
margin. In wet or damp places.
A form occurs with a decidedly bulbous base. Gills appearing emar-
ginate with a decurrent tooth.
Ciitocybe laccata is made the type of a new genus by Berkeley and
Broome. Massee accepts the genus but it is not generally accepted by
the standard authors. It is a well defined genus, and a fitting place for
C. laccata, C. amethystina, C. ochropurpurea, C. tortilis, which it
puzzles anyone to identify as Ciitocybe.
C. amethys'tina Bolt. — amethystinus, color of an amethyst. (Plate
107
Agaricaceae
ciitocybe. XXIV, fig. 8, p. 82.) Pileus 1-2% in. across, dark-purple, umbili-
cate, smooth, minutely tomentose, involute. Gills dark-purple, decur-
rent, broad. Stem 2—3 in. high, fibrillose, purple, streaked with white
fibrils, equal, densely covered with white tomentum at base.
Also written Ciitocybe laccata amethystina Sacc.
"In my opinion it is a good species and should be kept distinct as
Bolton gave it, and not be tacked on to C. laccata as a variety. I should
write it Ciitocybe amethystina Bolt." Peck, letter September 17, 1897.
New York, Peck, Rep. 41; New Jersey, Sterling; Mt. Gretna, Pa.,
on wood soil, June to frost, 1897-1898, Mcllvaine.
Generally included in C. laccata as a variety, and has therefore been
reported under that name.
Great quantities of C. amethystina grew in troops on beds made up
of wood earth about the cottages at Mt. Gretna, Pa. The woods over
them is dense.
The caps are tough, but they cook readily and make a pleasing dish.
C. tor'tilis Bolt. — tortilis, twisted. PileilS membranaceous, convexo-
plane then depressed, obscurely marked with radiating striae. Stem
hollow, twisted, fragile. Gills adnate, thick, distant, fleshy-rose, ces-
pitose, small, irregular, pileus and stem rusty in color.
Hard ground in an old road. Sandlake. August. A species closely
allied to C. laccata and appearing like an irregular dwarf form of that
species. Sometimes cespitose. Peck, 4ist Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Excepting that this fungus is frequently found with C. laccata, and
might be taken for a new species if not here described, it would not be
separated from C. laccata.
Its edible qualities are similar.
C. ochropurpu'rea Berk. — ochra, ocher; purpureus, purple. (Plate
XXIV, figs, i, 2, 3, 4, p. 82.) Pileus subhemispherical, at length
depressed, fleshy, compact, tough, pale yellow, slightly changing to
purplish, cuticle easily separable ; margin inflexed, at first tomentose.
Stem paler, here and there becoming purplish, solid, swollen in the
middle, occasionally equal. Grills thick, purple, broader behind, de-
current. Spores white or pale yellow.
Pileus 2 in. broad. Stem 2% in. high, % in. thick in the center.
August. On clayey soil in woodlands.
108
Leucosporae
Its spores darken when shed in quantity, have a granulated and light- ciitocybe.
lilac appearance. It is a solitary grower, sometimes reaching the height
of six inches. The upturned, wavy pileus, showing the purple gills in
contrast with the pale Naples-yellow of the cap is markedly attractive.
The stem is often rough with fibers, hard and tough. The caps are
tough. It grows in grassy woods and open places. The novice, even
the expert, will be puzzled to place it in its genus.
Specimens were sent to me by Miss Lydia M. Patchen, Westfield,
N. Y., and E. B. Sterling, Trenton, N. J. I afterward found many at
Mt. Gretna, Pa. I reported their edible qualities to Prof. Peck who
wrote, September 3, 1897: "I have often wished it was edible, but it
has such a disagreeable flavor when fresh that I have never ventured to
eat it. I have known it to be mistaken for the common mushroom,
but not eaten."
Though tough it cooks tender and is excellent. Stew and put in
patties or croquettes.
i
VI. — ORBIFOR'MES.
* Gills becoming ash-colored.
C. di'topa Fr. Gr. — twofold ; Gr. — a foot. Probably from stems
growing two together. PileilS thin, submembranaceous, convex, rarely
with a small umbo, smooth, hygrophanous, brown when young and
moist, grayish-white when dry. Gills grayish, close, thin, attached,
not decurrent. Stem slender, equal, smooth, hollow.
Height 1-2 in., breadth of pileus 6-18 lines. Stem 1-2 lines thick.
Pine woods. West Albany. October.
The plant has the odor and taste of new meal. I have seen no speci-
mens with the pileus depressed. Peck, 23d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
C. meta'chroa Fr. Gr. — changing color. Separated from C. ditopa
by its thicker, depressed pileus, its thicker, less close gills, and the ab-
sence of odor.
Pine woods. West Albany. October. Peck, 23d Rep. N. Y.
State Bot.
Moderately plentiful in New Jersey pines. September to October.
Edible, tough; when well stewed of good flavor.
109
Agaricaceae
** Gills whitish,
ciitocybe. Q, COmpres'sipeS Pk. — comprcssus, pressed together; pes, a foot,
Pileus thin, convex or expanded, umbilicate, glabrous, hygrophanous,
brownish when moist, whitish or pale yellow when dry, margin thin.
Gills close, subarcuate or horizontal, adnate or subdecurrent, whitish.
Stem firm, hollow, generally compressed, slightly pruinose. Spores
elliptical, 5-6. 5x4-4. 5ft. Flesh white when dry, odor slight, farinaceous.
Plant gregarious, 1—1.5 m- high- Pileus 6— 16 lines broad. Stem
1-2 lines thick.
Grassy places. Albany. July.
The moist pileus is sometimes obscurely zonate. The odor is not
always perceptible unless the pileus is moist or broken. The stem is
sometimes compressed at the top only, sometimes at the base only, and
rarely it is wholly top-shaped. Peck, 33d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Found on open lots in West Philadelphia. Though small it usually
grows in troops which yield fair quantity. The caps are tender and of
good flavor.
C. fra'grans Sow. — fragrans, fragrant. Smell strong, spicy. Pileus
about i in. across. Flesh rather thick; convex, soon expanded and
slightly depressed or umbilicate, even, glabrous, hygrophanous, uniform
watery-white, disk not darker, whitish when dry. Gills slightly decur-
rent, rather crowded, I line broad, distinct, whitish. Stem about 2 in.
long, equal, slightly curved, elastic, glabrous, whitish, stuffed then
hollow.
In woods among moss, etc.
Distinguished from other species resembling it in color and size, by
the fragrant smell resembling aniseed. Massee.
Spores 6x41". W.G.S.
Found in West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. July to severe
frosts. Mcllvaine.
Edible. The strong taste of anise is not lost in cooking.
C. pino'phila — pine loving. Pileus thin, convex, umbilicate or cen-
trally depressed, glabrous, moist, pale tan-color, paler or alutaceous
when dry. Gills moderately close, subarcuate, adnate or slightly de-
current, whitish. Stem equal, stuffed or hollow, glabrous or subprui-
IIO
Leucosporae
nose, colored like the pileus. Spores nearly elliptical, 4-6/x long; odor ciitocybe.
and taste resembling that of fresh meal.
Plant 1-2 in. high. Pileus about I in. broad. Stem 1-2 lines thick.
Ground under pine trees. Albany and Ticonderoga. July and
August. Peck, 3 ist Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Quite plentiful in pine woods of New Jersey. Edible; pleasant.
Ill
Agaricaceae
COLLY'BIA Fr.
Gr. — a small coin.
CoUybia. PileilS fleshy, usually thin, margin incurved at first, not corrugated.
Stem different in substance from the pileus, but confluent with it; hol-
low, with a cartilaginous bark, internally cartilaginous or soft, often
rooting. Gills free or obtusely adnexed, membranaceous, soft.
Growing on the ground, wood, leaves and decaying fungi.
In Clitocybe and Tricholoma the substance of the stem and pileus is
alike; they differ in the character of the stem. Tricholoma has no
distinct bark-like coat, and in Clitocybe the stem is covered with mi-
nute fibers. In Mycena as in Collybia the stem is different in substance
from the pileus, but is distinguished by the margin of the pileus being
straight. It is most closely allied to Marasmius, which is characterized
by its tough coriaceous substance, which when dried fully revives and
expands on being moistened. The line between them can not always
be closely drawn, and there are numerous species which it is difficult to
place with certainty in either genus. This does not apply to the fleshy
edible species of this genus as they are quite distinct from Marasmius.
Peck's 49th Report contains a monograph of the New York species
of Collybia, supplemented by one of those found in other states.
Several common, prolific, long-season, delicious fungi occur in this
genus. They vary in size from " a small coin " to five inches across.
They grow in woods, on wood, on ground, on leaves, on lawns and
among moss and grass in shaded places. The writer has tested many
species raw, and eaten small quantities cooked, which are not herein
described for the reason that not enough of a species was found to test
to full extent. So far as is reported and as his experience goes, there is
not a poisonous species in Collybia. Many of them are strong in odor.
ANALYSIS OF TRIBES.
Series A. GILLS WHITE OR BRIGHTLY COLORED, NOT GRAY. FLESH WHITE.
STRlyEPEDES (striate-stemmed ). Page 113.
Stem stout, hollow or imperfectly filled with a spongy pith ; grooved
or striate with fibers.
112
PLATE XXIX.
Photographed by Dr. J. R. Weist.
COLLYBIA RADICATA.
Leucosporse
* Gills broad, rather distant. Coiiybia.
** Gills narrow, crowded.
VESTIPEDES (clothed-stemmed). Page 118.
Stem thin, equal, hollow or with a pith, even, velvety, downy or cov-
ered with a bloom.
* Gills broad, rather distant.
* Gills very narrow, closely crowded.
IWEVIPEDES (even-stemmed). Page 120.
Stem thin, equal, hollow, naked, smooth — except the base — appar-
ently not striate, but some species are minutely striate under a lens.
* Gills broad, lax, usually more or less distant.
** Gills narrow, crowded.
Series B. GILLS BECOMING GRAY. HYGROPHANOUS.
TEPHROPHAN/E. Page .
Color brownish becoming gray. Allied to the last section of Tricho-
loma and Clitocybe, but distinguished from them by the cartilaginous
stem.
Some are strong scented. None known to be edible.
STRI^E'PEDES.
* Gills broad, rather distant.
C. radica'ta Relh. — radix, a root. (Plate XXIX, p. 112.) Pileus
i >2-4 in. across, from convex to nearly plane, broadly umbonate, fre-
quently wrinkled toward and at the umbo, glutinous when moist. Color
variable, usually brown in grayish shades, from dark to almost white.
Flesh thin, white, elastic. Gills white, thick, tough, distant, ventricose,
adnexed, rounded or notched behind like Tricholoma, sometimes with
a decurrent tooth. Stem 4-8 in. long, 3-5 lines thick, smooth, firm,
same color as pileus, tapering upward, becoming vertically striate or
grooved, often twisted, ending in a long, tapering, pointed root deeply
planted in the earth.
Spores elliptical, 14-15x8-9/4 Massee; IIXI//A W.G.S.; nxp/x, W.
P.; 16-17x10-1 ip. B,
8 113
Agaricacese
C!oiiybia. Often sombre, but erect, neat and handsome. Growing solitary and
in troops in woods, usually near stumps, if much decayed, sometimes
on them, or on shaded lawns and grassy places. June to October.
Var. furfu'racea Pk. Stem furfuraceous, less distinctly striate.
Var. pusil'la Pk. Plant small. Pileus about i in. broad, passing
gradually into the typical form. Stem slender.
Professor Peck says: "The variety furfuracea is common and connects
this species with C. longipes, which has a villose stem and dry velvety
pileus." 49th Rep.
Common to the United States. Edible. Curtis, according to Dr. F.
Peyre Porcher of Charleston, S. C., was the first to declare this edible.
A very attractive species. The purity of its gills is especially notice-
able. I began eating it in 1881, and it has continued to be a favorite.
The caps should be broiled or fried. They are sweet, pleasing in texture,
and delicately flavored.
C. platyphyl'la Fr. Gr.— broad; a leaf. (Plate XXIXa, fig. i,
p. 114.) Pileus 3-4 in. broad, dusky and gray then whitish, fleshy-
membranaceous, thin, fragile, soon flattened, obtuse, watery when moist,
streaked with fibrils. Stem 3-4 in. long, ,^ in. thick, stuffed, soft,
equal, fibrilloso-striate, otherwise smooth, naked or obsoletely powdered
at the apex, whitish, shortly and bluntly rooted at the base. Gills ob-
liquely cut off behind, slightly adnexed, /£ in. and more broad, distant,
soft, white.
Odor not remarkable. It inclines toward the Tricholomata in the
somewhat membranaceous cuticle of the soft stem. Fries.
Spores i3xi9/* W.G.S.
Solitary, gregarious, rarely clustered. On rotten wood, roots, ground
near stumps, among leaves, etc. June to October.
Distinguished by the very broad and deeply emarginate gills, which
frequently slope up behind to near the cap then with a short turn down-
ward connect with the stem which is either stuffed or hollow, and by
the abundant, cord-like rooting mycelium. The gills are very broad.
Professor Peck says: "The species is quite variable. The pileus is
sometimes irregular and even eccentric, the thin margin may be slightly
striate, is often split and in wet weather may be upturned or revolute.
The lamellae are sometimes 3£ in. broad or more and transversely split.
They may be obscurely striated transversely and even veiny above with
114
PLATE XXIXA.
Grouped by F. D. Briscoe — Studies by C. Mcllvaine.
F-{G- _, PAGE. FIG.
9 COLLYBIA PLATYPHYLLA 114 3. COtLYBIA DRYOPHILA,
1. COLLYBIA PLATYPHYLLA (AFTER RAIN), 114 4. COLLYBIA FUSIPES,
PAGE.
120
116
Leucosporse
venose interspaces. Occasionally a slight anise-like odor is perceptible, Coiiybia.
but in decay the plants have "a very disagreeable odor and disgusting
appearance." 49th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
West Virginia, 1880-1885; Haddonfield, N. J., 1896. Gregari-
ous, and in large bunches. Mt. Gretna and Eagle's Mere, Pa., 1897,
Mcllvaine.
When fresh, in good condition, the caps are good, but they are not
nearly equal in substance or flavor to C. radicata and C. longipes. They
are best broiled or fried.
Var. re'pens Fr. PileilS more fleshy, depressed. Stem hollow,
compressed, pruinate at the apex, with a creeping, string-like mycelium.
It is best distinguished by its white, villous, anastomosing, very
much branched mycelium which creeps a long distance in a rooting
string-like manner. The so-called roots are quite different from the
stem, not a prolongation of the stem itself. Fries.
Clearly a variety of C. platyphylla. C. platyphylla is quite variable,
even puzzling. Edible qualities the same.
C. longfipes Bull. — longus, long; pes, a foot. Pileus 1-2 in. across,
conical then expanded, umbonate, dry, minutely, beautifully velvety.
Color from pale to date-brown, sometimes umber. Flesh white, thin,
elastic. Gills white, broad, tough, thick, adnexed, distant, ventricose,
rounded behind, emarginate. Stem 4—6 in. long, 2—4 lines thick, taper-
ing upward, usually densely and minutely velvety like the cap, nearly
same color, with a long, tapering root.
On much decayed stumps and logs. July to October. Closely re-
sembles C. radicata. It is readily distinguished by its velvety cap and
stem. It is more glutinous.
Spores spheroid, 12/u. Q.
California. Edible. H. and M.
West Virginia mountains, 1880-1885; Cheltenham, Pa., 1889. Mc-
llvaine.
Excepting from California, C. longipes has not previously been re-
ported as found in the United States. It is not plentiful in the forests
of West Virginia, yet I often found it upon rotting stumps and logs,
solitary, but up to a dozen in the same vicinity. It is unmistakable. Its
rich yet dull velvety cap and stem and the purity of its gills hold the
finder's admiration.
Agaricaceae
Cuiiybia. The caps fried or broiled are delicious, resembling in every way those
of C. radicata.
C. fu'sipes Bull. — fusus, a spindle; pes, a foot. (Plate XXIXa,
fig. 4, p. 112.) PileilS 1—3 in. broad, reddish-brown, becoming pale
and also dingy-tan, fleshy, convex then flattened, umbonate (the umbo
at length vanishing), even, smooth, dry, here and there broken up in
cracks when dry. Stem 3 in. and more long, commonly %. in., but
here and there as much as I in. broad, fibrous-stuffed then hollow, re-
markably cartilaginous externally, swollen, ventricose in the middle, at-
tenuated at both ends, often twisted, longitudinally furrowed, red or
reddish-brown, rooted in a spindle-shaped manner at the base. Gills an-
nulato-adnexed (joined into a ring), soon separating, free, broad, dis-
tant, firm, connected by veins, crisped, white then becoming somewhat
of the same color as the pileus, often spotted. Stevenson.
Spores 6x3^ W.G.S.; 4-5x2-4^ B.
Solitary, gregarious, usually densely clustered on decaying wood,
roots, etc. August until after heavy frosts.
West Virginia, 1882, Mcllvaine.
In the West Virginia mountains C. fusipes is frequent. Caps in the
clusters rarely exceed I %. in. across. They show an auburn or bur-
gundy shade of brown in their color. When young they are smooth
and appear to remain so unless rained upon or moistened, when they
crack more or less finely in drying. At first the connection of the gills
with the stem is peculiar — they join in a collar-like ring at the top of the
stem. As the cap expands the gills part more or less and separate
from the stem. The stem is markedly spindle-shaped, though variously
flattened by compression in dense clusters; the outside often splitting,
breaking and turning out from the stem.
The caps, alone, are good, the stem being hard and refractory. The
caps are very fine, cooked in any way.
The caps dry well, and are a pleasant addition to gravies, soups and
other dishes. They make a choice pickle.
** Gills narrow, crowded.
C. macula'ta A. and S. — macula, a spot. Pileus fleshy, firm, con-
vex or nearly plane, even, glabrous, white or whitish, sometimes varied
116
Leucosporae
with reddish spots or stains. Flesh white. Gills narrow, crowded, Coiiybia.
adnexed, sometimes nearly or quite free, white or whitish. Stem gen-
erally stout, firm, equal or slightly swollen in the middle, striate, white,
stuffed or sometimes hollow, commonly narrowed at the base, rooting,
often curved at the base, rarely slightly thickened and blunt. Spores
subglobose, 4— 6/A broad, sometimes showing a slight point at one end.
Pileus 2-4 in. broad. Stem 2-4 in. long, 3-6 lines thick.
Var. immacula'ta Cke. This differs from the type in having no red-
dish spots or stains.
This species is easily recognized by its large size, firm or compact
substance and white color. It grows in soil filled with decaying vegeta-
ble matter or on much decayed wood. Peck, 49th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
West Philadelphia, Pa. Weed grown lot near University of Penn-
sylvania. September to frost. Grew gregariously over a large lot.
The plants varied greatly in size and appearance. The gills of most
were crenulate (scalloped). Assorted specimens were sent Professor
Peck who wrote: "They are all forms of C. maculata."
The caps were stewed and eaten in abundance by many, and pro-
nounced "Fine."
C. butyra'cea Bull. — butyrum, butter; buttery to the touch. PileilS
2-3 in. broad, normally reddish- (Plate XXX.)^
brown, but becoming pale, fleshy,
convex then expanded, more or less
ninbonate, dry, even, smooth. Flesh
buttery, soft, somewhat hygrophan-
ous, flesh-color then white. Stem
2-3 in. long, attemiated upward from
the thickened white downy base,
hence much thinner at the apex, 2-3
lines only, but at the base %-\ in.
thick, externally covered over with a
rigid cartilaginous cuticle, internally
stuffed with soft spongy pith, or hol-
low only when old, striate, reddish.
COLLYBIA BUTYRACEA.
commonly smooth, but varying with
white deciduous scales, and occasionally wholly downy with soft hairs.
117
Agaricaceae
Coiiybia. Gills slightly adnexed, somewhat free, thin, crowded, notched at the
edge, white, never spotted-reddish. Stevenson.
Spores 6-IOX3-5/A B.; elliptical, 7-9x4-5/11.
Cap greasy looking. Umbo dark.
The color of the cap is variable. The species differs from C. dry-
ophila in having an umbonate pileus, slightly uneven gill-edges and
stem which tapers upward.
Solitary and in troops under coniferous trees. Spring, autumn.
West Virginia, Chester county and Eagle's Mere, Pa., Mcllvaine.
The caps cook quickly, are tender and have a good flavor.
VESTI'PEDES.
* Gills broad, rather distant.
C. vein' tipes Curt. — velutum, velvet; pes, afoot. Pileus 1-4 in. broad
(Plate XXXI.) in the same cluster, tawny, some-
times paler at the margin, moder-
ately fleshy at the disk, but thin at
the circumference, convex then soon
becoming plane, often eccentric, ir-
regular and bent backward, smooth,
viscous; margin spreading and at
length slightly striate . Flesh watery,
soft, slightly tawny-hyaline. Stem
1-3 in. long, 1-4 lines thick, tough,
externally cartilaginous, umber then
becoming black, densely, minutely vel-
vety, commonly ascending or twisted,
commonly equal, even, internally
fibrous-stuffed and hollow. Gills
broader and rounded behind, slightly
adnexed, so as at first sight to appear
free, somewhat distant, very unequal,
becoming pallid-yellow or tawny . Fr.
Spores ellipsoid, 7/u. W.G. S.; 6x41* B. ; elliptical, 7x3-3.5/1* Massee.
Our American plant, common to the states, is rarely found attaining
such dimensions. Its usual size is from 1-2 in. across, more frequently
118
COLLYBIA VELUTIPES.
Natural size.
Leucosporse
at i-i K . It is generally found in clusters more or less dense. The CoUybia.
color varies from yellowish to a dark yellowish-brown. The center is
darker than the margin. The cap viscid when moist, often irregular
from crowding. Gills may be rounded or notched at their attachment
to the stem, whitish or yellowish. Stem usually hollow, 1-4 in. long,
1-3 lines thick, whitish when young becoming colored with the dense
brownish velvety hairs.
It grows on stumps, roots in the ground, trunks and earth heavily
charged with wood matter. I have found it in every month of the year.
The heavier crop appears in September, October and November, and
lasts until long after heavy frosts. Then sporadic clusters spring up
wherever the winter sun gives them encouragement.
It sometimes does considerable damage to the tree so unfortunate as
to be its host. It begins its growth upon some injured or decayed spot
and by continually insinuating itself under the surrounding bark it, by
its mycelium and growth, pries the bark away from the wood until the
tree is entirely denuded.
It is a valuable species, not only on account of its continuous growth,
but because of its plentifulness and excellent substance.
** Gills very narrow, closely crowded.
C. COn'flliens Pers. — Pileus %—i % in. broad, thin, tough, flaccid,
convex or nearly plane, obtuse, rarely somewhat umbonate, glabrous,
hygrophanous, reddish grayish-red or reddish-brown and often striatu-
late on the margin when moist, pallid, whitish or grayish when dry.
Lamellae narrow, crowded, free, whitish or yellowish-gray. Stem 2-5
in. long, i-2 lines thick, equal, cartilaginous, hollow, clothed with a short
dense somewhat pulverulent whitish pubescence or down. Spores
minute ovate or subelliptical, slightly pointed- at one end, 5—6x3—4/1.
Among fallen leaves in woods. Common. July to October.
The plants commonly grow in tufts, but sometimes in lines or arcs of
circles or scattered. They revive under the influence of moisture and
thereby indicate an intimate relationship to the genus Marasmius. The
pileus varies much in color, but commonly has a dull reddish or russety
tinge when moist, sometimes approaching bay-red. It fades in drying
and becomes almost white or grayish-white, but sometimes the center
remains more deeply colored than the margin. The stem is commonly
119
Agaricaceee
Coiiybia. rather long in proportion to the width of the pileus. Occasionally it is
somewhat flattened either at the top or throughout its entire length.
Sometimes the stems become united at the base which union is sug-
gestive of the specific name. Peck, 49th Rep.
West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Mcllvaine. July to frost.
The caps of C. confluens are of excellent substance and flavor. Their
quantity makes up for their small size. I have gathered them 2 in.
across, but their average size is about i in. They dry well.
L^EVI'PEDES.
* Gills broad, more or less distant.
C. esculen'ta Wulf . — esculent. Pileus % in. and more broad, ochrace-
ous-clay, often becoming dusky, slightly fleshy, convex then plane,
orbicular, obtuse, smooth, even or when old slightly striate. Flesh
tough, white, savory. Stem I in. and more long, scarcely I line
thick, or thread-like and wholly equal, obsoletely tubed, tough, stiff and
straight, even, smooth, slightly shining, clay-yellow, with a long perpen-
dicular, commonly smooth, tail-like root. Grills adnexed, even decur-
rent with a very thin small tooth, then separating, very broad, limber,
somewhat distant, whitish, sometimes clay-color.
Gregarious but never cespitose. The tube of the stem is very narrow.
Stevenson.
The smallest edible Collybia. Cooke. Edible. In dense woods.
Curtis. It is dried and preserved. Cordier.
In pastures and grassy places. Spring and early summer.
Edible, but rather bitter flavor. In Austria, where it is in great
plenty in April, large baskets are brought to market under the name of
Nagelschwamme — nail mushrooms.
Professor Peck describes C. esculentoides Pk., 49th Rep. N. Y. State
Bot., which he states: "Differs from the type in its paler and more
ochraceous color and in its farinaceous flavor, and is related to the
European C. esculenta from which it differs essentially in the umbilicate
pileus and in the absence of any radicating base to the stem."
** Gills narrow, crowded.
C. dryophil'aBull. Gr. — oak-loving. (Plate XXIX0, fig, 3, p. 112.)
Pileus 1-3 in. across, bay-brown-rufous, etc., becoming pale, but not
1 20
Leucosporae
hygrophanous, slightly fleshy, tough, convexo-plane, obtuse, commonly Coiiybia.
depressed in the center, even, smooth; margin at first inflexed then flat-
tened. Flesh thin, white. Stem 1-3 in. long, 1-3 lines thick, car-
tilaginous, remarkably tubed, thin, even, smooth, somewhat rooting,
commonly becoming yellow or reddish. Gills somewhat free, with a
small decurrent tooth, but appearing adnexed when the pileus is de-
pressed, crowded, narrow, distinct, plane, white or becoming pale.
There are numerous monstrous forms which are very deceiving: a.
Stem elongated, waved, decumbent, inflated at the base ; pileus broader,
lobed; gills white, b. Fnnicnlaris , larger, cespitose, the lax and de-
cumbent stem equal and hairy at the base, gills sulphur-yellow. These
forms, analagous with A. repens Bull., occur on heaps of leaves, c.
Countless specimens growing together in a large cluster; stems thick,
inflated, irregularly shaped, sulcate, brown, the mycelium collecting the
soil in the form of a ball ; pileus very irregularly shaped, full of angles,
undulated, blackish then bay-brown. In gardens. Stevenson.
Spores elliptic-fusiform, 7-8x4^; 6//. W.G.S.
Professor Peck, 49th Rep. N. Y. State Bot., gives the following:
Pileus thin, convex or nearly plane, sometimes with the margin elevated,
irregular, obtuse, glabrous, varying in color, commonly some shade of
bay-red or tan-color. Flesh white. Lamellae narrow, crowded, ad-
nexed or almost free, white or whitish, rarely yellowish. Stem equal
or sometimes thickened at the base, cartilaginous, glabrous, hollow, yel-
lowish or rufescent, commonly similar in color to the pileus. Spores,
6-8x3-4^.
Pileus 1-2 in. broad. Stem 1-2 in. long, 1-2 lines thick.
Woods, groves and open places. Common. June to October.
West Virginia, North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. Mcll-
vaine.
C. dryophila is so common and variable that descriptions would fail
to cover it in its eccentricities. The writer has eaten it in all the forms
obtained since 1881. A very pretty form grew in large quantities
among pine needles at Eagle's Mere, Pa., in August, 1897. It was
cooked and served at the hotel table. Many ate it and were delighted.
Dr. Badham refers to a case in which illness was caused by eating it.
In my eighteen years' experience with it, knowing it to have been en-
joyably eaten by scores of persons, I have not heard of the slightest
discomfort from it.
121
Agaricacese
Coiiybia. C. spinillifera Pk. — spinula, a little thorn. Pileus fleshy, thin, con-
vex or nearly plane, glabrous, hygrophanous reddish tan-color tinged
with pink and slightly striatulate on the margin when moist, paler when
dry, adorned with minute colored spinules or setae. Gills narrow, close,
rounded behind and free, pale cinnamon-color, becoming somewhat
darker with age, spinuliferous. Stem slender, tough, glabrous, shining,
hollow, reddish-brown, often paler or whitish at the top, especially in
young plants, with a whitish myceloid tomentum at the base. Spores
elliptical or nearly so, 47*.
Plant cespitose. Pileus 8-16 lines broad. Stem 2-3 in. long, about
I line thick.
Prostrate trunks and ground among leaves in woods. Lewis county.
September.
In this species the lamellae, under a lens, appear to be minutely
pubescent or velvety. This is due to the colored spinules or setae which
clothe them. Peck, 49th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Angora, Pa. September, 1897. Among moss in mixed woods.
September to frost. Mcllvaine.
Specimens identified by Professor Peck. Stems of some tapered at base.
Excepting the extreme base of stems the whole plant is tender and
of good flavor.
( Plate XXXIo.)
COLLYBIA ACERVATA (young).
C. acerva'ta Fr. — acervus, a heap.
Pileus fleshy but thin, convex
or nearly plane, obtuse, glabrous,
hygrophanous, pale tan-color or
dingy pinkish-red and commonly
striatulate on the margin when moist,
paler or whitish when dry. Gills
narrow, close, adnexed or free, whit-
ish or tinged with flesh-color. Stem
slender, rigid, hollow, glabrous, red-
dish, reddish-brown or brown, often
whitish at the top, especially when
young, commonly with a white
matted down at the base. Spores
elliptical, 6x3-4/x..
Plant cespitose. PileilS 1-2 in.
broad. Stem 2-3 in. long, about I
line thick.
122
Leucosporae
Decaying wood and ground among fallen leaves in woods. Adirondack Coiiybia
mountains. August and September. Peck, 49th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
This very pretty plant resembles forms of C. dryophila. The color-
ing of the stems is often extremely delicate, like paintings upon rice
paper.
West Virginia mountains; Eagle's Mere, Pa. August to frost. Mc-
Ilvaine,
The entire plant is tender, delicate and of fine flavor. In these quali-
ties it is not distinguishable when cooked from the smaller forms of C.
dryophila.
523
Agaricaceae
MYCE'NA Fr.
Gr. — a fungus.
Mycena. PileuS regular, rarely depressed in the center, thin, usually streaked
(Plate XXXII.)
MYCENA GALERICULATA.
with longitudinal lines, at first con-
ico-cylindrical, margin at the first
straight, closely embracing the stem
which is attenuated upward. Stem
hollow, slender, cartilaginous. Gills
adnate or adnexed, sometimes with a
small tooth, never decurrent. Spores
white.
Generally small and slender, grow-
ing on branches, twigs, heaps of
leaves, sometimes on the ground,
some minute species on single dead
leaves. Long, rooting stems are not
uncommon. Clitocybe and Ompha-
lia are separated by their decurrent
gills and in Collybia the margin is
at first incurved.
In this genus the species of the various sections are not always dis-
tinguished by single sharply defined characteristics, so that it will some-
times be necessary to pay attention to all the features. Species with a
thread-like stem are found in other sections than Filipedes and some of
the Lactipedes are slippery when moist, but not truly viscous.
ANALYSIS OF TRIBES.
CALODONTES (kalos, beautiful; odontes, teeth). Page 126.
Stem juiceless, not dilated into a disk at the base. Edges of gills
darker, minutely toothed.
ADONIDE^E (Adonis, referring to beauty). Page 126.
Stem juiceless, not dilated at the base. Gills of one color, not chang-
ing color. Color pure-colored, bright, not becoming brownish or gray.
On the ground.
124
Lencospone
RlGlPEDES (rigid-stemmed). Page 126. Mycena.
Stem firm, rigid, rather tough, juiceless, more or less rooting. Gills
changing color, white, then gray or reddish, generally at length con-
nected by veins.
Tough, persistent, inodorous, usually on wood, very cespitose, but
individuals of the same species sometimes grow singly on the ground.
FRAGILIPEDES (fragile-stemmed). Page 130.
Stem fragile, juiceless, fibrillose at the base, scarcely rooting. Pileus
hygrophanous. Gills becoming discolored , at length somewhat connected
by veins.
Thin, fragile, often soft, normally growing singly on the ground. A
few strong smelling, cespitose on wood.
FlLIPEDES (thread-stemmed). Page 130.
Stem thread-like, flaccid, somewhat tough, rooting, juiceless, generally
extremely long in proportion to the pileus. Gills becoming discolored,
paler at the edge.
Straight, growing singly on the ground; inodorous. Pileus dingy-
brown, becoming paler.
LACTIPEDES (milky-stemmed). Page 130.
Gills and rooting stem milky when broken.
GLUTINIPEDES (glutinous-stemmed). Page 131.
Stem juiceless but externally sticky with gluten. Gills at length de-
current with a tooth.
BASIPEDES (base-stemmed). Page 131.
Stem dry, rootless, the base naked and dilated into a disk or small
hairy bulb. Growing singly, slender, soon becoming flaccid.
(insero, to insert or graft). Page 131.
Stem very thin, dry, growing as if inserted in the supporting surface,
not downy, not disk-like at the base.
Gills adnate with a small decurrent tooth. Small, very tender, be-
coming flaccid with the first touch of the sun.
125
Agaricaceee
Mycena. Mycena is a large genus composed of small species. About sixty
members have been found in America. They are from % to I in.
across the cap, with thin stems and altogether delicate appearance. Yet
the flesh of most of them has a gummy consistency in the mouth, and
they shrink but little in stewing. Heretofore not any appear to have
been reported as edible, probably because the size of the species has not
attracted experimenters. While some have a strong odor and taste of
radishes, and one species is bitter, it is probable that all are edible.
The writer has eaten, raw and cooked, small quantities (all he has found)
of many species not here reported as edible, which will, when further
tested, be reported upon.
The substance and flavor of those here given is remarkably pleasant.
Their late coming, hardiness and abundance are commendable qualities.
I. — CALODON'TES. Stem juiceless. Gills minutely toothed.
None tested.
II. — ADONI'DE/E. Stem juiceless. Gills of one color, etc.
None tested.
III. — RlGIDl'PEDES. Stem rigid. Gills at first white, changing
color, etc.
M. prolifera Sow. — proles, offspring; fero, to bear. (Plate X, figs.
6, 7, p. 28.) PileilS %-iK in. across, slightly fleshy, expanded bell-
shape, dry, the broad umbo darker (dingy-brown), slightly striate, and
at length furrowed or rimosely split at the margin (pale yellowish or
becoming brownish-tan). Stem 2^-3 in. long, firm, rigid, smooth,
shining, slightly striate, rooted. Gills adnexed, somewhat distinct, be-
coming pale white.
Inodorous, only at length nauseous. Very closely allied to M. galeri-
culata, in habit approaching nearest to M. cohserens. The stems are
pallid at the apex, but slightly tawny-bay-brown below, and glued to-
gether by hairy down at the base. There is a white form with trans-
parent stem — on trunks. Fries.
Mt. Gretna, Pa. On ground in grass. Mycelium spreading on
leaves . Mcllvaine .
126
Leucosporae
Found in great plenty. Base of stems is sometimes white when in Mycena.
dense tufts.
The whole plant is tender, cooking in fifteen minutes, and is of fine
flavor. No one will want a better fungus.
M. mgo'sa Fr. — ruga, a wrinkle. PileilS ash-color but becoming
pale, very tough, slightly fleshy at the disk, otherwise membranaceous,
bell-shaped then expanded, at length rather plane, somewhat obtuse,
more or less corrugated (unequal with elevated wrinkles), always dry,
not moist even in rainy weather, striate at the circumference. Stem
commonly short, remarkably cartilaginous, tubed, rigid, tough, straight,
at length compressed, even, smooth, pallid, with a short oblique hairy
root. Gills arcnato-adnate , with a decurrent tooth, united behind in a
collar, somewhat distant, connected by veins, broad, ventricose, white
then gray, edge sometimes quite entire, sometimes with saw-like teeth.
Always inodorous. Formerly connected with M. galericulata. M.
rugosa is arid, very tough, more rarely cespitose, the pileus firm, some-
what obtuse, wrinkled but without striae, the gills arcuato-adnate with
a hooked tooth, white then ash-color. The genuine M. galericulata is
fasciculato-cespitose, somewhat fragile, the pileus thinner, at first con-
ical and umbonate, striate without wrinkles, the gills adnate, with a de-
current tooth, white then flesh-color. Between these there is a long
series of intermediate forms. Fries.
California, H. and M. ; Kansas, Cragin; Wisconsin, Bundy; New
York, September, Peck, 46th Rep.; West Virginia, New Jersey, Penn-
sylvania. On decaying wood and ground near stumps. August to
November. Mcllvaine.
The tenacity frequently occurring in Mycena is well shown in this spe-
cies. The caps and stem cook tender, but it is better to discard the
stems, as the two do not become tender at the same time.
M. galericula'ta Scop. — -galericulum, a small peaked cap. (Plate
X, fig. 5, p. 28.) Pileus somewhat membranaceous, conical bell-
shaped then expanded, striate to the umbo, dry, smooth, becoming
brownish-livid or changeable in color. Stem rigid, polished, even,
smooth, with a spindle-shaped root at the base. Gills adnate, decurrent
with a tooth, connected by veins, whitish and flesh-colored.
Very protean. Normally growing in bunches, the numerous stems
127
Agaricaceae
Mycena. (never sticky) glued together with soft hairy down at the base. But it
occurs also solitary, larger, pileus as much as 2 in. broad, wrinkled-
striate. The essential marks by which it is distinguished from A. rugosa
are these : Stem in general thinner, less tense and straight, often curved,
more fragile. Pileus membranaceous, conico bell-shaped, umbonate,
striate but not corrugated, moist in rainy weather. Gills adnate, with
a decurrent tooth, more crowded, whitish then flesh-colored. The color
both of the pileus (normally dingy-brownish then livid) and of the stem
(normally becoming livid-brownish) is much more changeable than that
of A. rugosa, becoming yellow, rust colored, etc. It is not so tough
and pliant as A. rugosa. Forms departing from the type are very nu-
merous; the most beautiful is var. calopus (6V., beautiful; Gr. , afoot)
with chestnut-colored stems, united in a spindle-shaped tail. Fries.
Spores spheroid or subspheroid, 9-iox6-8ft K.; 8- 1 1x4-6/1, B.;
6-7x41* Mas see
Common. Autumnal. Very variable. On trunks, fallen leaves.
Two well-marked varieties of this very variable species were observed
the past season. One grows on the ground among fallen leaves. It has
a dark brown pileus, close lamellae and a very long stem, generally of a
delicate pink color toward the top. It might be called var. longipcs.
The other grows under pine trees, has a broadly convex or expanded
grayish-brown pileus and a short stem. It might be called var. expansns.
Peck, 26th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
' 'M. alcalina is closely allied to it (M. galericulata), but has a stronger
alkaline odor and a rather more fragile stem. In one of your specimens
I detect a slight incarnate tint to the gills, and this is pretty conclusive
evidence that it belongs to M. galericulata. Species of Mycena are not
generally reckoned among edible fungi or even promising fungi; I sup-
pose on account of the thin flesh of the cap, but of course it is possible
to make up in numbers what is lacking in size. I am glad to know you
have found this to be an esculent one. " Letter Professor Peck to C.
Mcllvaine, October 5, 1893.
The caps and stems when young make as good a dish as one cares to
eat. The substance is pleasant, and the flavor delicate. They are best
stewed slowly in their own fluids, after washing, for ten minutes and
seasoned with pepper, salt and butter.
M. parabo'lica Fr. — shaped like a parabola. Pileus becoming black
128
Leucosporse
at the disk, inclining to violaceous, otherwise becoming pale, whitish, Mycena.
somewhat membranaceous, at first erect and oval, then parabolic, obtuse,
never expanded, moist, somewhat shining when dry, smooth, even, striate
toward the entire margin. Stem 2-3 in. long, I line thick, tubed, tense
and straight but not very rigid, thickened and bearded-rooted at the
base, pale below, dark violaceous above, when young white-mealy,
otherwise even, smooth, dry. Gills simply adnate, ascending, some-
what distant, rarely connected by veins, quite entire, white, somewhat
gray at the base.
Stem less rigid than that of A. galericulatus. Truly gregarious or
cespitose. Fries.
Spores I2x6/u. B.; elliptical, Ii-i2x6/i Massee.
Trenton, N. J. June. E. B. Sterling; West Virginia, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, on decaying stumps, trunks of oak, chestnut, poplar, pine.
June until far into the winter. Mcllvaine.
Plant up to 2%. in. high. Caps usually about /£ in., but reaching
K in.
A neat, attractive plant, whether single or in dense tufts. Its smell
is strong of fresh meal, and taste of that delicate flavor one finds in the
succulent base of the round, swamp rush, when pulled from its sheath
— one that every country school boy and girl knows. It is pleasant raw,
and delicious when cooked.
M. latifo'lia Pk. — lattis, broad; folium, a leaf. Pileus convex,
rarely somewhat umbonate, striatulate, grayish-brown. Gills white,
broad, hooked, decurrent-toothed. Stem slender, smooth, hollow, sub-
concolorous, white-villous at the base.
Height 1-1.5 m-, breadth of pileus 4-6 lines. Stem -5 lines thick.
Under pine trees. Center. October.
A small species with quite broad gills, growing among the fallen
leaves of pine trees. Gregarious. Peck, 23d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Mt. Gretna, Pa. Among pine needles, scattered, sometimes four or
five in a cluster. September to October. Mcllvaine.
Autumnal. Not rare. The caps though small are tenacious in the
mouth and lose little in cooking. The substance is agreeable and flavor
fine.
129
Agaricaceae
IV. — pRAGILl'PEDES. Stem fragile, juiceless, etc. None tested.
V. — FILI'PEDES. Stem thread-like, etc.
Mycena. M. collaria'ta Fr. — collare, a collar. Pileus % in. and more broad,
typically dingy-brown, but becoming pale, commonly gray-whitish, be-
coming brownish only at the disk, membranaceous, bell-shaped then
convex, somewhat umbonate, striate, when dry rigid, smooth, not soft
nor slightly silky. Stem about 2 in. long, tubed, tliread-like but almost
i line thick, tough, dry, smooth, even or slightly striate under a lens,
becoming pale. Gills adnate, _/W««/ in a collar behind, thin, crowded,
hoary-whitish or obsoletely flesh-colored.
The gills are somewhat distant when the pileus is expanded. There
is not a separate collar as in Marasmius rotula; the gills are only joined
in the form of a collar, and remain cohering when they separate from
the stem. Fries.
Spores 8-IOX4-6/U, B.
New York. Old stumps and rotten logs. June. Peck, 23d Rep.
Mt. Gretna, Pa. Cespitose on decaying wood. July, September and
October. Mcllvaine.
Very much like M. galericulata, but gills not connected by veins.
The caps usually have a pinkish hue, often brownish. The stems are
not as tender as the caps. The flavor is excellent.
VI. — LACTI'PEDES. Stem and gills milky, etc.
M. hsema'topa Pers. Gr. — blood; Gr. — a foot. Pileus about i in.
broad, white flesh-color, fleshy-membranaceous. slightly fleshy chiefly
at the disk, conical then bell-shaped, obtuse, nay convex and spuriously
umbonate, naked, even or slightly striate at the margin, which is at the
first elegantly toothed. Stem 2-4 in. long, i line and more thick, re-
markably tubed, rigid, normally everywhere powdered with whitish,
delicate, soft hairy down, sometimes, however, denuded of it. Gills
adnate, often with a small decurrent tooth, the alternate ones shorter,
in front disappearing short of the slight margin of the pileus, whitish
and wholly of the same color at the edge.
Cespitose (very many of the stems conjoined and hairy at the base),
130
Leucosporae
firm, stature almost that of M. galericulata, wholly abounding with Mycena.
dark blood-colored juice.
On stumps. Frequent. September. Stevenson.
Spores spheroid-ellipsoid, 10x6-7/1*, K.
I find a non-cespitose form of this species with red-margined gills.
Its red juice, however, will serve to distinguish it and show its true re-
lations. Peck, 3 ist Rep.
Common in tufts like M. galericulata and of about the same size, but
is readily distinguished by its red juice. This pretty plant can often be
gathered in considerable quantity, and well repays the collector.
VII. — GLUTINI'PEDES. Stems gelatinous, etc.
None tested.
VIII. — BASI'PEDES. Stem dilated at base, etc.
None tested.
IX. — iNSm'Tl^E. Stem inserted.
None tested.
*^-VS=_4^S=o^
Agaric aceee
HIA'TULA Fr.
Hio, to gape.
Hiatula.
(Plate XXXIII.)
HIATULA WYNNI.E.
time placed by Fries. Massee.
Pileus symmetrical, very thin,
without a distinct pellicle, formed by
the union of the backs of the gills,
splitting when expanded. Gills
almost or quite free, white. Stem
central. Spores white.
Allied to Lepiota in the thin pi-
leus and free gills, but differing in
the entire absence of a ring. Not
at all deliquescent as in the genus
Coprinus, near to which it was at one
Reported from North Carolina.
(Plate XXXIV.)
OMPHA'LIA Fr.
Gr. — belonging to an umbilicus.
omphaiia. Pileus generally thin, usually umbilicate at first, then funnel-shaped,
often hygrophanous, margin incurved
or straight. Gills truly decurrent
from the first, sometimes branched.
Stem distinctly cartilaginous, pol-
ished, tubular, often stuffed when
young. Flesh continuous with that of
the pileus but differing in character.
Spores white, somewhat elliptical,
smooth.
Generally on wood, preferring
hilly woods and a damp climate.
Resembling Collybia and Mycena
in the flesh of stem and pileus being
different in texture and in the exter-
nally cartilaginous stem. It is per-
OMPHALIA UMBELLIFERA.
Enlarged about two sizes.
fectly separated by the gills being markedly decurrent from the first.
132
Leucosporee
The American species of Omphalia number between thirty-five and Omphaiia.
forty. Many of them are common. Few woods are free from them.
Several of them are beautiful. They are usually small and lacking in
substance. Raw, the writer has not found one that is objectionable in
any way; a few have a woody taste. But two species have been found
by him in sufficient quantity to make a dish. It is probable that all are
edible. At best the species of Omphalia are valuable in emergency only.
ANALYSIS OF TRIBES.
COLLYBARII.
Pileus dilated from the first, margin incurved.
MYCENARII.
Pileus campanulate at first, margin straight and pressed to the stem.
COLLYBA'RII.
* Pileus dilated from the first; margin incurved.
0. onis'cus Fr. Gr. — a wood-louse. From the ashy color. Pileus
scarcely I in. broad, dark ashy becoming pale, gray-hoary when dry,
somewhat membranaceous, or slightly fleshy, flaccid, fragile when old.
convexo-umbilicate or funnel-shaped, often irregular, undulato-flexuous,
even-lobed, smooth, even, margin striate. Stem I in. long, I line and
more thick, stuffed then tubed, slightly firm, moderately tough, some-
times round, curved, sometimes unequal, compressed, ascending, un-
dulated, gray . Gills shortly decurrent, somewhat distant, quaternate,
ash-color. Not cespitose. Fries.
Spores 12x7-8)* B.
Massachusetts, Sprague; California, H. and M., who record it as
edible.
0. umbellif era — umbella, a little shade ; fero, to bear. From its um-
brella-like shape. (Plate XXXIV, p. 132.) Pileus about % in. broad,
commonly whitish, slightly fleshy-membranaceous, convex then plane,
broadly obconic with the decurrent gills, not at all or only slightly um-
bilicate, hygrophanous, when moist watery, rayed with darker stria,
133
Agaricaceee
Omphaiia. when dry even, changeable in appearance, silky, flocculose, rarely
squamulose, the margin, which is at first in flexed, crenate (scalloped).
Stem short, not exceeding I in. long, almost I line thick, stuffed then
soon tubed, slightly firm, equal or dilated toward the apex into the
pileus, of the same color as the pileus, commonly smooth, but varying
pubescent, white villous at the base. Gills very broad behind, triangu-
lar, decurrent, very distant, edge of the gills straight.
Cosmopolitan. The common form is to be found everywhere from
the sea level to 4,000 feet, Stevenson.
Spores 3x4^ W.G.S.; 10x4^ W. P ; green variety iox6/x, W. P.;
broadly elliptical, 8-iox5-6/x Peck.
O. umbellifera is known the world over. It is very variable in size
and color. With us it is seldom over K in. broad. Stem K-i line
thick. It grows on decaying wood and ground full of decaying ma-
terial. There are several varieties. All are edible, but not worth de-
scribing. This description is given that the student may recognize one
of our common plants, and eat it, if very hungry.
MYCENA'RII.
0. campanel'la Batsch. — campana, a bell. PileilS thin, rather tough,
hemispherical or convex, glabrous, umbilicate, hygrophanous, rusty
yellow-color and striatulate when moist, paler when dry. Gills moder-
ately close, arcuate, decurrent, yellowish, the interspaces venose. Stem
firm, rigid, hollow, brown, often paler at the top, tawny-strigose at the
base. Spores elliptical, 6-7x3-4^.
Pileus 4-8 lines broad. Stem about I in. long, scarcely i line thick.
Much decayed wood of coniferous trees. Very common. May to
November. Peck, 45th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Spores ellipsoid, 6-8x3-4^ C.B.P.; 7x3^ W.P.; 6-9x3-4^ B.
The quantity alone, in which this small species can be found, makes
it worth mentioning as an edible species. It is common over the United
States where coniferous trees abound. Its favorite habitat is upon the
rotting debris of these trees. Occasionally it grows from the ground,
but only from that which is heavily charged with woody material. It
is social in troops, or affectionate in clusters, or maintains a single ex-
istence.
It is edible, of good substance when stewed, tender and of fair flavor.
134
PLATE XXXV.
Photographed by Dr. J. R. Weist.
PLEUROTUS OSTREATUS.
Leucosporse
PLEURO'TTJS.
Gr. — a side ; Gr. — an ear.
Stem excentric, lateral or none. Epipliytal (very rarely growing on pieurotus.
the ground}, irregular, fleshy or membranaceous. Fries.
The excentric, generally lateral stem, absent in some of the species,
separates this from other genera of the white-spored series.
Pileus varying from fleshy in the larger to membranaceous in the
smaller forms, but never becoming woody. Veil generally wanting,
when present its remains sometimes appear on the margin of the pileus,
or as an evanescent ring on the stem. Gills, edge acute, generally de-
current, in some species with a well-marked tooth, rarely simply adnate.
Stem fleshy, confluent and homogeneous with the pileus.
Wood, dead or alive; a few species appear on the ground.
P. ulmarius and others of the larger forms, when growing in an up-
right position, may have the stem central and the pileus horizontal.
The stems of some species of Clitocybe and Omphalia if growing later-
ally are sometimes excentric and oblique.
This genus is analogous to Claudopus, pink-spored, and Crepidotus,
brown-spored.
Spores white, but those of P. sapidus are faintly tinged with lilac,
and of P. ostreatus, var. euosmus, with purple.
ANALYSIS OF TRIBES.
EXCENTRICI. Page 137.
Pileus entire, laterally extended, excentric, not truly lateral.
* Veil fugacious, fragments adhering to stem or margin of pileus.
* Veil none ; gills sinuate or obtusely adnate.
*** Veil none, gills very decurrent, stem distinct, almost vertical.
* Veil none, gills very decurrent, stem proper absent, pileus lat-
eraj, extended behind into a short, stem-like oblique base.
DIMIDIATI. Page 144.
Pileus not at first resupinate, lateral, prolonged without a definite
margin behind, into a very short lateral, stem-like base.
US
Agaricaceae
RESUPINATI. Page 146.
Pileus resupinate from the first, then reflexed.
Pieurotus. If any odium attaches to the word toadstool, it should be forgotten
and forever banished in presence of this cleanly, neat, handsome genus,
choice in its growing places from lichen-covered stumps, or bark-clad
boles, or highly perched limbs, or the scented surfaces of decaying
wood. Several of its species perfume themselves throughout with pleas-
ant spicy odors. Many are most accommodating in their constant
coming.
Mr. H. I. Miller, superintendent Terre Haute and Indianapolis Rail-
road, writes: "Most of the mushroom books give greatest space to the
A. campester. For some parts of the country this may be desirable,
but for Indiana and Ohio, considering the food value, the P. ostreatus
is the best fungus we have in these states, from the fact that anybody
wanting a mess can nearly always obtain a basketful of this variety,
whereas the others depend upon a good many weather conditions.
Having located a few logs and stumps in the spring, where the P. ostre-
atus grows, these same stumps and logs can be used all season. The
crops are successive, and while some of the spots seem to be barren for
a few days at a time, the others will be bearing. It does not make
much difference what the kind of log or stump, whether it be beech,
oak or elm, or what the species of tree. I think I have found them on
all our forest trees, and it is not necessary for the tree to be dead. If
there is a decaying portion, the spores seem to be carried by the little
black beetle that infests the ostreatus, from one place to another, and
wherever a small spot of dead wood is found we are likely to find the P.
ostreatus. This being the only edible mushroom that we can find in
large quantities all through the season in this neck of the woods, it
seems to me that a general knowledge of it will serve the economic pur-
pose more than any other fungi."
The presence of the P. ostreatus and its esculent companions is noted
from our northern boundary to the gulf. Poplar, maple, birch, hick-
ory, ash, apple, laburnum and oak trees are its favored residences.
Deer feed upon it, and kine are attracted by its scent even when deep
under snow. When properly selected and slowly cooked, the Pleuroti
are toothsome.
From the fact that the spores of this fleshy and valuable genus find
136
Leucosporae
fostering lodgment in many trees when in decay, it is more than prob- Pieurotus.
able that the several species can be propagated by planting their spores
upon such decaying woods, or by transplanting the mycelium.
Growths of P. ostreatus, P. sapidus, P. salignus, and probably other
species of Pieurotus, can be forced, by watering the spots upon which
they are known to grow. Dr. Kalchbrenner mentions that the P.
sapidus is in this way cultivated in Hungary. Acting upon this men-
tion the writer had good success with P. ostreatus. Experiments in
this direction are likely to be interesting and rewarding.
No species is suspected of being noxious.
An analysis of P. ostreatus is given by Lafayette B. Mendel, Shef-
field Laboratory of Physiological Chemistry, Yale University, as follows :
Water 73-7«%
Total solids 26.30
The dry substance contained:
Total nitrogen 2.40
Extractive nitrogen 1.27
Protein nitrogen 1.13
Ether extract 1.6
Crude fiber 7.5
Ash 6.1
Material soluble in 85$, alcohol 31.5
American Journal of Physiology, Vol. I, No. n, March I, 1898.
I. — EXCEN'TRICI .
* Veil fugacious, etc.
P. dry'inus Pers. Gr. — oak. PileilS 2 in. broad, whitish, variegated
with spot-like scales which become dingy-brown, lateral, oblique, rather
plane. Flesh thick. Stem very curt and obese, commonly i in. long^
and thick, somewhat lateral, somewhat woody, squamulose, white, with
a short, blunt root. Veil scarcely conspicuous on the stem, but
appendiculate round the margin of the pileus when young. Gills not
very decurrent, somewhat simple, not anastomosing behind, narrow,
white, becoming yellow when old.
On trunks, oak, ash, willow, etc. Stevenson.
Spores iox4ft Massee.
Edible. Cordier, Cooke.
When young the caps are tender; of the consistency, when cooked, of
137
Agaricaceee
Pieurotus. Polyporus sulphureus. In taste and smell the species varies from other
Pleuroti, in having a distinct musk-like flavor. This is agreeable,
reminding one of the common mushroom — A. campester.
** Veil none, gills sinuate, etc.
P. ulma'rius Bull. — ulmus, an elm. Pileus 3-5 in. and more broad,
becoming pale-livid, often marbled with round spots, fleshy, compact,
horizontal, moderately regular although more or less excentric, convex
then plane, disk-shaped, even, smooth. Flesh white, tough. Stem
2-3 in. long, i in. thick, solid, firm, elastic, somewhat excentric, curved-
ascending, thickened and tomentose at the base, not rarely villous
throughout, white. Gills horizontal, emarginate or rounded behind,
slightly adnexed, broad (broader in the middle), somewhat crowded,
whitish.
The pileus is sometimes cracked in a tessellated manner. Stevenson.
Spores nearly globose, 5/* long Morgan; 5-6. 5/* broad Peck; 6/u.
W.G.S.
Var. aceri'cola — acer, maple; colo, to inhabit. Plant smaller, cespi-
tose.
Trunks and roots of maple trees. Adirondack mountains. September.
Var. populi 'cola — populus, poplar; colo, to inhabit. Plant subcespi-
tose, stem wholly tomentose. West Albany. Peck, Monograph, N. Y.
Species of Pieurotus, Rep. 39.
The gills are sometimes torn across like those of Lentinus.
The historic elms of Boston Common have borne copious crops of
this well-known and easily distinguished species from time immemorial.
Every fall, about the first of September, if the season is favorable, later
if not, copious crops appear decorating the trunks, and branches, some-
times at a height of thirty or forty feet. Growth takes place where
branches have broken off or the trees have been wounded from other
causes. They occur very generally on elms in the outlying districts of
the city, but are rare in the country, seeming to be distinctly urban in
their tastes. No damage is apparent from their growth.
Immediately in the rear of Independence Hall, Philadelphia, a fine
cluster appears with equal autumnal regularity.
Though the elm tree is the chosen habitat of this fungus, it is little
less select in its choice than other members of its genus.
138
Leucosporae
When young and small P. ulmarius is tender and of acceptable flavor. Pieurotus.
The stems and centers of older specimens should be cut away, and the
tender parts of the caps, only, used.
P. tessula'tus Bull. — tessela, a small cube for pavement. PileilS
becoming pale-tawny , horizontal, compactly fleshy, convex then plane,
and in a form which is somewhat lateral depressed behind, irregular,
even, smooth, variegated with round and hexagonal paler spots. Flesh
thick, white. Stem short, I in. or little more long, solid, compact,
equal or attenuated at the base, very excentric, curved-ascending, even,
smooth, white. Grills sinuate behind, uncinato-adnate, thin, crowded,
white or becoming yellow.
Solitary; according to some cespitose. The pileus is not cracked in
a tessellated manner, as one might easily imagine from the name, but
variegated with spots. Smaller than A. ulmarius (to which it is too
closely allied), but almost more compact, with a smell of new meal.
On trunks. Stevenson.
North Carolina, Scliweinitz. Edible. Curtis. Edible. Cordier.
On specimens growing cespitose and singly, found at Haddonfield,
N. J. September, 1895, on trunk of apple tree, and at Eagle's Mere,
Pa., singly on sugar maple, August, 1898, the margin of caps were
beautifully marked, but not cracked.
In quality it is better than P. ulmarius.
P. Sllbpalma'tllS Fr. — sub and palma, a palm. Pileus 3-5 in. across.
Flesh thick, soft, variegated; convex then more or less flattened, ir-
regularly circular, obtuse, wrinkled, smooth, with a gelatinous cuticle,
rufescent. Stem excentric or almost lateral, but the pileus is always
marginate behind, fibrillose, short, equal, flesh fibrous, soft. Gills ad-
nate, 3-4 lines broad, crowded, joined behind, dingy. Massee.
On old trunks, squared timber, etc.
Very remarkable for having the flesh variegated as in Fistulina he-
patica. Pileus, especially when young, covered with a viscid pellicle. Fr.
Spores minutely echinulate, nearly globose, 5.6x71". Morgan.
Ohio, Morgan; Wisconsin, Bundy.
I frequently found this species in North Carolina, growing from oak
ties and standing oak timber. I did not notice distillation of rufescent
drops from the cap. The soft flesh had good flavor. The gelatinous
139
Agaricaceee
Pieurotus. cuticle imparts its character to the dish. Mixed with Lentinus lepideus,
a much tougher plant, which grows in great abundance in the same lo-
calities, it makes toothsome food.
P. lignati'lis Fr. — lignum, wood. Dingy whitish. Pileus 1-4 in.
broad, rarely central, commonly more or less excentric, occasionally
wholly lateral, often kidney-shaped, fleshy, thin, but compact and
tough, fissile, convex then plane, obtuse and often umbilicate, flocculoso-
pruinate, at length denuded with rain, repand, margin at first involute
then expanded, undulato-lobed when luxuriant. Stem sometimes 2-3
in., sometimes 3-4 lines long (even obliterated), stuffed then hollow,
always thin, unequal, curved, curved or flexuous, tough and flexile,
whitish, everywhere pruinato-villous, rooting and somewhat tomentose
at the base. Gills adnate, very crowded and narrow, unequal, diverg-
ent in the lobes, shining white. Fries.
Exceedingly variable, wholly inconstant in form ; substance thin and
pliant; commonly densely cespitose, but also single. Odor strong of
new meal.
On wood, beech, etc. Stevenson.
Parasitic on a rotten plant of Polyporus annosus on elm. W.G.S.
White and grayish-white, margin faintly striate; white-spotted, odor
distinctly farinaceous. C.M.
Spores 3-4^ long, Morgan, Cooke, W.G.S./ 4-5/x K.
Var. abscon'dens Pk. — obscure. New York, Peck, Rep. 31, 39.
On trunks, scattered, sometimes loosely clustered. Griffins, Delaware
county, N. Y. September. New York, Peck, Rep. 31, 39.
Kingsessing, near Philadelphia; Mt. Gretna, Pa. Mcllvaine.
This is a good species in every way. I have not found it in extended
quantity, but it is probable that it will be found in plenty when closer
observed and better known.
P. circina'tus Fr. — to make round. Wholly white, not hygrophanous.
Pileus about 3 in. broad, orbicular, horizontal, fleshy, tough, convex
then plano-disk-shaped, obtuse, even, but covered over with a shining
whitish slightly silky luster. Stem 1-2 in. long, 3-4 lines thick,
stuffed, elastic, equal, central or slightly excentric, commonly straight,
smooth, bluntly rooted at the base. Gills adnate, slightly decurrent,
crowded, broad (as much as 3 lines), white. Fries.
140
Leucosporee
An exceedingly distinct species. Regular, solitary, with a weak, Pieurotus.
pleasant, not mealy odor. The pileus is a little thicker than that of
A. lignatilis, but less compact; the gills are twice as broad. As A.
lignatilis is changeable, this is always constant in form.
On rotting birch stump. Stevenson.
California, H. and M .
Found at Eagle's Mere, Pa., August, 1898, on birch trees. Generally
solitary; sometimes six or eight on one tree, beautifully shining white,
at a distance resembling young Polyporus betulinus. Large quantities
of it grow in the extensive birch forests at Eagle's Mere, yielding a
ready food supply. Its flavor is pleasant, and texture, when cooked,
quite tender.
P. pubes'cens Pk. — pubes, down or soft hair. PileilS fleshy, con-
vex, suborbicular, pubescent, yellowish. Grills broad, subdistant,
rounded behind, sinuate, pallid tinged with red. Stem short, firm,
curved, eccentric, colored like the pileus. Spores globose, 8ft broad.
PileilS about 2 in. broad. Stem scarcely i in. long.
Trunks of trees. Lyndonville. C. E. Fairman. Peck3 44th Rep.
N. Y. State Bot.
West Virginia, on oak trunks. Mcllvaine.
High, agreeable flavor; texture about as in P. ostreatus.
*** Gills deczirrent; stem distinct, etc.
P. sa'pidllS Kalchb. — savory. Cespitose, or several pilei appearing
to spring from a common branched
stem. Pileus 1-3 in. across. Flesh
thick, excentric, regular, convex or
obtusely gibbous then depressed,
glabrous, white or brownish. Stem
stout, solid, several usually spring-
ing from a thickened knob, whitish,
1-2 in. long, expanding upward into
the pileus. Gills decurrent, rather
distant, narrow, whitish. Spores el-
liptical, 10-1 1x4-5/4.
On elm trunks.
A very variable species; accord-
141
(Plate XXXVI.)
SECTION OF PLEUROTUS SAPIDUS.
One-half natural size.
Agaricaceae
pieurotus. ing to Kalchbrenner, the spores have a faint tinge of lilac, and the pileus
is white, tawny, brownish, or umber on the same trunk. The white
form only has been met with in this country. Massee.
Spores with a lilac tinge, oblong or a little curved and pointed,
8.3x3.7^ Morgan; oblong, 9-1 1 .5x4-5/4 Peck; IO-1 1x4-5^ Massee.
Not observed in England until 1887.
Quite common throughout the United States, growing upon decaying
wood, whether above or under ground. It has few distinct features.
The only positive one distinguishing it from P. ostreatus is its lilac-
tinted spores. The tint is faint but noticeable upon white background.
Excepting for purposes of the student, its separation, as a species, from
P. ostreatus is not necessary. When old it has more body than the
latter, but is equally superior as a food fungus.
Professor Peck remarks of it: "A stew made of it is a very good
substitute for an oyster stew."
It can be cultivated by watering the places upon which it is known to
appear.
P. pome'ti Fr. — pometum, an orchard. PileilS white, fleshy, soft,
sub-flaccid, irregular, involute, convex, even, smooth, disk depressed.
Gills decurrent, crowded, separate behind. Stem 2-3 in. high, 3-4
lines thick, excentric, solid, tough, ascending, rooting.
On trunks of pear and apple trees.
Especially distinguished by the rooting stem.
North Carolina, edible, Curtis; California, H. and M.
**** Gills decurrent. Stem lateral, etc.
P. OStrea'tus Jacq. — ostrea, an oyster. (Plate XXXV, p. 134,
XXXVtf, p. 142.) Pileus 3-5 in. broad, when young almost becom-
ing black, soon becoming pale, brownish-ash color, passing into yellow
when old, fleshy, soft, shell-shaped, somewhat dimidiate, ascending,
smooth, moist, even, but sometimes with the cuticle torn into squam-
ules. Stem shortened or obliterated, firm, elastic, ascending obliquely,
thickening upward, white, strigoso-villous at the base. Gills decurrent,
anastomosing behind, somewhat distant, broad, white, sometimes turn-
ing light yellow, and without glandules.
For the most part cespitose, imbricated, very variable, sometimes
142
-o
r
m
c
70
O
H
C
c/)
O
C/)
H
70
m
>
H
C
Leucosporse
almost central. The pileus is at first convex and horizontal, then pieurotus.
expanded and ascending. Stevenson.
Spores 10-12x4-5/4 Massee; 7.5-10x41", Peck.
General over the United States.
Var. glanduldsus Ag. g. Bull. — With the habit of the typical form,
but larger. Pileus dark brown, becoming pale. Gills white, with scat-
tered small wart-like or glandular bodies.
On trunks. A very constant but somewhat rare variety ; easily known
by the dark-brown pileus. The gland-like bodies on the gills are due
to the outward growth of the hyphae of the trama in minute patches
here and there. Massee.
Var. euosmus Berk. — strong-smelling. Strong scented, imbricate.
Pileus fleshy, depressed, shining, silky when dry, at first white with a
tinge of blue, then brownish. Stem short or obsolete. Gills decurrent,
ventricose, dingy, white. Spores 12-14x5^, pale pinkish-lilac.
On elm trunks. Pilei very much crowded, 2 in. or more across,
deeply depressed, unequal, at first white, invested with a slight blue
varnish, at length of a pale brown. Stems distinct above, connate be-
low. Gills rather broad ; running down to the bottom of the free por-
tion of the stem. Spores oblong, narrow, oblique, white, tinged with
purple. The whole plant smells, when first gathered, strongly of tarra-
gon. B. and Br.
Found at Richmond, Ind., Dr. J. R. Weist. On hickory stump at
Mt. Gretna, Pa., Mcllvaine; Haddonfield, N. J., T. J. Collins.
This esculent fungus closely allied to P. ostreatus, and differing only
in having lilac spores, has been followed from book to book by a bad
reputation, probably because of its "rosy" or lilac spores — all fungi
having pink spores having been, until recently, ignorantly branded by
authors as poisonous. The writer has eaten meals of it many times, as
have his friends. It is in every way equal to P. ostreatus.
The rare qualities of this species are stated in the descriptive heading
of the genus. Its very name implies excellence. The camel is grate-
fully called the ship of the desert ; the oyster mushroom is the shell-
fish of the forest. When the tender parts are dipped in egg, rolled in
bread crumbs, and fried as an oyster they are not excelled by any vege-
table, and are worthy of place in the daintiest menu.
P. salig'nus Schwam. — salix, willow. Pileus 2-3 in. broad, sooty
143
Agaricaceee
Pieurotus. ash-color or ochraceous, fleshy, compact, spongy, somewhat dimidiate,
horizontal, at first pulvinate, even, at length depressed behind and here
and there strigose, the incurved margin entire. Stem always short,
firm, more or less tomentose. Gills horizontal, hence less manifestly
decurrent, separate behind, but branched in the middle, crowded, dingy,
often eroded at the edge, not glandular.
Among the larger and firmer species. Solitary, scarcely ever cespi-
tose. It is commonly confounded with A. ostreatus, but is certainly a
different species. Although the stature is in general the same, it is
easily distinguished by the pileus being more compact, and more pul-
verulent when young, then depressed, by the gills being thinner, more
crowded, somewhat branched, but not anastomosing behind, and dingy
soot-color; the spores also are dingy. Stevenson.
Spores oblong or cylindrical-oblong, 8x4/4 W.G.S.; 8-10x3-4/1^.
Dr. Curtis wrote of this: "Indeed I have found several persons who
class this among the most palatable species. To such persons a dish
of fresh mushrooms need seldom be wanting, as this one can be had
every month of the year in this latitude."
In New Jersey, in the vicinity of Philadelphia, Pa., I have found P.
salignus in quantity. It has been sent to me by Dr. J. R. Weist, of
Richmond, Ind., who writes, "I have eaten it with great enjoyment."
In 1 88 1 I found it frequently on water beeches and willows, and thor-
oughly tested its edible qualities. R. K. Macadam, Boston.
When young or fresh, it is quite equal to any Pieurotus. When old,
as with others of the Pleuroti, it is tough. Nevertheless their margins
are always edible unless decaying.
II. — DIMIDIA'TI.
P. petaloi'des Bull. — petal V>f a flower. PileilS 1-2 in. long, dingy-
brown, becoming pale, dimidiate, fleshy, but in no wise compact, rather
plane, somewJiat spatliulate, continuous with the stem and depressed be-
hind, hence the villous down of the stem ascends to this point (the disk)
of the pileus, otherwise smooth, even, margin at first involute then ex-
panded. Stem about % in. long, sometimes however very short, solid,
firm, compressed, channeled when larger, more or less villous, whitish.
Gills decurrent, very crowded, very narrow (scarcely beyond 2 mm.
broad), linear, very unequal, white then ash-color.
144
Leucosporee
Taste bitter. The form on wood is somewhat horizontal, gregarious Pieurotns.
here and there imbricated. Stevenson.
Spores 9-IOX4//, Massee; 8x4/u, W.G.S.; minutely globose, 3-41".
Peck.
Edible. Cooke, Cordier.
P. spatlmla'tus Pers. — shaped like a spathula. PileuS rather thin,
1-2 in. broad, ascending, spathulate, tapering behind into the stem,
glabrous, convex or depressed on the disk and there sometimes pubes-
cent, alutaceous or brownish tinged with gray, red or yellow. Grills
crowded, linear, decurrent, whitish or yellowish. Stem compressed,
sometimes channeled above, grayish-tomentose. Spores elliptical, 7.6x
4—5^ broad; odor and taste farinaceous.
Ground. Sandlake. June. Edible.
It grows singly or in tufts and is an inch or more in height. The
margin is thin and sometimes striatulate and reflexed. Toward the
base the flesh is thicker than the breadth of the gills. The cuticle is
tough' and separable. The flesh is said by Gillet to be tender and
delicate. Persoon describes the disk as spongy-squamulose, but in our
specimens it is merely pubescent or tomentose. Peck, 39th Rep. N. Y.
State Dot.
Recorded as edible by Professor Peck. At Eagle's Mere, Pa., I
found many specimens agreeing with this description. They grew from
decaying wood under ground, yet had the appearance of growing from
the earth. It is probable that others have been deceived. In quality
I found this to be one of the best.
P. sero'tinus Fr. — late. PileuS fleshy, 1-3 in. broad, compact,
convex or nearly plane, viscid when young and moist, dimidiate kid-
ney-shaped or suborbicular, solitary or cespitose and imbricated, vari-
ously colored, dingy-yellow, reddish-brown, greenish-brown or olivace-
ous, the margin at first involute. Gills close, determinate, whitish or
yellowish. Stem very short, lateral, thick, yellowish beneath and min-
utely tomentose or squamulose with blackish points. Spores minute,
elliptical, 5/x long, 2.5/x. broad.
Dead trunks of deciduous trees. Peck, 39th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Mt. Gretna, Pa., 1887, and at Mt. Moriah, near Philadelphia, from
August until November, 1898. Upon these findings the pileus was
tomentose at base, as was the short stem.
10 145
Agaricacese
pienrotns. The species is not noticeably viscid after its youth. The viscidity
can be detected in old specimens by moistening the pileus. Its flavor
is not marked, nor is its texture as pleasing as most others of its genus,
but being a late species it satisfies the longing of the mycophagist for
his accustomed food.
P. pulmona'rillS Fr. — pulmo, lung, from texture. PileilS 2-3 in.
broad, ash-colored, continuous with the stem, fleshy, soft, but tough,
flaccid, obovate or kidney-shaped, plane or reflexo-conchate at the mar-
gin, even, smooth. Flesh thin, soft, white. Stem very short, solid,
exactly lateral, horizontal or ascending, round, villous, expanded into
the pileus. Gills decurrent but ending determinate ly , moderately broad,
distinct, not branched or anastomosing at the base, livid or ash-color.
The primary form is solitary. The pileus is ashy-tan when dried. It
differs from A. salignus alike in the definitely lateral stem and in the
thin flaccid pileus. Fries.
Not previously reported.
Found by Miss Madeleine Le Moyne, Washington, Pa., September,
1898, and sent to writer. Gills 3 lines broad, not narrow in proportion
to flesh.
Taste and smell similar to P. ostreatus. Cooked it is tender, and
more succulent than P. ostreatus.
Ill . — RESUPINA'TI.
P. mastruca'tus Tic.~mastnica, a sheepskin. Pileus up to 2 in.
long and I in. broad, sessile, at first resupinate then expanded and
horizontal, often lobed, upper stratum of pileus gelatinous, brown,
bristling with squarrose or erect squamules. Flesh thickish. Gills
radiating from the point of attachment, broad, rather distant, grayish-
white.
On old trunks. Imbricated. Readily distinguished by the brown,
squarrosely scaly pileus. Massee.
Spores oblong, oblique, 8x5ft Morgan.
In June, 1886, the writer found this species in oak woods near Phila-
delphia. It grew on fallen trunks and on decaying spots of living
timber.
It is edible, and of good flavor, but is rough in the mouth. If found
in quantity, the extract of it would make a delicate soup.
146
PLATE XXX VI I.
Grouped by F. D. Briscoe — Studies by C. Mcllvaine.
FIG. PAGE. FIG.
1. HYGBOPHORUS PBATENSIS ( WHITE VAR.), 152 5. HYGROPHORUS CANTHARELLUS,
2. HYGROPHORUS PRATENSIS (COLORED VAR.), 152 6. HYGROPHORUS VIRGINEUS,
3 HYGROPHORUS PRATENSIS (AFTER RAIN), 152 7. HYGROPHORUS NIVEUS,
4. HYGROPHORUS MINIATUS, 159
PAGE.
156
153
153
Leucosporae
HYGROPHORUS PRATENSIS.
HYGROPH'ORUS Fr.
Gr. — moist; Gr. — to bear.
Pileus regular or undulated and wavy, often viscid or moist. Flesh Hygrophorus.
of the pileus continuous with that of (Plate XXXVIII.)
the stem and descending as a trama
into the gills. Gills adnate or ad-
nexed, more or less decurrent, waxy,
often thick and forked, edge always
tliin and sharp, often branched.
On the ground. Many species are
brightly colored. Spores white.
This genus differs from the pre-
ceding genera in the manifest trama,
the substance of which is similar to
that of the pileus ; from Lactarius
and Russula by the trama not being vesicular, but somewhat floccose
with granules intermixed ; from Cantharellus, its nearest ally, by the
sharp edge of the gills. The Cortinarii, Paxilli and Gomphidii are at
once distinguished from it by their colored spores and the changing color
of their gills, as well as by other marks. From all the other genera of
Agaricini it is distinguished by a mark peculiar to itself, viz., by the
hymeneal stratum of the gills changing into a waxy mass, which is at
length removable from the trama. This altogether singular character is
specially remarkable in H. caprinus, coccineus, murinaceus, etc. Hence
the gills seem full of watery juice, but they do not become milky like
those of the Lactarii. Fries.
From the description by Fries, the author of the genus, it is manifest
that one has to wait the ripening of the fungus before the peculiar char-
acteristic mark of the genus, i. e. — gills turning into a waxy mass,
easily removable from the cap — can be observed. Many of the species
are difficult to determine when fresh. Nevertheless, there is an inde-
scribable, watery, waxy, translucent appearance about the gills which
catches the eye of the expert, and is soon learned by the novice. The
white spores readily separate the genus from kindred shapes in the col-
ored-spored genera.
So far as tested none of the species is poisonous. One English spe-
147
Agaricaceae
Hygrophoms. cies is fetid. It is probable that they are all edible, varying in quality
only. Fries well, and is superior in croquettes and patties.
ANALYSIS OF TRIBES.
LIMACIUM {Umax, a slug). Page 148.
Universal veil viscid, with occasionally a floccose partial one, which
is annular or marginal.
* White or becoming yellowish.
** Reddish.
** Tawny or yellow.
**** Olivaceous-umber.
***** Dingy cinereous or livid.
None known to be edible.
CAMAROPHYLLUS (Gr. — a vault; a leaf). Page 152.
(From the arched shape of the gills.)
Veil none. Stem even, smooth or fibrillose, not rough with points.
Pileus firm, opaque, moist after rain, not viscid. Gills distant, arcuate.
* Gills deeply and at length obconically decurrent.
** Gills ventricose, sinuately arcuate or plano-adnate.
HYGROCYBE (Gr. — moist; Gr. — the head). Page 155.
Veil none. Whole fungus thin, watery, succulent, fragile. Pileus when
moist viscid, shining when dry, rarely floccoso-scaly. Stem hollow, soft,
without dots. Gills soft. Most of the species are brightly colored and
shining. This tribe is the type of the genus.
* Gills decurrent.
** Gills adnexed, somewhat separating.
LIMA'CIUM.
* White or yellowish-white.
H. chry'sodon Fr. Gr. — gold; a tooth. From tooth-like squamules.
Pileus 2-3 in. broad, white, shining when dry, but commonly yellowish
with minute adpressed squamules at the disk, light yz\\<yw-/locculose at
the involute margin, fleshy, convex then plane, obtuse, viscid. Flesh
148
Leucosporse
white, sometimes reddish. Stem 2-3 in. long, about >2 in. thick, Hygrophoms.
stuffed, soft, somewhat equal (sometimes, however, irregularly shaped
or thickened at the base), white, with minute light yellow sqttamules,
which are more crowded and arranged in the form of a ring toward the
apex. Gills decurrent, distant, 3 lines broad, thin, white, somewhat
yellowish at the edge, sometimes crisped.
Odor not unpleasant. There is a manifest veil, not woven into a
continuous ring, but collected in the form of floccose squamtiles at the
apex of the stem and the margin of the pileus. Var. leucodon with
white squamules. Fries.
In woods.
The lamellae are said to be crisped, and when young, to have the
edge yellow-floccose ; but I have seen no such specimens. Peck, 23d
Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Spores 8x4/1, Cooke.
West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. Mcllvaine.
A pleasant, excellent species, whose rarity is regrettable.
H. ebur'neus Bull. Fr. — ebur, ivory. Wholly shining white. Pileus
fleshy, sometimes thin, sometimes somewhat compact, convexo-plane,
somewhat repand, even, very glutinous in rainy weather, margin soon
naked. Stem sometimes short, sometimes elongated, stuffed then
hollow, unequal, glutinous like the pileus, rough at the apex with dots
in the form of squamules. Gills decurrent, distant, veined at the base,
3-4 lines broad, tense and straight, quite entire. Fries.
Odor mild, not unpleasant. Very changeable. The veil is absent,
unless the very plentiful gluten which envelops the stem be regarded
as a universal veil; margin of the young pileus involute, only at the first
pubescent, soon naked. The stem is soft internally, at length hollow,
attenuated toward the base.
In woods and pastures. Frequent. September to October. Stevenson.
The whole plant is pure white when fresh, but in drying the gills
assume a cinnamon-brown hue. Peck, Rep. 26.
Spores 6x5/A Cooke; 4x5/01 W.G.S.; 5-6/x, K.; 6x4/4 C.B.P.
A common and wide-spread species frequenting woods and pastures.
Edible. Curtis.
The author ate it in West Virginia, in 1882; at Devon, Pa., 1887;
149
Agaricaceee
Hygrophorus. Haddonfield, N. J., 1890. It is well flavored but in texture is not of
first quality.
H. pena'rius Fr. — penus, food. Pileus tan-color, opaqiie, fleshy,
especially when young, at first umbonate, then very obtuse, hemis-
pherical then flattened, even, smooth, commonly dry, margin at first
involute, exceeding the gills, undulated when flattened. Flesh thick,
hard, whitish, unchangeable. Stem curt, I }'* in. or more long, about
y% in. thick at the apex, solid, compact, hard, attenuated at the base
into a spindlc-sliaped root, ventricose to the neck, again attenuated
upward or wholly fusiform-attenuated, pale-white, smeared with tena-
cious, easily dried slime, warty. Flesh firm, but externally more rigid,
cuticle somewhat fragile. Veil not conspicuous. Gills adnato-decurrent,
acute behind, distant, thick, 3-4 lines broad, veined, tan inclining to
pale. Fries.
Odor pleasant, taste sweet. The fusiform root is as long as the stem.
In mixed woods. Stevenson.
Spores 7-8x4-5/A.
Edible. Cooke.
Large specimens occurred in mixed woods, in November, 1898, at
Mt. Gretna. The caps varied from I >£-5 in. across. The color was
white, tinged with yellow, much lighter than described. The caps look
coarse and the stems are not inviting ; but the caps have a pleasant odor.
When stewed for twenty minutes they are meaty and tasty.
** Reddish.
H. erubes'cens Fr. — erubesco, to become red. Pileus 2-4 in. and more
broad, white becoming everywhere red, fleshy, gibbous then convexo-
plane, viscid, adpressedly dotted with sqnamules or becoming smooth,
sometimes wholly compact, sometimes thin towards the margin which
is at the first naked. Flesh firm, white. Stem sometimes short, robust,
2 in. long, i in. thick and attenuated upward, sometimes elongated, 4
in. long, equal or attenuated at the base, solid, flexuous, with red fibrils,
dotted with red upward. Gills decurrent, distant, soft, white, with red
spots. Fries.
Veil none. The ground color is white, as it is also internally, but it
ISO
Leucosporae
everywhere becomes red and the pileus often rosy blood-color. Hand- Hygrophoms.
some, growing in troops, commonly forming large lax circles.
In pine woods. Stevenson.
Spores ellipsoid, very obtuse at both ends, 8-10x4-5^1 K.; 8x4/01
Cooke.
Edible. Cooke.
*** Tawny or yellow.
H. ni'tidus B. and Rav. — shining. Pileus thin, fleshy, convex,
broadly umbilicate, smooth, shining, viscid, pale yellow with the margin
striatulate when moist, nearly white when dry. Gills arcuate, decurrent,
yellow. Stem slender, brittle, smooth, viscid, hollow, yellow. Flesh
yellow.
Height 2-4 in., breadth of Pileus 8-12 lines. Stem 1-2 lines thick.
Swamps. Sandlake. August.
The cavity of the stem is very small. Peck, 23d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Found in many states and places, usually on moist ground beside
streams, or spring heads. It sometimes parades itself in irregular pro-
cessions, at others in sparse patches. It is delicate in flavor, and tender
cooked.
**** Olivaceous-umber.
H. limaci'nus Fr. — Umax, a slug. Pileus i/£— 2/£ in. broad, disk
^lmber then sooty, paler round the margin, fleshy, convex then flattened,
obtuse, smooth, viscid. Flesh rather firm, white. Stem 2-3 in. long,
% in. thick, solid, firm, ventricose, sticky, flocculose, fibrilloso-striate,
roughened with squamules at the apex. Gills adnate, then decurrent,
somewhat distant, thin, white inclining to ash-color. Fries.
Veil entirely viscous, not floccose.
In woods among damp leaves. Stevenson.
Spores I2X4/A Cooke.
New York, Peck, Rep. 34. Thin woods and open places.
Reported edible Bulletin No. 5, 1897, Boston Mycological Club.
H. hypotll'ejus Fr. Gr. — under; Gr. — sulphur (under gluten).
Pileus 1-2 in. broad, at first smeared with olivaceous gluten, ash-col-
ored, when the gluten disappears, becoming pale and yellowish, orange
Agaricacesa
Hygrophorus. or rarely (when rotting) rufescent, fleshy, thin, convex then depressed,
obtuse, even, somewhat streaked. Flesh thin, white then becoming
light yellow. Stem 2-4 in. long, 2-3 lines and more thick, stuffed,
equal, even, viscous, but rarely spotted with the veil, at length hollow.
Partial veil floccose, at the first cortinate and annular, soon fugacious.
Gills decurrent, distant, distinct, at first pallid (even whitish) soon yel-
low, sometimes flesh-color. Fries.
Very protean, changeable in color and variable in size. Stem not
scabrous. There is no trace of the veil when the plant is full grown.
Appearing after the first cold autumn nights, and lasting even till snow.
In pine woods. Frequent. Stevenson.
Spores iox6ju, Cooke; I2X4/U. W.G.S.
Hollis Webster, in Bulletin No. 5, 1897, Boston Mycological Club,
writes: "H. hypothejus Fr., when dried, is crisp and nutty, and very
good to carry in the pocket for occasional nibble."
II. — CAMAROPHYL'LUS.
* Gills deeply decurrent, etc.
H. praten'sis Fr. — pratum, a meadow. (Plate XXXVII, figs. I, 2,
3, p. 146. Plate XXXVIII, p. 147.) Pileus 1-2 in. and more
broad, somewhat pale yellowish, compactly fleshy especially at the disk,
thin toward the margin, convex then flattened, almost top-sJiaped from
the stem being thickened upward, even, smooth, moist (but not viscous)
in rainy weather, when dry often rimosely incised, here and there split
regularly round. Flesh firm, white. Stem \%—2 in. long, % in. and
more thick, stuffed, internally spongy, externally polished-evened and
firmer, attenuated downward, even, smooth, naked. Gills remarkably
decurrent, at first arcuate, then extended in the form of an inverted cone,
very distant, thick, firm, brittle, connected by veins at the base, very
broad in the middle, of the same color as the pileus. Fries.
Very protean. Veil none. The flesh of the pileus is formed as it
were of the stem dilated upward. The typical form resembles the
Cantharelli. Everywhere becoming light yellow-tawny, but varying with
the stem and gills pale-white.
In pastures. Common. Stevenson.
Spores 6x4/i Cooke; 6- 10x4-6/0. K.
152
Leucosporae
Common over the United States. West Virginia, 1881, North Caro- Hygrophoms.
lina, 1890, Pennsylvania, 1887, Mt. Gretna, 1897-1898. Mcllvaine.
Gregarious, and often in tufts, sometimes in partial rings.
An exceedingly variable species. White, buff, smoky, pinkish colors
are common. The cap shapes are also diverse. The margins of some
are incurved; of others repand. The weather seems to have much to
do with their shapes.
M. C. Cooke says: " It requires careful cooking, as it is liable to be
condemned as tough, unless treated slowly, but it is a great favorite
abroad." He calls them "Buff Caps."
All fungi are the better for slow cooking. The H. pratensis in all its
forms is excellent, but particularly so in croquettes and pates.
H. virgin'eus Fr. — virgo, a virgin. (Plate XXXVII, fig. 6, p. 146. )
Wholly white. Pileus fleshy, convex then plane, obtuse, moist, at length
depressed, cracked into patches, floccose when dry. Stem curt, stuffed,
firm, attenuated at the base, externally becoming even and naked. Gills
decurrent, distant, rather thick. Fries.
Flesh sometimes equal, sometimes abruptly thin. Commonly con-
founded with H. niveus, but it is more difficult to distinguish it from
white forms of H. pratensis. It is distinguished chiefly by its smaller
stature, by the color being constantly white, sometimes becoming pale,
by the obtuse pileus being scarcely turbinate, at length cracked into patches
and floccose when dry, and by the gills being thinner, etc.
In pastures. Common. Stevenson.
Spores i2x5-6/u, 'Cooke .
Tastes like M. oreades. M.J.B. Delicious broiled or stewed. Cooke.
"Mony littles make muckle," says the Scotch proverb. It applies
well to the brave little toadstool looking through the first grass of lawns
for the coming of spring, and coming again in the autumn, defiant of
early frosts. Small though it be, its numbers soon fill the basket.
The "Ivory Caps" are plentiful, and extend their haunts to the
woods, where thick mold or grassy places abound.
H. ni'veus Fr. — niveus, snow-white. (Plate XXXVII, fig. 7, p. 146.)
Wholly white. Pileus scarcely reaching I in. broad, somewhat mem-
branaceous, and without a more compact disk, hence truly umbilicate,
153
Agaricaceee
Hygrophoras. bell-shaped then convex, smooth, striate and viscid when moist, not
cracked when dry. Flesh thin, everywhere equal, white, hygrophanous.
Stem 2 in. or a little more long, 1-2 lines thick, tubed, equal, even,
smooth, tense and straight. Gills decurrent, distant, thin, scarcely
connected by veins, arcuate, quite entire.
Thinner, tougher, and later than H. virgineus, etc. Being hygroph-
anous the pileus is shining white when dry. Very tender forms occur.
In pastures. Stevenson.
Spores /X4/U, Cooke.
The H. niveus, H. virgineus, "Ivory Caps" as M. C. Cooke calls
them, are pretty and plentiful in some sections. In the West Virginia
mountains, along grass-grown road-sides, their purity and exquisite
perfume attracted me in 1 88 1. I have them and a few others to thank
for seducing me into becoming a mycophagist. I think of them affec-
tionately. I have seldom met with them since. They are found on
lawns and in pastures and on grassy edges of woods, early in spring and
late in autumn.
H. boreal'is Pk. — northern. PileilS thin, convex or expanded,
smooth, moist, white, sometimes striatulate. Gills arcuate-decurrent,
distant, white. Stem smooth, equal or tapering downward, stuffed,
white.
Plant 2 in. high. PileilS 8-12 lines broad. Stem I line thick.
Ground in woods. Croghan and Copake. September and October.
The species is related to H. niveus but the pileus is not viscid. Peck,
26th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Found at Mt. Gretna, Pa., October 20, 1898, ground in mixed
woods. The cap is white, silky, smooth, not viscid. Stem likewise.
A neat species pleasant in every way.
** Gills ventricose, adnate, etc.
H. dis'tans Berk. — distant (of the gills). PileilS about 2 in. broad,
white, with a silky luster, here and there stained with brown, somewhat
fleshy, plane or depressed, viscid. Stem white above, gray below, and
attenuated, not spotted. Gills decurrent, few, very distant, somewhat
ventricose, pure white then tinged with ash-color, interstices obscurely
wrinkled.
154
Leucosporae
Often umbilicate. Remarkable for the few and distant gills. Stevenson. Hygrophorus.
Spores loxSfj. Cooke.
Caps white, shaded to light pinkish-brown toward center. Gills very
distant. Leaves adhere to cap.
Specimens tested were of mild, pleasant flavor.
H. sphsero'sporus Pk. Pileus fleshy and thick in the center, sub- ;
obconic, convex, obtuse or slightly umbonate, whitish, inclining to red-
dish-brown, the margin incurved. Flesh firm, white. Gills rather
broad, subdistant, adnate or slightly decurrent, white. Stems tufted,
flexuous, solid, glabrous, often slightly thickened at the base, colored
like the pileus. Spores globose, 6— Sp, broad.
Pileus 6-12 lines broad. Stem 1-2 in. long, 2-3 lines thick.
Iowa. October. Communicated by C. Mcllvaine.
The fresh plant is said to have no decided odor, but when partly dried
it emits a slight but rather unpleasant odor. It belongs apparently to
the section Camarophyllus, and is related to Hygrophorus Peckii.
Peck, Torr. Bull., Vol. 22, No. 12.
Received by the writer from Hon. Thomas Updegraff, MacGregor,
Iowa, and forwarded to Professor Peck as a new species.
The fungus has but slight taste and is without odor when fresh.
It is probably edible. Not received in sufficient quantity to test.
III. — HYGRO'CYBE.
* Gills decurrent.
H. cera'ceus Fr. — cera, wax. Pileus about i in. broad, waxy-yel-
low, shining, slightly fleshy, thin, but slightly firm, convexo-plane,
obtuse, slightly pellucid-striate, viscid. Stem 1-2 in. and more long,
about 2 lines thick, hollow, often unequal, flexuous and at length com-
pressed, even, smooth, of the same color as the pileus, never darker at •
the apex. Gills adnato-decurrent , broad, almost triangular, distinct,
yellow. Fries.
Fragile ; easily distinguished from others by its waxy (not change-
able) color. Stevenson.
Spores 8x6/A Cooke.
Eaten in Germany.
155
Agaricacese
Hygrophorus. Found at Angora and Kingsessing, Philadelphia, 1887. August to
October. Open grassy places in woods, and in pastures. Scattered
and in troops. Excellent. Stew slowly.
H. cantharel'lus Schw. Gr. — a small vase. (Plate XXXVII, fig.
5, p. 146.) PileilS thin, convex, at length umbilicate or centrally de-
pressed, minutely squamulose, moist, bright red, becoming orange or
yellow. Gills distant, subarcuate, decurrent, yellow, sometimes tinged
with vermilion. Stem smooth, equal, subsolid, sometimes becoming
hollow, concolorous, whitish within.
Height 2-4 in., breadth of pileus 6-12 lines. Stem 1-2 lines thick.
Swamps and damp shaded places in fields or woods. July to Sep-
tember. Common. Peck, 23d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Var. fldva. Pileus and stem pale yellow. Gills arcuate, strongly
decurrent.
Var. flavipes. Pileus red or reddish. Stem yellow.
Var. ftdviceps. Pileus yellow. Stem red or reddish.
Var. Ro sea. Has the pileus expanded and the margin wavy scal-
loped. Swamps. Sandlake. Peck, 2$d Rep.
Common in the Adirondack region, and throughout Pennsylvania
and New Jersey, in all its varieties.
The resemblance to H. miniatus in color is great, but there is a marked
difference in the gills, which extend further down the thinner stem. It
is tougher, and takes longer to cook. It has a flavor of its own which
is enjoyed by some and condemned by others.
H. COCCl'neilS Schaeff. — of a scarlet color. (Plate CXXXVI, fig. 6,
p. 508.) Pileus 1-2 in. and more broad, at first bright scarlet, then
soon changing color and becoming pale, slightly fleshy, convex, then
plane and often unequal, obtuse, at first viscid and even, smooth, not
floccose-scaly. Flesh of the same color as the pileus. Stem 2 in. long,
3—4 lines thick, hollow, then compressed and rather even, not slippery,
scarlet upward, always yellow at the base. Gills wholly adnate, decur-
rent with a tooth, plane, distant, connected by veins, watery-soft as if
fatty, when full grown purplish at the base, light yellow in the middle,
glaucous at the edge. Fries.
Flesh of the pileus descending into the gills and forming a trama of
the same color. Fragile. Varying in stature, easily mistaken for some
156
Leucosporee
of the following species which are of the same color. Pileus at length
becoming yellow. Stevenson.
Spores 10— i2x6/A Cooke; 7x4/1* Morgan.
Edible. Cooke, Peck.
In woods and pastures. In troops. Common in West Virginia, Penn-
sylvania, New Jersey. Mcllvaine.
Excellent when stewed for twenty minutes.
H. fla'vo-dis'cus Frost — flavus, yellow; discus, disk. Pileus convex
or plane, smooth, glutinous, white (Plate XXXIX.)
with a pale-yellow or reddish-yellow
disk. Flesh white. Gills adnate or
decurrent, subdistant, white, some-
times with a slight flesh-colored tint,
the inter-spaces sometimes veiny.
Stem subequal, solid, glutinous,
white, sometimes slightly stained with
yellow. Spores elliptical, 6-8x4;*.
Plant 2-3 in. high. Pileus 1-3 in.
broad. Stem 2-8 lines thick.
Pine woods. West Albany. No-
vember.
This, like H. fuligineus, has a
short white space at the top of the stem, free from the viscidity that
exists elsewhere. It resembles in many respects Hygrophorus spe-
ciosus, which has the pileus red, fading to yellow with advancing age.
Perhaps the three may yet prove to be forms of one very variable
species, for the most conspicuous differences between them consist in
the colors of the pileus. The constancy with which the three styles of
coloration has thus far been maintained indicates a specific difference,
but color alone is not generally regarded as having any specific value.
Peck, 35th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Spores 6.4-7.6x4^ Peck.
I find this very good but its dirty pellicle should be peeled before
using. Peck, in letter, 1896.
Mr. Hollis Webster writes of H. flavo-discus (Yellow Sweet Bread)
in Bull. No. 45, of the Boston Mycological Club, 1897: "This is a
mushroom worth going a long way to get. It is abundant in rich woods
157
HYGROPHORUS FLAVO-DISCUS.
About two-thirds natural size.
Agaricaceee
Hygrophorus. under pines in certain localities, and is a great favorite with those who
know it. It is easily prepared and requires little cooking."
I have eaten en joy ably of it since 1881.
Plentiful in the Jersey pines, in West Virginia and Pennsylvania, and
equal to any toadstool of its size.
H. fuligi'neilS Frost — resembling soot. Pileus convex or nearly
plane, glabrous, very viscid or glu-
tinous, grayish-brown or soot-color,
the disk often darker or almost black.
Gills subdistant, adnate or decurrent,
white. Stem solid, viscid or gluti-
nous, white or whitish. Spores ellip-
tical, 7— 9x5 /A.
The Sooty hygrophorous resembles
the Club-stemmed clitocybe in the
color of its cap, but in nearly every
other respect it is different. When
moist the cap is covered with an abun-
dant gluten which when dry gives it a
shining appearance as if varnished.
The color varies from grayish-brown
to a very dark or sooty-brown with
the central part usually still darker or
almost black, but never with an umbo. The flesh and the gills are white.
The stem also is white or but slightly shaded toward the base with the
color of the cap. It is variable in length and shape, being long or short,
straight or crooked, everywhere equal in thickness or tapering toward
the base. It is glutinous and unpleasant to handle.
The cap is 1-4 in. broad, the stem 2-4 in. long, and 4-8 lines thick.
The plants grow either singly or in tufts. In the latter case the caps
are often irregular from mutual pressure.
The plants occur early in October and November, in pine woods or
woods of pine and hemlock intermixed.
This mushroom is tender and of excellent flavor, but its sticky and
often dirty covering should be peeled before cooking. Peck, 49th Rep.
N. Y. State Bot.
HYGROPHORUS FULIGINEUS.
About one-half natural size.
I58
Leucosporse
Found at Angora, near Philadelphia, August I, 1897. Densely ces- Hygrophorus.
pitose.
Raw it tastes like dead leaves. Tender and of fine flavor when cooked.
H. minia'tllS Fr. — minium, red lead. (Plate XXXVII, fig. 4, p.
146.) PileilS thin, fragile, at first convex, becoming nearly plane, gla-
brous or minutely squamulose, often umbilicate, generally red. Gills
distant, adnate, yellow, often tinged with red. Stem slender, glabrous,
colored like the pileus. Spores elliptical, white, 8/x. long.
Cap Yz-2 in. broad. Stem 1-2 in. long, 1-2 lines thick. Peck, 48th
Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Var. lutes' cens. Pileus yellow or reddish-yellow. Stem and gills yel-
low. Plant often cespitose. Peck, 4ist Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Spores iox6/A Cooke ; elliptical, white.
Grows where it pleases and abundantly throughout the land. In wet
weather I have found it in July and late in autumn.
Professor Peck says : It is scarcely surpassed by any mushroom in
tenderness of substance and agreeableness of flavor.
The gunner for partridges will not shoot rabbits ; the knowing toad-
stool seeker will pass all others where H. miniatus abounds.
** Gills adnexed, etc.
H. puni'ceus Fr. — blood-red. Pileus 2-4 in. broad, glittering blood-
scarlet, in dry weather and when old becoming pale especially at the
disk, slightly fleshy for its breadth, at first bell-shaped, obtuse, commonly
repand or lobed, very irregular, even, smooth, viscid. Flesh of the same
color, fragile. Stem 3 in. long, %-\ in. thick, solid when young, at
length hollow, very stout (not compressed), ventricose (attenuated at
both ends), striate, and for the most part squamulose at the apex, when
dry light yellowish or of the same color as the pileus, always white and
often incurved at the base. Gills ascending, ventricose, 2-4 lines
broad, thick, distant, white-light yellow or yellow and often reddish at
the base. Fries.
The largest of the group and very handsome. It certainly differs
from H. coccineus, for which it is commonly mistaken, in stature, in
the adnexed gills, and in the white base of the striate stem. The attach-
ment of the gills varies, but from the form of the pileus they ascend to
the base of the cone and appear free.
159
Agaricaceee
Hygrophorus. In pastures. Stevenson.
Spores 8x5/4 Cooke.
Edible. Cooke. No harm would come of confusing it with the ver-
milion mushroom — H. miniatus Pk.
H. COn'icilS Fr. — conical. Pileus thin, submembranaceous, fragile,
smooth, conical, generally acute, sometimes obtuse, the margin often
lobed. Gills rather close and broad, subventricose, narrower toward
the stem, free, terminating in an abrupt tooth at the outer extremity,
scarcely reaching the margin, yellow. Stem equal, fibrous-striate, yel-
low, hollow.
Height 3-6 in., breadth of pileus 6—12 lines. Stem 1-2 lines thick.
Ground in woods and open places. North Elba and Center. August
to October.
The color of the pileus is variable. I have taken specimens with it
pale sulphur-yellow and others with it bright red or scarlet. The plant
turns black in drying. Peck, Rep. 23, New York State Bot.
Spores lOx/ju. Cooke; iox6/A Morgan.
An old-time cure-all had medicinal virtues proportionate to its offen-
siveness. Old-time writers, contrariwise, gave every toadstool a bad
name which changed color or displeased their noses. The pretty little
Hygrophorus conicus, for these reasons, has, until now, been under the
ban of suspicion. M. C. Cooke, in his handy book, Edible and Poison-
ous Mushrooms, was the first to lighten its sentence and make it a sort
of ticket-of-leave culprit.
The writer has frequently eaten it, and is glad to vouch for its harm-
lessness and testify to its eminent respectability.
H. cllloroph'anus Fr. Gr. — greenish-yellow. PileilS I in. broad,
commonly bright sulphur-yellow, sometimes, however, scarlet, not
changing color, somewhat membranaceous, very fragile, at first convex,
then plane, obtuse, orbicular and lobed, and at length cracked, smooth,
viscid, striate. Stem 2-3 in. long, 2-3 lines thick, hollow, equal,
round, rarely compressed, wholly even, smooth, viscid when moist,
shining when dry, wholly unicolorous, rich light yellow. Gills emar-
ginato-adnexed, very ventricose, with a thin decurrent tooth, thin, dis-
tant, distinct. Fries.
Very much allied to H. conicus, but never becoming black, and other-
160
PLATE XLI.
it?
:••
Leucosporse
wise certainly distinguished by its convex, obtuse, striate pileus, by its Hygrophoms.
even and viscous stem, and by its emarginato-free, thin, somewhat dis-
tant, whiter gills. Like H. ceraceus in appearance.
In grassy and mossy places. Common. August to October. Steven-
son.
Spores 8x5/u, Cooke; 8/* Q.
Received from E. B. Sterling, Trenton, N. J., August, 1897.
Open grassy woods.
But three specimens were tested. They were in everyway agreeable.
LACTA'RIUS Fr.
Giving lac (milk).
hymenophore continuous with the stem. PileilS Lactarins.
- I somewhat rigid, fleshy, becoming more or less de-
^^ pressed, often marked with concentric zones. Gills
unequal, membranaceous-waxy, slightly rigid,
milky, edge acute, decurrent or adnate and often
branched. Stem stout, central, rarely excentric
except in those growing on trunks. Spores globose, minutely echinu-
late, white, rarely yellowish.
Nearly all grow on the ground.
Distinguished from all other fungi by the presence of a granular milk
which pervades every part of the plant and especially the gills ; it is
commonly white, sometimes changing color and in section Dapetes
highly colored from the first. The nature of the milk, especially its
taste, whether acrid, subacrid or mild, must be carefully noted in dis-
tinguishing species, as it is the most useful characteristic.
In Russula, the only allied genus, the milk-bearing cells are present,
but their contents do not appear as milk.
Many of the species are peppery, acrid, astringent; some mildly so,
others will be long remembered if tasted raw. Yet not a species is hot-
ter than some radishes, onions, and others of our favorite vegetables.
Who would condemn them because they are peppery? There is not a
single species of Lactarius which retains its pepperiness after cooking.
This quality has to be and is supplied by one of our favorite condiments
ii 161
Agaricaceae
Lactarius. — pepper itself . Simply because they are toadstools and hot, they have
been condemned without trial. It is remarkable that not one of the
fungi known to be deadly gives any warning by appearance or flavor of
the presence of a poison. The day will probably come when it can be
said that if toadstool eaters will confine themselves to hot species, other-
wise attractive, they will run no risk. Panus stypticus is astringent,
not hot.
ANALYSIS OF TRIBES.
PlPERITES (peppery, after piperitis, pepperwort). Page 163.
Stem central. Gills unchangeable, not pruinose nor becoming dis-
colored. Milk white at first, usually acrid.
* TRICHOLOMOIDEI — inclining to Tricholoma. Pileus moist, viscid,
margin incurved and downy at first.
** LlMACINl — Umax, a slug. Pileus viscid when moist, with a pel-
licle, margin naked.
*** PIPERATI. Pileus without a pellicle, hence absolutely dry, often
more or less downy or unpolished.
DAPETES (daps, a feast). Page 170.
Stem central. Gills naked. Milk highly colored from the first.
RUSSULARIA (inclining to Russula). Page 173.
Stem central. Gills pallid then discolored, at length dark and pow-
dered with the white spores. Milk at first white, mild, or from mild
becoming acrid.
* VlSClDI — viscidus, viscid, sticky. Pileus viscid at first.
** IMPOLITI — impolitus, unpolished. Pileus squamulose, downy or
pruinose.
*** GLABRATI — glaber, smooth. Pileus polished, smooth.
PLEUROPUS (pleura, side; pous, a foot).
Stem excentric or lateral. Growing on trunks. None known to be
edible.
162
Leucosporee
I. — PIPERI'TES.
* TRICHOLOMOI'DEI. Pileus viscid, margin incurved, etc.
L. tormino'silS Fr. — tormina, gripes. Pileus 2-4 in. broad, convex, Lactarius.
then depressed, viscid when young or moist, yellowish-red or pale-
ochraceous tinged with red or flesh color, often varied with zones or
spots, the at first involute margin persistently tomentose-hairy . Gills
thin, close, narrow, whitish, often tinged with yellow or flesh color.
Stem 1.5-3 m- l°ng> 4-8 lines thick, equal or slightly tapering down-
ward, hollow, sometimes spotted, whitish. Spores subglobose or
broadly elliptical, 9-io/>t. Milk white, taste acrid.
Woods. Adirondack mountains and Sandlake. August. Peck,
38th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Poisonous, and Gillet declares it to be deleterious and even danger-
ous, and that in the raw state it is a very strong drastic purgative. On
the other hand, Cordier states that almost all authors agree in stating
that it is eaten with impunity, and that Letellier has eaten it more than
once without inconvenience.
Cooke states: "Whether it is poison is rather uncertain, and prob-
ably assumed from its acridity."
Bulliard says: "It is very acrid and this is changed by heat into an
astringent of such power that a very little suffices to produce the most
terrible accidents." On the other hand, Boudier says that the pres-
ence of an acrid milk is an indication of no importance, that in cer-
tain parts of the country they eat such Lactaria as even L. piperatus
and do not experience any trouble. Certain Russulae as acrid as any
Lactaria are known to be inoffensive.
The Russians preserve it in salt and eat it seasoned with oil and vine-
gar.
L. tur'pis Fr. — turpis, base, from its ugly appearance. Pileus large,
as much as 3-12 in. broad, olivaceous inclining to timber, fleshy, rigid,
convex becoming plane, disk-shaped or umbilicate, at length depressed,
innately hairy at the circumference or wholly covered over with tena-
cious gluten, zoneless, sometimes tawny toward the margin, at length
entirely inclining to umber; margin for a long time involute, at the first
villous, olivaceous-light-yellow, then more or less flattened, at length
163
Agaricaceae
Lactarius. often densely furrowed. Flesh compact, white, then slightly reddish.
Stem 1%— 3 in. long, %— I in. and more thick, solid, hard, equal or
attenuated downward, even or pitted and uneven, but not spotted, viscid
or dry, pallid or dark olivaceous, ochraceous-whitish at the apex. Gills
adnato-decurrent, thin, 1-2 lines broad, much crowded, forked, white
straw-color, spotted brownish when broken or bruised. Milk acrid,
white, unchangeable. Fries.
Gregarious, rigidly and compactly fleshy; habit almost that of Paxillus
involutus. It varies with the stem hollow, and the pileus somewhat
zoned.
Spores spheroid or subspheroid, uniguttate, echinulate, 6-8/u. K.;
minutely spinulose, 6-8/x. Massee.
New Jersey, Trenton, E, B. Sterling; North Carolina, Curtis,
Schweinitz; Mt. Gretna, Pa. September, 1898. Along road in woods,
moist places. Mcllvaine.
The species is attractive by its very homeliness and odd individuality.
It is not inviting. Cooked it is coarse and resembles L. piperatus. An
emergency species.
L. COntrover'silS Fr. — contra, against; verto, to turn. PileilS 3 in.
and more broad, fleshy, compact, rigid, at the first convex, broadly
umbilicate, when fuller grown somewhat funnel-sJiaped , oblique, on
emerging from the ground dry, flocculose, whitish, then with rain
smooth, viscid, reddish, with blood-colored spots and zones (especially
toward the margin), margin acute when young, closely involute, more
or less villous. Flesh very firm. Stem commonly I in. long and thick,
sometimes, however, 2 in. long and then manifestly attenuated toward
the base and often excentric, solid, obese, even but pruinate and as if
striate at the apex from the obsoletely decurrent tooth of the gills,
wholly white, never pitted. Gills decurrent, thin, very crowded, 1—2
lines broad, with many shorter ones intermixed, but rarely branched,
pallid-white-flesh-color. Milk white, unchangeable, plentiful. Fries.
Odor weak but pleasant, taste very acrid. Allied to L. piperatus.
In woods. Uncommon. August to October. Stevenson.
Spores echinulate, 8x6/* W.G.S.; globose, rough, 6-8/* Massee.
California, H. and M .
Edible, rather deficient in aroma and flavor. Cooke.
164
Leucosporae
L. blen'nius Fr. Gr. — slimy. PileilS 3~5 in- across. Flesh thick, Lactarios.
farm ; soon expanded and more or
( Plate XLIa.)
less depressed, glutinous, dingy
greenish-gray, often more or less
zoned with drop-like markings ; mar-
gin at first incurved and downy.
Gills slightly decurrent, crowded,
narrow, whitish or with an ochrace-
ous tinge. Stem 1-2 in. long, up to
I in. thick at the apex, where it ex- LACTARILS BLENNIUS.
pands into the thick flesh of the pi- About one-fourth natural *ize-
leus, often attenuated at the base, viscid, colored like the stem or paler,
soon hollow. Milk persistently white, very acrid. Spores subglobose,
In woods, on the ground, very rarely on trunks.
L. turpis somewhat resembles the present species but differs in the
darker olive-brown pileus and the yellow down on the incurved margin,
especially when young. Massee.
Pileus 2-4 in. broad, fleshy, rarely subzonate, convex, the margin
generally involute and adpresso-tomentose (quite smooth, Fries] ; at
length more or less depressed, dull cinereous-green, at first viscid, more
or less pitted. Milk white, not changeable. Gills rather narrow, pale
ochraceous, scarcely forked, not connected by veins. Stem I in. long,
/€->£ in. thick, paler than the pileus, attenuated downward, obtuse,
smooth, at length hollow, sometimes pitted, very acrid. Berk,
Edible. Coarse.
**LIMACI'NI. Pileus viscid, etc.
L. inSUl'silS Fr. — tasteless. Pileus 2-4 in. broad, convex and um-
bilicate, then funnel-shaped, glabrous, viscid, more or less sonate, yellow-
ish, the margin naked. Gills thin, close, adnate or decurrent, some of
them forked at the base, whitish or pallid. Stem 1-2 in. long, 4-6
lines thick, equal or slightly tapering downward, stuffed or hollow,
whitish or yellowish, generally spotted. Spores 7.6-9/1*. Milk white,
taste acrid.
Thin woods and open, grassy places. Greenbush and Sandlake, N.Y.
July and August.
165
Agaricacese
.Lactarius. Our plant has the pileus pale yellow or straw color, and sometimes
nearly white, but European forms have been described as having it
orange-yellow and brick-red. It is generally, though often obscurely,
zonate. The zones are ordinarily more distinct near the margin, where
they are occasionally very narrow and close. The milk in the Green-
bush specimens had a thin, somewhat watery appearance. Peck, 38th
Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey. July to September. Com-
mon in mixed woods and grassy places. Mcllvaine.
Edible. Cordier, Curtis.
L. insulsus is another peppery member of Lactarius which has
suffered unjustly. I have eaten it since 1881, and think it the best of
the hot milk species. Its flesh is not as coarse as others, and is of
better flavor. There is little difference in quality between it and L.
deliciosus.
L. hys'ghlUS Fr. Gr. — a crimson dye. PileilS 2-3 in. broad, rigid,
at first convex, then nearly plane, umbilicate or slightly depressed, even,
viscid, zoneless or rarely obscurely zonate, reddish-incarnate, tan-color
or brownish-red, becoming paler with age, the thin margin inflexed.
Gills close, adnate or subdecurrent, whitish, becoming yellowish or
cream-colored. Stem 1-2 in. long, 4—8 lines thick, equal, glabrous,
stuffed or hollow, colored like the pileus, or a little paler, sometimes
spotted. Milk white, taste acrid.
Woods. Sandlake and Canoga, N. Y. July and August. Not
common.
The reddish hue of the pileus distinguishes this species from its allies.
The gluten or viscidity of the pileus in our specimens was rather tena-
cious and persistent. Peck, 38th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Spores subglobose, whitish on black paper, yellowish on white paper,
9-io/x. Peck; IOX7-8/A Massee. •.
Mt. Gretna, Pa., 1897. Mixed woods. August, September.
Not very acrid. The entire acridity disappears in cooking Several
specimens were found and eaten, enough to prove it esculent and of
good quality.
1 66
Leucosporae
*** PiPERATI. Pileus dry, etc.
L. plum'beus Fr. — like plumbum, lead. Pileus 2—5 in. broad, com- Lactarius.
pact, convex, then infundibuliform, dry, unpolished sooty or brownish-
black. Gills crowded, white, or yellowish. Stem 1-5-3 m- l°ng» 3-6
lines thick, solid, equal, thick. Milk white, acrid, unchangeable.
Spores 6.3-7.6)"..
The specimens which I have referred to this species were found in the
Catskill mountains several years ago, growing in hemlock woods, under
spruce and balsam trees. I have not met with the species since. The
pileus in the larger specimens had a minutely tomentose appearance,
but in the dried specimens this has disappeared. They also varied in
color from blackish-brown to pinkish-brown and grayish-brown, but
they can scarcely be more than a mere form or variety of the species
the description of which, as given by Fries, I have quoted. In the
Handbook the pileus is described as dark fuliginous-gray or brown, and
Gillet describes it as black-brown, dark fuliginous or lead color, and
adds that the plant is poisonous and the milk very acrid and burning.
Cordier says that the flesh is white and the taste bitter and disagreeable.
Peck, 38th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Poisonous. Gillet.
L. pergame'nilS Fr. — parchment. White. Pileus fleshy, pliant,
convex then piano-depressed, spread, zoneless, slightly wrinkled,
smooth. Stem stuffed, smooth, changing color. Gills adnate, very
narrow, horizontal, very crowded, branched, white, then straw-color.
Milk white, acrid.
Very much allied to L. piperatus, but differing in the stem being
stuffed, at length softer internally, elongated, 3 in., unequal, attenu-
ated downward and here and there ascending, quite smooth; in \hepilens
being thinner, pliant, elastic, most frequently irregular and excentric,
for the most part flexuous, at first convex (not umbilicate), then rather
plane, the surface very smooth, but unpolished and wrinkled in a pecu-
liar manner ; and in the gills being adnate, not decurrent, very crowded,
very narrow (scarcely I line broad), always straight and horizontal , not
arcuate or extended upward, soon straw-color : The flesh is very milky,
but the gills are sparingly so. Fries.
In woods. October.
167
Agaricaceae
Lactarius. Spores subglobose, rather irregular, 6-8/u. C.B.P.; broadly elliptical,
echinulate, 7x5-6/4 Massee.
Eaten on the continent and Nova Scotia. Edible. Cooke.
North Carolina, Curtis; New England, Frost; Ohio, Morgan.
L. pipera'tus Fr.— -piper, pepper. (Plate XLI, fig. I , p. 160.) Pileus
4—9 in. broad, white, fleshy, rigid, umbilicate when young, reflexed (mar-
gin at first involute) at the circumference, when full grown wholly funnel-
shaped, for the most part regular, even, smooth, zoneless. Flesh white.
Stem 1-2 in. long, 1-2 in. thick, solid, obese, equal or obconical, even,
obsoletely pruinose, white. Gills decurrent, crowded, narrow, scarcely
broader than I line, obtuse at the edge, dividing by pairs, arcuate then
all extended upward in a straight line, white, here and there with yellow
spots. Milk white, unchangeable, plentiful and very acrid.
Compact, firm, dry, inodorous. The pileus becomes obsoletely yellow
when old. Although the gills are spotted with yellow, they do not
change to straw color like those of L. pergamenus. Fries.
Spores white, nearly smooth, 6.3-7.6^ Peck; subglobose, 8-9/4 dia-
meter Massee; 5x6/* W.G.S.
Pennsylvania, West Virginia, 1881-1885. New Jersey, Pennsylvania
in woods and on grassy places. July to October. Mcllvaine.
Edible. Curtis.
L. piperatus is a readily distinguished species. It is very common.
In 1 88 1, after an extensive forest fire in the West Virginia forests, I saw
miles of the blackened district made white by a growth of this fungus.
It was the phenomenal growth which first attracted my attention to
toadstools. I collected it then in quantity and used it, with good results,
as a fertilizer on impoverished ground.
It has been eaten for many years in most countries, yet a few writers
continue to warn against it. It is the representative fungus of its class —
meaty, coarse, fair flavor. It is edible and is good food when one is
hungry and can not get better. It is best used as an absorbent of
gravies.
L. decepti'vus Pk. — deceiving. Pileus 3-5 in. broad, compact, at
first convex and umbilicate, then expanded and centrally depressed or
subinfundibuliform, obsoletely tomentose or glabrous except on the mar-
gin, white or whitish, often varied with yellowish or sordid stains, the
1 68
Leucosporee
margin at first involute and clothed with a dense, soft or cottony tomentu m , Lactarius.
then spreading or elevated and more or less fibrillose. Gills rather
broad, distant or subdistant, adnate or decurrent, some of them forked,
whitish, becoming cream-colored. Stem 1-3 in. long, 8-18 lines thick,
equal or narrowed downward, solid, pruinose-pubescent, white. Spores
white, 9-12. 7/1. Milk white, taste acrid.
Woods and open places, especially under hemlock trees. Common.
July to September.
Trial of its edible qualities was made without any evil conse-
quences. The acridity was destroyed by cooking. Peck, 38th Rep.
N. Y. State Bot.
Alabama, U. and E.; New York, Peck, 38th Rep.; West Virginia,
1881-1885, Pennsylvania, New Jersey. Woods and open places. July
to October. Mcllvaine.
In common with all peppery Lactarii the present species loses the
quality in cooking. The edible qualities then depend upon texture,
substance, flavor. The species is coarse but meaty and of fair flavor.
L. velle'reus Fr. — vellus, fleece. Pileus 2-5 in. broad, compact, at
first convex and umbilicate, then expanded and centrally depressed or
subinfundibuliform, the whole surface minutely velvety-tomentose , soft to
the touch, white or whitish, the margin at first involute, then reflexed.
Gills distant or subdistant, adnate or decurrent, sometimes forked,
whitish becoming yellowish or cream-colored. Stem .5—2 in. long,
6- 1 6 lines thick, firm, solid, equal or tapering downward, pruinose-
pubescent, white. Milk white, taste acrid. Spores white.
Woods and open places. Common. July to September. Peck, 38th
Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Spores white, nearly smooth, 7-9^ Peck; 4x8/1 W.G.S.
West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey. Woods and open places.
July to October. Mcllvaine.
Poisonous according to some authors. Cordier. Edible. Leveille.
Eaten it for eighteen years. Mcllvaine.
This common, very acrid species is characterized by the downy
covering of its cap.
It is a coarse species, but meaty. Its acridity is lost in cooking,
when it makes a fair dish.
169
Agaricacese
Lactarius. L. involu'tus Soppitt. — involved. Every part white or with a very
slight ochraceous tinge. Pileus i— 2 in. across, flesh about i/4 lines
thick, equal up to the margin, compact, rigid, convex, soon becoming
plane or slightly depressed, margin strongly and persistently involute,
extreme edge minutely silky, remainder even and glabrous. Gills very
slightly decurrent, densely crowded, not % line broad, sometimes forked.
Stem %—i in. long, 2-3 lines thick, equal, or slightly thickened at the
base, glabrous, even, solid, very firm. Milk white, unchangeable, not
scanty, very hot. Spores obliquely elliptical, smooth, 5x3/01.
Very firm and rigid, resembling in habit L. vellereus in miniature.
Most nearly allied to L. scoticus, but known at once by the exceedingly
narrow, densely-crowded gills and the smooth, elliptical spores. Massee.
West Virginia, 1881-1885, plentiful. Angora, West Philadelphia.
August, September, 1897. In mixed woods. Mcllvaine.
Much smaller than L. piperatus. Pileus convex, then plane with
depressions in center, margin involute. Gills slightly decurrent, densely
crowded, very narrow. Stem short, firm, solid. Milk white, very hot.
L. involutus is readily mistaken for small forms of L. vellereus and
L. piperatus. The extremely narrow gills, so close and firm that it takes
sharp eyes to follow them, are a distinguishing mark.
Its flesh is of same consistency as L. piperatus — hard and coarse. It
loses its pepperiness in cooking and is a good emergency plant, or
solvent.
II. — DAPETES — daps, food. Milk highly colored, etc.
America is rich in this section. Fries records but two species, L.
deliciosus and L. sanguifluus, while America has four. The edible
properties of three are known to be good ; L. subpurpureus has not come
under observation, but is added to complete the series as it is probably
edible and is well marked by its dark-red milk. Mcllvaine.
L. delicio'sus Fr. — delicious. (Plate XLI, fig. 3, p. 160.) Pilens
2-6 in. broad, orange-brick-color, yellowish or grayish-orange, becom-
ing pale, fleshy, when quite young depressed in the center, margin
naked, involute, then piano-depressed or broadly funnel-shaped with
the margin unfolded, smooth, slightly viscid, zoned (zones sometimes
obsolete). Flesh soft, not compact, pallid, colored at the circumfer-
170
Leucosporae
ence only by the juice. Stem 1-2 in. and more long, i in. thick, Lactarius.
stuffed then hollow, at length fragile, equal or attenuated at the base,
spotted in a pitted manner, of the same color as the piieus or paler.
Gills somewhat decurrent, crowded, narrow, arcuate, often branched,
typically saffron-yellow, but becoming pale and always becoming green
when wounded. Milk aromatic, from the first red-brick-saffron. Fries.
Spores white, spheroid, echinulate 7-8/x K.; 6/x, W.G.S.; echinulate,
9— iox7-8/A Massee; subglobose, 7.6-io/x, Peck.
In woods, under firs, etc.
Pileus dingy orange-red becoming pale, often greenish. Every part
turns to a homely green when bruised. It is from 3 to 5 in. across,
thick, convex, then depressed in center, margin at first curved in. Gills
decurrent, narrow, saffron-color. Milk saffron-red or orange changing
to green; sweet scented but slightly acrid. I have never seen but one
specimen with milk distinctly orange, and changing to green. The
milk in this species varies in color, much depending upon moisture. It
grows in patches, sometimes in clusters.
Edible. Curtis.
There is no question of its edibility. Old and modern writers applaud
it. Each cooks to his liking and thinks his own way best. It requires
forty minutes' stewing or baking; less time if roasted or fried. It can
be cooked in any way, but, like all Lactarii, it must be well cooked.
L. in'digO Schw. — (Plate XLI, fig. 2, p. 160.) Pileus 2-5 in.
broad, at first umbilicate with the margin involute, then depressed or
infundibuliform, indigo-blue with a silvery-gray luster, zonate, especially
on the margin, sometimes spotted, becoming paler and less distinctly
zonate with age or in drying. Gills close, indigo-blue, becoming yel-
lowish and sometimes greenish with age. Stem 1-2 in. long, 6-10
lines thick, short nearly equal, hollow, often spotted with blue, colored
like the piieus. Milk dark-blue.
Dry places, especially under or near pine trees. Not rare but seldom
abundant. July to September. Peck, 38th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Spores subglobose, 7.6-9/* long Peck.
West Virginia, North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. Solitary
and in groups, in pine and mixed woods. July to September. Mcllvaine.
The exceptional color of L. indigo will halt anyone with ordinary
observing power. It is unnecessary to describe it further. Being a
171
Agaricaceaa
Lactarius. large, stout plant it frequently lifts the leaf mat as it pushes upward,
making leaf-mounds under which it is hidden, as do many of the Cor-
tinarii. But even in such instances there are usually a few solitary
plants standing prominently forth as sentinels.
It is edible, but coarse. Good flavor.
L. chelido'nium Pk. Pileus 2-3 in. broad, at first convex, then
nearly plane and umbilicate or centrally depressed, grayish-yellow or
tawny, at length varied with bluish and greenish stains, often with a few
narrow zones on the margin. Gills narrow, close, sometimes forked,
anastomosing or wavy at the base, grayish-yellow. Stem 1-1.5 in.
long, 4—6 lines thick, short, subequal, hollow, colored like the pileus.
Spores globose, 7.5ft. Milk sparse, saffron-yellow ; taste mild.
Sandy soil, under or near pine trees. Saratoga and Bethlehem.
The milk of this species resembles in color the juice of celandine,
Chelidonium majus. It is paler than that of L. deliciosus. By this
character and by the dull color of the pileus, the narrow lamellae, short
stem and its fondness for dry situations, it may be separated from the
other species. Wounds of the flesh are at first stained with the color
of the milk, then with blue, finally with green. A saffron-color is some-
times attributed to the milk of L. deliciosus, which may indicate that
this species has been confused with that, or that the relationship of the
two plants is a closer one than we have assigned to them. Peck, 38th
Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Mt. Gretna, Pa. In mixed woods, gravelly low ground. Septem-
ber, October. Mcllvaine.
A score or more solitary specimens were found and eaten. The sub-
stance and flavor are not distinguishable from L. deliciosus, which is
lauded to the summit of good toadstools.
Lo subpurpu'reus Pk. — sub, under; purpnretis, purple. Pileus at
first convex, then nearly plane or subinfundibuliform, more or less
spotted and zonate when young, and moist dark-red with a grayish
luster. Gills close, dark-red, becoming less clear and sometimes green-
ish-stained with age. Stem equal or slightly tapering upward, soon
hollow, often spotted with red, colored like the pileus, sometimes hairy
at the base. Spores subglobose, 9-10/1*. Milk dark-red.
Pileus 2-3 in. broad. Stem 1.5-3 m- l°ng> 3-5 lmes thick.
172
Leucosporae
Damp or mossy ground in woods and swamps. July and August. Lactarius.
At once known by the peculiar dark-red or purplish hue of the milk,
which color also appears in the spots of the stem and in a more subdued
tone in the whole plant. The color of the pileus, gills and stem is
modified by grayish and yellowish hues. In age and dryness the zones
are less clear, and dried specimens can scarcely be distinguished from
L. deliciosus. Peck, 38th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
I have not seen this species.
III. — RUSSULARIA.
* VlSClDl. Pileus viscid.
L. pal'lidus Fr. — pale. Pileus 3-6 in. broad, flesh-color or clay-
color to pallid, somewhat tan, fleshy, umbilicato-convex, depressed,
obtuse, margin broadly and for a long time involute, smooth, gluey,
zoneless. Flesh pallid. Stem 2 in. and more long, about X in. thick,
somewhat equal, stuffed then hollow, even, smooth, of the same color
as the pileus. Gills somewhat decurrent, arcuate, rather broad, i>£— 2
lines and more; somewhat thin, crowded, somewhat branched, whitish
at length of the same color as the pileus. Milk white, unchangeable.
Fries.
Taste somewhat mild. Stature that of L. deliciosus, but more lax in
texture and always pallid. There is a variety with the pileus inclining
to dingy-brown. Stevenson.
Mixed woods. September to October.
Spores echinulate, almost round, 8/u. W. G.S.; J—\ IP- Coo^e/g—iox^-Sp-
Massee.
North Carolina, Schweinitz, Curtis; Massachusetts, Frost; Minnesota,
Johnson; Rhode Island, Bennett.
Edible. Cooke.
L. quie'tus Fr. — calm, mild. Pileus 3 in. broad, fleshy, depressed,
obtuse, margin deflexed, smooth, at first viscid, somewhat cinnamon,
flesh-color, disk darker, somewhat zoned, soon dry, somewhat silky,
opaque, becoming pale. Flesh white then reddish. Stem 2-3 in. long,
K in. and more thick, stuffed, spongy, smooth, reddish, at length
beautifully rust-color. Gills adnato-decurrent, somewhat forked at the
173
Agaricaceae
Lactarius. base, i%—2 lines broad, white then soon brick-red. Milk white, un-
changeable, sivcet. Fries.
In woods. August to November. Stevenson.
Spores echinulate, 8-iox6-7/A Massee; 10-121* Cooke.
Nova Scotia, Somers; New York, Peck, Rep. 42.
Edible. Cooke. Eaten in France and held in estimation.
L. theio'galllS Fr. Gr. — brimstone; milk. PileilS 2-5 in. broad,
fleshy, thin, convex, then depressed, even, glabrous, viscid, tawny-
reddish. Lamellae adnate or decurrent, close, pallid or reddish. Stem
1—3 in. long, 4—10 lines thick, stuffed or hollow, even, colored like the
pileus . Spores yellowish , inclining to pale flesh-color, subglobose ,7.5 -9/u, .
Milk white, changing to sulphur-yellow t taste tardily acrid, bitterish.
Woods and groves. Common. July to October.
Our plant does not fully accord with the description of the species as
given by Fries. Peck, 38th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Spores subglobose, 7-8/u. diameter Massee; subglobose, 7.5-9/1 Peck.
West Virginia, 1881-1885; Mt. Gretna, Pa. July, 1897; New
Jersey, common in mixed woods. July to frost. Mcllvaine.
L. theiogalus possesses all the good qualities of the hot milk species.
While I ate it whenever I chose in West Virginia, I did not again eat it
until 1897 at Mt. Gretna. There several partook of it and thought it
rather coarse, but of good flavor. It requires long cooking.
L. fuligino'sus Fr. — fuligo, soot. PileilS 1-2.5 in- broad, firm, be-
coming soft, convex plane or slightly depressed, even, dry, zoneless,
dingy ash-color or bnff-gray, appearing as if covered with a dingy pru-
inosity, the margin sometimes wavy or lobed. Gills adnate or subde-
current, subdistant, whitish then yellowish, becoming stained with pink-
red or salmon-color where wounded. Stem 1—2 in. long, 3—5 lines thick,
equal or slightly tapering downward, firm, stuffed, colored like the
pileus. Spores globose, yellowish, 7.5-io/u,. Milk white, taste tardily
and sometimes slightly acrid.
Thin woods and open grassy places. Greenbush and Sandlake, N. Y.
July and August. Peck, 38th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
A form with the pileus colored like that of L. lignyotus, but with the
gills much closer than in that species, was found in a swamp near Sevey.
July. Peck, 43d Rep.
POISONOUS. Barla and Reveil, Cordier.
174
Leucosporge
L. fumo'silS Pk. Pileus 1.5-2.5 in. broad, firm, convex, then ex- Lactarius.
panded and slightly depressed in the center, smooth, dry, smoky-brown
or sordid-white. Gills close, adnate or slightly rounded behind, white,
then yellowish. Stem 3-5 lines thick, firm, short, smooth, stuffed,
generally tapering downward. Spores distinctly echinulate, yellow, 6p-
in diameter. Flesh and Milk white; taste at first mild, then acrid.
Plant 1.5-2 in. high.
Grassy ground in open woods. Greenbush. July.
The peculiar smoky hue of the pileus and yellow spores enable this
species to be easily recognized. The flesh when wounded slowly
changes to a dull pinkish-color. Related to L. fuliginosus. Peck, 24th
Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
**!MPOLITI. Pileus downy, etc.
L. ru'ftlS Fr. — red. Pileus 2-4 in. broad, convex and centrally
depressed, then funnel-shaped, generally with a small umbo, glabrous,
sometimes slightly floccose or pubescent when young, especially on the
margin, zoneless, bay-red or brownish-red, shining. Grills narrow or
moderately broad, sometimes forked, close, subdecurrent, yellowish or
reddish. Stem 2-4 in. long, 3-5 lines thick, nearly equal, firm, stuffed,
paler than or colored like the pileus. Spores white, 7.6— lOju,. Milk
white, taste very acrid.
Low woods and swamps. North Elba. August. Rare.
The red Lactarius is known by its rather large size, dark-red pileus
and intensely acrid taste. It has been found but once in our state. The
flesh is pinkish and the stem sometimes pruinose. It is designated by
authors as very poisonous and extremely poisonous. Cordier even says
that worms never attack it. Peck, 38th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Massachusetts, Frost; New York, Peck, Rep. 23, Rep. 38.
I have not recognized this species. It is given as markedly
POISONOUS.
L. glycios'mus Fr. Gr. — sweet; Gr. — scent. Pileus K-i>* in.
broad, thin, convex nearly plane or depressed, often with a small umbo
or papilla, minutely squamulose, ash-colored, grayish-brown or smoky-
brown, sometimes tinged with pink, the margin even or slightly and
distinctly striate. Gills narrow, close, adnate or decurrent, whitish or
175
Agaricacese
Lactarius. yellowish. Stem Yz—\% in. long, 1-3 lines thick, equal, glabrous or
obsoletely pubescent, stuffed, rarely hollow, whitish or colored like the
pileus. Milk white, taste acrid and unpleasant, sometimes bitterish,
odor aromatic. Peck, 38th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Smell agreeable, of melilot, as that of L. camphoratus.
Spores spheroid, echinulate, 6-8/u. K.; subglobose, size variable,
6-io/u, Massee.
The American plant, so far as observed, does not have the red hues
ascribed to the European.
Haddonfield, N. J., T. 7. Collins; Scranton, Pa., Dr. J. M. Phillips;
Chester county, Pa., September, 1887, on ground in woods, Mcllvaine.
This small Lactarius was found on several occasions. Its odor is
attractive, but its taste is not. Cooked it is of high flavor, but will
not be liked by many.
L. aqui'flims Pk. — watery. Pileus fragile, fleshy, convex or ex-
panded, at length centrally depressed, dry, smooth, or sometimes
appearing as if clothed with a minute appressed tomentum, reddish tan-
colored, the decurved margin often flexuous. Gills rather narrow,
close, whitish, becoming dull reddish yellow. Stem more or less
elongated, equal or slightly tapering upward, colored like the pileus,
smooth, hollow, the cavity irregular as if eroded. Spores subglobose,
rough, 7.6ft. Flesh colored like the pileus. Milk sparse, watery.
Plant 3-8 in. high. Pileus 3-6 in. broad. Stem 5-10 lines thick.
Swamps and wet mossy places in woods. Sandlake and North Elba.
August and September.
The relationship of this plant is with L. serifluus, to which it was
formerly referred, but from which I am now satisfied it is distinct. The
hollow stem is a constant character in our plant, and affords a ready
mark of distinction. The plant, though large, is very fragile, and
breaks easily. The taste is mild or but slightly acrid. Sometimes there
is an obscure zonation on the pileus, which, in large specimens, is apt
to be irregular and much worm-eaten. The milk looks like little drops
of water when first issuing from a wound, but it becomes a little less
clear on exposure to the atmosphere. The decided but agreeable odor
of the dried specimens persists a long time. Peck, 28th Rep.
This plant is sometimes cespitose. The pileus when dry is tawny-
gray and scaly or cracked scaly. The margin may be even or coarsely
176
Leucosporee
sulcate-striate. The flesh is grayish or reddish-gray. The color of the Lactarins.
lamellae varies from creamy-white to tawny-yellow. The stem often has
a conspicuous white myceloid tomentum at its base. I have never
found this plant with a white or milky juice, and therefore I am dis-
posed to regard it not as a variety of L. helvus, but as a distinct species.
Its mild taste and agreeable odor suggested a trial of its edible qualities.
It is harmless, but the lack of flavor induces me to omit it from the list
of edible species. Peck, 5Oth Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Var. brevis simus Pk. Pileus 1—1.5 m- broad, grayish-buff. Gills
crowded, adnate, yellowish or cream-color. Stem very short, 6—8 lines
long.
Black mucky soil in roads in woods. Township 24, Franklin county.
September.
Plant fragrant ; sometimes cespitose. Peck, 5 ist Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Angora, West Philadelphia, in moist oak woods. August, 1897,
Philadelphia Myc. Center.
Flesh rather hard when cooked, and insipid. Good as an absorbent
or in emergency.
L. lignyo'tllS Fr. — lignum, wood. Pileus 1-4 in. broad, broadly
convex plane or slightly depressed, dry, with or without a small umbo,
generally rugose-wrinkled, dark-brown, appearing sub pulverulent or as
if suffused with a dingy pruinosity , the margin sometimes crenately
lobed and distinctly plicate. Gills moderately close or subdistant, ad-
nate, white or yellowish, slowly changing to pinkish-red or salmon color
where wounded. Stem 1-3 in. long, 2-6 lines thick, equal or abruptly
narrowed at the apex, even, glabrous, stuffed, colored like the pileus,
sometimes plicate at the top. Milk white, taste mild or tardily and
slightly acrid.
Var. tenuipes. Pileus about I in. broad. Stem slender, 2-3 in.
long and about 2 lines thick.
Wet or mossy ground in woods and swamps. Adirondack mountains
and Sandlake. July and August. Not rare in hilly and mountainous
districts. Peck, 38th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Spores globose, yellowish, 9-11.3^ Peck; pale ochraceous, subglo-
bose, minutely echinulate, 9-10/1, diameter Massee.
West Virginia mountains, 1881-1885; Eagle's Mere; Mt. Gretna,
12 I77
Agaricaceae
Lactarius. Pa. Solitary and gregarious, moist woods and wooded places. July
to September. Mcllvaine.
In my long experience with the plant I have not seen any change of
color, save that, like the white milk of other species, it darkens slightly
to a cream color. I have found it distinctly umbilicate and quite um-
bonate in the same patch.
L. lignyotus is one of the best of Lactarii and quite equal to L.
volemus.
L. COrru'gis Pk. — having wrinkles or folds. Pileus 3~5 in. broad,
firm, convex, then nearly plane or centrally depressed, rugose reticulated,
covered with a velvety pruinosity or pubescence, dark reddish-brown or
cliestnut-color, fading with age to tawny-brown. Gills close, dark
cream-color or subcinnamon, becoming paler when old, sordid or brown-
ish where bruised or wounded. Stem 3—5 in. long, 6—12 lines thick,
equal, solid, glabrous or merely pruinose, paler than but similar in color
to the pileus. Spores subglobose, 10—13^1. Milk copious, white, taste
mild.
Thin woods. Sandlake, Gansevoort and Brewerton, N. Y. August
and September.
This curious Lactarius is related to L. volemus, from which it may
be separated by its darker colors and its corrugated pileus. The flexu-
ous reticulated rugae present an appearance similar to that of the
hymenium of a Merulius. The pileus is everywhere pruinose-pubescent
and the gills bear numerous spine-like or acicular cystidia or spicules,
4— 5/tx long. These are so numerous on and near the edges of the gills
that they give them a pubescent appearance. Peck, 38th Rep. N. Y.
State Bot.
I found many at Mt. Gretna, Pa., up to 6K in. in diameter. Flesh
not so firm as L. volemus. Stem equal, rugulose, flattened in old
specimens. Milk very slightly acrid.
Better in taste and quality than L. volemus.
L. lute'olllS Pk. — yellowish. PileilS 2-3 in. broad, fleshy, rather
thin, convex or nearly plane, commonly umbilicately depressed in the
center and somewhat rugulose, pruinose or subglabrous, buff-color.
Flesh white, taste mild. Milk copious, flowing easily, white or whitish.
Gills close, nearly plane, adnate or slightly rounded behind, whitish,
178
Leucosporaa
becoming brownish where wounded. Stem I-I-5 m- l°ng. 3~5 nnes Lactanus.
thick, short, equal or tapering downward, solid, but somewhat spongy
within, colored like the pileus. Spores globose, 7.6/x. broad.
Dry woods. East Milton, Mass. August. H '. Webster.
This species is related to Lactarius volemus and L. hygrophoroides,
but its smaller size and short stem will distinguish it from the former
and its close gills from the latter. Its paler buff-color will separate it
from both. Some specimens have a narrow encircling furrow or de-
pressed zone near the margin and a slightly darker shade of color on
the margin. The milk constitutes a remarkable feature of the species.
According to the notes of the collector it is exceedingly copious, rather
sticky, serous in character with white particles in suspension. It flows
from many points as soon as the plant is disturbed and it stains the gills.
It is impossible to collect an unstained specimen, so free is the flow of
the milk. He, Mr. Webster, says: "I have never succeeded in pick-
ing a specimen so quietly as to prevent an instant and copious flow of
its milk." Torrey Bull., Vol. 23, No. 10, 1896.
Angora, West Philadelphia, August, 1897. I*1 oak woods. August,
September. Mcllvaine.
Quite frequent there. My attention was directed to it by the "nar-
row encircling furrow or depressed zone near the margin."
It is of like quality to L. volemus.
L. Gcerar'dii Pk. Pileus 1.5-4 m- broad, broadly convex plane or
slightly depressed, dry, generally rugose-wrinkled, with or without a
small umbo or papilla, dingy-brown, the thin spreading margin some-
times flexuous lobed or irregular. Gills distant, adnate or decurrent,
wlute or whitish, the interspaces generally uneven. Stem 1—2 in. long,
3—6 lines thick, subequal, stuffed or hollow, colored like the pileus.
Spores globose, white, 9-1 1.3^. Milk white, unchangeable, taste mild.
W7oods and open places. Poughkeepsie, W. R. Gerard. Green-
bush, Sandlake and Croghan, N. Y. July to September.
This Lactarius closely resembles the Sooty lactarius in color, but dif-
fers from it in its more distant gills, white spores and constantly mild
taste. Wounds of the flesh and gills do not become pinkish-red as in
that plant. From L. hygrophoroides its darker color, hollow stem and
more globose rougher spores separate it. Peck, 38th Rep. N. Y. State
Bot.
179
Agaricaceee
Lactarius. In the color of the pileus and stem this species is like the larger forms
of L. fuliginosus. Peck, 26th Rep.
Edible. Boston Myc. Club Bull.
*** GLABRA'TI. Pileus smooth.
L. VOle'muS Fr. — volema pirn, a kind of large pear. (Plate XLI,
fig- 4, P- 1 60.) Pileus 2-5 in. broad, firm, convex, nearly plane or
centrally depressed, rarely funnel-shaped, sometimes with a small umbo,
generally even, glabrous, dry, golden-tawny or brownish-orange, some-
times darker in the center, often becoming rimose-areolate. Gills close,
adnate or subdecurrent, white or yellowish, becoming sordid or brown-
ish where bruised or wounded. Stem 1-4 in. long, 4-10 lines thick,
subequal, variable in length, firm, solid, glabrous or merely pruinose,
colored like the pileus, sometimes a little paler. Milk copious, white,
taste mild, flat.
Var. subrugo'sus. Pileus rugose-reticulated on the margin. Peck,
38th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Spores globose, white, 9-11.3/4 Peck; 5-6> diameter Massee.
Very delicious raw and celebrated from early times. Fries.
Common over the United States, well known everywhere and dis-
tinguished for its edible qualities. It is crisp and unless carefully cooked
is hard and granular. It should have long, slow cooking, though it
may be roasted or fried.
L. hygrophoroi'des B. and C. — resembling Hygrophorus. Pileus
(Plate XLII.) ^r^^ 1-4 in. broad, firm, convex or near-
ly plane, umbilicate or slightly de-
pressed, rarely funnel-shaped, gla-
brous or sometimes with a minute
velvety pubescence or tomentum,
dry, sometimes rugose-wrinkled and
often becoming cracked in areas,
yellowish-tawny or brownish-orange.
Gills distant, adnate or subdecur-
rent, white or cream-color, the interspaces uneven or venose. Stem
.5-1 in. long, 4-8 lines thick, short, equal or tapering downward, solid,
glabrous or merely pruinose, colored like the pileus. Spores subglo-
180
LACTARIUS HYGROPHOROIDES.
Leucosporee
bose or broadly elliptical, nearly smooth, 9-11.3^. Milk white, taste Lactarius.
mild.
Grassy ground and borders of woods. Albany, Greenbush and Sand-
lake. July and August.
This plant has almost exactly the color of L. volemus, but differs
from it in its distant gills, short stem, less copious milk and less globose
spores. Its flesh is white, with a thickness about equal to the breadth
of the gills. It is probably edible, but has not yet been tested. The
typical L. hygrophoroides is described as having the pileus yellowish-
red and pulverulent, and the gills luteous. It is also represented as a
small plant; but our specimens, while not fully agreeing with this de-
scription, approach so closely to it in some of their forms that they
doubtless belong to the same species. We have therefore extended the
description so that it may include our plant. In wet weather the pileus
sometimes becomes funnel-form by the elevation of the margin. Peck,
38th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Mt. Gretna, Pa., 1897, grassy grounds and borders of woods.
Mixed, moist woods and grassy borders. July to September. Me-
Ilvaine.
Pileus up to 4 in. across. Stem 1-2 % in., tapering, equal or taper-
ing downward. When growing in woods the stem is longer than when
growing on borders.
Its edible qualities are excellent.
L. mitis'simus Fr. — mitis, mild. Pileus 1-3 in. broad, golden-tawny,
zoneless, fleshy, thin, somewhat rigid, convex, papillate, depressed,
papilla vanishing, even, smooth, somewhat slippery when moist. Flesh
pallid. Stem elongated, 1-3 in. long, K— /£ in. thick, stuffed, then
hollow, even, smooth, of the same color as the pileus. Gills adnato-
decurrent, somewhat arcuate, then tense and straight, i-i % lines and
more broad, thin, crowded, a little paler than the pileus, most frequently
stained with minute red spots. Milk white, mild, plentiful.
Thin; very much allied to L. subdulcis, but distinguished by the
taste being mild, then somewhat bitterish, and especially by the bright,
golden-tawny, resplendent color of the pileus and stem. Fries.
In mixed and pine woods. August to November. Stevenson.
Spores 6-8x5-6)". Massee; IO/A Cooke; spheroid, echinulate, 6-7/4
C.B.P.
181
Agaricaceae
(Plate XLIII.)
Lactarius. California, H ' . and M .
Edible. Cooke. Eaten on the continent.
L. subdul'cis Fr. — sub; dulcis, sweet. Pileus .5-2 in. broad, thin,
convex, then plane or slightly funnel-
shaped, with or without a small umbo
or papilla, glabrous, even, zoneless,
moist or dry, tawny-red, cinnamon-
red or brownish-red, the margin
sometimes wavy or flexuous. Gills
rather narrow, thin, close, whitish,
sometimes tinged with red. Stem
1—2.5 in. long, i— 3 lines thick, equal
or slightly tapering upward, slender,
glabrous, sometimes villous at the
w
LACTARIUS SUBDULCIS.
base, stuffed or hollow, paler than or colored like the pileus. Spores
7.6— 9/A. Milk white, taste mild or tardily and slightly acrid, sometimes
woody or bitterish and unpleasant. Flesh whitish, pinkish or reddish
gray, odor none.
Fields, copses, woods, swamps and wet places. July to October.
Very common.
This species grows in almost every variety of soil and locality. It
may be found in showery weather on dry, rocky soil, on bare ground
or among mosses or fallen leaves. In drier weather it is still plentiful
in swamps and wet, shaded places, and in sphagnous marshes. It some-
times grows on decaying wood. It is also as variable as it is common.
Gillet has described the following varieties :
Var. cinnamo 'metis . Pileus cinnamon-red, sub-shining. Stem stuffed,
then hollow; taste mild, becoming slightly acrid or bitter.
Var. ru'fus. Pileus dull chestnut-red; becoming more concave.
Stem spongy; taste mild.
Var. ba'dius. Pileus bay-red, shining as if varnished, with an obtuse
disk and an inflexed, elegantly crenulate margin. Stem very glabrous,
hollow.
The first and second varieties have occurred within our limits. The
first also has the stem elastic and furnished with a whitish or grayish
tomentum or strigose villosity at the base, when growing among moss
in swamps. A form occurred in Sandlake, in which some of the speci-
182
Leucosporae
mens were proliferous. The umbo had developed into a minute pileus. Lactarius.
With us the prevailing color of the pileus is yellowish-red or cinnamon-
red. Sometimes the color is almost the same as that of L. volemus
and L. hygrophoroides, and again it is a tan-color or a bay-red, as in
L. camphoratus, from which such specimens are scarcely separable, ex-
cept by their lack of odor. In young plants the pileus usually has a
moist appearance, which is sometimes retained in maturity. Cordier
pronounces the species edible, and says that he has tested it several
times without inconvenience. Peck, 38th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Spores ion Cooke; //A W.G.S.
West Virginia mountains, 1881-1885; Pennsylvania, New Jersey,
everywhere on moist ground. July to October. Mcllvaine.
Edible. Curtis.
The description of Fries as enlarged and modified by Professor Peck,
together with that of the varieties placed to the credit of the species by
Gillet, are given above in full. The species with its ascribed varieties
is common and well known. Var. ba dins occurs in West Virginia and
Pennsylvania. They are all edible and vary but little in quality.
L. subdulcis requires long cooking.
L. muta'bilis Pk. — changeable. Pileus 2-4 in. broad, thin, convex
or nearly plane, zonate when moist, reddish-brown, the disk and zones
darker, zoneless when dry, flesh colored like the pileus. Milk sparse,
white, taste mild. Gills narrow, close, adnate, whitish, with a yellow-
ish or cream-colored tint when old. Stem 1-2 in. long, 3-5 lines thick,
equal or tapering upward, stuffed or spongy within, glabrous, colored
like the pileus. Spores subglobose, rough, 7 .6p- broad.
Low, damp places. Selkirk and Yaphank, N. Y. June and Sep-
tember.
The species is allied to L. subdulcis, from which the larger size and
zonate pileus separate it. The zones disappear in the dry plant, and
this change in the marking of the pileus suggests the specific name.
They appear to be formed by concentric series of more or less confluent
spots and are suggestive of such species as L. deliciosus and L. subpur-
pureus. Peck, 43d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
West Virginia, Pennsylvania. Solitary but frequent. In moist woods
and margins of woods. June to October. Mcllvaine.
1*3
Agaricaceae
Lactarius. I have been familiar with and eaten this plant since 1882, but thought
it might be a variety of L. deliciosus, with light-colored milk.
L. mutabilis is an excellent species, equal to any Lactarius.
L. camphora'tus Fr. — camphor. Pileus 1-2 in. across,
red, somewhat zoned, sometimes zoneless, fleshy, thin, depressed, dry,
smooth. Stem short, 1-2 in., stuffed, somewhat undulated, of the same
color as the pileus. Gills adnate, crowded, yellowish-brick-color. Milk
mild, white, odor agreeable, spicy. Fries.
Strong smelling. So like L. subdulcis that it can be distinguished
safely only by its odor of melilot when dried. Stevenson.
Pileus .5-1.5 in. broad. Stem 1-2 in. long, 2-3 lines. Peck, 38th
Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Spores spherical, echinulate, 6-7/1* Q. ; subglobose, 8-9/t Massee ;
7.6-9/A Peck.
Taste and smell not of camphor, but of melilot.
North Carolina, Curtis; South Carolina, Ravenel; Wisconsin, Bundy;
New York, Peck, Rep. 23, Mon. 38th Rep.
West Virginia, Pennsylvania, July to October, in moist places. Mixed
woods, etc. Mcllvaine.
Edible. Gillet.
Its mild taste distinguishes it at once from L. rufus.
It has high but pleasant flavor. If the flavor is too evident to suit
some tastes, it is well to mix milder species with it.
184
PLATE XLIV.
Grouped by F. D. Briscoe — Studies by C. Mcllvaine.
FIG.
1. RUSSULA CYANOXANTHA,
2. RUSSULA EMETICA,
3 RUSSULA FLAVIDA,
4. RUSSULA SORDIDA,
PAGE. FIG.
198
201
197
190
5. RUSSULA ROSEIPES,
6. RUSSULA VIBESCENS.
7. RUSSULA PUELLARIS,
PAGE.
209
194
208
Leucosporae
RUS'SULA Pers.
Reddish.
Pileus regular, rigid, usually becoming more or less depressed. Russuia.
Flesh of the pileus descending into (Plate XLV.)
the gills forming a cellular trama.
Veil and consequently the ring ab-
sent. Stem smooth, stout, rigid,
brittle, spongy within. Gills rigid,
fragile, edge thin and acute. Spores
rounded, often echinulate, white or
yellowish. On the ground.
Closely allied to Lactarius but
separated by the absence of milk.
The gills of some species exude wa-
tery drops in moist weather. Owing
to the similarity of form and the vari- RUSSULA
able coloring many species are diffi-
cult to determine ; all the characters should be carefully noted, not
omitting that of the taste.
Russulae are readily distinguished by the stout, short, brittle stem and
the fragility of the pileus and gills. They especially love open woods
and appear during the summer and fall months, some being found until
sharp frosts occur.
It has been claimed by mushroom growers, until within a few years,
that the spores of the mushroom have to pass through the digestive
apparatus of the horse before they will germinate. It has been conclu-
sively demonstrated that such a transmission is not a necessity. It was
for a long time my opinion — following the opinion of others — that such
assistance was necessary. In my many efforts to propagate valuable
food species of the wild toadstools I endeavored to find the method by
which the spores were disseminated, and through what digestive medium
they passed — either of insect or animal — before germination. Noticing
that the Russulas were fed upon by a small black beetle, I planted in
suitable places, not the toadstools, but the beetles found upon them.
The result was that in several instances I grew the Russulae. My
experiments, while interesting, are not conclusive, because I later found
that the same results could be obtained from the toadstool itself when
185
Agaricaceee
Bussuia. planted under its own natural life conditions. It is certain that beetles
can not be raised by planting Russulae.
The beetles known as tumble-bugs — canthon laevis — deposit eggs in
the center of balls made of animal droppings ; dig a hole in the ground
and drop them into it. These droppings frequently contain the spores
of the meadow mushroom. Thus planted with the proper surrounding
of manure, and at the proper depth, the spores germinate, spread
mycelium, and a crop of mushrooms is the result. The beetle becomes
a horticulturist. No wonder the Egyptians, thousands of years ago,
made it — the scarabeus — their sacred emblem, and that, 'today, the
fleur-de-lis of France, so the Rosicrucians say, perpetuates its glorious
worth and calling.
Most Russulae are sweet and nutty to the taste ; some are as hot as
the fiercest of cayenne, but this they lose upon cooking. To this genus
authors have done especial injustice ; there is not a single species among
them known to be poisonous, and, where they are not too strong of
cherry bark and other highly flavored substances, they are all edible;
most of them are favorites. Where they present no objectionable ap-
pearance or taste, their caps make most palatable dishes when stewed,
baked, roasted or escalloped. The time of cooking should be deter-
mined by the consistency of the variety; some will cook in five minutes,
others not under thirty. Salt, butter and pepper are the only neces-
saries as seasoning.
ANALYSIS OF TRIBES.
I. — COMPACTS (compingo, to put together; compact). Page 187.
Pileus fleshy throughout, hence the margin is at first bent inward and
always without striae, without a distinct gluey pellicle (in consequence
of which the color is not variable, but only changes with age and the
state of the atmosphere). Flesh compact, firm. Stem solid, fleshy.
Gills unequal.
II. — FURCATE (furca, a fork. With forked gills). Page 191.
Pileus compact, firm, covered with a thin, closely adnate pellicle,
which at length disappears, margin abruptly thin, at first inflexed, then
spreading, acute, even. Stem at first compact, at length spongy-soft
within. Gills somewhat forked, with a few shorter ones intermixed,
commonly attenuated at both ends, thin and normally narrow.
1 86
Leucosporse
III. — RlGlD/E (rigidus, rigid). Page 194.
Pileus without a viscid pellicle, absolutely dry, rigid, the cuticle com- Eussuia.
monly breaking up into flocci or granules. Flesh thick, compact, firm,
vanishing away short of the margin wliich is straight (never involute),
soon spreading, and always without strice. Stem solid, at first hard,
then softer and spongy. Gills, a few dimidiate, others divided, rigid,
dilated in front and winning out with a very broad, rounded apex ,
whence the margin of the pileus becomes obtuse and is not inflexed.
Exceedingly handsome, but rather rare.
IV. — HETEROPHYLL/E (R. heterophylla, the typical species
of the section). Page 198.
Pileus fleshy, firm, with a thin margin which is at first inflexed, then
expanded and striate, covered with a thin adnate pellicle. The gills
consist of many shorter ones mixed with longer ones, along with others
which are forked. Stem solid, stout, spongy within
V. — FRAGILES (fragilis, fragile or brittle). Page 2OI.
Pileus more or less fleshy, rigid-fragile, covered with a pellicle which
is always continuous, and in wet weather viscid and somewhat separ-
able; margin membranaceous, at first convergent and not involute, in
full-grown plants commonly sulcate and tubercular. Flesh commonly
floccose, lax, friable. Stem spongy, at length wholly soft and hollow.
Gills almost all equal, simple, broadening in front, free in the pileus
when closed. Several doubtful forms occur. R. Integra is specially fal-
lacious from the variety of its colors.
* Gills and spores white.
* Gills and spores white, then light-yellowish or bright lemon-
yellowish.
** Gills and spores ochraceous.
COMPAC'T^E.
R. ni'gricans Bull. — nigrico, to be blackish. Pileus 2-4 in. and
more broad, olivaceous-fuliginous, at length black, fleshy to the margin
which is at first bent inwards, convex then flattened, umbilicato-de-
pressed, when young and moist slightly viscid and even (without a
separable pellicle), at length cracked in scales. Flesh firm, white,
187
Agaricaceae
Russuia. when broken becoming red on exposure to the air. Stem I in. thick,
persistently solid, equal, pallid when young, at length black. Gills
rounded behind, slightly adnexed, thick, distant, unequal, paler, red-
dening when touched. Fries..
Compact, obese, inodorous, within and without at length wholly black,
in which it differs from all others. The flesh becomes red when broken
because it is saturated with red juice, although it does not exude milk.
Sometimes a very few of the gills are dimidiate.
Irr woods. Common. June to November. Stevenson.
Var. albdnigra Krombh. — albo, white; negro, to be black. Pileus
fleshy, convexo-plane, depressed in the middle, at length funnel-shaped,
viscid, whitish, smoky about the margin. Flesh white, turning black
when broken. Stem solid, stout, dusky, becoming blackened. Gills
decurrent, crowded, unequal, dusky-whitish. In grassy places.
Spores papillose, 8j«, W.G.S.; subglobose, rough, 8-9/u. Massee.
New York. Our specimens agree with the description in every re-
spect, except that the gills are not distant. Peck, 32d Rep.
Mild when raw, but with a heavy woody taste.
Cooked it makes a good dish, but does not equal most Russule.
K. purpuri'na Quel. and Schulz. — purple. (Plate XLV#.) Pileus
fleshy, margin acute, subglobose, then plane, at length depressed in
the center, slightly viscid in very wet weather, not striate, often split,
pellicle separable, rosy-pink, paling even to light yellow. Gills crowded
in youth, afterward subdistant, white, in age yellowish, reaching the
stem, 2-4 lines broad in front, not greatly narrowed behind, almost
equal, not forked. Stem spongy, stuffed, very variable, cylindrical,
attenuated above and below the middle, rosy-pink becoming paler
(rarely white) toward the base, color obscure in age. Flesh fragile,
white, reddish under the skin; odor slight, taste mild. Spores white,
globose, sometimes sub-elliptical, 4-8/x long, minutely warted.
Pileus 1.5-2.5 in. across. Stem up to .4 in. thick, 1.2 in. long.
"This is a beautiful and very distinct species easily known by its red
stem, mild taste and white spores." Peck, 426 Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
R. adus'ta Fr. — aduro, to scorch. Pileus pallid or whitish, grayish-
sooty, equally fleshy, compact, depressed then somewhat infundibuliform,
margin at first inflexed, smooth, then erect, without striae. Flesh
1 88
PLATE XLVA.
C/J
c
c
70
•u
c
2
z
Leucosporee
unchangeable. Stem solid, obese, of the same color as the pileus. Kussuia.
Gills adnate then decurrent, thin, crowded, unequal, white then dingy,
not reddening when touched. Fries.
Spores subglobose, almost smooth, 8-9/4 Massee.
In pine and mixed woods.
West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, in pine woods and in mixed
woods. August to frost. Mcllvaine.
R. adusta is solitary but often in small troops. It is easily recognized
by the brownish blotches upon its cap, and the crowding of its thin gills.
The solid flesh must be well cooked. It is then of good flavor.
R. bre'vipes Pk. — drevis, short; pes, a foot. Pileus 3-5 in.
broad, at first convex and umbilicate, (Plate XLV£.)
then infundibuliform, dry, glabrous
or slightly villose on the margin,
white, sometimes varied with red-
dish-brown stains. Flesh whitish,
taste mild, slowly becoming slightly
acrid. Lamellae thin, close, adnate
or slightly rounded behind ; white.
Stem solid, white.
Spores globose, verruculose, 10-
131*.
Stem 6— 10 lines long, 6-10 lines
thick.
Sandy soil in pine woods. Quogue. September.
This species is related to Russula delica, but is easily distinguished
by its short stem and crowded gills. The pileus also is not shining and
the taste is tardily somewhat acrid. From Lactarius exsuccus it is
separated by the character of the gills and the very short stem which is
about as broad as it is long. The spores also are larger than in that
species. The gills in the young plant are sometimes studded with
drops of water. They are not clearly decurrent. Some of them are
forked at the base. The pileus is but slightly raised above the surface
of the ground and is generally soiled by adhering dirt and often marked
by rusty or brownish stains. The plants grew in old roads in the woods
where the soil had been trodden and compacted. Peck, 43d Rep. N. Y.
State Bot.
189
RUSSULA BREVIPES.
After Prof. Peck.
Agaricaceee
Eussuia. West Virginia. 1882; Pennsylvania, 1887-1894; New Jersey, 1892.
Solitary in pine and hemlock woods, generally on bare, compact ground.
August to October. Mcllvaine.
This species is a sparse grower, but its good size and respectable num-
bers soon fill the basket. When fresh it is of good substance and flavor.
K. del'ica Fr. — deliciis, weaned. (Milkless, juiceless in gills.)
White. Pileus 3-5 in. broad, fleshy throughout, firm, umbilicate then
infundibuliform, regular, everywhere even, smooth with a whitish luster,
the involute margin without striae. Flesh firm, juiceless, not very
thick, white. Stem curt, 1-2 in. long, %. in. and more thick, solid,
even, smooth, white. Gills decurrent, thin, distant, very unequal,
white, exuding small watery drops in wet weather. Fries.
Spores minutely echinulate, white, broadly elliptical, 8-iox6-7/A
Mas see.
In appearance it resembles Lactarius vellereus and L. piperatus, but
its gills do not distill milk or juice. It differs, too, in its mild taste. It
is related to R. brevipes Pk.
A large, coarse species, cup-shaped at maturity. I have found it in
several localities in Massachusetts in July and August. It is of fair
quality cooked, but much inferior to R. virescens, etc. Macadam.
West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, in mixed woods, August
to October. Mcllvaine.
Edible. Taste mild. From the juiceless variety of L. vellereus its
mild taste alone furnishes a separate character. Peck.
I have eaten it since 1882, but it is not a favorite. Its quality is fair.
R. sor'dida Pk.— dirty. (Plate XLIV, fig. 4, P. 184.) Pileus firm,
convex, centrally depressed, dry, sordid-white, sometimes clouded with
brown. Gills close, white, some of them forked. Stem equal, solid,
concolorous. Spores globose, 7- 5/*' Taste acrid. Flesh changing color
when wounded, becoming black or bluish-black.
Plant 4-5 in. high. Pileus 3-5 in. broad. Stem 6-12 lines thick.
Ground under hemlock trees. Worcester. July.
It resembles L. piperatus in general appearance. The whole plant
turns black in drying. Peck, 26th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Ohio, Morgan; Pennsylvania, Herbst ; West Virginia, 1881—1885,
190
Leucosporse
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, pine, hemlock and mixed woods, July to Eussuia.
September. Mcllvaine.
It is of better quality than most coarse-grained Russulse.
FURCA'T.^.
K. furca'ta Fr. — furca, a fork. Pileus 3 in. broad, sometimes
greenish, sometimes umber-greenish, fleshy, compact, gibbous then
piano-depressed or infundibuliform, even, smooth, but often sprinkled
with slightly silky luster, pellicle here and there separable, margin thin,
at first inflexed, then spreading, always even. Flesh firm, somewhat
cheesy, white. Stem 2 in. or a little more long, solid, firm, equal or
attenuated downward, even, white. Gills adnato-decnrrent , rather thick,
somewhat distant but broad, attenuated at both ends, frequently forked,
shining white. Fries.
Spores globose, echinulate, 6-7/4 C.B.P.; 7-8x9^, Massee.
In woods, and grass under trees.
The frequently forked gills, from which the species takes its name,
their being thick and slightly decurrent, help to distinguish it. It is
quite common in its several varieties.
Taste mild at first. A slight bitter develops which disappears in
cooking. It is then of good quality, not equal to R. virescens. Older
writers marked it poisonous, doubtless for no other cause than its slight
bitter. I have eaten it freely for fifteen years.
R. sangui'nea Fr. — sanguis, blood. Pileus 2-3 in. broad, blood-
red or becoming pale round the even, spreading, acute margin, fleshy,
firm, at first convex, obtuse, then depressed and infundibuliform and
commonly gibbous in the center, polished, even, moist in damp weather.
Flesh firm, cheesy, white. Stem stout, spongy-stuffed, at first con-
tracted at the apex, then equal, slightly striate, white or reddish. Gills
at first adnate, then truly decurrent, very crowded, very narrow, con-
nected by veins, fragile, somewhat forked, shining white. Fries.
Spores 9-iOju, diameter Massee.
In pine and mixed woods. July to October.
Color same as R. rubra but differs in its hard cheesy flesh, rigid,
slightly yellowish gills in age. The gills of R. sanguinea are truly
decurrent, and pointed in front.
191
Agaricaceee
Bussuia. Poisonous. Stevenson. Krapp says he has experienced grave incon-
veniences from eating it.
Myself and very many friends eat all fresh inviting Russulae. We do
not discriminate against a single peppery or acrid species, not even the
R. emetica which has been severely maligned. In fact the peppery
Russulae are usually substantial in flesh and choice in substance.
The opinion of many is that R. sanguinea is one of the best. I have
eaten it for years.
R. depal'lens Pers. — palleo, to be pale. PileilS 3-4 in. across, pal-
lid-reddish or inclining to dingy-brown, etc., fleshy, firm, convex,
then plane, more rarely depressed, but commonly irregularly shaped
and undulated, even, the thin, adnate pellicle presently changing color,
especially at the disk, the spreading margin even, but slightly striate
when old. Flesh white. Stem about i2£ in. long, solid, firm, com-
monly attenuated downward, white, becoming cinereous when old. Gills
adnexed, broad, crowded, distinct, but commonly forked at the base,
often with shorter ones intermixed. Inodorous, taste mild. The color
of the pileus is at first pallid-reddish, or inclining to brownish, then
whitish or yellowish, opaque in every stage of growth. It approaches
nearest to the Heterophyllae. Fries.
In beech woods, pastures, etc. August to September.
Spores subglobose, echinulate, 7-8p Massee.
R. depallens somewhat resembles R. heterophylla. Both are edible.
It is a solitary grower and not common, but when found it occurs in
good quantity. It belongs to the best class of Russulae.
R. SUbdepal'lens Pk. — sub, de and palleo, to be pale. Pileus fleshy,
at first convex and striate on the margin, then expanded or centrally
depressed and tuberculate-striate on the margin, viscid, blood-red or
purplish red, mottled with yellowish spots, becoming paler or almost
white with age, often irregular. Flesh fragile, white, becoming cinereous
with age, reddish under the cuticle, taste mild. Lamellae broad, sub-
distant, adnate, white or whitish, the interspaces venose. Stem stout,
solid but spongy within, persistently white.
Spores white, globose, rough, 8/u. broad.
Pileus 3-6 in. broad. Stem 1.5-3 m- l°ng. 6-12 lines thick.
Under a hickory tree. Trexlertown, Pa. June. W. Herbst.
192
Leucosporae
Closely related to Russula depallens, from which it differs in having Russula.
the margin of the pileus striate at first and more strongly so when ma-
ture, also in the pileus being spotted at first, the gills more distant, the
stem persistently white and the spores white. Bull. Torrey Bot. Club.
Vol. 23, No. 10. October, 1896.
I do not doubt its edibility. See R. depallens.
R. ochrophyl'la Pk. — ochra, a yellow earth; phyllon, a leaf. Pileus
2-4 in. broad, firm, convex becoming nearly plane or slightly depressed
in the center, even or rarely very slightly striate on the margin when
old, purple or dark purplish red. Flesh white, purplish under the ad-
nate cuticle, taste mild. Gills entire, a few of them forked at the base,
subdistant, adnate, at first yellowish, becoming bright ochraceous buff
when mature, dusted by the spores, the interspaces somewhat venose.
Stem equal or nearly so, solid or spongy within, reddish or rosy tinted,
paler than the pileus. Spores bright ochraceous buff, globose-verru-
culose, IO/A broad.
The ochery-gilled Russula is a large fine species, but not a common
one. It differs but little in color and size from the European pungent
Russula, Russula drimeia, but it is easily distinguished from it by its
mild taste.
The cap is dry, convex or a little depressed in the center, purple or
purplish red, the white flesh purplish under the cuticle, which, however,
is not easily separable.
The gills are nearly all entire, extending from the stem to the margin
of the cap. They are therefore much closer together near the stem than
at the margin. They are at first yellowish, but a bright ochraceous buff
when mature. They are then dusted by the similarly colored spores.
The stem is stout, nearly cylindric, firm but spongy in the center and
colored like the cap, but generally a little paler. There is a variety in
which the stem is white and the cap deep red. In other respects it is
like the typical form. Its name is Russula ochrophylla albipes.
The ochery-gilled Russula grows in groups under trees, especially
oak trees, and should be sought in July and August. Peck, 5ist Rep.
N. Y. State Bot.
West Virginia, Pennsylvania, July to September, Mcllvaine.
Edible. Peck, Soth Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
13 193
Agaricacese
RI'GID^E.
Russuia. R. lac'tea Fr. — lac, milk. Pileus 2 in. broad, at the first milk-white,
then tan-white, throughout compactly fleshy , bell-shaped, then convex,
often excentric, without a pellicle, always dry, at the first even, then
slightly cracked when dry, margin straight, thin, obtuse, even. Flesh
compact, white. Stem 1/^-2 in. long, \% in. thick, solid, very com-
pact, but at length spongy-soft within, equal, even, always white. Gills
free, very broad, thick, distant, rigid, forked, white. Fries.
Spores subglobose, echinulate, 7~9/x Massee.
Closely allied to R. albella Pk. from which it differs in its shorter
stem, and pileus cracking into areolae, and gills not being entire.
In mixed woods, in patches, not common.
Botanic creek, West Philadelphia, Pa., patches, Mcllvaine, 1887.
Edible and of good flavor. Macadam.
Raw, it has a raw, rather unpleasant taste and odor, a little like
some acorns. But its firm, thick flesh, meaty gills and stem, and good
flavor when well cooked, rank it equal to any.
R. albella Pk. — whitish. Pileus 2-3 in. broad, thin, fragile, dry,
plane or slightly depressed in the center, even or obscurely striate on
the margin, commonly white, sometimes tinged with pink or rosy-red,
especially on the margin. Flesh white, taste mild. Lamellae entire,
white, becoming dusted by the spores. Stem 1-2 in. long, 3-4 lines
thick, equal, solid or spongy within, white.
Spores white, globose, /.6/* broad.
Dry soil of frondose woods. Port Jefferson. July.
Closely allied to R. lactea, but differing in its fragile texture, entire
lamellae, more slender stem, and in the pileus not cracking into areas.
Peck, 50th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
R. vires'cens Fr. — viresco, to be green. (Plate XLIV, fig. 6, p.
184.) Pileus green, compactly fleshy, globose then expanded, at
length depressed, often unequal, always dry, not furnished with a pellicle,
wherefore the flocculose cuticle is broken up into patches or warts, margin
straight, obtuse, even. Flesh white, not very compact. Stem solid,
internally spongy, firm, somewhat rivulose, white. Grills free, some-
194
Leucosporee
what crowded, sometimes equal, sometimes forked, with a few shorter Eussuia.
ones intermixed, white. Fries.
Taste mild; good, raw.
Spores scarcely echinulate, almost globular, 6^ W.G.S. Spores
8— IO/A Mas see; 6—7.61*- Peck.
Cap round when young, very hard, then convex or becoming dished,
sometimes repand. It is without a separable skin, covered with various
sized areas of mouldy looking patches which are at times distinctly
cracked. The color varies from a bright bluish-green to grayish-green,
such shades remind one of mouldy cheese or the shades of Roquefort ;
again the color may vary in shades of light leather brown, occasionally
the caps are almost white, opaque in each shade of color. Flesh crisp,
brittle, thick, white, mild, good raw. Gills and stem as described.
R. virescens is common in the United States but not generally plenti-
ful. It is a solitary grower, usually but few are found in a patch.
Striking in appearance when its green colors are present, and always
clean looking and inviting. It sometimes attains the size of 5 in. across.
It is a hot weather Russula and rarely appears before the latter part of
June, then after rains.
To eat, it should be in a healthy, fresh condition. All Russulae
impart a stale flavor if any part of gills or cap is wilting, drying or
decaying. It requires forty minutes' slow stewing, or it can be dressed
raw as a salad. Roasted or fried crisp in a hot buttered pan it is at its
best. It should be well salted.
R. lep'ida Fr. — lepidus, neat, elegant. Pileus 3 in. broad, blood-
red-rose, becoming pale, whitish especially at the disk, somewhat equally
fleshy, convex then expanded, scarcely depressed, obtuse, opaque, un-
polished, with a silky appearance, at length often cracked scaly , margin
spreading, obtuse, without striae. Stem as much as 3 in. long, often
I in. thick, even, white or rose-color. Gills rounded behind, rather
thick, somewhat crowded, often forked, connected by veins, white, often
red at the edge.
Taste mild ; wholly compact and firm, but the flesh is cheesy, not
somewhat clotted. The gills are often red at the edge, chiefly toward
the margin, on account of the margin of the pileus being continuous
with the gills. Fries.
Spores 8- 1 ox6-8/u. Syll.
195
Agaricaceae
Kussuia. Frequent. July to October, in mixed woods.
A common and variable species in size and color, but the cap is
always some shade of rose-red or lake. The flesh is compact and
cheesy. The gills sometimes edged with pink as they near the margin.
Taste mild.
The crisp flesh of R. lepida requires forty minutes' slow stewing, if
stewed. It yields a delicate pink shade to the dish. Roasted or cooked
in a hot buttered pan it is excellent.
R. ru'bra Fr. — ruber, red. Pileus unicolorous, a cinnabar-ver-
milion, but becoming pale (tan) when old, disk commonly darker, com-
pact, hard but fragile, convex, then flattened, here and there depressed,
absolutely dry, without a pellicle, but becoming polished-even, often sinu-
ously cracked when old, margin spreading, obtuse, even, always per-
sistent. Flesh white, reddish under the cuticle. Stem 2-3 in. long,
about I in. thick, solid, even, varying white and red. Gills obtusely
adnate, somewhat crowded, whitish, then yellowish, with dimidiate and
forked ones intermixed.
Very acrid, very hard and rigid, most distinct from all the others of
this group in the pileus becoming polished-even, although without a pel-
licle, in the flesh being somewhat clotted, and in the very acrid taste.
Gills often red at the edge. Fries.
Spores whitish, Fries; spheroid, 8-io/u. K.
Krapp says he has experienced grave inconveniences from eating it.
European authorities mark "poisonous."
I do not hesitate to cook it either by itself or with other Russulse and
serve it at my table. It is easier cooked than R. virescens and others
of the crisp species, and has equal flavor.
R. Linnse'i Fr. — in honor of Linnaeus. Pileus 3-4 in. broad, uni-
colorous, dark purple, blood-red or bright rose, opaque, not becoming
pale, everywhere fleshy, rigid, piano-depressed, sometimes spread up-
ward, even, smooth, dry, without a separable pellicle, margin spreading,
obtuse, without striae. Flesh thick, spongy-compact, white. Stem I %
in. and more long, I in. and more thick, stout, firm, but spongy-soft
within, somewhat ventricose, obsoletely retictdated with fibers, intensely
blood-red. Gills adnate, somewhat decurrent, rather thick, not crowded,
broad (more than % in.), fragile, sparingly connected by veins, white,
196
LeucosporsB
becoming yellow when dry, with a few dimidiate ones intermixed, some-
what anastomosing behind. Fries.
Spores wholly white, Fries; ellipsoid, spheroid, echinulate, i ip.
Q.; 9-nx8-9/u. Massee.
West Virginia, 1881-1885. West Philadelphia, Pa., on Bartram's
Botanic creek. Mcllvaine.
R. Linnaei is one of our handsomest and best Russulae. European
authors state its habit to be exactly that of R. emetica, but though I have
known it intimately for many years I have not been struck with this in
the American plant. Its large size, its more or less red stem never en-
tirely white, at times hollow, cavernous, its less solid flesh, habit of grow-
ing in troops, sometimes parts of rings, flourishing best where the leaf
mat is heaviest, loving the leaf drift in fence-corners, are well marked
distinctions.
When young there is no better Russuia. As it ages the ,stem be-
comes soft, spongy and should be thrown away. The caps, only, eaten.
R. oliva'cea Fr. — oliva, an olive; olivaceus, the color of an olive.
Pileus 2-4 in. across, dingy-purple then olivaceous or wholly brownish-
olivaceous, fleshy, convexo-flattened and depressed, slightly silky and
squamulose, margin spreading, even. Flesh white, becoming somewhat
yellow. Stem firm, ventricose, rose-color to pallid, spongy-stuffed
within. Gills adnexed, wide, yellow, with shorter and forked ones
intermixed.
Mild. Near to R. rubra, but certainly distinct in the stem being
definitely spongy, in the pileus being unpolished, and in the gills being
soft and brightly colored; corresponding with R. alutacea. Fries.
Spores light yellow, Fries; spheroid, punctate, IO/A Q.; globose,
minutely granulate, yellow, 9— io/x diameter Massee.
Mt. Gretna, Pa., 1897-1898.
Pileus 2-4 in. across, 2-3 in. long, Yz-Y* in. thick.
The caps are equally good with R. alutacea. They must be fresh,
and similarly cooked.
R.fla'vida Frost— yellow. (Plate XLIV, fig. 3, p. 184.) Pileus
fleshy, convex, slightly depressed, unpolished, bright yellow. Gills
white, adnate, turning cinereous. Stem yellow, solid, white at the ex-
treme apex. Frost Ms.
197
Agaricacese
Russuia. Pileus fleshy, convex, slightly depressed in the center, not polished,
yellow, the margin at first even, then slightly striate-tuberculate. Gills
nearly entire, venose-connected, white, then cinereous or yellowish.
Stem firm, solid, yellow, sometimes white at the top.
Spores yellow, subglobose, 6.5-7.6^ in diameter. Flesh white, taste
mild.
Plant 2-3 in. high. Pileus 2-3 in. broad. Stem 4-6 lines thick.
Frost Mss.
Ground in woods. Sandlake. August. Peck, 32d Rep. N. Y.
State Bot.
R. flavida is showy, solitary and in patches. The stem when young
and solid is equally good with the cap. Cooks in twenty-five minutes
and is of good flavor.
HETEROPHYL'L^E.
R. ves'ca Fr. — vesco, to feed. Pileus red- flesh-color, disk darker,
fleshy, slightly firm, piano-depressed, slightly wrinkled with veins, with
a viscid pellicle, margin at length spreading. Flesh cheesy, firm, shin-
ing white. Stem solid, compact, externally rigid, reticulated and
wrinkled in a peculiar manner, often attenuated at the base, shining
white. Gills adnate, crowded, thin, shining white, with many unequal
and forked ones intermixed, but scarcely connected by veins.
Of middle stature. Taste mild, pleasant. Fries.
Spores globose, echinulate, white, 9— io/«, diameter Massee.
In mixed woods. Common. August to frost.
R. vesca is frequent in woods or margins, and under trees in the
open. It is especially fond of growing in the grass under lone chestnut
trees. The caps seldom exceed 2.% in. across.
It is one of the best.
R. cyanoxan'tha (Schaeff. ) Fr. Gr. — blue; Gr. — yellow. (From the
colors.) (Plate XLIV, fig. i, p. 184.) Pileus 2-3 in. and more
broad, lilac or purplish then olivaceous-green, disk commonly becoming
pale often yellowish, margin commonly becoming azure-bine or livid
purple, compact, convex then plane, then depressed or infundibuliform,
sometimes even, sometimes wrinkled or streaked, viscous, margin
deflexed then expanded, remotely and slightly striate. Flesh firm,
198
Leucosporee
cheesy, white, commonly reddish beneath the separable pellicle. Stem Russuia.
2—3 in. long, as much as I in. thick, spongy-stuffed, but firm, often
cavernous within when old, equal, smooth, even, shining white. Gills
rounded behind, connected by veins, not much crowded, broad, forked
with shorter ones intermixed, shining white.
Allied to R. vesca in its mild, pleasant taste and in other respects,
but constantly different in the color of the pileus, which is very variable,
whereas in R. vesca it is unchangeable. The peculiar combination of
colors in the pileus, though very variable, always readily distinguishes
it. Fries.
Spores 8-9|u,, cystidia numerous, pointed, Massee; 8-iox6-8/x Sacc.
In mixed woods. Common. August to October.
Pronounced one of the best esculent species by all authorities.
R. heterophyl'la Fr. Gr. — differing; Gr. — a leaf. (Gills differing
in length.) Pileus very variable in color, but never becoming reddish
or purple, fleshy, firm, convexo-plane then depressed, even, polished,
the very thin pellicle disappearing, margin thin, even or densely but
slightly striate. Flesh white. Stem solid, firm, somewhat equal, even,
shining white. Gills reaching the stem in an attenuated form, very nar-
row, very crowded, forked and dimidiate, shining white.
Taste always mild, as in R. cyanoxantha, from which it differs in its
smaller stature, in the pileus being thinner, even, never reddish or pur-
plish, with a thin closely adnate pellicle, in the stem being firm and solid,
and in the gills being thin, very narrow, very crowded, etc. The apex
of the stem is occasionally dilated in the form of a cup, so that the gills
appear remote. Fries.
Spores echinulate, 5x7/u- W.G.S.; /-8/i diameter Massee.
Common. Woods. July to November.
Edible, of a sweet nutty flavor. Stevenson.
R. heterophylla is very common. Its smooth, even pileus, colored in
some dingy shade of green, distinguishes it. It is much infested by
grubs. Specimens for the table should be young and fresh. Wilted
specimens are unpleasant.
R. fffi'tens Fr. — fcetens, stinking. Pileus 4-5 in. and more broad,
dingy yellow, often becoming pale, thinly fleshy, at first bullate, then
expanded and depressed, covered with a pellicle which is adnate, not
199
Agaricaceae
Eussuia. separable, and viscid in wet weather, margin broadly membranaceous,
at the first bent inward with ribs which are at lengtJi tubercular. Flesh
thin, rigid- fragile, pallid. Stem 2 in. and more long, %-\ in. thick,
stout, stuffed then hollow, whitish. Gills adnexed, crowded, connected
by veins, with very many dimidiate and forked ones intermixed, whitish,
at the first exuding watery drops.
Fetid. Taste acrid. Very rigid, most distinct from all others in its
very heavy empyreumatic odor. In very dry weather the odor is often
obsolete. The margin is more broadly membranaceous and hence
marked with longer furrows than in any other species. It differs from
all the preceding ones in the gills at the first exuding watery drops.
The gills become obsoletely light yellow, and dingy when bruised.
Fries.
Pileus fleshy, with a wide thin margin, hemispherical or convex, then
expanded or depressed, viscid when moist, widely striate-tuberculate on
the margin, dull pale yellow or straw color. Lamellae rather broad,
close, venose-connected, some of them forked, whitish. Stipe nearly
cylindrical, whitish, hollow. Spores white. Plant sometimes cespitose.
Height 2-4 in. ; breadth of pileus 2-3 in. Stipe 4-6 lines thick.
Pine woods. West Albany. October.
Taste mild at first, then slightly disagreeable. Peck, 2$d Rep. N. Y.
State Bot.
Spores minute, echinulate, almost globular, 8/x, W.G.S.; 8-io/u.
Mas see.
In woods. Common. July to October.
Var. gramilata has the pileus rough with small granular scales. Peck,
Rep. 39.
A very coarse and easily recognized species. Reckoned poisonous,
though eaten by slugs. W.G.S .
The verdict is against it. Both smell and taste are usually un-
pleasant. Cooked it retains its flavor, more closely resembling wild
cherry bark than anything else. On two occasions I ate enough to con-
vince me that it was not poisonous.
R. el'egans Bresad. — elegans, pretty. Mild at first, becoming acrid
with age. Pileus 2-3 in. across. Flesh rather thick ; convex then de-
pressed; margin tuberculose and striate when old, viscid, bright rosy
flesh-color, soon ochraceous at the circumference, everywhere densely
200
Leucosporae
granulated. Gills adnexed or slightly rounded, narrow behind, very Bussnia.
much crowded, equal, rarely forked, whitish, becoming either entirely
or here and there ochraceous-orange. Stem i3^— 2 in. long, 5—7 lines
thick, a little thickened at the base, rather rugulose, white, base ochra-
ceous. Flesh white, turning ochraceous and acrid when old.
Spores 8-io/x diameter Massee.
Allied to R. vesca. Known by the bright rose-colored, densely gran-
ular pileus and tuberculose margin. When old the pileus is almost en-
tirely ochraceous. Massee.
Frequent in the West Virginia forests, 1881-1885. Chester county,
Pa., 1887-1890. In mixed woods. July to September. Mcllvaine.
It differs from R. vesca in its cap being minutely granulated instead
of streaked, and in becoming acrid with age.
The caps are of good quality, needing to be well cooked.
FRA'GILES.
* Gills and spores white.
R. eme'tica Fr. — an emetic. (Plate XLIV, fig. 2, p. 184.) PileilS
3-4 in. broad, at first rosy then blood-color, tawny when old, sometimes
becoming yellow and at length (in moist places) white, at first bell-
shaped then flattened or depressed, polished, margin at length furrowed
and tubercular . Flesh white, reddish under tlie separable pellicle. Stem
spongy-stuffed, stout, elastic when young, fragile when older, even,
white or reddish. Gills somewhat free, broad, somewhat distant, shining
white.
Handsome, regular, moderately firm, but fragile when full grown,
taste very acrid. Fries.
Spores shining white, Fries; spheroid, echinulate, S-IO/A K.; 7/x.
W.G.S.
Maryland, Miss Banning; New York, Peck, Rep. 22; Indiana, Illi-
nois, H. I. Miller.
Said to act as its name implies as an emetic. Certainly poisonous.
Stevenson .
Krapp says he has himself experienced rare inconveniences from eating
it. Preferred to others in Indiana and Illinois. H. I. Miller, 1898.
The varying reports upon R. emetica are quoted above. In 1881, in
201
Agaricaceae
i
Russuia. the West Virginia mountains, I began testing this Russula and soon
found that it was harmless. At least twenty persons ate it in quantity,
during its season, for four years. Yet, in my many published articles, I
continued, out of regard for the opinions of others and in excess of
caution, to warn against all bitter and peppery fungi. But from that
time until the present I have eaten it, and I have made special effort to
establish its innocence by getting numbers of my friendly helpers to eat it.
It was suggested by one of its prosecutors that perhaps I was mis-
taking another fungus for it. In October, 1898, I sent to Professor
Peck a lot of the Russula I was eating. He wrote: "It seems to be
R. emetica as you state. It certainly is hot enough for it."
R. pectina'ta Fr. — pccten, a comb. Pileus 3 in. broad, at first gluey,
toast-brown, then dry, becoming pale, tan, with the disk always darker,
fleshy, rigid, convex then flattened and depressed or concavo-infundi-
buliform (basin-shaped) ; margin thin, pectinato-sulcate (deeply ribbed),
here and there irregularly shaped. Flesh white, light yellowish under
the pellicle, which is not easily separable. Stem curt, 2 in. long, % — I
in. thick, rigid, spongy-stuffed, longitudinally slightly striate, shining
white, often attenuated at the base. Gills attemiato-free behind, broader
toward the margin, somewhat crowded, equal, simple, white.
Odor weak, but nauseous, approaching that of R. fcetens. Fries.
Spores 8-9/n diameter Massee.
New York, Peck, 43d Rep. West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey.
Common in woods, grassy, mossy places. July to frost. Mcllvaine.
Named from the furrows of the margin being like the teeth of a comb.
Both the appearance and smell of this Russula will detect it. The
peculiar comb-like furrows of its margin, viscid or varnished-looking
cap, and strong but more spicy smell than cherry-bark are noticeable.
It is edible, but so strong in flavor that a piece of one will spoil a
dish if cooked with other kinds.
R. ochroleu'ca Fr. Gr. — pale yellow ; Gr. — white. Pileus yellow,
becoming pale, fleshy, flattened or depressed, polished, with an adnate
pellicle, the spreading margin becoming even. Stem spongy, stuffed,
firm, slightly reticulato-wrinkled , white, becoming cinereous. Gills
rounded behind, united, broad, somewhat equal, white becoming pale.
Odor obsolete, but pleasant. The pileus is never reddish. It agrees
202
Leucosporse
wholly with R. emetica in structure and stature, as well as in the acrid Russuia.
taste ; it differs however in the stem being slightly recticulato-wrinkled,
white becoming cinereous, in the adnate pellicle of the pileus, in the
margin remaining for a long time even (remotely striate, but not tuber-
cular, only when old), and in the gills being rounded behind and be-
coming pale. The color of the pileus is constant. The gills remain
free and do not exude drops. Fries. »
Cap 2-4 in. across. Stem 2-3 in. long, up to % in. thick.
Spores papillose, 7//, W.G.S., 8x9/1, Massee.
Frequent in woods. July to October.
Not as common as R. emetica, yet frequently found, usually solitary,
at times gregarious. It is quite peppery, but loses pepperiness in cook-
ing. Myself and others have frequently eaten it.
R. ci'trina Gillet — citrina, citron colored. Mild. Pileus 2-3 in.
across, slightly fleshy at the disk, margin thin; convex then more or
less expanded and slightly depressed, rather viscid when moist, smooth,
slightly wrinkled at the margin when old, bright lemon-yellow, color
usually uniform, sometimes paler at the margin, occasionally with a
greenish tint, center of pileus at length becoming pale-ochraceous ; pel-
licle separable. Gills slightly decurrent, broadest a short distance from
the margin, and gradually becoming narrower towards the base, forked
at the base and also sometimes near the middle, white, \% lines deep
at broadest part. Stem 2—3 in. long, about 4 lines thick, equal or
slightly narrowed at the base, slightly wrinkled, straight or very slightly
waved, solid.
Spores subglobose, echinulate, 8/* diameter.
In woods.
Known by the clear lemon-yellow or citron-colored pileus and the
persistently white gills and stem. The taste is mild at first, but be-
comes slightly acrid if kept in the mouth for a short time. Massee.
R. citrina can hardly be classed among the acrid species. The taste
is slightly of cherry-bark and disappears in cooking. It is usually found
in patches which contain ten to twenty individuals. It is a species of
fair quality.
R. fra'gilis Fr. — fragile. Pileus I— iK in. broad, rarely more, flesh-
color, changing color, very thin, fleshy only at the disk, at the first con-
203
Agaricaceae
Eussuia. vex and often umbonate, then plane and depressed, pellicle thin, becom-
ing pale, slightly viscid in wet weather; margin very thin, tuberculoso-
striate. Stem I /£ — 2 in. long, spongy within, soon hollow, often slightly
striate, white. Gills slightly adnexed, very thin, crowded, broad, ven-
tricose, all equal, shining white. Fries.
Very acrid. Smaller and more fragile than the rest of the group,
directly changing color. The color is variable, often opaque, typically
flesh-color, when changed in color white externally and internally, often
with reddish spots. Among varieties of color is to be noted a livid
flesh-colored form, with the disk becoming fuscous.
It is not easy to define it from fragile forms of R. emetica, but the
gills are much more crowded, thinner, and often slightly eroded at the
edge, ventricose; the pileus thinner and more lax, etc. Stevenson.
Var. nivea Fr. — nivea, snowy. Whole plant white.
Spores minutely echinulate 8— zoxSft Massee.
Though one of the peppery kind, I have not, after fifteen years of
eating it, had reason to question its edibility. The caps are not meaty,
but what there is of them is good.
R. puncta'ta Gillet — punctata, dotted. Mild. Pileus 1^-2)^ in.
across. Flesh thin, white, reddish under the cuticle; convex then flat-
tened, viscid, rosy, disk darkest, punctate with dark reddish point-like
warts, pale when old; margin striate. Gills slightly adnexed, 2 lines
broad, white then yellowish, edge often reddish. Stem about I in.
long, 4-5 lines thick, attenuated and whitish at the base, remainder
colored like the pileus, stuffed.
Spores 8-9/x, diameter Massee.
Among grass.
Edible. Boston Myc. Club Bull. 1896.
** Gills and spores white then yellowish or bright lemon.
R. in'tegra Fr. — integer, entire, whole. PileilS 4-5 in. across, typic-
ally red, changing color, fleshy, campanulato-convex then expanded
and depressed, fragile when full-grown, with a gluey pellicle, at length
furrowed and somewhat tubercular at the margin. Flesh white, some-
times yellowish above. Stem at first short, conical, then club-shaped
204
Leucosporee
or ventricose, as much as 3 in. long, up to I in. thick, spongy-stuffed, Russuia.
commonly stout, even, shining white. Gills somewhat free, very broad,
up to % in., equal or bifid at the stem, somewhat distant, connected
by veins, pallid- white, at length light yellow, somewhat Powdered yellow
with the spores.
Taste mild, often astringent. The most changeable of all species,
especially in the color of the pileus which is typically red, but at the
same time inclining to azure-blue, bay-brown, olivaceous, etc. Some-
times the gills are sterile and remain white. Fries.
Spores ellipsoid-spheroid or spheroid echinulate, globose, rough,
8-9/u, C.B.P.; 9-io/t diameter, pale ochraceous. Massee.
It is difficult to separate R. integra from R. alutacea. The spores
usually show upon the gills as pale dull yellow powder. It is of equal
excellence.
R. decolo'rans Fr. — de and coloro, to color. Pileus 3-5 in. broad,
color various, at first orange-red, then light yellow and becoming pale,
fleshy, spherical then expanded and depressed, remarkably regular,
viscid when moist, thin and at length striate at the margin. Flesh
white, but becoming somewhat cinereous when broken, and more or less
variegated with black spots when old. Stem elongated, 3—5 in., cylin-
drical, solid, but spongy within, often wrinkled-striate , white then be-
coming cinereous especially within. Gills adnexed, often in pairs, thin,
crowded, fragile, white then yellowish.
Taste mild. Colors changeable according to a fixed rule, but not
variable. The gills are not ochraceous-pulverulent as in R. integra, nor
shining and pure yellow as in R. aurata, etc. Fries.
Spores yellow, 8.3/A Morgan.
New York, Peck, 23d Rep. Angora, West Philadelphia, Pa., 1897,
in mixed woods. August to October. Mcllvaine.
Esculent and of good quality. Morgan.
Meals of it make one regret its scarcity.
K. basifurca'ta Pk. — forked near stem. Pileus 2-3 in. broad, firm,
convex, umbilicate, becoming somewhat funnel form, glabrous, slightly
viscid when moist, the thin pellicle scarcely separable except on the
margin, dingy-white, sometimes tinged with yellow or reddish-yellow,
the margin nearly even. Lamellae rather close, narrowed toward the
205
Agaricacese
Eussuia. base, adnate or slightly emarginate, many of them forked near the base,
a few short ones intermingled, white becoming yellowish. Stem 8-12
lines long, 5-6 lines thick, firm, solid, becoming spongy within, white.
Spores elliptical, pale yellow, uninucleate or shining, 9x6.5^. Flesh
white, taste mild, then bitterish.
Dry hard ground in paths and wood roads. Canoga, N. Y. July.
This species closely resembles pale forms of R. furcata, from which
it is separated by the absence of any silky micor and by the yellowish
color and elliptical shape of the spores and by the yellowish hue of the
lamellae. Peck, 38th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Mt. Gretna, Pa., September, 1898, to frost. Gravelly ground. Soli-
tary. Gills adnate. Identified as his species by Professor Peck.
The slight bitterish taste disappears in cooking. It is edible and of
fair quality.
It. aura'ta Fr. — auntm, gold. Pileus 2-3 in. broad, varying lemon-
yellow, orange and red, disk darker, fleshy, rigid, brittle however, hem-
ispherical then plane, disk not depressed, pellicle thin, adnate, viscid in
wet weather, margin even, and slightly striate only when old, but some-
times wrinkled. Flesh lemon-yellow under the pellicle, white below.
Stem 2—3 in. long, solid, firm, but spongy within, cylindrical, obso-
letely striate, white or lemon-yellow. Gills rounded free, connected by
veins, broad, equal, shining, never pulverulent, whitish inclining to light
yellow, but vivid lemon-yellow at the edge. Fries.
West Virginia, 1881-1885; Pennsylvania, 1887-1898. In woods
under pines. July to October. Mcllvaine.
Pileus sometimes depressed in center, very viscid when wet.
A troop of this Russula upon brown wood mat is a pretty sight. Its
rich and brightly-colored cap attracts the eye from a distance. The
yellow edge of its gills is the distinctive mark of the species.
The smell is pleasant, the taste slightly of cherry bark.
Cooked it is one of the best Russulse.
R. atropurpu'rea Pk. — atre, black; purpureus, purple. Dark pur-
ple Russula. Pileus 3-4 in. broad, at first convex, then centrally de-
pressed, glabrous, dark purple, blackish in the center, the margin even
or slightly striate. Flesh white, grayish or grayish-purple under the
separable pellicle, taste mild, odor of the drying plant fetid, very un-
206
Leucosporae
pleasant. Lamellae nearly equal, subdistant, sometimes forked near the Russuia.
stem, at first white, then yellowish, becoming brownish where bruised.
Stem 2-3 in. long, 5-8 lines thick, equal, glabrous, spongy within,
white, brownish where bruised. Spores subglobose, minutely rough,
pale ochraceous with a salmon tint, 8— lO/x.
Open woods. Gansevoort. July.
In color this species resembles R. variata, but in other respects it is
very different. It is very distinct in the peculiar color of its spores,
and in the brownish hue assumed by wounds. Peck, 4ist Rep. N. Y.
State Bot.
West Philadelphia, Pa. July, 1897. Open woods. Solitary. Phila-
delphia Myc. Center.
Many were eaten and enjoyed. Only fresh plants are acceptable, and
they should be cooked as soon as gathered. Even in wilting they be-
come unpleasant.
*** Gills and spores ochraceous.
R. aluta'cea Fr. — aluta, tanned leather. Pileus 2-4 in. broad,
commonly bright blood-color or red, even black-purple, but becoming
pale, especially at the disk, fleshy, bell-shaped then convex, flattened
and somewhat umbilicate, even, with a remarkably sticky pellicle,
margin thin, at length striate, tubercular. Flesh snow-white. Stem
2 in. long, solid, stout, equal, even, white, most frequently variegated-
reddish, even purple. Gills at first free, thick, very broad, connected
by veins, all equal, somewhat distant, at first pallid light yellow, then
bright ochraceous, not pulverulent.
It is distinguished from R. integra by its gills not being pulverulent.
Fries.
Spores yellow 7-9/4 Massee; 11-14x8-10/14 Sacc., Syll.
July to frost. Mcllvaine.
R. alutacea is easily recognized among Russulae by its mild taste and
broad yellow gills. In young specimens one sometimes has to look at
the gills at an angle to detect the yellow. It is quite common but a
solitary grower. It is everywhere eaten as a favorite. Only fresh
plants yield a good flavor. When the stem is soft, it should be thrown
^way.
207
Agaricaceae
K. puella'ris Fr. (Plate XLIV, fig. 7, p. 184.) Mild. Pileus i-i^
in. across, flesh almost membranaceous except the disk; conico-convex
then expanded, at first rather gibbous, then slightly depressed, scarcely
viscid, color peculiar, purplish-livid then yellowish, disk always darker
and brownish; tuberculosely striate, often to the middle. Gills adnate
but very much narrowed behind, thin, crowded, white then pale-yellow,
not shining nor powdered with the spores. Stem I— i *a in. long, 2—4
lines thick, equal, soft, fragile, wrinkled under a lens, white or yellowish;
stuffed, soon hollow; taste mild.
Spores subglobose, pale-yellow, echinulate, 1 0x8-9/4 Massee.
In woods.
Among the most frequent and readily recognized of species, occur-
ring in troops. Always small, thin, taste mild. Allied to R. nitida, but
more slender ; color paler, and not shining. Fries.
Distinguished from R. nitida and R. nauseosa by the absence of smell.
Massee.
Var. interi sior Cke. Nearly the same size as the typical form ; pileus
deep purp"le, nearly black at the disk.
The stem has a tendency to become thickened at the base, and turns
yellowish when touched.
Var. rose'ipes Sec., given by Massee, has been retained as a distinct
species by Professor Peck, Rep. 51, and is described in place. R.
pusilla Pk., 5<Dth Rep., is closely allied to it.
West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina. Common
in woods and under trees in short grass. July to September. Mcllvaine.
This little Russula is ubiquitous. It does not amount to much when
other fungi are plenty, because of its very thin cap, but it thrives in all
sorts of summer weather. When its companions are scarce or parched
R. puellaris is gladly gathered by the mycophagist, its numbers making
up for its lightness and lack of flavor.
R. pusilla Pk. — little. Pileus very thin, nearly plane or slightly
and umbilicately depressed in the center, glabrous, slightly striate on
the margin, red, sometimes a little darker in the center, the thin pellicle
separable. Flesh white, taste mild. Lamellae broad for the size of the
plant, subventricose, subdistant, adnate or slightly rounded behind,
white, becoming yellowish-ochraceous in drying. Stem short, soft,
solid or spongy within, white.
208
Leucosporae
Spores faintly tinged with yellow, 7-6/u. broad. Russuia.
Pileus scarcely I in. broad. Stem 6-12 lines long, 2-3 lines thick.
Bare ground in thin woods. Port Jefferson. July.
The coloring matter of the pileus may be rubbed upon paper and
produce on it red stains if the surface is previously moistened with water
or dilute alcohol. This is one of the smallest Russulas known to me.
The pileus was less than an inch broad and the stem less than an inch
long in all the specimens seen by me. The species is closely allied to
R. puellaris, and especially resembles the variety intensior in color. It
differs in its smaller size, even or but slightly striate margin, broad
lamellae and in the stem or flesh not becoming yellowish spotted where
touched. Peck, Soth Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
West Virginia, 1881-1885. Pennsylvania, 1896-1897. July to
September. Mcllvaine.
It makes up in quality what it lacks in quantity.
R. rose'ipes (Seer.) Bres. — rosa, a rose; pes, a foot. (Plate
XLIV, fig. 5, p. 184.) PileilS 1-2 in. broad, convex becoming nearly
plane or slightly depressed, at first viscid, soon dry, becoming slightly
striate on the thin margin, rosy-red variously modified by pink orange
or ochraceous hues, sometimes becoming paler with age, taste mild.
Gills moderately close, nearly entire, rounded behind and slightly
adhexed, ventricose, whitish becoming yellow. Stem 1^-3 in. long,
3-4 lines thick, slightly tapering upward, stuffed or somewhat cavern-
ous, white tinged with red.
Spores yellow, globose or subglobose.
The plants grow in woods of pine and hemlock and have been col-
lected in July and August. The flesh is tender and agreeable in flavor.
Peck, 5ist Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Spores globose, minutely echinulate, pale ochraceous, 8-io/u, diameter
Massee.
R. roseipes is common in West Virginia under hemlocks and spruces.
At Mt. Gretna, Pa., it grew sparingly under pines. It is excellent.
R. Ma'rise Pk. Pileus fleshy, convex, subumbilicate, at length ex-
panded and centrally depressed, minutely pulverulent, bright pink-red
(crimson lake), the disk a little darker, margin even. Lamellae rather
14 209
Aguricacese
Bnssuia. close, reaching the stem, some of them forked, venose-connected, white,
then yellowish. Stem equal, solid, colored like the pileus except the
extremities which are usually white. Spores globose, nearly smooth,
7-6/x, in diameter; flesh of the pileus white, red under the cuticle, taste
mild.
Plant 2 in. high. Pileus 1.5-2 in. broad. Stem 3-6 lines thick.
Dry ground in woods. Catskill mountains. July.
The minute colored granules, which give the pileus a soft pruinose
appearance, are easily rubbed off on paper, and water put upon the
fresh specimens is colored by them. Peck, 24th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
New York, Peck, 24th and 5oth Rep. ; West Virginia, 1882-1885 ; Mt.
Gretna, Pa., solitary in mixed woods. July to September. 1897-1898.
Mcllvaine.
It is on a par with most Russulae.
R. ochra'cea Fr. — ochra, a yellow earth. Mild. Pileus about 3 in.
across. Flesh rather thick at the center, becoming thin toward the
margin, pale ochraceous, soft; convex then expanded and depressed,
• margin coarsely striate, pellicle thin, viscid, ochraceous with a tinge of
'yellow, disk usually becoming darker. Gills slightly adnexed, broad,
scarcely crowded, ochraceous. Stem about I % in. long, 5-7 lines
thick, slightly wrinkled longitudinally, ochraceous, stuffed, soft.
Spores globose, echinulate, ochraceous, io-i2p. diameter.
In pine and mixed woods.
The mild taste and ochraceous color of every part, including the flesh,
separate the present from every other species.
Commonly confounded with Russula fellea, but known at once by its
mild taste. Agreeing most nearly with R. lutea in color, but differing
in the softer flesh, which becomes ochraceous upward; sulcate margin
of the pileus, and broader, less crowded gills. • Pileus persistently
ochraceous, disk usually darker. Stem sometimes yellow, sometimes
white. Fries.
North Carolina, borders of woods, Ctirtis; California, Harkness and
Moore.
Fries says that the flavor is mild, but Roze places it in the list of sus-
pected species, although he notes it as not acrid ; it may be inferred that
he considers the flavor unpleasant. Macadam.
"Like chicken," not common. Boston Myc. Club Bull. 1896.
210
Leucosporee
R. lll'tea (Huds.) Fr. — luteus, yellow. Pileus 1-2 in. broad, yel- Russtda.
low, at length becoming pale, and occasionally wholly white, thinly
fleshy, soon convexo-plane or piano-depressed, sticky when moist, even
or when old obsoletely striate at the margin. Flesh white. Stem ^
in. long, 3-4 lines thick, stuffed then hollow, soft, fragile, equal, even,
white, never reddish. Gills somewhat free, connected by veins, crowded,
narrow, all equal, ochraceous-egg-yellow.
Always small, very regular, taste mild. When young the pileus is
always of a beautiful yellow. Fries.
Spores yellow, echinulate, 8/x, W.G.S.; globose, rough, 6-7/* C.B.P.; .
8-IOX7-8/* Massee.
Allied to R. vitellina, but differs in having the margin of the cap
even, and but little odor.
The plant I have so referred has the gills at first white and the stem
yellow like the pileus; it may be a new species. In beech woods,
Morgan; West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, in mixed woods,
often under beeches, August to November, Mcllvaine.
The plants I have found have white gills when young (few species
have not), but rapidly become yellow. The stem is usually white when
young, and sometimes remains so, but often becomes more or less
yellow.
It is a pretty species. The flavor is not as strong as in some species,
but is delicate.
R. nauseo'sa Fr. Pileus variable in color, typically purplish at the
disk, then livid, but becoming pale and often whitish, laxly fleshy, thin,
at first piano-gibbous, then depressed, viscid in wet weather, furrowed
and somewhat tubercular at the somewhat membranaceous margin.
Flesh soft, white. Stem short, about I in. long, 4 lines thick, spongy-
stuffed, slightly striate, white. Gills adnexed, ventricose, somewhat
distant, here and there with a few shorter ones intermixed, light yellow
then dingy ochraceous.
The taste is mild, but also nauseous, as the odor often is. The habit
is that of R. nitida, of the same color of pileus, but differing in the color
of the gills. Fries.
Cap about 2 in. across. Stem 1-2 in. long, %—% in. thick.
Spores dingy yellow, 8-9/4 diameter. Massee.
North Carolina and Pennsylvania, Schweinitz; West Virginia, Penn-
211
Agaricaceae
Eussuia. sylvania, New Jersey, in pine and mixed woods. August to October.
Mcllvaine.
The odor and taste of R. nauseosa are misnamed, therefore the plant.
They are heavy at times, when the plant is wet or old, as is the case
with R. fcetens, but they are always of cherry bark. Both odor and
taste disappear in cooking. The species is as good as any Russula of
its texture.
H. vitelli'na Fr. — vitellus, yolk of egg. Pileus i in. broad, uni-
• colorous, light yellow then wholly pallid, somewhat membranaceous, at
length tuberculoso-striate , somewhat dry, disk very small, slightly fleshy.
Stem thin, scarcely exceeding I in. long, 2 lines thick, equal. Gills
separating-free, equal, distant, rather thick, connected by veins, saffron-
yellow.
Pretty, very fragile, strong-smelling, mild. Fries.
Spores 7-8/u, diameter Massee.
West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, August to October. In
pine and mixed woods, July to October. Not common in number.
This pretty species has a cherry-bark taste and smell like R. fcetens,
though not so offensively heavy. It is not poisonous. A small piece
of it will affect a whole dish of other Russulae.
R. chamseleonti'na Fr. — changing color like a chamaeleon. Pileus
1-2 in. broad, thinly fleshy, soon flattened, sometimes oblique .with a
thin, separable, viscid pellicle, which is at first flesh-color, then pres-
ently changing color, becoming yellow at the disk and at length wholly
yellow, margin even, then slightly striate. Stem as much as 3 in. long,
but thin, somewhat hollow, slightly striate, white. Gills more or less
adnexed, thin, crowded, equal, narrow, somewhat forked, light-yellow-
ochraceous.
Mild, inodorous, very fragile. Pileus rosy blood-red, purplish lilac,
etc. Sometimes even at the first yellowish at the disk. Fries.
Spores globose, ochraceous, 7-8/* diameter Massee.
In pine and in mixed woods. August to October. Mcllvaine.
The change in color of the cap which gives name to this species is
not remarkable. Most species of Russulae are sensitive to light. An
otherwise highly colored cap will be almost white when a leaf adheres
to it. If in youth it grows under dense shade it will be very much
212
Leucosporae
lighter than if where light is generous, and will remain so. If in grow-
ing it thrusts itself out of shadow, its color will change and it will
deepen. The apparent rarity of R. chamasleontina I think due to the
close observation necessary to detect its changes in color, which, as I
have found it, are by no means constant. It is quite plentiful in the
pines of southern New Jersey, and at Mt. Gretna, Pa., it is frequently
found.
It is a good esculent species.
Agaricaceee
CANTHAREL'LUS Adans.
Gr. — a vase, a cup.
Canthareiius. Hymenophore continuous with the stem, descending unchanged into
the trama. Gills thick, fleshy, waxy, fold-like, somewhat branched,
obtuse at the edge. Spores white. Fleshy,
putrescent fungi, without a veil. Fries.
In Canthareiius the gills — vein-like and gen-
erally thick with an obtuse edge — are entirely
different from those of all the preceding
genera. In those they are thin, and distinct
from the pileus and from each other. In
Hygrophorus the gills are frequently thick,
CANTHARELLUS CIBARIUS.
but the edge is always sharp. The species
of Craterellus are funnel-shaped, resembling some of those in Cantha-
reiius, but are distinguished by their lack of evident gills.
Monograph New York Species of Canthareiius, Peck, Bull. 1887.
The members of this genus are few, but they are choice. Of them
is the Canthareiius cibarius, of which Trattinik quaintly says : "Not
only this same fungus never did any one harm, but might even restore
the dead."
The writer first made its acquaintance when among the West Virginia
mountains in 1881. The golden patches of single and clustered
cibarius, fragrant as ripened apricots, tufting the short grass or mossy
ground under beeches, oaks and like-growing trees, through which the
sunlight filtered generously, were so tempting, that he determined there
must be luxury, even in death, from such toadstools.
Experiments made by the writer in West Virginia where the species
grows luxuriantly and is of much higher flavor than any he has found
elsewhere, prove that it is easy to transplant within congenial habitats,
either by the mycelium or spores. Nature, there, resorts to washing
masses of leaves containing the propagating parts of the fungus along
the depressions of the water-sheds, and it is found growing plentifully
where the wind has drifted forest leaves against trees, brush, and fence-
corners.
Other species of the genus do not, as a rule, grow so plentifully,
neither are they of equal excellence, but several of them are equal to
2i4
PLATE XLVI.
Grouped by F. I). Briscoe — Studies by ('. Mdlvalne.
FIG.
1. ,
1'. MllKCIIKI.I.A KSCn.KNTA.
3. CBATKBELLUS CA.NTHAKKLLUS,
PAGE. FIG.
4. CANTHAJBBLUJS ciBABf <rs, '
542 5. ('AXTIIAItKLLfS HKKVM'KS
508
PAGE.
215
219
Leucosporae
any other species. Suspicion has been thrown upon C. aurantiacus. Canthareiiua
There is such a marked difference between the excellence of the genus
in West Virginia and other localities, that it is possible C. aurantiacus
may be noxious elsewhere, but the writer has not found it so ; and it
would be an astonishing contradiction of Nature's ways if it was.
Stevenson says: "It (C. cibarius) must have four hours slow cook-
ing." The writer has found thirty minutes to be sufficient; and it will
fry in butter as quickly as any other fungus.
ANALYSIS OF TRIBES.
MESOPUS (mesos, middle; potts, a foot). Page 215.
Stem central.
*Stem solid.
**Stem tubular.
PLEUROPUS (pleura, the side; pous, a foot).
Stem lateral.
RESUPINATUS (resupinatus , lying on the back) .
Stem absent.
All the species known to be edible belong to Mesopus.
ME'SOPUS.
* Stem solid.
C. ciba'rius Fr. — cibaria, food. (Plate XLVI, fig. 4, p. . 214.
Plate XLVII.) PileilS fleshy, obconic, smooth, egg-yellow, slightly
depressed. Gills thick, distant, more or less branching and anastomos-
ing, concolorous. Stem firm, solid, often tapering downward, con-
colorous. Flesh white.
Height 2-4 in., breadth of pileus 2-3 in. Stem 3-6 lines thick.
In open woods and grassy places. Common. July and August.
Edible. The smell of apricots is not always clearly perceptible in
American specimens. Peck, Monograph New York Species of Can-
tharellus, Rep. 23.
215
Agaricaceae
CanthareUus. Spores 6x8/4 W.G.S.; 7.6x5/4 Morgan; spheroid-ellipsoid, 8-9x5-6/4
(Plate XLVII.)
CANTHARELLUS CIBARIUS.
Reported from the Atlantic to
the Pacific and from Columbia
river to Louisiana. June to Sep-
tember.
Wherever grown C. cibarius is
one of the best. In European
countries it is highly rated, and
is expensive. Its mode of growth
varies with its plentifulness. In
the West Virginia mountains large
patches of it closely cover the
ground. Clusters weighing %
pound are frequent.
When shredded, or cut across
the fibers, slow cooking for half
an hour is sufficient, if the plants
are fresh. If gathered for some>
hours, they should be soaked for
a time.
C. mi'nor Pk. Pileus fleshy, thin, convex then expanded and de-
pressed, egg-yellow. Grills very narrow, distant, sparingly branched,
yellowish. Stem slender, subflexuous, equal, smooth, hollow or stuffed,
concolorous.
Height 1-2 in., breadth of pileus 6-12 lines.
In open woods. July. Peck, 23d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Spores 6.4-7.6x4-5/4 Peck.
West Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania. Mcllvaine.
Grows in the West Virginia mountains, along with C. cibarius, and
separate from it. It is more tender than C. cibarius, and not equal in
flavor to those found there. I usu'ally cooked them together and thus
got quantity well flavored.
C. auranti'acus Fr. — orange-yellow. (Plate CXXXVI, fig. 4, p. . )
Pileus fleshy, obconic, nearly plane above, smooth or minutely tomen-
tose, dull orange with the disk usually brownish, the margin decurved
216
Leucosporse
and sometimes yellowish. Gills narrow, close, repeatedly forked, Canthareiius
orange, sometimes yellowish. Stem inequal, generally tapering upward,
colored like the pileus. Flesh yellowish, taste mild.
Height 2-3 in., breadth of Pileus 1-3 in. Stem 2-4 lines thick.
Ground and very rotten logs in woods or in fields. Common. Peck,
23d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Spores 6.4-7.6x4-5^ Peck, ioxS/t Massee.
Var. pallidus Pk. Pileus and gills pale yellow or whitish yellow.
Stevenson says of the English species, "Unpleasant, reckoned pois-
onous." The writer's acquaintance with C. aurantiacus has been prin-
cipally confined to West Virginia. There its taste is mild, scent but lit-
tle, flavor not distinguishable from eastern C. Cibarius. There it is per-
fectly safe and wholesome ; neither have the writer and his friends any
reason for condemning it.
C. umbona'tllS Fr. — having an umbo. Pileus I in. and more broad,
ashy-blackish, slightly fleshy, convex when young, umbonate, at length
depressed, even, dry, flocculoso-stiky on the surface, shining brightly
especially under a lens. Flesh soft, white, often becoming red when
wounded. Stem 3 in. long, about 4 lines thick, stuffed, equal, elastic,
villous at the base, ash-colored, but paler than the pileus. Gills decur-
rent, thin, tense and straight, crowded, repeatedly divided by pairs,
shining-white .
Odor and taste scarcely notable. Gregarious. Among the taller
mosses the stem is longer. Often overlooked from its habit being that
of an agaric. It varies with the pileus squamulose and blackish.
In woods. April to August. Fries.
The rather prominent gills of this small species are likely to confuse
those not familiar with its variance from the genuine type. Reddish
tinge to flesh not noticed in the American species. The writer has
gathered it in several states and enjoyed it for many years.
C. rosel'lus Pk. — rosy. Pileus thin, funnel-shaped, regular, glabrous,
pale pinkish-red. Flesh white. Gills narrow, close, dichotomous, deeply
decurrent, whitish, tinged with pink. Stem equal, slender, solid,
subglabrous, often flexuous, colored like the pileus. Spores minute,
broadly elliptical, 3.5x2.5^.
Pileus 4-8 lines broad. Stem about I in. long, scarcely I line thick.
217
Agaricaceae
Cantharellus. (Plate XLVIII.)
CANTHARELLUS ROSELLUS.
Natural size.
Mossy ground in groves of balsam.
North Elba. September. This small
species belongs to the section Agar-
icoides, and is apparently closely al-
lied to C. albidus, from which its
smaller size and different color dis-
tinguish it. The pileus is sometimes
deeply umbilicate. Peck, 42d Rep.
N. Y. State Bot.
Frequent in pine woods of New
Jersey, near Haddonfield, where the
plant is sturdier than described.
Though small it grows gregarious
and in troops from which appetizing
quantities can be gathered.
It makes a pretty dish of pinkish
hue and one of rare excellence.
C. lutes'cens Bull.— yellowish. (Plate CXXXVI, fig. 9, p. 508.)
PileilS thin, fleshy, convex, umbilicate, brownish-floccose, yellowish.
Gills very distant, sparingly branched, arcuate-decurrent, pale ochrace-
ous. Stem slender, slightly tapering downward, smooth, shining, bright
orange-tinted yellow, stuffed or hollow.
Height 2-3 in., breadth of PileilS 8-15 lines.
Mossy ground in woods. Catskill and Adirondack mountains, also
Sandlake. August to October.
This is regarded by some as a variety of A. tubaeformis. Peck, 23d
Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
In mixed and scrub-pine woods near Haddonfield, N. J. ; mixed
woods Angora and Kingsessing, Philadelphia.
Perhaps constancy to C. cibarius has influenced the writer in favor of
members of its family, and accounts for the gusto in "Fine" set opposite
his notes to the present species. Nevertheless such is his opinion.
** Stem tubular.
C. flocco'silS Schw. — woolly. (Plate XLVI, fig. I, p. 214.) Pileus
fleshy, elongated funnel-form or trumpet shape, floccose-squamose,
218
Leucosporas
ochraceous-yellow. Gills vein-like, close, much anastomosing above, Canthareiius.
long decurrent and subparallel below, concolorous. Stem very short,
thick, rarely deeply rooting.
Height 2-4 in., breadth of Pileus at the top 1-3 in.
Woods and their borders. Not rare. Utica, Johnson. Albany and
Sandlake. July and August. Peck, 23d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Spores 12.5-15x7.6/4 Peck.
New York, Peck, Rep. 23 ; Maine, Mrs. Stella F. Fairbanks; West
Virginia, Mcllvaine.
A beautiful species of good quality.
(Plate XLIX.)
C. bre'vipes Pk. — brevis, short; pest a foot. (Plate XLVI, fig. 5, p.
214.) Pileus fleshy, obconic, gla-
brous, alutaceous or dingy cream-
color, the thin margin erect, often
irregular and lobed, tinged with
lilac in the young plant; folds nu-
merous, nearly straight on the mar-
gin, abundantly anastomosing be-
low, pale umber tinged with lilac.
Stem short, tomentose-pubescent,
ash-colored, solid, often tapering
downward. Spores yellowish,
oblong-elliptical, uninucleate, 10—
Ev.v.v -v ~w
>P '<#/ -
Ki^W
-^fjgfjT
CANTHARELLUS BREVIPES.
Small plant, two-thirds natural size.
Plant 3-4 in- high. Pileus 2-3
in. broad. Stem 4-6 lines thick.
Woods. Ballston, Saratoga coun-
ty. July.
This interesting species is related
to the C. floccosus, both by its short
stem and its abundantly anastomosing folds. The two species should
be separated from the others and constitute a distinct section. The
flesh in C. brevipes is soft and whitish, and the folds are generally thin-
ner than in C. floccosus. Peck, 33d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Plentiful in West Virginia mountains in 1884, growing in patches.
Found in mixed woods near Cheltenham, Pa., and at Springton, Pa.,
1887.
219
Agaricaceae
CanthareUus. In West Virginia it is prolific and rivals the C. cibarius in excellence.
The flesh is softer, not so fibrous, and cooks more readily.
In that locality there is a marked difference between C. brevipes and
C. floccosus. The latter is much longer, and markedly resembles the
large end of a gold lined cornet. Like the C. cibarius it is not of as
good quality in eastern states.
Quick
f
Nyctalis.
ported in America.
NYC'TALlSFr.
Gr. — night. From inhabiting dark places.
(Plate L.)
/ X
Hymenophore continuous with
thestem. Gills fleshy, thick, juicy,
obtuse at the edge, not decurrent
on the stem nor fold-like. Veil
(in species which have been fully
observed) floccoso-pruinose.
Fleshy fungi, not reviving, of
uncertain and irregular occurrence,
differing in many respects from
one another and from the rest of
the Agaricini. Fries,
The typical species are sapro-
phytic on decaying fungi. But one
species, Nyctalis asterophora, re-
See Peck, 26th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
rvs.
NYCTALIS PARASITICUS.
22O
Leucosporee
MARAS'MIUS Fr.
Gr. — to wither or shrivel.
Gills pliant, rather tough, Marasmms
(Plate LI.)
MARASMIUS OREADES.
About one-half natural size.
Pileus regular, thin, tough and pliant,
somewhat distant, variously at-
tached or free, with an acute
entire edge. Stem cartilaginous or
horny, continuous with the pileus
but of different texture. Not pu-
trescent but drying up with lack
of moisture, reviving and assuming
the original form with the advent
of rain. This character distin-
guishes Marasmius from all other
genera of Agaricaceae.
Its nearer relations are Collybia
and Mycena.
Fries says that all Agaricaceae
having the smell of garlic are found
in this genus. On the ground, but generally on wood or leaves.
Professor Peck reports over forty species of this genus found in New
York state. Several not found in New York are reported from other
states. The writer has found a few such species in Pennsylvania and
West Virginia. Many untried species will probably prove to be edible ;
the majority are too small to be of food value. M. urens, reported pois-
onous, and M. peronatus, heretofore considered poisonous, have been
found by the writer to be edible. Several species not described herein
have been tested for edibility to a limited extent only.
In this genus occurs the famed M. oreades, the Mousseron of France,
the Champignon and Scotch bonnet of England, the Fairy-ring mush-
room of America.
ANALYSIS OF TRIBES.
COLLYBIA (inclining to Collybia). Page 223.
Flesh of pileus pliant, at length rather leathery, grooved or wrinkled,
margin incurved at first. Stem somewhat cartilaginous; mycelium
woolly, absent in some species.
221
Agaricaceee
A. SCORTEI (scorteus, leathery). Page 223.
Stem solid or stuffed, then hollow, fibrous within, outside covered
with down. Gills separating from the stem, free.
* Base of stem woolly or strigose.
** Stem naked at the base, often interwoven with twisted fibers
B. TERGINI (terginus, leathery). Page 225.
Stem rooting, distinctly tubular, not fibrous, distinctly cartilaginous.
Gills receding then free. Pileus thinner than in the preceding group,
hygrophanous, even or with the margin striate.
* Stem woolly below, smooth above.
** Stem when dry covered with velvety down.
C. CALOPODES ( Gr. — beautiful; Gr. — afoot). Page 226.
Stem short, not rooting, often with a floccose or downy, tubercular
base. Pileus convex, involute, then plane and more or less depressed,
in which state the gills typically adnate are subdecurrent. On twigs,
branches, etc. Gregarious.
* Stem quite smooth above, shining, base not swollen.
* Stem covered with velvety down, rather swollen at the base.
MYCENA (inclining to Mycena). Page 227.
Stem horny, hollow, often filled with pith, tough, dry. Mycelium
rooting, not floccose. Pileus somewhat membranaceous, bell-shaped,
then expaned, margin at first straight and pressed to the stem.
A. CHORDALES (chorda, a gut). Page 227.
Stem rigid, rooting or dilated at the base. Pileus bell-shaped or
convex. Type manifestly that of Mycena.
B. ROTUIwE (rotula, a little wheel).
Stem thread-like, flaccid, base not dilated or floccose but appearing
to enter the matrix abruptly. Pileus soon becoming plane or umbili-
cate. On leaves.
* Stem quite smooth, shining.
** Stem minutely velvety or hairy.
APUS (#, without; pous, a foot).
Pileus sessile, resupinate.
222
Leucosporae
I. — COLLY'BIA.
A. SCORTEI.
* Stem woolly or strigose at base.
M. u'rens Fr. — uro, to burn. Pileus 2-3 in. broad, unicolorous,
pale yellowish, becoming pale, slightly fleshy, moderately compact at the
disk, even, but here and there scaly or cracked in wavy lines when dry,
smooth, the thin margin involute. Stem 2-3 in. long, 3 lines thick,
solid, composed of crisp tough fibers, rigid, equal, sometimes however
ventricose, % in. thick, everywhere clothed with white ftocci, pale, white-
downy at the base. Gills free, united behind, at length remote from the
stem, distant, tough, at first pale-wood-color, then brown.
Gregarious, somewhat cespitose. Taste very stinging. The stem is
not strigosely sheathed at the base. Fries.
In mixed woods. Frequent. June to September.
A curious form occurred with the pileus turning very dark when full-
grown. B. and Br. POISONOUS. Worthington Smith has tested it
by accident. It produced headache, swimming of brain, burning in
throat and stomach, followed by severe purging and vomiting. Steven-
son.
Gregarious or cespitose. Taste very pungent, a feature which sepa-
rates the present from M. oreades. Not coarsely tomentose at the base,
as in M. peronatus, but only downy. Massee.
Spores 3X4/x W.G.S.; elliptical, 8x47* Massee.
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia. Mcllvaine.
I have not known it to disagree with myself or friends. That it may
not agree with some persons is unquestioned. Collectors should care-
fully test it upon themselves.
M. perona'tus Fr. — pero, a kind of boot. Pileus 1-2 in. and more
broad, light yellowish or pallid brick-red, then becoming pale, wood-
color or tan, at first fleshy-pliant, then coriaceo-membranaceous , convex
then plane, obtuse, flaccid, slightly wrinkled, even at the disk, at length
pitted, striate at the margin. Flesh white. Stem 2-3 in. long, 1-2
lines thick, stuffed, fibrous, tough, attenuated upward, at length hollow
and compressed, furnished with a bark, light yellow then pallid, cuticle
villous but separating and reddish when rubbed, somewhat incurved at
the base, where it is clothed with dense, somewhat strigose, yellowish or
223
Agaricacese
Marasmius. white villous down. Grills adnexed, then separating, free, moderately
thin, and crowded, when young whitish, pallid wood-color, at length
somewhat remote, reddish.
B. Woolly sheathed at the base. Taste acrid like that of M. urens,
odor none. Fries.
In woods. Common. Stevenson.
Spores pip-shaped, 7x4^ W.G.S.; 10x6-7 >t Massee,
New York. Thin woods. North Elba. August. September. Peck,
42d Rep. ; West Virginia, June to December, West Philadelphia and
Mt. Gretna, Chester county, Pa. Mcllvaine.
M. peronatus is the wood-cousin of M. oreades. It is still reputed
poisonous by all writers upon the subject, though M. C. Cooke gives it
the benefit of a doubt. The name is given because of the base of the
stem being densely covered with short hairs or a woolly down, and is
thus easily recognized. It is common in woods, among decaying
leaves, especially of the oak, from May until after frosts. It is usually
solitary, but a few individuals are sometimes clustered. It is quite
peppery to the taste, but pleasantly so. I have repeatedly eaten it,
as have my friends. It loses its acridity in cooking, and though the
caps are tougher than M. oreades, they make a highly flavored and
delicious dish. Collectors should carefully test it for themselves.
** Stem naked at the base, etc.
M. ore'ades Fr. Gr. — mountain-nymphs. Scotch bonnet. Cham-
pignon. Mousseron. (Plate LI, p. 221.) Pileus 1-2 in. broad,
reddish then becoming pale, absorbing moisture, whitish when dry,
fleshy, pliant, convex then plane, somewhat umbonate, even, smooth,
slightly striate at the margin when moist. Stem 2-3 in. long, i % lines
thick, solid, very tough, equal, tense and straight, everywhere clothed
with a villons-woven cuticle which can be rubbed off, pallid ; bluntly
rooted at the base, naked, not villous or tomentose. Gills free, broad,
distant, the alternate ones shorter, at first soft, then firmer, pallid-
white.
Odor weak, but pleasant, stronger when dried, taste mild. Commonly
growing in circles or rows. Fries.
Spores 6-7x5-6/x K.; elliptical, 8x5/x Massee; nearly elliptical, white,
7.6-9/u. long Peck.
Common throughout the states during the summer months after rains,
224
Leucosporse
and in rings, but can be found from May until after frost. If one knows Marasmius.
where the rings are to be found M. oreades can be gathered when
shriveled, and are quite as good, after soaking, as when fresh.
M. oreades must be sought for where the grass is luxuriant. It hides
among it. It is well worthy of the search. Raw, fresh or shriveled,
it is sweet, nutty, succulent when eaten; stewed well it is delicious.
Though tough its consistency is agreeable. The most delicate stomachs
can digest it. The writer saved the life of a lovely woman by feeding
her upon it when nothing else could be retained ; and of another, by
feeding Coprinus micaceus, after a dangerous operation. He introduced
these species, together with a few others, into a large hospital in Phila-
delphia, where they were used with marked beneficial effect, and such
use is now widespread.
When dried, by exposure to the air or sun, it can be kept indefinitely,
neither losing its aroma or flavor, which it graciously imparts to soups
or any other dish.
Collybia dryophila, Stropharia semi-globata, and Naucoria semi-
orbicularis are sometimes found growing with it. These species are
delicious and harmless.
Lafayette B. Mendel in the Am. Jour, of Physiology, March, 1898,
gives the following analysis :
Twenty freshly gathered specimens (from New Haven) weighed 9
grams, an average weight of 0.45 grams each. The analysis gave:
Water 74-96%
Total solids 2S-°4
Total nitrogen of dry substance 5.97
Ash of dry substance 7.23
B. TERGINI.
* * Stem downy when dry, etc.
M. Wyn'nei B. and Br. Pileus 1-1% in. broad, /z'/ar-brown, tardily
changing color, fleshy, convexo-plane, somewhat umbonate. Stem 2
in. long, i /£ line thick, tubed, furfuraceous, somewhat of the same
color as the pileus. Gills adnexed, thick, distant, bright-colored, beau-
tifully tinged with lilac; interstices even.
Inodorous. Gregarious or cespitose. The stem springs from a white
mycelium, but is by no means strigose or tawny at the base. Quite dis-
tinct from M. fusco-purpureus. Fries.
15 225
Agaricaceae
Marasmius. Among leaves, twigs, etc. Stevenson.
Spores elliptical, 7— 8x4//. Massee.
Kingsessing, West Philadelphia. Gregarious and cespitose, among
leaves, etc., in oak woods. September to October, 1885.
This very pretty fungus very much resembles at first sight the small
purplish Clitocybes, but is readily distinguished on examination. I ate
the caps and enjoyed them during the seasons of 1885 and 1887, but
have not seen the plant since.
The caps are equal to M. oreades.
C. CALOPODES.
* Stem smooth, etc.
M. SCOrodo'nius Fr. Gr. — a plant that smells like garlic. PileilS
-/•i. in. and more broad, rufous when young, but soon becoming pale,
whitish (not hygrophanous), slightly fleshy, pliant, convex then soon
plane, obtuse, always arid ; even when young, at length wrinkled and
crisped. Stem I in. long, scarcely I line thick, horny, tough, tubed,
equal, very smooth throughout, shining, reddish, inserted and naked at
the base. Gills adnatc, often separating, connected by veins, at length
crisped in drying, whitish.
Commonly gregarious. Readily distinguished from neighboring spe-
cies by its strong odor of garlic. Fries.
Heaths and dry pastures on twigs, etc. Rare.
Edible. Esteemed for flavoring. Stevenson.
Spores elliptical, 6x4/i Massee.
North Carolina, Schweinits, Curtis ; New England, Frost; New Jer-
sey, Ellis ; New York, August, Peck, 2$d Rep.
M. ca'lopus Fr. Gr. — beautiful; afoot. PileilS about 4 lines broad,
whitish, slightly fleshy, tough, convex then flattened, obtuse, rarely
depressed, even, smooth, slightly wrinkled when dried. Stem I in.
long, i line thick, tubed, slightly attenuated upward, even, smooth,
tough, dull-red or bay-brown-red, shining, somewhat rooted. Gills
slightly emarginate, in groups of 2-4, thin, white.
Inodorous. Almost smaller than M. scorodonius, but the stem is
longer, otherwise very like it. Fries.
Spores elliptical, 7x4/1* Mussee.
226
Leucosporas
Twigs and stems among fallen leaves in woods. Ticonderoga. Au-
gust.
This might easily be mistaken for M. scorodonius, but it is without
odor, and has a different insertion of the lamellae. It is sometimes ces-
pitose. The pileus in our specimens is whitish. Peck, 3ist Rep.
N. Y. State Bot.
Because of its similarity to M. scorodonius, which is edible, it is
given here.
II. — MYCENA.
A. CHORDALES.
M. allia'ceus Fr. — allium, garlic. Pileus I— I ^ in. broad, whitish
inclining to fuscous, often milk-white when young, somewhat men>-
branaceous, campanulate then expanded, somewhat umbonate, even, at
length striate and sulcate, smooth, dry. Stem as much as 8 in. long,
horny, rigid, fistulose, attenuated upward, pruinato-velvety , blackish,
rooted at the base where it is somewhat incurved and naked. Gills ad-
nexed in the form of a ring, then free, slightly ventricose, arid, slightly
distant, fuscous-whitish, crisped when dry.
Odor strong, of garlic, persistent. There is nothing of a reddish
tinge in the whole plant. The stem is not tomentose at the base as in
the Tergini. Fries.
Among leaves and on rotten wood. Frequent. August to October.
Stevenson .
Spores i4-i6x8/A Massee.
North Carolina, Schweinitz, Curtis; Pennsylvania, Schvueinitz; Min-
nesota, Johnson; Novia Scotia, Somers.
Edible. Bull. Boston Myc. Club.
227
Agaricaceaa
HELIOMYCES Lev.
Helios, the sun; myces, a fungus.
Heiiomyces. PileuS membranaceous, between leathery and gelatinous, radiately
sulcate. Gills equal, edge acute. Stem somewhat woody, cylindrical,
central.
Allied to Marasmius, but differing in its sub-gelatinous substance.
None reported edible.
(Plate LII.)
LENTI'NUS Fr.
Lentus, tough or pliant.
Lentinus. PileuS fleshy-coriaceous, pliant, tough and hard when old, persistent.
Gills becoming dry, tough, simple,
unequal, thin, margin acute, toothed,
more or less decurrent. Stem when
present central, excentric or lateral,
hard and firm, continuous with the
flesh of the pileus.
Growing on wood.
Spores somewhat round, even,
white.
Distinguished from other coriace-
ous genera by its serrated and torn
gills.
"The genera Lentinus and Len-
zites are found in every region of the
world ; their principal center, how-
ever, is in hot countries, where they
attain a splendid development. On
the contrary, toward the north they rapidly decrease in number."
Fungi. Cooke and Berkeley.
In habitat and mode of growth Lentinus closely resembles Pleurotus,
and parallel genera with colored spores. When young the species are
inviting, and when well cooked are meal-giving. They are not delica-
cies, but substantials. They dry well. Grated they make soups, and
give their pleasant flavor to any dish.
228
SECTION OF LENTINUS.
Leucosporae
ANALYSIS OF TRIBES.
MESOPODES (niesos, middle; pous, a foot). Page 229.
Stem distinct.
PLEUROTI (pleura, a side; ous, an ear ).
Stem lateral or absent. None known to be edible.
I. — MESO'PODES (center-stemmed).
L. Lecom'tei Fr. Pileus coriaceous, funnel-shaped, regularly re-
flexed, hairy, tawny. Gills crowded, pallid. Stem short, hairy, tawny.
Common to the states.
Professor Peck writes to me: "This plant, by reason of its rather
tough substance, has commonly been referred to Lentinus, under the
name L. Lecomtei Schw., but this reference is scarcely satisfactory to
me, since the edge of the lamellae is scarcely at all serrate as required
by that genus. It seems to me it would go better under the genus
Panus. It is variable — sometimes eccentric or even lateral. It is some-
times called Lentinus strigosus, but I do not think the two are distinct
species, however distinct they may be in form." February 26, 1894.
Like all Lentinus the present species is rather tough, yet chopped
into small pieces, well cooked and seasoned, it is quite equal to P.
ostreatus and many others of high renown.
L. tigri'nus Fr. — tigris, a tiger. From the markings. PileilS com-
(Plate LIU.)
monly 2 in. broad, white, variegated
with somewhat adpressed, blackish,
hairy squamules, fleshy-coriaceous,
thin, commonly orbicular and cen-
tral, at first convexo-plane, umbili-
cate, at length funnel-shaped, often
split at the margin when dry. Stem
about 2 in. long, thin, solid, very
hard, commonly attenuated down-
ward, minutely squamulose, whitish,
often ascending and becoming dingy-
brown at the base, at first furnished
nf flic apex with an entire re flexed ring, which soon falls off. Gills de-
229
LENTINUS TIGRINUS.
About one-half natural size.
Agaricaceae
Lentinus. current (by no means sinuate), narrow, crowded, unequal, toothed like
a saw, white.
Somewhat gregarious, even cespitose, thinner and more coriaceous
and regular than L. lepideus B., wholly blackish with squamules. Fries.
On old stumps. Rare. Stevenson.
When fresh very tender and easily torn, when dry coriaceous. Sow.
Smell strong, acrid, like that of some Lactarii. M. J . B.
Spores 6.6x3.3/4 Morgan; elliptical, smooth, 7x3.5/4 Massee.
Agreeable taste and odor, eaten in Europe. Roques.
Edible, tough when old and never very delicate or digestible. — M.
C. Cooke.
Not found in sufficient quantity to test.
lepi'deus Fr. Gr. — scaly. (Plate XVI, fig. 3, 4,
p. 52.) Pileus 2-4 in. broad, pallid-ochraceous,
variegated with adpressed, darker, spot-like scales ,
fleshy, very compact and firm, irregular, com-
monly excentric, convex then depressed, but not
truly umbilicate, sometimes broken up into cracks.
Flesh pliant, white. Stem short, commonly I in. long, solid, stout,
very irregularly formed, almost woody, tomentose-scaly, whitish, rooted
at the base, at the first furnished with a veil toward the apex. Gills
decurrent, but sinuate behind, crowded broad, transversely striate,
whitish, edge torn into teeth.
Odor pleasant. Fries.
Spores 11x5/4 W.G.S., 7x3/4 Massee.
Lentinus lepideus is a sort of commercial traveler. It is common
wherever railroads are. It is partial to oak ties and its mycelium is in-
jurious to them. It is found upon pine and other timbers. The writer
has collected large clusters of it from oak sawdust. The European
plant is noted as "almost always solitary." In the United States it is
seldom so. It is noted as growing in damp, dark places, but it loves
the sim.
As a food it is about on a par with P. ulmarius, not as tough, but
harder when old. It is a reliable species from spring until late autumn,
is persistent and dries well. It is neat, handsome, prolific. When
young it makes a good dish, and when old can be used to advantage in
soups.
230
Leucosporse
L. COChlea'tllS Fr. — cochlea, a snail. Pileus 2-3 in. broad, flesh-
color, but becoming pale, somewhat tan, fleshy-pliant, thin, com-
monly excentric, imbricated, very unequal, somewhat lobed or con-
torted, sometimes plane, sometimes funnel-shaped-umbilicate, but not
pervious, smooth. Stem solid, firm, sometimes central, most frequently
excentric, sometimes wholly lateral, always snlcate, smooth, flesh-colored
upward, reddish-brown downward. Gills decurrent, crowded, serrated,
white-flesh-color. Fries.
Pliant, tough, flaccid, very changeable in form, sometimes solitary,
sometimes cespitose, imbricated, growing into each other. From very
small forms which are commonly solitary, with the stem and pileus
scarcely I in', it ranges to 3 in.
On stumps. Frequent. August to October.
According to Fries the odor is weak, of anise; but it is generally
strong and very pleasant. Stevenson.
Spores nearly globular, 4/u. diameter Morgan; spheroid or ellipsoid-
spheroid, uniguttate, 4— 6/* K.; almost globular, 4/x. W.G.S.
The dense clusters of all sized members are usually plenty in favored
localities. It is inviting in appearance, taste and spicy odor. It re-
tains a suspicion of the latter when cooked which gives the dish a flavor
pleasant to many. It must be young to be tender. When dry — like
others of its kind — it can be grated and used in many ways.
L. Un'dei'WOOdii Pk. Pileus fleshy, tough, convex or nearly plane,
the glabrous surface cracking into areola-like scales which are indistinct
or wanting toward the margin, whitish or slightly tinged with buff or
pale ochraceous. Flesh white. Gills moderately close, decurrent,
slightly connecting or anastomosing at the base, somewhat notched on
the edge, whitish, becoming discolored in drying. Stem stout, hard,
solid, eccentric, squamose, colored like the pileus. Spores oblong,
13-15x5-6.5^.
Plant cespitose. Pileus 3-6 in. broad. Stem 1-5-3 m- l°ng, about
I in. thick.
This differs from L. magnus in its cespitose habit, eccentric stem, .
longer spores, less distinctly areolate-squamose pileus and in its habitat.
The gills are connected at the base very much like those of Pleurotus
ostreatus. Peck, Torr. Bull. Vol. 23, No. 10.
North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Mcllvaine.
231
Agaricacese
Lentinus, The writer first met with it in North Carolina, near Washington, on
oaks and railroad timbers, and in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia. It
attains quite a size, grows singly and in clusters. Its clean, cake-like
appearance is attractive. Cooked it ranks with P. ulmarius, L. lepideus,
and Panus strigosus.
PA'NUS Fr.
A name given to a tree-growing fungus by Pliny.
Panus. Whole fungus between fleshy and leathery, tough, not woody, texture
(Plate LIV.)
PANUS TORULOSUS.
About one-fourth natural size.
fibrous. Gills unequal, tough, be-
coming leathery, edge acute and un-
broken. Stem present or absent.
Growing on wood. Various in
form , lasting long. Allied to Lentinus
but differing in the tough and very
entire gills.
Spores even, white.
ANALYSIS OF SPECIES.
* Stem excentric.
** Stem lateral.
* Stem absent. Pileus resupinate or dimidiate.
Species of this genus are among our most observable fungi. Their
settlements are frequent on decaying trees, stumps, branches, on fences,
cut timber, etc. Most of them are small, but their coriaceous build pre-
vents their shrinking in cooking. Most species have a pleasant fari-
naceous taste and odor, which they yield, together with a gummy sub-
stance, to soups and gravies.
Tasting a small piece will immediately tell, if the species is not
known, whether it is edible or of the styptic kind.
* Stem excentric.
P. conclia'tus Fr. — Formed like concha, a shell-fish. Pileus about
232
PLATE LV.
Photographed by Dr. J. R. Weist.
PANUS STRIGOSUS.
Leucosporee
3 in. across, tough and flexible, unequal, excentric or dimidiate, margin
often lobed, cinnamon-color becoming pale, at length more or less
scaly. Flesh thin. Gills narrow, forming decurrent lines on the stem,
somewhat branched ; pinkish-white then pale-ochraceous. Stem about
?a in. long, 3-4 lines thick, solid, unequal, pale, base downy. Massee.
On trunks of beech, poplar, etc.
Often imbricated and more or less grown together. Allied to Panus
torulosus, but distinguished by the much thinner pileus, more expanded
and excentric, also dimidiate, flaccid, cinnamon becoming pale, but the
form not constant. Stem about ,'2 in. long, 4 lines thick, often com-
pressed, downy at the base. Pileus 2-4 in. broad, scaly when old.
Gills decurrent in long, parallel lines, not at all resembling those of
Pleurotus ostreatus, which anastomose behind, but frequently unequally
branched, at first whitish or pale flesh-color, then wood-color, crisped
when dry. Fries.
Always known by its shell-like form and its tough substance.
Sent to the writer by Mr. E. B. Sterling, Trenton, N. J. September,
1898.
The appearance of scales upon the pileus was scarcely noticeable.
Taste pleasant. The fungus is tough when old, but yields an excellent
gravy.
P. torulo'sus Fr. — a tuft of hair. (Plate LIV, p. 232.) Pileus 2-3
in. broad, somewhat flesh-color, but varying reddish-livid and becoming
violet, entire, but very excentric, fleshy, somewhat compact when young,
plano-infundibuliform, even, smooth. Flesh pallid. Stem short, com-
monly i in., solid, oblique, tough, firm, commonly with gray, but often
violaceous down. Gills decurrent, somewhat distant, simple, separate
behind, reddish then tan-color.
Very changeable in form, at first fleshy-pliant, at length coriaceous.
In the covering of the stem it approaches Paxillus atro-tomentosus, but
there is no affinity between them. Fries.
On old stumps.
Spores 6x3/A W. G. S.
North Carolina, Curtis; Massachusetts, Frost; Minnesota, Johnson;
Kansas, Cragin; New York, Peck, Rep. 30.
Much esteemed in France, W.D.H. Edible, but tough. M.C.C.
Agaricaceae
Paaus. P. laevis B. and C. — light. Pileus 3 in. broad, orbicular, slightly
depressed, white, clothed in the center with long, intricate, rather deli-
cate hairs, which are shorter and more matted toward the inflected mar-
gin; substance rather thin. Stem 3 in. high, >£ in. thick, attenuated
upward, generally excentric, sometimes lateral, not rooting, solid, hairy
below like the margin of the pileus. Gills rather broad, entire, decur-
rent, but not to a great degree, the interstices even above, behind
clothed with the same coat as the top of the stem. Spores white.
On oak and hickory trunks.
A most distinct species, remarkable for its great lightness when dry
and the long villous but not compressed or compound flocci of the
pileus. Sometimes the center of the pileus becomes quite smooth when
old.
One of the prettiest of fungi. The markings upon the white margin
are more precise than those of the finest bee comb. One does not tire
looking at the work of Nature's geometrician. It is not plentiful, but is
of useful size. It has good flavor and cooks quite tender.
P. Strigo'sus B. and C-
(Plate LVa.)
overed with stiff hairs. PileilS white, ex-
centric, clothed with coarse strigose
pubescence, margin thin. Stem stri-
gose like the pileus. Grills broad,
distant, decurrent. Allied to P.
laevis.
Pileus 8 in. broad. Stem 2-3 in.
long, i in. or more thick.
On oak stumps.
Decaying wood of deciduous trees.
September.
It is remarkable for its large size
and the dense hairy covering of the
pileus and stem. Peck, 26th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
A remarkably handsome fungus. A specimen taken from a cluster
growing upon an apple tree measured 10 in. across. Its creamy white-
ness, and short hairy stem make it unmistakable among other tree-
fungi.
When very young it is edible, but soon becomes woody. Even when
aged it yields a well flavored gravy.
234
PANUS STRIGOSUS.
One-third natural size.
Leucosporae
** Stem lateral.
P. farina'ceus Schum. — farina, meal. From the scurf on the pileus.
Pileus cinnamon-umber, somewhat coriaceous, flexuous, cuticle separat-
ing into whitish-bluish-gray scurf. Stem short, lateral, of the same
color as the pileus. Grills determinately free, distinct, paler.
The habit is that of P. stipticus. Stevenson.
Pennsylvania, A. pleurotus f., Schweinitz; Ohio, Morgan.
Var. albido-tomentosus. See Panus albido-tomentosus.
P. al'bido-tomento'sus CKE. MASS. — albidus, white; tomentttm,
down. PiletlS about % in. long, 3^ in. broad, horizontal, sometimes
imbricated, semi-circular, subcoriaceous, flexuous or regular, pale um-
ber, densely clothed with a short, whitish, velvety down, which seems
to be persistent, but thinner and shorter toward the shortly incurved
margin. Stem lateral, very short, or entirely absent, and attached by
a downy base. Gills radiating from the point of attachment; narrowed
behind, lanceolate, honey-colored, margin entire, rigid, scarcely crowded,
shorter ones intermixed. Spores subglobose, smooth, 5/u, diameter.
On trunks and branches.
Pileus about i in. broad, often in imbricated tufts. It is doubtful
whether this is not a distinct species from the type described by Fries.
Cooke and Massee.
Panus albido-tomentosus is given by Cooke and Massee as a variety
of Panus farinaceus. The writer decides to give it place as a species.
It has been sent to me by Mr. H. I. Miller, from Terre Haute, Ind.,
by Dr. E. L. Gushing, Albion, N. Y., Miss Madeleine Le Moyne,
Washington, Pa. I have found it in West Virginia, New Jersey and
many parts of Pennsylvania. It is plentiful in patches upon branches
and boles of deciduous trees. Long, slow cooking makes it tender.
It makes a luscious gravy after thirty minutes' stewing.
* Stem absent, pileus resupinate or dimidiate.
P. betuli'nilS Pk. — bctula, birch. Pileus thin, suborbicular or dimi-
diate, nearly plane, glabrous, prolonged behind into a short stem, grayish-
brown, darker or blackish toward the stem. Gills narrow, close, decur-
235
Agaricaceee
Panus. rent, whitish. Stem adorned with a slight tawny hairiness which is
more fully developed toward the base. Spores minute, 4-5x1.5-2^.
Decaying wood of birch. Newfoundland. October, Rev. A. C.
Waghorne. Peck, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, Vol. 23, No. 10.
Common in West Virginia mountains on birches, 1882; found at Ea-
gle's Mere, Pa., August, 1898. Quite plentiful on decaying birch trees,
which abound there. Size from /4 — i%, in. across.
Eaten raw it has a gummy quality and very pleasant nutty flavor. I
did not have opportunity to cook it, but regard it as a species well
worth trying.
P. Stip'ticus Fr. — stypticus, astringent. Pileus % — i in. broad, cin-
namon becoming pale, arid, thin, but not membranaceous, kidney-
shaped, pruinose, the cuticle separating into fnrfuraceous scales. Stem
not reaching I in. long, solid, definitely lateral, compressed, dilated up-
ward, ascending, pruinose, paler than the gills. Gills ending deter-
minately (not decurrent), thin, very narrow, crowded, elegantly con-
nected by veins , cin»amon. Fries.
Gregarious, cespitose, remarkable for its astringent taste. The pileus
sometimes has a funnel-shaped appearance with lobes all around.
On stumps, etc. Common. August to February.
Reckoned poisonous. Stevenson.
Spores obovoid-spheroid, 2-3x1-2^ K.; 3x4^ W.G.S.
Plentiful and general. The markings upon the cap in moist weather
are sometimes exquisitely regular.
The immediate and lasting unpleasantness of this fungus to mouth
and throat, whether cooked or raw, will cancel all desire to eat of it
forevermore. A nibble will detect it. It is reckoned poisonous, and
may be. No one but a determined suicide would resort to it. Dr.
Lambotte asserts that it is a violent purgative.
236
Leucosporse
XEft'OTUS Fr.
Gr. — dry ; Gr. — an ear.
(Plate LVI.)
Hymenophore continuous with Xerotus.
the stem, descending into the
trama which is homogeneous with
the coriaceous pileus. Gills cori-
aceous, broadly plicaeform, di-
chotomous, edge quite entire, ob-
tuse. Rigid, persistent, analogous
with the Cantharelli, but differing
ill the whole structure. Fries.
The gills are more distant than
in any species of Agaricaceae.
None edible.
XEROTUS DEGENER.
TRO'GIA Fr.
After Trog, a Swiss botanist.
Gills fold-like, edge longitudinally channelled (in the single Eu-
(Plate LVI I.)
ropean species only crisped). In
other respects agreeing with Xero-
tus. Soft, flaccid, but arid and
persistent, textiire fibrillose . Fries.
Reviving when wet. Spores
white. Stevenson.
Spores elongated or cylindrical.
American representative, Trogia
crispa, var. variegata.
Pileus and gills variegated with bluish or greenish-blue stains,
lake. September. Peck, 38th Rep. N. Y. State Dot.
Not edible.
237
TROGIA CRISPA.
Natural size.
Sand-
Agaric aceae
SCHIZOPHYL'LUM Fr.
Gr. — to split; Gr. — a leaf.
Schizophyllum.
(PlateLVlII.)
SCHIZOPHYLLUM COMMUNE.
Pileus fleshless, arid. Gills cori-
aceous, fan-wise branched, united
above by the tomentose pellicle,
bifid, split longitudinally at the edge.
Spores somewhat round, white.
Fries.
The two lips of the split edge of
the gills are commonly revolute. The
farthest removed of all the Agari-
cini from the type.
Growing on wood. Stevenson. '
Common on decaying wood.
Tough.
LENZITES Fr.
After Lenz, a German botanist.
Lenzites. Pileus corky or coriaceous, texture arid and floccose. Gills coriace-
ous, firm, sometimes simple and unequal, sometimes anastomosing and
forming pores behind, trama floccose and similar to the pileus, edge
somewhat acute. The European species are dimidiate, sessile, persist-
ent, growing on wood, quite resembling Daedalea. Fries.
Allied most nearly to Trametes and Daedalea and forming as it were
the transition from Agaricaceae to Polyporaceae. In tropical countries
they are more woody in texture. Stevenson.
Very common. None edible.
238
PLATE L VI 1 1 A.
RHODOSPORAE
VOLVARIA
\ \
PLUTEUS
CLAUDOPUS.
LEPTONIA.
NOLAN EA.
ECCJUA
CHART OF GENERA IN PINK-SPORED SERIES— RHODOSPORAE. PAGE 239
Rhodosporae
Series II. RHODOSPOR-ffi. Gr.— rose; Gr.— seed. Or HYPORHO'DII— hypo,
under; r/todon, rose.
Spores pink or salmon-color.
In Volvaria, Pluteus and most of Clitopilus, the spores are regular in
shape, as in the white-spored series, in the rest of the subgenera they
are generally angular and irregular.
Though European writers, generally, condemn the rosy-spored series
as inedible, a few of our best American edibles are found in it — notably
Pluteus cervinus.
VOLVA'RIA Fr.
Volva, a wrapper.
Spores regular, oval, pink, or salmon. Veil universal, forming a Volvaria.
perfect volva, distinct from the cuticle of the pileus. Stem separating
easily from the pileus. Gills free, rounded behind, at the very first
white then pinkish, soft. Analogous with Amanita.
Growing in woods and on rich mold, rotten wood and damp ground,
hence often found in hot-houses and gardens. V. Loveiana Berk, is
parasitic on Clitocybe nebularis.
There are thirteen species reported from different parts of the United
States. Most of them grow upon wood. Two species have previously
been reported as edible, to which I have added V. Taylori, tested by
myself.
One species, V. gloiocephala, is upon the authority of Letellier,
given as poisonous. It is found in several parts of the United States,
but no comment has been made upon its edibility. I have not seen it.
A careful study of its botanic characters is urged. It should be re-
garded as poisonous until its reputation is cleared up, as it probably
will be.
ANALYSIS OF SPECIES.
* Pileus dry, silky or fibrillose.
* Pileus more or less viscid, smooth.
239
Agaricaceee
*Pileus dry, silky or fibril lose.
Voivaria. V. bombyci'na Schaeff. — bombyx, silk. PileilS 3-8 in. broad, wholly
( Plate LIX.) white, fleshy, soft, at first globose, soon
bell-shaped, at length convex, somewhat
umbonate, everywhere silky or, when older,
hairy-scaled, more rarely becoming smooth
at the vertex. Flesh not thick, white.
Stem 3-6 in. long, >2 in. thick or more at
the base, solid, equally attenuated from
the base to the apex, even, smooth, white.
Volva soon torn asunder, ample, 2—3 in.
broad, membranaceous, lax, slashed, some-
what viscid, persistent. Gills free, very
crowded when young, almost cohering,
ventricose, in groups of 2—4, then toothed,
flesh-colored.
Ovate when young. According to some
becoming brownish. The stem is curved-
ascending on vertical trunks and straight
on prostrate ones. Commonly solitary, sometimes however cespitose.
Stevenson .
Spores elliptic, smooth, 6-7x4;* Massee; 6-8/u, Lloyd.
Considered edible. Stevenson. Edible. Curtis.
Very general but not common over the United States. It is a large
plant, from 3 in. upward across cap. Growing from wood, oaks, maples,
beech, etc.
The writer has not been successful in finding it. Drawing, spore-print
and description received from H. I. Miller, Terre Haute, Ind.
Upon such an authority as the late Dr. Curtis there is no doubt of
its edibility.
V. volva'cea Bull. — volva, a wrapper. PileilS 2-3 in. across.
Flesh white, thick at the disk, very thin elsewhere, soft, bell-shaped
then expanded, obtuse, grayish-yellow, virgate or streaked with ad-
pressed blackish fibrils. Gills free, about 2 lines broad, pale flesh-
color. Stem 2-4 in. long, about 4 lines thick, almost equal, white, solid.
VOLVARIA BOMBYCINA.
Natural size.
240
PLATE LIXA.
O
r
DO
O
£
DO
*<
O
z
Rhodosporae
VOLVARIA VOLVACEA.
Two-fifths natural size.
Volva large, loose, whitish. Spores . (Plate LX.)
smooth, elliptical, 6-8x3.5-4^; no
cystidia. Massee.
On the ground by roadsides, etc.,
also in stoves.
Allied to V. bombycina, but con-
stantly different in the less ample
and less persistent, brownish volva.
Pileus 3 in. across, rarely more,
gray, elegantly virgate with blackish
fibrils ; flesh-color of the gills not
so pure. Fries.,
Once found in woods at roots of a
tree. It occurs every year in the cellar of our drug store. Lloyd
"Volvae."
North Carolina, Schweinitz; Minnesota, Johnson; Ohio, Morgan.
Probably edible, should be carefully tested.
V. Taylor! Berk. Pileus i% in. high and broad, livid, conico-
campanulate, obtuse, striately cracked from the apex, thin, margin lobed
and sinuated. Stem 2/2 in. long, K in. thick, pallid, solid, nearly
equal, slightly bulbous at the base. Volva date-brown, lobed, some-
what lax, small. Grills uneven, broad in front, very much attenuated
behind, rose-color.
Pileus beautifully penciled and cracked. The dark volva, bell-shaped
pileus, and uneven, attenuated gills are marked characters. The habit
is rather that of some Entoloma than of its more immediate allies. Fries.
Spores 6x9/11 W.G.S.; broadly elliptical, smooth, 5x3.5-4^ Massee.
Indiana, Mrs. L. H. Cox; West Philadelphia, in much decayed stump
of maple. Mcllvaine.
Caps i%—2 in. across and beautifully penciled and cracked. Stem
i ^—3 in. long. Gills up to K in. wide. The spores when shed in
body are a beautiful maroon. Resembling V. volvacea, but lighter in
color, and having a brown volva. Specimens sent me by J. J. New-
baker, Steelton, Pa., had snow-white caps and when young were velvety
to the touch. Gills tinged with pink; volva dark brown.
The few specimens eaten were of good flavor, somewhat resembling
Pluteus cervinus.
16 241
Voivaria.
Agaricaceee
** Pileus more or less viscid, smooth,
V. specio'sa Fr. — speciosus, handsome. Pileus 3-5 in. broad, whit-
ish, gray or umber at the disk, fleshy, globose when young, then bell-
shaped, at length plane and somewhat umbonate, even, smooth, gluey.
Flesh soft, floccose, white. Stem 4-8 in. long, as much as I in. thick,
solid, firm, slightly attenuated from the base as far as the apex, when
young, white-villous and tomentose at the base, then becoming smooth,
white. Volva bulbous rather than lax, free however, variously torn
into loops, membranaceous, % — \ in. broad, externally tomentose, white.
Gills free, flesh-colored.
The gills are wholly the same as those of A. bombycinus. It occurs
also thinner, with the pileus wholly gray. Fries.
Spores !2-i8x8-io/A K.; elliptical or subglobose, smooth, I4~i6x
8/tt Mas see.
Distinguished by the whitish, viscid pileus, and the downy volva and
stem. Mas see.
"Common in cultivated soil, especially grain fields and along roads.
A fine edible agaric and our most abundant one in California." Mc-
Clatchie. Volvae, U. S., Lloyd.
V. gloioaeph'ala Dec. Fl. Gr. — sticking; head. Pileus dark
opaque brown, fleshy, bell-shaped then expanded, umbonate, smooth,
glutinous, striate at the margin, Stem solid, smooth, becoming brown-
ish or tawny; the volva, which is circularly split, pressed close. Gills
'free, reddish.
Fragments of the volva are sometimes seen on the pileus. The stem
is commonly more slender than that of A. speciosus. Fries.
On the ground. Uncommon. June to October. Stevenson.
Pileus about 3 in. across, with a strong regular, obtuse umbo in the
center, of a delicate mouse-gray, viscid when moist, but when dry
shining, quite smooth, margin striate in consequence of the thinness of
the flesh. Stem 6 in. or more high, about )£ in. thick in the center,
attenuated upward, bulbous at the base, clothed with a few slight fibers,
easily splitting, solid, rather dingy, ringless. Volva loose, villous like
the base of the stem, splitting into several unequal lobes; the gills are
broad, especially in front, narrower behind and quite free, so as to leave
a space round the top of the stem, white, tinged with grayish-pink;
242
Rhodosporae
margin slightly toothed. Smell strong and unpleasant, and taste disa- Voivaria.
greeable. M.J.B. VERY POISONOUS according to Letellier. Stev-
enson .
Spores 19x9/1* W.G.S.; elliptical, smooth, io-i2x6-7/x Massee.
Distinguished by the smoky, glutinous pileus. The measurement of
the spores as given by Saccardo (19x91*) is certainly too large, and is
probably an uncorrected error. Massee.
North Carolina, Curtis; South Carolina, Ravenel; Ontario, Dearness;
California, Harkness and Moore ; Ohio, Morgan; Mississippi, Minne-
sota, Johnson.
PLU'TEUS Fr.
{Pluteus, a shed. From the conical shape of the pileus.)
Stem fleshy, distinct from the pileus. Gills free, rounded behind
(never emarginate), at first cohering, white, then colored by the spores.
Generally growing on or near trunks of trees.
Resembling Voivaria in all respects but the volva. Spores rosy.
Several of the genus are edible. Pluteus cervinus is one of our earli-
est, persistent, plentiful, delicious food species- The caps of those
tested are tender, easily cooked and best fried.
ANALYSIS OF SPECIES.
*Cuticle of the pileus separating into fibrils or down, which at length
disappear.
**Pileus frosted with atoms, somewhat powdery.
***Pileus naked, smooth.
* Cuticle of pileus fibrillose, etc.
P. cervi'nus Schaeff. — cervus, a deer. (Plate LXI, fig. I, p. 242.)
Pileus fleshy, at first campanulate, then convex or expanded, even,
glabrous, generally becoming fibrillose or slightly floccose-villose on the
disk, occasionally cracked, variable in color. LamellSB broad, some-
what ventricose, at first whitish, then flesh-colored. Stem equal or
slightly tapering upward, firm, solid, fibrillose or subglabrous, variable
in color. Spores broadly elliptical, 6.5-8x5-6.5^.
243
Agaricaceae
piuteus. Plant 2-6 in. high. Pileus 2-4 in. broad. Stem 3-6 lines thick.
The typical form has the pileus and stem of a dingy or brown color
and adorned with blackish fibrils, but specimens occur with the pileus
white, yellowish, cinereous, grayish-brown or blackish-brown. I have
never seen it of a true cervine color. It is sometimes quite glabrous
and smooth to the touch and in wet weather it is even slightly viscid.
It also occurs somewhat floccose-villose on the disk, and the disk,
though usually plane or obtuse, is occasionally slightly prominent or
subumbonate. The form with the surface of the pileus longitudinally
rimose or chinky is probably due to meteorological conditions. The
gills, though at first crowded, become more lax with the expansion of
the pileus. They are generally a little broader toward the marginal
than toward the inner extremity. Their tendency to deliquesce is often
shown by their wetting the paper on which the pileus has been placed
for the purpose of catching the spores. The stem is usually somewhat
fibrous and striated but forms occur in which it is even and glabrous.
When growing from the sides of stumps and prostrate trunks it is apt to
be curved. Two forms deserve varietal distinction.
Var. afbns. Pileus and stem white or whitish.
Var. al'bipes. Pileus cinereous yellowish or brown. Stem white or
whitish, destitute of blackish fibrils.
In Europe there are three or four forms which have been designated
as species under the names of A. rigens, A. patricius, A. eximius and
A. petasatus, but Fries gives them as varieties or subspecies of A. cer-
vinus, though admitting that they are easily distinguished. None of
these have occurred in our state. Peck, 38th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Var. visco'sus. The normal character of the cuticle of the species is
slightly viscid in wet weather, but the specimens we collected and photo-
graphed were exceedingly viscid. They also differed from the normal
form in their lighter color, flesh much thicker at the disk and thin at the
margins, and cuticle not appearing fibrillose. It is close to petasatus,
but differs, however, in its narrower gills and in having no striae. It is
a good variety if it is not a good species. Lloyd, Myc. Notes.
Spores 7-8x5-6)". K.; 6-8x4-5/01 B.;^^ W. G.S.; 5 .8x4.6^ Morgan.
Frequent on decaying stumps, roots and wood, May to frost. Mc-
I lvalue.
Its free gills should distinguish it from any Entoloma, though both
have pink spores and eventually pink gills. Among the earliest of
244
PLATE LXI.
Grouped by F. D. Biiscoe — Studies by C. Mcllvaine.
FIG.
1. PLUTEUS CERVINUS,
PAGE. FIG.
243 2. PLTTTEUS CERVINUS. VAR.,
PAGE.
245
Rhodosporee
large species. The sight of it is stimulating to the mycophagist. He piutens.
then knows the toadstool season to be truly opened.
Caps only are tender. The stems are edible, but they are not of the
same consistency as the caps, therefore will not cook with them. Fried
in a buttered pan or broiled, they are exceedingly toothsome.
In October, 1898, a beautiful variety (see Plate LXI, fig. 2, p. ),
occurred which I had not previously seen. It was sent by me to Pro-
fessor Peck. The plants grew in large clusters from rotting, refuse
straw in the ruin of a stable ; the white, cottony mycelium running
upon and through the straw. The solid stems of some were straight,
others curved, ranging from 2—6 in. long, the taller ones tapering from
base to spindling apex, the shorter ones decidedly bulbous and ending
abruptly. They were twisted and delicately marked. These markings
break up into dark thread-like fibrils, leaving the stem striate and satin-
glossy. PileilS from 2—4 in. across, dark Vandyke-brown when young,
lighter in age, streaked, glossy. Gills at first white, tardily changing
to light salmon color, broad, ventricose, free.
Taste and smell pleasant of almonds. Good, delicious.
Professor Peck wrote of it: "It has the general appearance of
Pluteus cervinus, but these specimens seem to depart from the usual
form of growing in clusters from the ground, and in having an almond
flavor. Without knowing more about it I would scarcely feel justified
in separating it from such a variable species. As Fries sometimes re-
marks concerning variable species : Perhaps several species are con-
cealed under the one name, but a pretty full and accurate knowledge of
them is desirable if one is to split them up."
This is excellent judgment. While I believe the above to be a dis-
tinct species, the disposition to make new species of varieties is regret-
table in many botanists.
Var. But Hi Berk., MS. PileilS 4-6 in. across, flesh thick, convex
then expanded, smooth, even, pallid, the disk darker. Gills free,
rounded behind, rather distant from the stem, crowded, K in. broad,
pale salmon-color. Stem 3-4 in. long, i in. and more thick, slightly
swollen at the base, fibrillose, pale brown, darkest at the base, solid.
Mas see.
Pileus 6 in. across, expanded from bell-shape, ashy-white (oyster
color), glossy, like floss silk, silky fibrillose, irregularly corrugated.
Skin separable. Flesh spongy, pure white, like shreds of cotton, sep-
245
Agaricaceee
piuteus. arable into plates, very brittle, H in. thick at stem, immediately thin-
ning to H in., very thin toward margin. Gills thin, elastic, rounded
behind, close to stem, free, % in. wide, close, alternate short and long,
white, then tinged and spotted pink with spores which when cast in mass
are a pinkish-brown with slight lavender shade. Stem 5 in. long, H—%
in. thick, subequal, spreading at top, white, silky-fibrillose, changing to
very light yellowish brown from center to base, exterior hard, skin thin,
tough, interior filled with continuous, cottony fibers, snow-white, brittle,
watery, slightly swollen at base. Taste pleasant.
Mt. Gretna, Pa., July, 1898, on chestnut stump and in woods on
ground among leaves. Leaves adhere to base of stem which is pow-
dery-white. Mcllvaine.
Cooked, it is as good as P. cervinus.
Var. petasdtus Fr. PileilS 3-4 in. across, flesh rather thick, campanu-
late then expanded, umbonate, grayish-white, very smooth, with a
viscid cuticle, at length striate to the middle. Gills free, K in. and
more broad, crowded, becoming dry, white then reddish. Stem 4-5
in. long, % — % in. thick, rigid, very slightly and equally attenuated
from the base, whitish, fibrillosely striate, solid.
On heaps of straw and dung, sawdust, etc.
Color verging on bay when old. Stem and margin of gills at length
with a tawny tinge. Fries.
Haddonfield, New Jersey, Bell's Mill, sawdust, 1890; Mt. Gretna,
Pa., August, 1898, among sawdust from ice-house. Caps 6 in. across.
Stem easily split, exterior hard, fibrillose, streaked, whitish, shining,
stuffed with cottony fibers. Spores dark pink. Mcllvaine.
Equal to P. cervinus.
P. limbro'sus Pers. — shady, from its dark color. PileilS fleshy, at
first bell-shaped, then convex or expanded, roughly wrinkled and more
or less villose on the disk, fimbriate on the margin, blackish-brown.
Gills broad, somewhat ventricose, at first whitish, then flesh-colored,
blackish-brown and fringed or toothed on the edge. Stem solid, colored
like or paler than the pileus, fibrillose or villose-squamose. Spores
elliptical, 8x5/4.
Decaying woods and swamps, especially *f pine, both in shaded and
open places. Not rare. Peck, 38th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
246
Rhodosporse
Spores broadly elliptical, smooth, 6-7x5/1, ; cystidia ventricose, 65- Piuteus.
75xi8-2O/x Mas see.
New York, Peck, Rep. 32, 38; West Virginia, Pennsylvania, North
Carolina, New Jersey, frequent on decaying logs, stumps, pine and
other woods. Mcllvaine.
At times the caps are a deep sepia-brown. It is readily distinguished
from P. cervinus by the wrinkled, downy disk of the cap and the gills
having dark-brown edges. Smell rather strong. Professor Peck says
he has not seen it with the margin fimbriate. Neither have I, though
this is prominent in the European species.
P. umbrosus is a fine species, equal in every way to P. cervinus,
which is seldom excelled. Caps only are tender.
P. pelli'tllS Fr. PileilS 1-2 in. across. Flesh thin, soft, white, con-
vex then plane, somewhat umbonate, regular, silky-fibrous, dry, white.
Gills free, rounded behind, crowded, \% line broad, ventricose, white
then flesh-color, margin slightly toothed. Stem about 2 in. long, 2-3
lines thick, slightly thickened at the base, even, glabrous, shining, white,
stuffed. Spores elliptical, smooth, iox6/x.
Among grass at the roots of trees, etc.
Our only Pluteus with a pure white, even pileus and stem. Super-
ficially resembling Entoloma prunuloides, which differs in the broadly
emarginate — not free — gills, and in the strong smell of new meal.
Mas see.
Mt. Gretna, Pa., October, 1898. Mcllvaine.
Pileus up to 3 in. across. GUIs K in. broad, free, moist, imbricated.
Stem up to 5 in- l°ng> easily detachable from cap, solid, juicy, solitary
and cespitose. On very old sawdust, upon which grass was growing.
Tender, excellent.
** Pileus frosted, etc.
P. granula'ris Pk. — sprinkled with grains. Pileus convex or nearly
plane, subumbonate, rugose-wrinkled, granulose or granulose-villose ,
varying"in color from yellow to brown. Lamellae rather broad, crowded,
ventricose, whitish, then flesh colored. Stem equal, solid, colored like
the pileus, often paler at the top, velvety-pubescent, rarely scaly. Spores
subglobose or broadly elliptical, 6.5-8x5-6.5^.
247
Agaricacese
Piuteus. Plant 1.5-3 m- high. PileuS 1-2 in. broad. Stem 1-2 lines thick.
Decaying wood and prostrate trunks in woods. Hilly and mountain-
ous districts. June to September.
The species is closely related to P. cervinus and P. umbrosus, but is
readily distinguished from them by the peculiar vesture of the pileus
and stem. The granules are so minute and so close that they form a
sort of plush on the pileus, more dense on the disk and radiating
wrinkles than elsewhere. The clothing of the stem is finer, and has a
velvety-pubescent appearance, but in some instances it breaks up into
small scales or squamules. The color of the pileus and stem is usually
some shade of yellow or brown, but occasionally a grayish hue pre-
dominates. The darker color of the granules imparts a dingy or smoky
tinge to the general color. The disk is often darker than the rest of
the pileus. Peck, 38th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
West Virginia mountains. Eagle's Mere and Springton Hills, Pa.
Frequent. July to October, on decaying wood. Mcllvaine.
P. granularis is a much smaller species than P. cervinus and its allies.
At Eagle's Mere, Pa., August, 1898, it was quite plentiful in mixed
woods. Its caps are excellent.
*** Pileus naked.
P. admira'bilis Pk. — admirable. Pileus thin, convex or expanded,
generally broadly umbonate, glabrous, rugose-reticulated, moist or hy-
grophanous, striatulate on the margin when moist, often obscurely striate
when dry, yellow or brown. Lamellae close, broad, rounded behind,
ventricose, whitish or yellowish, then flesh-colored. Stem slender,
glabrous, hollow, equal or slightly thickened at the base, yellow or yel-
lowish white, with a white mycelium. Spores subglobose or broadly
elliptical, 6.5-8x6.5^.
Var. fus'cus. PileilS brown or yellowish-brown.
Plant 1-2 in. high. Pileus 6-10 lines broad. Stem .5-1 line thick.
Decaying wood and prostrate trunks in forests. Common in hilly and
mountainous districts. July to September.
This beautiful Piuteus is closely related to P. chrysophlebius B. and
R., a southern species, which, according to the description, has the
veins of the pileus darker colored than the rest of the surface and the
248
Rhodosporse
stem enlarged above and hairy at the base, characters not shown by our Piuteus.
plant.
In our plant small young specimens sometimes have the stem solid,
but when fully developed it is hollow, though the cavity is small. This
character, with its small size, distinguishes it from P. leoninus. Peck,
38th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Springton Hills, Chester county, Pa., Mt. Gretna, Pa. Frequent.
June to frost. Mcllvaine.
Possesses the same rare edible qualities as P. cervinus, P. umbrosus.
The caps, only, are tender.
P. chrysophse'llS Schaeff. Gr. — gold. Pileus 1-2 K in. across.
Flesh very thin except at the disk, bell-shaped then expanded, glabrous,
naked, slightly wrinkled, margin striate, cinnamon-color. Gills free,
2-3 lines broad, whitish then pale salmon-color. Stem 2-3 in. long,
2-3 lines thick, whitish, glabrous, equal, more or less hollow.
On beech trunks, etc.
Resembling P. leoninus in size, but differing in the cinnamon color of
the pileus, which is often obtusely umbonate. Massee.
Spores 5/* W.P.
Haddonfield, N. J. June to October, beech roots and trunks. Me-
Ilvaine.
Excellent.
249
Agaricacese
ENTOLO'MA Fr.
Gr. — within ; Gr. — a fringe.
(Probably referring to the innate character of the pseudo veil.)
Entoioma. Pileus rather fleshy, margin incurved, without a distinct veil. Stem
fleshy or fibrous, soft, sometimes waxy, continuous with the flesh of the
pileus. Gills sinuate, adnexed, often separating from the stem. Spores
rosy, elliptical, smooth or subglobose and coarsely warted.
Corresponding in structure with Tricholoma, Hebeloma and Hypho-
loma; separated from other rosy-spored genera by the sinuate gills.
About twenty species of Entoioma are given in the states ; of them
seventeen are described by Professor Peck, as found in New York. I
have not found a single species in sufficient quantity to test its edibility.
Two of the European species, E. sinuata Fr. and E. livida Bull., are
reputed to be very poisonous, producing headache, dizziness, vomiting,
etc. Worth ington Smith ate % oz., which nearly proved fatal.
Professor Peck reports a species, E. grande Pk., which he considers
suspicious.
Even the reported poisonous species have a pleasant odor correspond-
ing to those of the esculent species. This makes them the more de-
ceptive and dangerous. The pinkish or flesh-colored spores and gills
distinguish Entoioma from Hebeloma, which has brown spores, and
Tricholoma, which has white. Pluteus, which has pink spores and gills,
is readily separated from it.
Great caution should be observed. Entolomas should be thrown away
or carefully tested.
ANALYSIS OF TRIBES.
GENUI'NI (genuine, typical species). Page 251.
Pileus smooth, moist or viscid; not hygrophanous.
LEPTONI'DEI (inclining to Leptonia).
Pileus flocculose or squamulose ; absolutely dry.
NOLANI'DEI (inclining to Nolanea). Page 252.
Pileus thin, hygrophanous, somewhat silky when dry.
250
Rhodosporoe
I. — GENUI'NI.
E. gran'de Pk. — Pileus fleshy, thin toward the margin, glabrous, Entoioma.
nearly plane when mature, commonly broadly umbonate and rugosely
wrinkled about the umbo, moi.^t in wet weather, dingy yellowish-white
verging to brownish or grayish-brown. Flesh white, odor and flavor
farinaceous. Lamellae broad, subdistant, slightly adnexed, becoming
free or nearly so, often wavy or uneven on the edge, whitish becoming
flesh-colored with maturity. Stem equal or nearly so, solid, somewhat
fibrous externally, mealy at the top, white. Spores angular, S-IO/A.
Pileus 4-6 in. broad. Stem 4-6 in. long, 8—12 lines thick.
Thin mixed woods. Menands. August.
The flavor of this mushroom is not at first disagreeable, but an un-
pleasant burning sensation is left in the mouth for a considerable time
after tasting. It is therefore to be regarded with suspicion. Peck, 5Oth
Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
SUSPICIOUS. I have not seen this species. It is given that it may
be guarded against until tested for edibility.
E. sinua'tum Fr. — waved. Pileus 6 in. broad, becoming yellow-
(Plate LXII.)
ivhifc, very fleshy, convex then ex-
panded, at first gibbous, at length
depressed, repand and sinuate at
the margin. Stem 3-6 in. long,
i in. thick, solid, firm, stout, equal,
compact, at first fibriilose, then
smooth, naked, shining white.
Gills ttnafginatefSlightiy adnexed,
Yz—% in. broad, crowded, distinct,
pale yellowish-red. Fries.
Gregarious, compact, handsome.
Odor strong, pleasant, almost
like that of burnt sugar, not of new
meal. The pileus becomes broken
into squamules when dry. There is a variety with a shorter stem.
In mixed woods. Uncommon. July to October.
The gills are often irregular in their attachment. Very poisonous;
producing headache, swimming of the brain, stomach pains, vomiting,
251
ENTOLOMA SINUATUM.
About one-fourth natural size.
Agaricacese
Entoioma. etc. Worthington Smith, who first experimented with it, ate about K
oz., which very nearly proved fatal. Stevenson.
Spores 9/* W.G. S.
Rhode Island, Olney (Curtis Am. Jour.); Massachusetts, Spragne;
Connecticut, Wright; Minnesota, Johnson; New York, Peck, Rep. 35.
"This and E. fertilis, which are closely allied, are deserving of more
than suspicion, for they are veritably dangerous." Cooke.
"Wholesome and very good to eat." Cordier.
In the presence of such opposite opinions it is better to choose the
safer. Do not eat it.
• E. pmnulo'ides Fr. — prunus, a plum. PileilS 2 in. and more broad,
whitish, becoming yellow or livid, fleshy, bell-shaped then convex, at
length flattened, somewhat umbonate, unequal (but not repand), even,
viscid, smooth, at length longitudinally cracked, at length slightly stri-
ate at margin. Stem 3 in. long, 3—4 lines thick, fibrous-fleshy, solid,
equal, even or slightly striate, smooth, naked, white. Gills somewhat
free, emarginate, rarely rounded, at first only slightly adnexed, 3-4 lines
broad, crowded, ventricose, white then flesh-color. Fries.
Odor strong of new meal, wholly that of A. prunulus. Very scat-
tered in growth. Like A. lividus, but very different, thrice as small.
It differs entirely from A. cervinus.
On the ground in woods. Autumn. Spores subglobose, coarsely
warted, io/u, Massee; regularly six-angled or one angle more marked,
Sp. B.;w W.P.
North Carolina, dry swamps, Curtis; Minnesota, Johnson.
POISONOUS. Roze.
I have not seen this species. Do not eat it before carefully testing.
Ill— NOLANI'DEI.
Pileus thin, hygrophanons , repand, etc.
•
E. clypea'tum Linn. — resembling a shield. Pileus as much as 3 in.
broad, lurid when moist, when dry gray and variegated or streaked with
darker spots or lines, fleshy, bell-shaped then flattened, umbonate,
smooth, fragile. Flesh thin, white when dry. Stem almost 3 in. long,
3-4 lines and more thick, stuffed, at length hollow, wholly fibrous, equal,
round, fragile, longitudinally fibrillose , becoming ash-colored, pulveru-
252
Rhodosporee
lent at the very apex. Gills roimded-adnexed, separating-free, 3-4 Entoioma.
lines broad, ventricose, somewhat distant, dingy, then red-pulverulent
with the spores, serrulated at the edge chiefly behind.
It has occurred in May cespitose ; better developed and solitary in
the end of August.
In woods, gardens and waste places. Frequent. Spring, autumn.
Stevenson,
North Carolina, Schweinitz, Curtis; Ohio, Morgan; New England,
Frost; California, H. andM.; Rhode Island, Bennett; New York, Peck,
Rep. 23.
POISONOUS. Leuba.
I have not seen this species. It should not be eaten before careful
testing.
E. rhodopo'litim Fr. Gr. — rose; Gr. — gray. Pileus 2-5 in. broad,
hygrophanous, when moist dingy-brown (young) or livid, becoming pale
(when full grown), when dry isabelline-livid , silky- shining , slightly-
fleshy, bell-shaped when young, then expanded and somewhat umbo-
nate or gibbous, at length rather plane and sometimes depressed, fibril-
lose when young, smooth when full grown, margin at the first bent in-
wards and when larger undulated. Flesh white. Stem 2-4 in. long,
3-5 lines thick, hollow, equal when smaller, when larger attenuated up-
wards and white-pruinate at the apex, otherwise smooth, slightly striate,
white. Gills adnate then separating, somewhat sinuate, slightly dis-
tant, 2-4 lines broad, white then rose-color. Fries.
Fragile, commonly large and often handsome, almost inodorous.
In mixed woods. Frequent. August to October.
Spores pretty regular, 8-iox6-8/* B.; 7/u- W.G.S.
New England, Frost; Minnesota, Johnson; Iowa, Brcendle; Rhode
Island, Bennett; Ohio, Morgan; New York, Peck, Rep. 23d, 38th, A.
rhodopolius, var. umbilicatus Pk., the same as Clitopilus subvilis Pk.,
Rep. 40.
Edible. Panlet. Edible. Cooke.
253
Agaricacese
CLITOPI'LUS Fr.
Gr. — a declivity ; Gr. — a cap.
( Plate LXIII.)
CLITOPILUS PRUNULUS.
One-third natural size.
PileilS more or less excentric or regular, margin at first involute.
Gills more or less decurrent, never
sinuate nor seceding from the stem,
salmon-color . Stem fleshy or fibrous ,
not polished and cartilaginous exter-
nally, central, expanded upward into
the flesh of the pileus. Spores
smooth or warted.
Closely resembling Eccilia, differ-
ing mostly in the stem not being
cartilaginous at the surface. Distin-
guished from Entoloma by the gills
not being sinuate.
Agrees in structure with Clitocybe
in the Leucosporae. Massee.
Growing on the ground, often strong smelling. Caps usually de-
pressed or umbilicate and waved on margin.
Some of the best of edible kinds are within this genus; a few are un-
pleasant raw, none poisonous.
Most authors follow Fries in the arrangement of the species, dividing
them into two groups, the Orcelli, distinguished by deeply decurrent
gills and an irregular, scarcely hygrophanous pileus, with the margin at
first flocculose; and Sericelli, distinguished by adnate or slightly de-
current gills and a regular silky or hygrophanous-silky pileus with a
naked margin. This arrangement is not strictly applicable to some of
our species. C. abortivus, C. erythrosporus and C. Noveaboracensis
have the gills deeply decurrent in some individuals, adnate or slightly
decurrent in others, and therefore the same species might be sought in
both groups. For this reason the primary grouping of our species has
been made to depend upon the variation in the spore colors. By far
the greater number of our species appear to be peculiar to this country,
only two of them occurring also in Europe.
254
PLATE LXIV.
ANALYSIS OF SPECIES.
Spores and mature gills flesh-colored I
Spores and mature gills rosy-red 9
Spores very pale flesh-colored IO
i . Pileus hygrophanous 8
i . Pileus not hygrophanous 2
2 . Pileus gray or grayish-brown 5
2 . Pileus some other color 3
3. Pileus white or whitish 4
3. Pileus pale tan-color C. pascuensis
4. Pileus firm, dry, pruinate C. prunulus
4. Pileus soft, slightly viscid when moist C. Orcella
5 . Pileus large, more than 1.5 in. broad C. abortivus
5 . Pileus small, less than 1.5 in. broad 6
6. Spores even C. unitinctus
6. Spores angular 7
7. Stem longer than the width of the zoneless pileus. . . C. albogriseus
7. Stem shorter than the width of the commonly zonate
pileus C. micropus
8. Pileus brown or grayish-brown C. subvilis
8. Pileus white or yellowish-white C. Woodianus
9. Stem colored like the pileus C. erythrosporus
9. Stem white, paler than the pileus C. conissans
10. Pileus even 1 1
10. Pileus rivulose C. Noveboracensis
1 1 . Stems cespitose, solid C. caespitosus
1 1 . Stems not cespitose, hollow C. Seymourianus
Peck, 42d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
SPORES FLESH-COLOR.
A. SPORES EVEN.
C. prn'imlns Scop. — prunus, plum. (Plate LXIII, fig. 4, 5, p. 2 5 4.)
Pileus fleshy, compact, at first convex and regular, then repand, dry,
pruinate, white or ashy-white. Flesh white, unchangeable, with a
pleasant farinaceous odor. Gills deeply decurrent, subdistant, flesh-
255
Agaricaceae
Clitopiius. colored. Stem solid, naked, striate, white. Spores subelliptical,
pointed at each end, 10-1 1x5— 6/*.
PileilS 1.5-3 m- broad. Stem 1-2 in. long, 3-4 lines thick.
Woods.
Not abundant, but edible, and said to be delicious and one of the
best of the esculent species. Peck, 42 d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
June to October. Most plentiful in August and September.
Very plentiful in oak woods at Angora, West Philadelphia, moderate
crops at Mt. Gretna, Pa.
An abortive form (see Plate LXIII, fig. 2, 3, p. 254) occurs not
distinguishable from that of Armillaria mellea. It grows singly and in
tufts, very variable in shape, white, tinged with brown on ruptured sur-
faces. This form equals its original.
C. prunulus has a strong smell of fresh meal. It is a delicious species.
Stew. It is one of the very best in patties, croquettes, etc.
C. Orcel'la Bull.— Pileus
(Plate LXV.)
fleshy, soft, plane or slightly depressed,
often irregular, even when young,
slightly silky, somewhat viscid when
moist, white or yellowish- white. Flesh
white, taste and odor farinaceous. Gills
deeply decurrent, close, whitish then
flesh-colored. Stem short, solid, floc-
culose, often eccentric, thickened above,
white. Spores elliptical, a-iox5//..
Generally a little smaller than the
preceding species, softer and more irre-
gular, but so closely allied that by some
it is considered a mere variety of it. It
is said to be edible and of delicate flavor.
It occurs in wet weather in pastures and
open places. Peck, 42 d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Grows in oak woods, Angora, West Philadelphia; Mt. Gretna, Pa.
Qualities same as C. prunulus. Delicious.
C. pascuen'sis Pk. — pasture. PileilS fleshy, compact, centrally de-
pressed, glabrous, reddish or pale-yellowish, the cuticle of the disk
cracking into minute areas. Gills rather narrow, close, decurrent,
256
CLITOPILUS ORCELLA.
Two-thirds natural size.
Rhodosporee
whitish, becoming flesh-colored. Stem short, equal or tapering down- ciitopiius.
ward, solid, glabrous, colored like the pileus. Spores subelliptical,
pale incarnate, 7.5—10x5—6/4.
Pileus 2-3 in. broad. Stem 8-1 8 lines long, 4-6 lines thick.
Pastures. Saratoga county.
The species is related to C. prunulus from which it is distinct by its
shorter, paler spores, its glabrous pileus cracked in areas on the disk
and tinged with red or yellowish and by its paler gills. From C. pseudo-
orcella it differs in its glabrous pileus with no silky luster and in its
closer gills. Its odor is obsolete but it has a farinaceous flavor. It is
probably esculent, but has not been found in sufficient quantity to afford
a test of qualities. Peck, 42d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
C. unitinct'lis Pk. — one-colored. Pileus thin, submembranaceous ,
flexible, convex or nearly plane, centrally depressed or umbilicate,
glabrous, subshining, often concentrically rivulose, grayish or grayish-
brown. Flesh whitish or grayish-white, odor obsolete, taste mild.
Gills narrow, moderately close, adnate or slightly decurrent, colored like
the pileus. Stem slender, straight or flexuous, subtenacious, equal,
slightly pruinose, grayish-brown, with a close white myceloid tomentum
at the base and white root-like fibers of mycelium permeating the soil.
Spores elliptical, 7.5x5/4.
Var. afbidus. Whitish or grayish-white, not rivulose. Gills broader.
Spares brownish flesh-color.
Pileus 6- 1 6 lines broad. Stem about I in. long, I line thick.
Woods of pine or balsam. Albany and Essex counties. Autumn.
The variety is a little paler than the typical form, with gills a little
broader, but is probably not specifically distinct. Peckt 42d Rep. N.
Y. State Bot.
I have not seen this species. Edibility not reported.
B. SPORES ANGULAR OR IRREGULAR.
I . Pileus not hygrophanous.
C. aborti'vus B. and C. — abortive. (Plate LXIII, fig. I, 2, 3, p.
254.) Pileus fleshy, firm, convex or nearly plane, regular or irregu-
lar, dry, clothed with a minute silky tomentum, becoming smooth with
age, gray or grayish-brown. Flesh white, taste and odor subfarinace-
17 257
Agaricaceae
ciitopiius. ous. Gills thin, close, slightly or deeply decurrent, at first whitish or
pale gray, then flesh-colored. Stem nearly equal, solid, minutely floc-
culose, sometimes fibrous-striated, colored like or paler than the pileus.
Spores irregular, 7.5-10x6.5^.
Pileus 2-4 in. broad. Stem 1.5-3 in. long, 3-6 lines thick.
Ground and old prostrate trunks of trees in woods and open places.
August and September.
Our species has been found to be edible, but its flavor is scarcely as
agreeable as that of some other species. Peck, 42d Rep. N. Y. State
Bot.
It requires longer cooking than C. prunulus, and is then quite equal
in excellence.
The fungus is so named because of the abortive form of it frequently
found associated with it. This is faithfully portrayed on Plate LXIII.
This is in every way similar to the aborted forms of C. prunulus and
Armillaria mellea.
Both forms plentiful near Philadelphia. The undeveloped masses
are also similar to those of C. prunulus.
The abortive form is a superior edible to the original.
C. popina'lis Fr. — popina, a cook-shop. Pileus 1-2 in. across,
flesh thin, flaccid, convex then depressed, somewhat wavy, glabrous,
opaque, gray, spotted and marbled. Flesh grayish-white, unchange-
able. Gills very decurrent, broader than the thickness of the flesh of
the pileus, lanceolate, crowded, dark-gray, at length reddish from the
spores. Stem stuffed, I— 2 in. long, 2 lines thick, equal, often flexu-
ous, naked, paler than the pileus. Spores subglobose, slightly angular,
4- 5 /u. Mas see.
Solitary or gregarious, smell pleasant like new meal, entirely gray.
Fries.
Woods. Gansevoort. July. The whole plant is of a grayish color
except the mature gills, which have a flesh-colored hue, and the base
of the stem, which is clothed with a white tomentum. It has a farinace-
ous odor. Peck, 5 1st Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Scattered. Mt. Gretna, Pa. September to November. Mcllvaine.
Edible, pleasant.
C. carneo-al'bus Wither. — light flesh color. Pileus up to i in.
258
Rhodosporee
across, convex then expanded, center becoming depressed and the mar- ciitopiius.
gin drooping, even, polished, white, the disk becoming usually tinged
with red. Flesh thin. Gills slightly decurrent, I line broad, crowded,
salmon color. Stem 1-1*2 in. long, I line thick, about equal, solid,
white. Spores globose, nodulose, 7— 8ft diameter.
Inodorous; gregarious.
In the section given in Cke. Illustr., the stem is represented as being
distinctly hollow. Massec.
New York, shaded ground. June. Peck, 45th Rep.
C. al'bogri'seus Pk. — pale-gray. Pileus firm, convex or slightly de-
pressed, glabrous, pale-gray, odor farinaceous. Gills moderately close,
adnate or slightly decurrent, grayish then flesh-colored. Stem solid,
colored like the pileus. Spores angular or irregular, 10— 1 1x7. 5/u..
Pileus 6-12 lines broad. Stem 1.5-2.5 in. long, 1-2 lines thick.
Woods. Adirondack mountains. August. Peck, 42d Rep. N. Y.
State Bot.
Scattered. Mt. Gretna, Pa., woods. August to October. Mcll-
vaine.
Edible, pleasant.
C. mfcropus Pk. — short-stemmed. Pileus thin, fragile, convex or
centrally depressed, umbilicate, silky, gray, usually with one or two nar-
row zones on the margin, odor farinaceous. Gills narrow, close, ad-
nate or slightly decurrent, gray, becoming flesh-colored. Stem short,
solid, slightly thickened at the top, pruinose, gray with a white my-
celium at the base. Spores angular or irregular, iox6/A.
Pileus 6-12 lines broad. Stem 8-10 lines long, i line thick.
Thin woods. Essex and Rensselaer counties. August.
This species is closely allied to the preceding one, but may be sepa-
rated from it by its short stem and silky umbilicate subzonate pileus.
Both species are rare and have been observed only in wet, rainy weather.
Peck, 42d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Scattered; markedly umbilicate. Mt. Gretna, Pa., woods. August,
September. Mcllvaine.
Edible, pleasant.
259
Agaricaceae
2. Pileus hygrophanous.
ciitopiias. C. subvi'lis Pk. — small value. Pileus thin, centrally depressed or
umbilicate, with the margin decurved, hygrophanous, dark-brown and
striatulate on the margin when moist, grayish-brown and silky shining
when dry, taste farinaceous. Gills subdistant, adnate or slightly decur-
rent, whitish when young, then flesh-colored. Stem slender, brittle,
rather long, stuffed or hollow, glabrous, colored like the pileus or a little
paler. Spores angular, 7.5- IO/A.
Pileus 8-15 lines broad. Stem 1.5-3 m- l°ng> I-2 lmes thick.
Damp soil in thin woods. Albany county. October.
The species is allied to C. vilis, from which it is separated by its
silky-shining pileus, subdistant gills and farinaceous taste. Peck, 42$
Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Scattered. Mt. Gretna, Pa. September to November. Mcllvaine.
Edible, pleasant.
C. Wood'ianus Pk. Pileus thin, convex or nearly plane, umbilicate
or centrally depressed, hygrophanous, striatulate on the margin when
moist, whitish or yellowish-white and shining when dry, the margin
often wavy or flexuous. Gills close, adnate or slightly decurrent,
whitish, then flesh-colored. Stem equal, flexuous, shining, solid, col-
ored like the pileus. Spores subglobose, angular, 6-7. 5/x.
Pileus 1-2 in. broad. Stem 2-3 in. long, 2 lines thick.
Ground and decayed prostrate trunks in woods. Lewis county. Sep-
tember.
This species is perhaps too closely allied to the preceding, but it may
easily be separated by its paler color, closer gills and solid stem, though
this is sometimes hollow from the erosion of insects. Peck, 42d Rep.
N. Y. State Bot.
C. TJn'dei'WOOdii Pk. — in honor of L. M . Underwood. Pileus rather
thin but fleshy, nearly plane or slightly depressed in the center, even,
whitish. Gills narrow, close, slightly decurrent, pale flesh-colored.
Stem rather short, equal or slightly tapering upward, solid, whitish.
Spores subglobose, 4-5/4 long.
Pileus 6— 1 8 lines broad. Stem about I in. long and 2 lines thick.
260
Rhodosporae
Syracuse and Jamesville. September and October. L. M . Under- ciitopiius.
wood. Peck, 49th Rep. N. Y. State Dot.
SPORES ROSY-RED.
C. erythl'O'spoms Pk. Gr. — red-spored. PileilS thin, hemispheri-
cal or strongly convex, glabrous or merely pruinose, pinkish-gray.
Flesh whitish tinged with pink, taste farinaceous. Gills narrow,
crowded, arcuate, deeply decurrent, colored like the pileus. Stem
equal or slightly tapering upward, hollow, slightly pruinose at the top,
colored like the pileus. Spores elliptical, 5x3-4^.
Pileus 1-2 in. broad. Stem 1-1.5 in. long, 2-3 lines thick.
Decayed wood and among fallen leaves in woods. Albany and
Ulster counties. September and October.
The species is easily recognized by its peculiar uniform color, its nar-
row, crowded and generally very decurrent gills and by its bright rosy-
red spores. Sometimes individuals occur in which the gills are less
decurrent. Peck, 42 d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Mt. Gretna, Pa., among fallen leaves. Sparsely gregarious. Sep-
tember to November. Mcllvaine.
Edible, good.
C. COilis'sans Pk. — dusted. Pileus thin, convex, glabrous, pale
alutaceous, often dusted by the copious spores. Gills close, adnate, red-
dish-brown. Stem slender, brittle, hollow, cespitose, white. Spores
narrowly elliptical, 7. 5x4/4.
Pileus I—I-5 in. broad. Stem 1—2 in. long, 1-2 lines thick.
Base of an apple tree. Catskill mountains. September.
Remarkable for the bright rosy-red spores which are sometimes so
thickly dusted over the lower pilei of a tuft as to conceal their real color.
The species is very rare. Peck, 4.26. Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
SPORES VERY PALE FLESH-COLORED, MERELY TINTED.
C. CSespito'sus Pk. — tufted. Pileus at first convex, firm, nearly reg-
ular, shining, white, then nearly plane, fragile, often irregular or eccen-
tric, glabrous but with a slight silky luster, even, whitish. Flesh white,
taste mild. Gills narrow, thin, crowded, often forked, adnate or slightly
261
Agaricaceae
cntopiius. decurrent, whitish, becoming dingy or brownish-pink. Stems cespitose,
solid, silky-fibrillose, slightly mealy at the top, white. Spores 5x4^.
PiletlS 2-4 in. broad. Stem 1.5-3 m- l°ng> 2-4 lines thick.
Thin woods and pastures. Ulster county. September.
This is a large, fine species, very distinct by its cespitose habit, white
color and very pale sordid-tinted spores. But for the color of these the
plant might easily be taken for a species of Clitocybe. The tufts some-
times form long rows. Peck, 426 Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Mt. Gretna, Pa. October. Mcllvaine.
Tender, not much flavor.
C. Noveboracen'sis Pk. — New York Clitopilus. Pileus thin, convex,
then expanded or slightly depressed, dingy white, cracked in areas or
concentrically rivulose, sometimes obscurely zonate, odor farinaceous,
taste bitter. Gills narrow, close, deeply decurrent, some of them forked,
white, becoming dingy, tinged with yellow or flesh-color. Stem equal,
solid, colored like the pileus, the mycelium white, often forming white
branching root-like fibers. Spores globose, 4— 5/u. broad.
Var. brevis. Margin of the pileus, in the moist plant, pure white.
Gills adnate or slightly decurrent. Stem short.
Pileus 1-2 in. broad. Stem 1-2 in. long, 1-3 lines thick.
Woods and pastures. Adirondack mountains, Albany and Rensselaer
counties. August to October.
The plant is gregarious or cespitose. Sometimes, especially in the
variety, it grows in lines or arcs of circles. The margin is often undu-
lated, and in the variety it is, when fresh and moist, clothed with a film
of interwoven webby white fibrils which give it a peculiar appearance,
and if the spore characters are neglected it might be mistaken for Clito-
cybe phyllophila. The disk is often tinged with reddish-yellow or rusty
hues when moist, and its rivulose character is then more distinct. A
farinaceous odor is generally present, especially in the broken or bruised
plant, but its taste is bitter and unpleasant. Sometimes bruises of the
fresh plant manifest a tendency to assume a smoky-brown or blackish
color. The base of the stem is sometimes clothed with a white myceli-
oid tomentum. Peck, 42d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
C. Sey'mouriaims Pk. — Pileus fleshy, thin, broadly convex or slightly
depressed, even, pruinose, whitish with a dark lilac tinge, sometimes
262
Rhodosporae
lobed and eccentric. Gills narrow, crowded, decurrent, some of them ciitopih
forked at the base, whitish with a pale flesh-colored tint. Stem equal,
sil'ky-fibrillose, hollow. Spores minute, globose or nearly so, 3.5-4/4
long.
Pileus 1-2.5 m- broad. Stem 1.5-2.5 in. long, 3-4 lines thick.
Woods. Lewis county. September. Peck, 42 d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
LEPTO'NIA Fr.
Gr. — slender.
Rosy-spored. Stem cartilaginous,
tubular (the tube stuffed or hollow),
polished, somewhat shining. PileilS
thin, umbilicate or with a darker
disk, cuticle fibrillose or separating
into darker scales, margin at first in-
curved. Gills at first adnexed or ad-
nate but readily separating. Fries.
The Leptonias are related to the
Clitopili as the Collybiae are to the
Clitocybae. The species are small,
elegant, brightly colored, inodorous
(except A. incanus), and abound in
rainy weather. Gregarious or grow-
ing in troops ; on the ground, com-
monly on dry mossy pastures, but
also in marshy places. Stevenson.
(Plate LXVI.)
Leptonia.
LEPTONIA.
Six American species reported. I have not seen any.
263
Agaricaceee
Nolaaea.
(Plate LXVII.)
NOLA'NEA Fr.
Nola, a little bell.
Rosy-spored. Stem tubed, the tube
more rarely stuffed with a pith, car-
tilaginous, Pileus somewhat mem-
branaceous, bell-shaped, somewhat
papillate, striate and sometimes even,
sometimes also clothed with flocci,
margin straight and at the first pressed
to the stem, and not involute. Gills
free or adfixed, and not decurrent.
Fries.
Nolanea agrees with Leptonia and
Eccilia among the pink-spored species.
It corresponds with Mycena, Galera
and Psathyra. Several Entolomata
are nearly allied. The species are
thin and slender, commonly inodorous
and fragile, though some of them are
NOLANEA PASCUA. tough. Growing on the ground in
About natural size.
summer and autumn. Stevenson.
Seven American species reported. None seen by writer.
Peck, Rep. 24, 26, 35, 39, 50.
264
Rhodosporse
ECCI'LIA Fr.
Gr. — I hollow out.
(Plate LXVIII.)
ECCILIA ATROPUNCTA.
Two-thirds natural size.
Stem cartilaginous, tubular (the Ecciiia.
tube hollow or stuffed ) , expanded up-
ward into the pileus, which is some-
what membranaceous and at the first
turned inward at the margin. Gills
attenuated behind, truly decurrent,
becoming more so when the pileus is
depressed, and not separating as those
of Nolanea.
Corresponding in structure with
Omphalia of the white-spored and
Tubaria of the brown-spored series.
Allied to Clitopilus in the decurrent
(Plate LXIX.)
gills, but separated by the cartilagin-
ous, smooth stem.
E. car'neo-gri'sea B. and Br. —
caro, flesh; griseus, gray. Pileus
about I in. broad, gray flesh-color,
umbilicate, striate, delicately dotted,
margin slightly glittering with dark
particles. Stem about \% in. long,
slender, fibrous-hollow upward, wavy,
of the same color as the pileus, shin-
ing, smooth, white-downy at the base.
Gills adnato-decurrent, somewhat un-
dulated, distant, rosy, the irregular
margin darker. Stevenson.
Spores irregularly oblong, rough,
7x5/A Masse e.
Nova Scotia, Dr. Somers.
New Jersey, E. B. Sterling, Au-
gust, 1897; Eagle's Mere, Pa., common under pines, Mcllvaine.
265
ECCILIA CARNEO-GRISEA,
Natural size.
Agaricacese
Ecciiia. This neat little species is sweet and pleasant raw, and when cooked
makes an agreeable dish. European authorities give the taste as un-
pleasant, but there is nothing of the sort about the American repre-
sentative.
CLAU'DOPUS Smith.
Claudus — lame ; pous — a foot.
ciaudopus. Pileus eccentric, lateral or resupinate. Spores pinkish.
The species of this genus were formerly distributed among the Pleu-
(Plate LXX.) roti and Crepidoti, which they re-
semble in all respects except the
color of the spores. The genus at
first was made to include species with
lilac-colored as well as pink spores,
but Professor Fries limited it to spe-
cies with pink spores. In this sense
we have taken it. The spores in
some species are even, in others
rough or angulated. The stem is
either entirely wanting or is very
short and inconspicuous, a character
indicated by the generic name. The
pileus often rests upon its back and
is attached by a point when young,
but it becomes turned backward with age. The species are few and in-
frequent. All inhabit decaying wood.
CLAUDOPUS VARIABILIS.
Natural size.
SYNOPSIS OF THE SPECIES.
Pileus yellow C. nidulans
Pileus white or whitish I
i . Spores even C. variabilis
1 . Spores angulated C. depluens
Pileus gray or brown 2
2. Pileus striatulate when moist C. Greigensis
2 . Pileus not striatulate C. byssisedus
Peck, 39th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
266
C. ni'dlllans Pers. — nidus, a nest. Pileus 1-3 in. broad, stemless, ciaudopus.
attached by the pileus or rarely narrowed behind into a short stem-like
base, caps often overlapping one another, suborbicular or kidney-shaped,
downy , somewhat pointed-hairy or scaly-hairy toward the margin, yellow
or buff color, the margin at first turned inward. Lamellae rather broad,
moderately close or subdistant, orange-yellow. Spores even, slightly
curved, 6-S//, long, about half as broad, delicate pink.
Decaying wood. Sandlake. Catskill and Adirondack mountains.
Autumn.
This fungus was placed by Fries among the Pleuroti, and in this he
has been followed by most authors. But the spores have a delicate
pink color closely resembling that of the young lamellae of the common
mushroom, Agaricus campestris. We have, therefore, placed it among
the Claudopodes, where Fries himself has suggested it should be placed
if removed at all from Pleurotus. Our plant has sometimes been referred
to Panus dorsalis Bosc., but with the description of that species it does
not well agree. The tawny-color, spoon-shaped pileus, pale floccose
scales, short lateral stem and decurrent lamellae ascribed to that species
are not well shown by our plant. The substance of the pileus, though
rather tenacious and persistent, can scarcely be called leathery. The
flesh is white or pale yellow. The hairy down of the pileus is often
matted in small tufts and intermingled with coarse hairs, especially
toward the margin. This gives a scaly or pointed-hairy appearance.
The color of the pileus is often paler toward the base than it is on the
margin. Peck, 39th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Mt. Gretna, Pa., November, 1898, decaying stumps. Mcllvaine.
An autumnal species growing upon wood. Not common.
The light yellow tomentosity of the cap arranges itself into shapes as
fascinating as crystals of snow.
Taste pleasant, mild. Texture more solid than P. ostreatus, con-
sequently tougher. It is edible but not desirable. Must be chopped
fine and cooked well.
267
Agaricacese
Series III. OCHRO'SPOILffi (Dermini). Spores brown.
Ochrosporae, third in color series, ranges in spore color from dull
ochraceous, through bright ocher, to rusty orange and ferruginous or
iron-rust. The various shades will tax even a color expert.
There are no species in the series corresponding to Amanitae. In
Acetabularia there is a cup-like volva ; in Pholiota there is a distinct
interwoven ring on the stem ; in Cortinarius the secondary veil is like a
cobweb, and may form an imperfect zone around the stem, or hang as
fibers from the margin of the cap; Pluteolus exactly resembles Pluteus.
There are many edible species of good quality in the series. None
are known to be poisonous. The substance,. as a rule, is tougher than
in most of the preceding genera, and in many instances has a strong
woody flavor. Several species are late growers, and are among the best
of fungi. Notably in Pholiota.
ACETABULA'BIA Berk.
Acctabulum, a vinegar-cup. From the cup-like volva.
Acetabularia. Universal veil distinct from the pileus ; hymenophore distinct ; gills
free; spores pallid, tawny or brown.
Analogous to Volvaria and Chitonia.
No American species reported.
268
PLATE LXXI.
OCHROSPORAL
FLAMMULA.
7 J PAXILLUS
NAUCORIA.
GALERA.\ //PLUTEOLUS.
TuBARIA.
CHART or GENERA IN intowx-sroRED SERIKS — OciiRosroRAE, PAGE 2G8
Ochrosporse
PHOLIO'TA Fr.
Gr. — a scale.
i
Pileus more or less fleshy. Gills adnate, with or without a decur- Phoiiota.
rent tooth, tawny or rust colored at maturity from the spores. Flesh
of stem continuous with that of the pileus. Ring distinct, interwoven.
Spores sepia-brown, bright yellowish-brown or light red.
Generally on wood, sometimes on the ground in damp moss, fre-
quently densely cespitose. Some of the species are large and bright
colored. Distinguished from all other genera of the brown-spored
series by the possession of a distinct ring. In Cortinarius the veil and
ring are web-like.
Stevenson notes in his description of the genus: "None are to be
commended as edible." My investigation shows that there are several
delicious species, notably P. squarrosa and subsquarrosa. Their late-
ness and plentifulness make them valuable food fungi. I have nothing
but praise for the entire genus.
ANALYSIS OF TRIBES.
A. HUMIGENI (humus, ground; gigno, to bear). Page 270.
On the ground, rarely cespitose.
* Eudermini. Gr. — well; dermini, the brown-spored series.
Spores ferruginous.
** Phaeoti. Gr. — dusky.
Spores dusky rust-colored.
«
B. TRUNCIGENI (truncus, a trunk; gigno, to bear). Page 273.
On wood ; subcespitose.
* yEgeritini. P. csgerita, the type of the section.
Pileus naked, not scaly, sometimes cracked. Gills pallid, then red-
dish or dusky. None known to be edible.
* Squamosi — squama, a scale.
Pileus scaly, not hygrophanous. Gills becoming discolored.
* Gills not becoming purely rust-colored.
* Gills yellow, then rust-color or tawny.
* Hygrophani. Gr. — moist; to appear.
Gills cinnamon, not at first yellow.
269
Agaricacese
C. MusciGENl (muscus, moss; gigno, to bear).
Phoiiota. Hygrophanous. Like Galera with a ring.
A. HUMIGENI. On ground.
* Eudermini. Spores ferruginous.
P. capera'ta Pers. — capero, to wrinkle. (Plate LXXla, fig. 2, page
268.) Pileus 3—5 in- broad, more or less intensely yellow, fleshy, but
thin in proportion to its size and robust stem, ovate then expanded, ob-
tuse, viscid only when moist and not truly so, even at the disk, wrinkled
in pits at the sides, incrusted with white superficial ftocci. Stem 4-6
in. long, more than I in. thick, solid, stout, cylindrical with exception
of the base which is often tuberous, shining white, scaly above the ring,
ivliicJi is membranaceous, reflexo-pendiilous, and broken into sqnamnlcs
at the apex. Grills adnate, crowded, thin, somewhat serrated, clay-cm-
namon.
When young the pileus is incrusted with the veil or with white mealy-
floccose soft, hairy down, which is crowded on the even disk and scaly
towards the thin pitted-furrowed margin ; and as this separates the
pileus is naked. Veil universal, floccoso-mealy, at the first cohering
in the form of a volva but not continuous; in rainy weather remaining
in the form of a volva at the base. Spores dark ferruginous on a white-
ground, paler on a black ground. There is a smaller form (A. ma-
cropus Pers.) in pine woods, pileus even and paler. Stem 3 in. long,
and without a tuberous base. Ring oblique and often incomplete. Stev.
Spores IO/A B. and Br.; 12x4^ W. P.; spheroid-ellipsoid, unigut-
tate, i i-i2x8-9ju, K.; 12x4. 5/x. Massee.
Not previously reported.
This fungus occurs sparingly in rich woods near Boston. It is much
esteemed in Germany, and eagerly sought by the common people, who
call it familiarly the "Zigeuner" (Gypsy). Boston Myc. Club Bull.
1896.
I have found this species in but one place — on the south hill of the
great Chester valley, Pa., where it grows plentifully in woods. The
taste raw was slightly acrid, but when cooked this disappeared. Many
ate of the species and enjoyed it.
270
Grouped by F. D. Briscoe— Studies by C. Mcllvaine.
FIG.
1. HEBELOMA GLTJTINOSUM,
2. PHOLIOTA CAPERATA,
PAGE. FIG.
3 PHOLIOTA SQUARROSA,
270 4. PHOLIOTA SUBSQUARROSA,
PAGE
273
275
Ochrosporse
P. togllla'ris Bull. — togula, a little cloak. From the ample ring. Phoiiota.
PileilS i >2 in. broad, pallid ochraceous, fleshy, soft, bell-shaped then
expanded, obtuse, orbicular, witJiont stria, smooth. Flesh thin, soft,
becoming yellow. Stem 3-4 in. long, 2 lines thick, tubed, rigid, equal,
cylindrical, rough with stiff fibers, naked and becoming yellow at the
apex, becoming dingy brown downward. Ring medial, more than I in.
distant, entire, spreading-reflexed. Gills adnato-separating, ventricose,
crowded, narrowed in front, becoming yellow, at length pale rust-color,
never becoming dingy brown.
Protean, slender, very variable in stature, growing in troops, b. More
slender, but densely gregarious, with the wholly pallid smooth stem
thinner, often flexuous. This form is exactly A. mesodactylus Berk.
c. Very small. Pileus I in. Stem I in. or a little more, scarcely I
line thick, very flexuous, becoming rust-color. Stevenson.
Spores elliptical, 8x3.5^ Massee.
New Jersey, on decayed chips mixed with dirt. May, 1898. E. B.
Sterling.
Not previously reported.
The specimens sent were tested and found to be of good quality.
** Phae'oti. Spores fuscous — ferruginous (dingy rust-color).
P. du'ra Bolt. — durus, hard. Pileus 3 in. and more broad, tawny,
tan-color, becoming dingy brown, fleshy, somewhat compact, convexo-
plane, obtuse, smooth, then cracked into patches, margin even. Stem
commonly curt, 2 in. long, about % in. thick, stuffed, even solid, hard,
becoming silky-even, then longitudinally cracked when dry, thickened
at the apex, mealy and more than usually widened into the pileus, vary-
ing ventricose and irregularly-shaped. Ring torn. Gills adnate, striato-
decurrent with a tooth, ventricose, % in. broad, livid then dingy rust-
color.
The stem is abundantly furnished with fibrillose rootlets at the base.
Although very closely allied to A. praecox, it is readily distinguished
by its rust-color or brown-rust spores. Stevenson.
Spores 9x5/x W.G.S.; 8-9x5-61". Massee.
Haddonfield, N. J. June to October. Florist's garden, Mcllvaine.
After rains P. dura appears, solitary, from spring to autumn. The
271
Agaricaceae
Phoiiota. cracked cap, in mature specimens, distinguishes it from other species
found on its habitat. It varies in size from iK in. up to 4 in. across.
The caps are excellent.
P. prse'cox Pers. — pracox, early. Pileus 1-2 in. broad, convex or
(Plate LXXII.) nearly plane, soft, nearly or quite gla-
brous, whitish, more or less tinged with
yellow or tan-color. Gills close, ad-
nexed, at first whitish, then brownish or
rusty-brownish. Stem 1.5-3 m- l°ng>
2-2.5 lines thick, rather slender, mealy
or glabrous, stuffed or hollow, whitish.
Spores elliptical, rusty-brown, io-i3x
6-8/*.
The Early Phoiiota is a small but
variable species. From other similarly
colored species that appear in grassy
ground early in the season, the collar on
the stem will generally distinguish it.
Its cap is usually convex when young
but nearly flat in the mature plant. It
is rather pale in color but not a clear white, being tinted with yellow or
pale tan-colored hues. The gills are whitish when the cap first opens,
but they soon change to a rusty-brown hue in consequence of the ripen-
ing of the spores. They are excavated at the inner extremity and
slightly attached to the stem. They are ventricose when the cap is
fully expanded. The stem is rather slender, nearly or quite straight
and soon smooth and hollow. It is pale or whitish, and usually furnished
with a small collar. Sometimes the collar is slight and disappears with
age and sometimes the fragments of the veil remain attached to the
margin of the cap leaving nothing for a collar.
The plants usually grow in grassy ground, lawns and gardens, and
appear from May to July.
Var. minor Batt. is a small form having the cap only about I in.
broad and the remnants of the veil adherent to the margin of the cap.
It is represented by figures 6 to 12.
Var. sylvestris Pk. has the center of the cap brownish or rusty-brown,
and grows in thin woods. Peck, 49th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
272
PHOLIOTA PR.ECOX.
After Peck.
Ochrosporee
Spores inclining to fuscous, spheroid-ellipsoid, 8-13x5-7/1, K.; 8x6/* Phoiiota.
W. G. S.; 8- i 3x6-7^ Massee.
West Virginia, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, May to
August. On rich ground, lawns, gardens, etc. Mcllvaine.
Coming as it does in early spring, it is a prized species wherever
found.
The caps only are good.
B. TRUNCIGENI. On wood.
Squamosi. Scaly.
(Plate LXXIII.)
P. squarro'sa Mull.—squarrosits, scurfy. (Plate LXXLz, fig, 3, page
270.) Pileus 3-5 in. broad, saf-
fron-rust-color, scaly with innate,
crowded, revoltite, darker (be-
coming dingy brown), persistent
scales, fleshy, convex bell-shaped
then flattened, commonly obtusely
umbonate or gibbous, dry. Flesh
light-yellow, compact when
young, sometimes thin. Stems
curt when young, as much as 8
in. long when full-grown, as much
as i in. thick at the apex, re-
markably attenuated downwards,
stuffed, scaly as far as the ring
with crowded, revolute, darker
scales. Ring only slightly distant
from the apex, rarely membrana-
ceous, entire or often slashed,
general^ floccoso-radiate, of the same color as the scales. Gillsadnate
with a decurrent tooth, crowded, narrow, pallid-olivaceous then rust-
color.
Spores ferruginous. Very cespitose, forming large heaps. Stems
commonly cohering at the base, varying very much in stature in the
PHOLIOTA SQUARROSA.
One-half natural size.
18
273
Agaricaceee
Phoiiota. same cluster ; varying also much thinner, scarcely ever curved-ascend-
ing. Odor heavy, stinking; sometimes, however, obsolete. Stevenson.
Spores ellipsoid, 7-8x4-5/x K.; 4x5;* W.G.S.; ^^Massee.
On trunks of trees, on and near stumps, etc. Common. August to
December.
West Virginia, 1881-1885, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. On rotten
wood and stumps. August to long after frost. Mcllvaine.
Edible. Curtis.
The American species, as I have repeatedly found it, is not so large as
given in the European description, and the habitat is more closely con-
fined to the trunks of standing trees and stumps not much decayed. It
is a showy species, to be seen from afar off, especially after the leaves
fall. Taste when young, raw, is sweet, mealy; when mature, like stale
lard.
Cooked, the caps are of good substance and flavor. One of the very
best.
P. squarrosoi'des Pk. — squarrosus, scurfy; eidos, form. Pileiis
firm, convex, viscid when moist, at first densely covered by erect papil-
lose or subspinose tawny scales, which soon separate from each other,
revealing the whitish color and viscid character of the pileus. Lamellse
close, emarginate, at first whitish, then pallid or dull cinnamon color.
Stem equal, firm, stuffed, rough with thick squarrose scales, white
above the thick floccose ring, pallid or tawny below. Spores minute,
elliptical, 5X4A*-
Densely cespitose, 3-6 in. high. Pileus 2-4 in. broad. Stem 3-5
lines thick.
Dead trunks and old stumps of maple. Adirondack and Catskill
mountains. Autumn.
This is evidently closely related to A. squarrosus, with which it has,
perhaps, been confused, but its different colors and viscid pileus appear
to warrant its separation. Peck, 3ist Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Occurred in large clusters on sugar maples at Eagle's Mere in Octo-
ber, and on stumps at Mt. Gretna. It very closely resembles P. squar-
rosa. Its caps are of the very best.
274
Ochrosporas
P. SUbsquarro'sa Fr. — sub, under; squarrosus, scurfy. (Plate LXXI#, Phoiiota.
tig. 4, p. 270.) PileilS 2 in. and more broad, brown rust-color, with
darker, adpressed, floccose scales, fleshy, convex, obtuse or gibbous,
viscid. Stem 3 in. long, 4-5 lines thick, stuffed (often hollow when
old), equal, yel!ow-rust-color, clothed with darker scales which are
adpressed, or spreading only at the apex, not rough, furnished with an
annular zone at the apex, becoming yellow-rust-color within. Grills
deeply sinuate, emarginate, almost free, arcuate, crowded, at first pale
then dingy yellow.
Spores rust-color. The pileus is viscid, but not glutinous like that
of A. adiposus. It holds a doubtful place between A. aurivellus and
A. squarrosus, departing from both, however, in the gills being at the
first yellow; and from A. squarrosus, to wrjich it is more like, in the
gills being emarginato-free, not decurrent. Somewhat cespitose. Al-
most inodorous. Fries.
Spores ferruginous, size not stated.
West Philadelphia, Mt. Gretna, Pa., Haddonfield, N. J. September
until after frosts. Mcllvaine.
Not previously reported.
The maple trees in West Philadelphia frequently show large clusters
of it up to twenty feet from ground ; to be seen from afar after the leaves
have fallen. Our American species differs somewhat from the European.
American species :
PileilS 1—3 in. across, fleshy, convex, very viscid, rich brownish-
yellow, covered with darker adpressed floccose scales. Flesh slightly
yellow. Gills white when very young slightly emarginate, adnexed,
crowded, K in. broad, brown. Stem 2-3 in. long, 1A in. thick, equal
or tapering toward base, stuffed, then hollow, covered with squamose
scales as far up as the slight ring, smooth above ring. Ring mem-
branaceous, slight.
Spores rust-color.
The species is variable and differs greatly in youth and maturity.
The caps, fried in hot buttered pan, are unexcelled.
Equally fine in croquettes and patties.
275
Agaricaceee
Gills yellow, then rust-color.
Phoiiota. P. adipo'sa Fr. — adeps, fat.
(Plate LXXIV.)
PHOLIOTA ADIPOSA.
About natural size.
Pileus fleshy, firm, at first hem-
ispherical or subconical, then convex,
very viscid or glutinous when moist,
scaly, yellow. Flesh whitish. Gills
close, adnate, yellowish becoming
rust-color with age. Stem equal or
slightly thickened at the base, scaly
below the slight radiating floccose
ring, solid or stuffed, yellow, gener-
ally rust-color at the base. Spores
elliptical, 7.6x5^.
The Fat pholiota is a showy spe-
cies. Its tufted mode of growth,
rather large size, yellow color and
rusty-brown scales make it a notice-
able object. The stem is somewhat
and the cap very viscid when moist,
and this viscidity when dry gives it a shining appearance. The scales
of the cap become erect or reflexed and sometimes appear blackish at
the tips. They sometimes disappear with age. The flesh is firm and
white or whitish. The gills when young are yellow or pale-yellow, but
when mature they assume a ferruginous or rusty color like that of the
spores. The stem is similar in color to the cap, but paler or nearly
white at the top and usually reddish-brown or rusty-brown at the base.
The collar is slight and often scarcely noticeable in mature specimens.
The Cap is 2-4 in. broad, the Stem 2-4 in. long and 4-6 lines thick.
The plants commonly grow in tufts on stumps or dead trunks of de-
ciduous trees in or near woods. They may be found from September
to November. It is well to peel the caps before cooking. This species
is not classed as edible by European authors, but I find its flavor agree-
able and its substance digestible and harmless. Peck, 49th Rep. N. Y.
State Bot.
Spores 8x5/* W.G.S.; elliptical, ferruginous, 7x3/x. Massee.
Mt. Gretna, Pa. October until after frost. About trees and stumps
and on logs. Mcllvaine.
P. adiposa yields a substantial substance of good flavor.
276
Ochrosporse
P. flam'mans Fr. — flamma, flame. Pileus 2-4 in. broad, yellow- Phoiiota.
tawny, fleshy, convex then plane, somewhat umbonate, absolutely dry,
sprinkled with superficial, pilose, somewhat concentric, paler or sulphur-
yellow, rough or curly scales; margin at first inflexed, then spread when
larger. Flesh thin, light yellow. Stem 3 in*, long, 2—3 lines thick,
stuffed then hollow, equal, most frequently flexuous, very light yellow
as are also the crowded rough scales. Ring membranaceous, entire,
not far removed from the pileus, of the same color. Gills adnate and
without a tooth, somewhat thin, crowded, at the first bright sulpliur-
yellow, at length rust-color, edge quite entire.
Pileus by no means hygrophanous. It is distinguished from all others
by the sulphur-yellow scales on the tawny pileus. Forming small clusters.
Inodorous. The ring is sometimes only indicated by an annular zone.
Fries.
Spores ellipsoid, 4x21* K.; ellipsoid, 3-4x2-2. 5/* C.B.P.; 4x2/4
W.P.; 8x4/x Massee.
Quite plentiful in the New Jersey pines, from October until after
heavy frosts. Caps seldom over 3 in. across. Solitary., and in clusters
of not over half a dozen.
The caps fried are delicious.
P. luteofo'lia Pk. — luteiis, yellow; folium, a leaf. Pileus firm, con-
vex, dry, scaly, fibrillose on the margin, pale-red or yellowish. La-
mellae broad, subdistant, emarginate, serrate on the edge, yellow, be-
coming bright rust-color. Stem firm, fibrillose, solid, colored like the
pileus, often curved from the place of growth. Ring obsolete. Spores
bright rust-color, 7x4/4.
Plant subcespitose, 2-3 in. high. Pileus 1-2 in. broad. Stem 3-5
lines thick.
Trunks of birch trees. Forestburgh. September.
The general appearance of this plant is like A. variegatus or reddish
forms of A. multipunctus. The reddish color appears sometimes to
fade with age. Peck, 2/th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Eagle's Mere, Pa. In clusters, on birch trees. August, 1898. Mc-
Ilvaine.
Grows in quantity in the birch forests. The caps are delicious.
277
Agaricaceae
Phoiiota. P. ornel'la Pk. (Agaricus ornellus Pk., 34 Rep., p. 42.) Pileus
convex or nearly plane, slightly squamose, reddish-brown tinged with
purple, the margin paler, floccose-appendiculate. Gills moderately
close, yellowish or pallid, becoming brown. Stem equal or slightly
thickened upward, solid, squamulose, pale-yellow, sometimes expanded
at the base into a brownish disk margined with yellowish filaments.
Spores brown, elliptical, 6-7.5x4-5^.
Plant 1-2 in. high. Pileus about I in. broad. Stem I line to 1.5
lines thick.
Decaying wood. South Ballston, Saratoga county. October.
The scales of the pileus are sometimes arranged in concentric circles.
The purplish tint is not always uniform, but in some instances forms
spots or patches. Peck, 34th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Specimens, clustered, found by me on railroad ties at Haddonfield,
N. J., September, 1897, had caps i-i % in. broad, of a dull green
without tinge of purple ; skin minutely cracked, showing the white flesh
in the interstices; stem I— 2 in. long, 3—4 lines thick, slightly thickened
upward, pale orange, solid, squamulose; ring floccose ; taste when raw,
slightly bitter. These were sent to Professor Peck who wrote: "Ap-
pears to be a form of P. ornella Pk., but it differs some in color, being
more of a green hue than of purple or olivaceous. It is pretty and I
would like to know more about it before deciding on it fully."
I have not since found it. Very palatable when cooked.
*** Hygrophani. Gills cinnamon, etc.
P. muta'bilis Schaeff. — changeable. Pileus about 2 in. broad, cin-
namon when moist, becoming pale when dry, hygrophanous, slightly
fleshy, convex then flattened, commonly obtusely umbonate, sometimes
depressed, even andsmoot/t, but when young occasionally scaly through-
out. Stem about 2-3 in. long, 2 lines and more thick, rigid, stuffed
then hollow, equal or attenuated downward, scaly-rough as far as the
ring, rust-color, blackish or umber downward, often ascending or
twisted. Ring membranaceous, externally scaly. Gills adnato-decur-
rent, crowded, rather broad, pallid then cinnamon. Stevenson.
Densely cespitose, variable in stature.
Spores ellipsoid-obovate, 6xi I/A W.G. S. ; 7x4/1 W.P.\ 9-11x5-6/4
Massee ; 1 1 x7/u. Morgan .
Edible. Curtis. Considered excellent in Europe.
278
Ochrosporae
P. margina'ta Batsch. — marginatus, margined. Pileus i in. and Phoiiota.
more broad, honey-colored when moist, tan when dry, hygrophanous,
slightly fleshy, convex then expanded, obtuse, even, smooth, margin
striate. Stem about 2 in. long, 1-2 lines thick, tubed, equal, fibrillose
or slightly striate, not scaly' of the same color as the pileus, but becom-
ing dingy-brown, and commonly white velvety at the base. Ring 1—2
lines distant from the apex, often in the form of a cortina and fugacious.
Gills adnate, crowded, thin, narrow, at first pallid, then darker cinna-
mon.
It varies much, and is deceptive on account of the vanishing veil. In
hedges there is a very small cespitose form with the pileus only }•% in.
broad, and the stem tough and smooth, with exception of the remains
of the fugacious cortina. There also occur on the ground among
mosses smaller and paler forms, which must be carefully distinguished
from A. unicolor, etc. Stevenson.
Spores 7-8x41". Massee.
Haddonfield, N. J., November, December, 1896. In pine woods.
Mcllvaine.
The caps of this small Phoiiota, seldom over I /^ in. across, can be
gathered in goodly numbers where it frequents. They are of excellent
quality.
P. dis'color Pk. — changing color. Pileus thin, convex, then ex-
panded or slightly depressed, smooth, viscid, hygrophanous, watery-
cinnamon and striatulate on the margin when moist; bright ochraceous-
yellow when dry. Lamella} close, narrow, pallid then pale rust-color.
Stem equal, hollow, fibrillose-striate, pallid. Ring distinct, persistent.
Spores elliptical, 7x5^.
Plant subcespitose, 2-3 in. high. Pileus 8- 1 6 lines broad. Stem
I line thick.
Old logs in woods. Greig. September.
The change of color from the moist to the dry state is very marked.
This species resembles Agaricus autumnalis, in which the annulus is
fugacious and the spores are longer. The edge of the gills in both is
white-flocculose. Peck, 25th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Two forms of this species are found. One has a scattered form of
growth, the other found on decaying wood of birch is cespitose. The
279
Agaricaceee
Phoiiota. species is allied to P. marginata, from which it is readily distinguished
by its viscid pileus. Peck, Rep. 44.
Var. discolor minor Pk. Small. Pileus 6— 10 lines broad, chestnut
color when young or moist. Stem about I line thick, at first clothed
with whitish fibrils.
Among mosses about or on the base of stumps. September. Peck,
Rep. 46.
West Virginia. Eagle's Mere, Mt. Gretna, Pa. August to frost.
On decaying wood. Mcllvaine.
This little Phoiiota is abundant where it does grow. In the West
Virginia forests I have seen logs with many tufts of it upon each. The
caps are fairly good.
280
Ochrosporae
(Plate LXXV.)
INO'CYBE Fr.
Gr. — fiber; Gr. — head.
Universal veil somewhat fibrillose, concrete with the cuticle of the inocybe.
pileus, often free at the margin, in
the form of a cortina. Gills some-
what sinuate (but they occur also
adnate and in two species decur-
rent), changing color, but not
powdered with cinnamon. Spores
often rough, but in others even,
more or less brownish-rust color.
Inocybe (with Hebeloma) cor-
responds with Tricholoma. In-
ocybe and Hebeloma have some
common features, but they are
really very distinct. Inocybe is
readily distinguished by the fibril-
lose covering of the pileus, which
never has a distinct pellicle, by the
veil which is continuous and homogeneous with the fibrils of the pileus,
and by the rusty-brown spores. All grow on the ground. They are
(mostly) strong-smelling (commonly nauseous). None are edible.
Stevenson.
None reported as either edible or poisonous. Those I have tested
are not pleasant.
INOCYBE LANUGINOSA.
One-fourth natural size.
28l
Agaricaceee
PLUTE'OLUS Fr.
Dim. of pluteus, a shed.
PileilS conical or bell-shaped, then expanded, rather fleshy, viscid,
margin at first straight and pressed to the stem. Gills free, rounded
behind. Stem somewhat cartilaginous, its substance different from that
of the pileus.
Growing on wood.
Spores rust or saffron color. Pluteus, the only genus having the same
structure, is separated by its salmon-colored spores.
P. reticula'tus Pers. — rete, a net. From the net-work of veins on
(Plate LXXVI.) the PileuS" Pileus slightly fleshy,
bell-shaped, then expanded, sticky,
reticulate with anastomosing veins,
pale violaceous, striate on the margin.
Lamellae free, ventricose, crowded,
rusty-saffron. Stem hollow, fragile,
fibrillose, mealy at the top, white.
Spores elliptical, ferruginous, 10-
13x5-6.5/4.
Pileus 1-2 in. broad. Stem 1-2
in. long, 1—2 lines thick.
PLUTEOLL-S RETICULATUS. Decaying wood. Cattaraugus
About natural size.
county. September.
The specimens which I have referred to this species appear to be a
small form with the pileus scarcely more than an inch broad and merely
wrinkled on the disk, not distinctly reticulate as in the type. In the
dried specimens the pileus has assumed a dark violaceous color. The
dimensions of the spores have been taken from the American plant. I
do not find them given by any European author. Peck, 46th Rep.
N. Y. State Bot.
In October, 1897, P. reticulatus grew in large quantities on a fallow
lot close by the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. The lot was
thickly covered with tall heavy-stemmed weeds, a mat of which, from
the year before was present. The reticulations upon the cap are intri-
cate and distinct. I have not seen it since.
The whole plant is tender and of fine flavor.
282
Ochrosporae
HEBELO'MA Fr.
Hebe, youth; loma, fringe.
Partial veil fibrillose or absent. PileilS smooth, continuous, some- Hebeioma.
what viscid, margin at first incurved. Flesh of stem continuous with
that of the pileus ; fleshy, fibrous, clothed, top rather mealy. Gills at-
tached, notched at the stem, edge inclined to be pale. Spores clay-
colored.
On the ground.
Closely allied to Inocybe, formerly included in Hebeioma, but differ-
ing in the character of the cuticle of the pileus which in Inocybe is scaly
or fibrillose. Many of the species are strong in smell and taste. None
have hitherto been considered edible and some have been regarded as
poisonous
ANALYSIS OF TRIBES.
INDUSIATI (indusium, a garment). Page 283.
Furnished with a ring from the manifest veil, which often makes the
margin of the pileus superficially silky.
DENUDATI (denudo, to lay bare). Page 286.
Pileus smooth. Veil absent. None known to be edible.
PUSILLUS (pusus, a little boy).
Pileus scarcely an inch broad. None known to be edible.
The writer has not as yet investigated the edible qualities of this
genus to his satisfaction. Much work remains to be done. But two
species of Hebeioma are given as edible. They are good, but do not
rank above second-class. Several others have been tested, but not in
sufficient quantity to report upon their quality with perfect safety. So
far as tested the species have been harmless.
INDUSIA'TI. With a ring, etc.
H. mus'sivum Fr. — mussivus, undecided. (Uncertain in generic
place. ) Pileus 2-4 in. broad, either of one color, yellow or darker at
the disk which is like a smooth sugar-cake, fleshy, compact, firm, con-
283
Agaricaceae
Hebeioma. vex then plane, unequal, very obtuse, viscid, at first smooth and even,
margin bent inward, even, then commonly turning upward and broken
up into scales. Flesh thick, becoming yellow. Stem 4 in. long, com-
monly i in. thick, very fleshy, sometimes stuffed, sometimes hollow at
the top, equal or broad in the middle, wholly fibrillose and powdered at
the top, light yellow. Veil fibrillose, very evanescent. Gills emargi-
nate, somewhat crowded, 3 lines broad, dry (not distilling drops), at
first light yellow, then together with the spores somewhat rust-colored.
Odor weak, not unpleasant. Very distinct. It departs widely from
all the following species in its habit and bright colors. The habit is
that of a Flammula or Cortinarius, but the gills are emarginate and not
powdered ; from the turned up pileus and from the stem being powdered
at the top, and from other marks it is to be referred to Hebeioma. Fries.
Spores elliptical, I2x6/* Massee.
New Jersey, Haddonfield. Under pine trees. Solitary. Frequent.
September, 1896. Mcllvaine.
Not previously reported.
Taste, even raw, is pleasant. It is meaty and the meat is good. It
requires slow cooking and is best chopped fine and served in patties or
croquettes.
H. fasti'bileFr. — fastidibilis , loathsome. From the smell. Pileus 2 in.
(Plate LXXVIa.) and more broad, pale yellowish,
tan or becoming pale, compactly
fleshy, convexo-plane, obtuse,
somewhat wavy, even, smooth, the
turned-in margin downy. Stem
2-3 in. long, Yz in. thick, solid,
wholly fleshy-fibrous, stout, some-
what bulbous, often twisted, every-
where white-silky and fibrillose,
white, but varying pallid, white-
scaly upward. Cortina remarka-
ble, white, occasionally in the form of a ring. Gills remarkably emar-
ginate, somewhat distant, rather broad, at first becoming pale-white,
then dingy clay-color, edge whitish, distilling drops in rainy weather.
Somewhat cespitose Odor and taste of radish, bitterish. Like A.
HEBELOMA FASTIBILE.
One-fourth natural size.
284
Ochrosporae
crustiliniformis ; the odor is the same except that it is stronger, but it Hebeioma.
differs conspicuously in the manifest veil and somewhat distant gills.
Var. atba, stem longer, equal, somewhat hollow, fibrous-scaly at the
apex, gills distant. A. spiloleucus Krombh., A. sulcatus Lindgr. is
an elegant form with the margin of the pileus sulcate or rugoso-plicate.
In mixed woods. Common. July to October. Stevenson.
Spores iixS/x. W.G.S.; elliptical, pointed, lOxS/u, Morgan.
Var. elegans. Pileus purple-brown.
This sometimes appears on disused mushroom beds in large quantities,
but the method by which the spores gain access is involved in darkness.
"A very suspicious species and has the reputation of being noxious."
Cooke.
"There is considerable external resemblance between this and A.
campestris. No fungus is so often mistaken for A. campestris as this
dangerous plant. W. G. Smith.
This species is considered noxious abroad. No test is reported of
its qualities here.
I have not seen it.
H. glutino'sum Lind. — gluten, glue. (Plate LXXla, fig. I, p. 270.)
Pileus about 3 in. broad, yellow-white, the disk darker, fleshy, con-
vex then plane, regular, obtuse, with a tenacious viscous gluten, and
slimy in wet weather, sprinkled with white superficial scales. Flesh
whitish, becoming light-yellow. Stem 3 in. long, stuffed, firm, some-
wJiat bulbous, white-scaly and fibrillose, and white-mealy at the top,
often rough with bundles of hairs at the base, at length rust-color with-
in. Partial thread-like veil manifest, in the form of a cortina. Gills
sinuato-adnate, somewhat decurrent, crowded, broad, pallid then light-
yellowish, at length clay-cinnamon. Odor peculiar, mild.
On branches and among leaves, oak and beech. Frequent. Sep-
tember to December. Stevenson.
Spores 5x4/x W. P. ; plum-shaped, 7/u. Q.; elliptical, io-i2x5/x, Mas-
see; ellipsoid, 6—7x3-4^1 K.
New York. Among fallen leaves and half-buried decaying wood, in
thin woods. Conklingville. September. In wet weather the gluten
is sufficiently copious to drop from the pileus. Peck, Rep. 40.
Haddonfield, N. J., among leaves in mixed woods. Frequent. 1896.
285
Agaricacese
Hebeioma. Mt. Gretna, Pa., among leaves under oaks. Frequent. September to
November. Mcllvaine.
Caps 1/^—3 in. across. Remarkably glutinous, shining as if var-
nished when wet. Partial veil not always noticeable.
The odor and taste are pleasant. The caps when well cooked are
meaty, good, but of second quality.
DENUDA'TI. Pileus smooth, etc.
H. crustulinifor'me Bull. — crustulum, a small pie; forma, form.
Pileus pale-whitish tan, most frequently pale-yellowish or brick-color at
the disk, fleshy, convexo-plane, obtuse or slightly gibbous with an ob-
tuse umbo, somewhat spreading with an uneven margin, even, smooth,
at first slightly viscid, not zoned. Flesh transparent when moist. Stem
stuffed then hollow, stout, somewhat bulbous, white, naked, white-scaly
at the top. Gills rounded-adnexed, crowded, narrowed, I line broad
and linear, thin, whitish then clay-color, at length date-brown, the un-
equal edge distilling watery drops in wet weather, spotted when dry.
Veil quite wanting. Odor strong, fetid, of radish. Very variable
in stature; the stem, however, is never elongated as in A. elatus, etc. ;
in smaller specimens equal, pileus regular, gills almost adnate.
In mixed woods. Common. August to November. Stevenson.
Spores ellipsoid, IO-I2X5-//X, K.; 9x5/4 W.G.S.
Var. mi' nor Cke. Smaller than the type.
Minnesota, common in woods, Johnson; California, H. and M.; Wis-
consin, Bundy; New Jersey, Ellis; Vermont, Burt{ Lloyd) ; New York,
Peck, 4ist Rep..; Mt. Gretna, Pa., November, 1898. In woods. Mc-
llvaine.
But one specimen found and that was sent to Professor Peck. Taste
bitter.
Regarded as poisonous by European writers. It is not reported as
tested in America.
Oclirosporse
FLAM'MULA Fr.
Flamma, a flame.
(In reference to the bright colors of many of the species.)
Pileus fleshy, margin at first turned inward. Veil fibrillose or none. Flammula.
Stem fleshy-fibrous, not mealy at the top. Gills decurrent or attached
without a tooth. Spores mostly pure rust color; some brownish-rust,
others tawny-ochraceous.
A few species grow on the ground, the majority on wood.
ANALYSIS OF TRIBES.
GYMNOTI (naked). Page 288.
Pileus dry, generally scaly. Spores not yellowish.
LUBRICI (lubricus, slimy). Page 289.
Pileus covered with a continuous, viscid, smooth, partly separable
cuticle. Veil fibrillose. Spores not yellowish. Gregarious, on the
ground, rarely on wood. Distinguished from Hebeloma by the gills not
being sinuate and the top of the stem not mealy.
UDI (udus, moist). Page 290.
Veil slight, generally hanging in fragments. Cuticle of the pileus
continuous, not separable, smooth, in places superficially downy, moist
or slightly viscid in rainy weather. Spores not yellowish. Cespitose,
growing on wood.
SAPINEI (sapinus, pine). Page 291.
Veil silky, very slight, adpressed to the stem or forming a silky ring
on it. Cuticle of pileus thin, the flesh splitting at the surface into
scales, not viscid. Distinguished by the gills and spores being light
yellow or tawny. Somewhat cespitose ; always on pine or on the ground
among pine branches.
SERICELLI (sericeus, silky).
Cuticle of the pileus slightly silky, dry or at the first viscid
None known to be edible.
287
Agaricacese
Fiammuia. The genus Flammula is not represented in our territory by a large
number of species. It is, nevertheless, not very sharply distinct from
the allied genera, Pholiota, Hebeloma and Naucoria. From Pholiota
it is especially separated by the slight development of the veil which is
merely fibrillose or entirely wanting. It never forms a persistent mem-
branous collar on the stem. From Hebeloma it may be distinguished
by the absence of a sinus at or near the inner extremity of the gills, by
the absence of white particles or mealiness from the upper part of the
stem and by the brighter or more distinctly rusty or ochraceous color of
the spores. From Naucoria the fleshy or fibrously fleshy stem affords
the most available distinguishing character. The genus belongs to the
Ochrosporae or ochraceous-spored series, but the spores of its species
vary in color from ochraceous or tawny-ochraceous to rust-color or
brownish-rust color. The three things to be especially kept in mind in
order to recognize the species are the color of the spores, the adnate
or decurrent but not clearly sinuate gills and the fleshy or fibrously
fleshy stem without a membranous ring.
Our species are mostly of medium size, none being very small and
one only meriting the appellation large. They appear chiefly in late
summer or in autumn and grow in woods or in wooded regions either
on the ground or more often on decaying wood. Many are gregarious
or cespitose in their mode of growth. Some have a bitterish or unpleas-
ant flavor and none of our species has yet been classed as edible. Fries
arranged the species in five groups, of which the names and more
prominent characters are here given. Pec&,$oth Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
The few species which the writer has found to be edible, and the two
new species found by him, were tested after the publication of the above.
Several of the species found are not mentioned herein for the reason that
a sufficient quantity was not obtained to make certain their quality as a
food. The bitterness, as far as observed, with which most of the species
are tainted disappears in cooking.
GYMNO'TI. Veil absent, pileus dry, etc.
F. alie'na Pk. Pileus thin, flexible, broadly convex, umbilicate,
dry, bare, slightly striate on the margin when old, grayish or pale
grayish-brown. Flesh white, fibrous. Gills thin, subdistant, bow-
shaped, decurrent, ochraceous-brown. Stem firm, fibrous-striate, solid,
288
Ochrosporse
slightly tapering upward, colored like the pileus, covered at the base Fiammuia.
with a dense white tomentum. Spores rusty-brown, globose, 5/x broad.
Pileus 3-5 cm. broad. Stem 5 cm. long, 4-6 mm. thick.
Gregarious on partly burned anthracite coal, Mt. Gretna, Pa. Sep-
tember. C. Mcllvaine.
The species is peculiar in its color and habitat. In the dried speci-
men the gills have assumed a brown color with no ochraceous tint.
Mr. Mcllvaine remarks that it is an edible species, dries well, and is
excellent when cooked. Its relationship is with F. anomala Pk., but it
is a larger plant with darker color and a different habitat. Peck, Bull.
Torr. Bot. Club, Vol. 26, F. 1899.
It grows on partly burned anthracite coal, not buried, as printed in
the Torrey Bulletin. The mycelium completely involves the pieces of
coal, holding them tightly in its meshes. Patches of it were strictly
limited to the size of the ash-pile containing the partly burned coal.
Quite fifty were found.
As stated, it is edible, and it is of remarkably fine substance for a
Fiammuia.
LU'BRICI. Pileus viscid, etc.
F. edlllis Pk. — eatable. Pileus fleshy, convex, obtuse, glabrous,
moist, brown, grayish-brown or yellowish-brown, sometimes rimose.
Flesh whitish. Lamellae rather broad, close, decurrent, bright tan
color, becoming brownish-rusty. Stems cespitose, equal, stuffed or hol-
low, brown. Spores subelliptical, 13x5-6/4.
Pileus 2-3 in. broad. Stem 2-3 in. long, 3-6 lines thick.
Grassy ground, along pavements, in gutters and by the side of wooden
frames of hotbeds. Haddonfield, N. J. October. C. Mcllvaine.
The collector of this species informs me that the flavor of the fresh
plant is slightly bitter, but that this disappears in cooking and the fungus
furnishes a very good and tender article of food. Successive crops con-
tinued to appear for a month. In the dried specimens the stem is
striate. Peck, Bull. Torr. Bot. Club, Vol. 24, No. 3.
This new species appears annually in the same place. I have not
found it elsewhere. It is meaty and excellent.
19 289
Agaricacese
UDI. Pileus smooth, not viscid; veil fragmentary, etc.
(Plate LXXVI0.)
FLAMMULA ALNICOLA.
Two-thirds natural size.
Fiammuia. F. alni cola Fr. — aluus, alder; colot to inhabit. Pileus 2-3 in.
broad, yellow, at length becom-
ing rust-color and sometimes
green, fleshy, convex then flat-
tened, obtuse, slimy when moist,
but not truly viscous, at the first
superficially fibrillose toward the
margin. Flesh not very com-
pact, of the same color as the
pileus. Stem 2-3 in. and more
long, % in. thick, stuffed then
hollow, attenuato-rooted, com-
monly curved-flexuous, fibrillose,
at first yellow, then becoming
rust-color. Veil manifest, some-
times fibrillose, sometimes woven
into a spider-web veil. Gills
somewhat adnate, broad, plane,
at first dingy-pallid or yellowish-
pallid, at length together with the plentiful spores rust-colored.
The gills vary decurrent and rounded according to situation. Odor
and taste bitter. There are two forms: a. Pileus irregular, fibrillose
round the margin; gills at first dingy -pallid, b. Salicicola, pileus some-
what convex, smooth, rarely at the first downy-scaly; gills at first
yellowish-pallid. Fries.
Spores subelliptical, 8x5/i K.; 8-10x5-6;* Peck.
New York, swampy woods about base of alders, October, Peck,
Rep. 35; at base of alders, with adnate gills, and on birch stumps,
with the gills rounded behind, Rep. 39. Mt. Gretna, Pa., New Jersey,
mixed woods, August to November, 1898, Mcllvaine.
Gregarious and in loose tufts, not plentiful. It is a pretty plant,
usually of a bright yellow, sometimes darker at the center of cap.
Traces of an evanescent fibrillose ring are occasionally found or the fibrils
adorn the margin of the cap. The gills next to the stem are either
rounded, attached or slightly decurrent.
Raw the taste is slightly bitter. This disappears in long cooking.
290
Oclirosporae
F. fla'vida Schaeff. (Pers. ) — flamdus, light yellow. Pileus fleshy,
thin, broadly convex or nearly plane, glabrous, moist, pale yellow.
Flesh whitish or pale yellow, taste bitter. Lamellae moderately close,
adnate, pale or yellowish becoming rust-color. Stem equal, often more
or less curved, hollow, fibrillose, whitish or pale yellow, with a white
mycelium at the base. Spores 8x5/x..
Pileus 1-2 in. broad. Stem 1-3 in. long, 1-3 lines thick.
Decaying wood of various trees. Commonly in wooded or moun-
tainous districts. Summer and autumn.
Our specimens were found on wood of both coniferous and deciduous
trees. The plants are sometimes cespitose. The pileus becomes more
highly colored in drying. The spores are pale rust-colored approach-
ing ochraceous. In Sylloge the spores of this species are described as
pale yellowish. Peck, 5oth Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Spores broadly elliptical, 6-8x5ft Massee.
New York, decaying wood, Peck, Rep. 32, 50; Mrs. E. C. Anthony,
August. West Virginia, 1881-1885; Mt. Gretna, Pa. August to Oc-
tober. Mcllvaine.
F. flavida is a frequent species, gregarious and tufted on decaying
vood, either standing, fallen, or as roots in the ground. The texture
and substance are good. The slight bitter when raw disappears in
cooking. The caps, only, are tender.
SAPIN'EI. Gills and spores yellowish, etc.
F. hy'brida Fr. — hybrida, a hybrid. Pileus about 2 in. broad, at
first tawny-cinnamon, then tawny-orange, fleshy, hemispherical with the
margin involute, then expanded, obtuse, regular and well formed, even,
smooth, moist. Flesh moderately compact, pallid. Stem 2-3 in. long,
4-5 lines thick, at first stuffed with a soft pith, then hollow, attemiated
(almost conico-attenuated) upward, whitish with adpressed silky-hairy
down (becoming tawny when the down is rubbed off) slightly striate,
with white hairs at the base, and somewhat mealy at the apex. Veil
manifest in the form of an annular zone at the apex of the stem, white
or at length colored with the spores. Gills adnate, somewhat crowded,
light yellow then tawny, not spotted. Fries.
Spores elliptical, tawny-ochraceous, 7— 8x4-5 /u, Massee; 6x4/1, W. P.
291
Agaricaceee
Fiammnla. Mt. Gretna, Pa., August, September, 1898. On ground under pine
trees. Gregarious. W. H . Rarer. Not elsewhere reported.
This is a handsome plant, quite prolific in the large pine groves at
Mt. Gretna, Pa. The caps are of good flavor.
F. mag'na Pk. — magmis, large. Pileus fleshy, broadly convex,
soft, dry, fibrillose and somewhat streaked, pale yellow or buff, the mar-
gin commonly becoming revolute with age. Flesh whitish or yellowish.
Gills close, adnate or slightly decurrent, often crisped or wavy toward
the stem, about three lines wide, ochraceous. Stem equal or thickened
toward the base, fleshy-fibrous, solid, elastic, fibrillose, colored like the
pileus, brighter yellow within. Spores subelliptical, ochraceous, iox6/x.
Cespitose. Pileus 4-6 in. broad. Stem 3-4 in. long, 8-12 lines
thick.
About the base of trees. Westchester county. October.
This is a large and showy species. The stems are sometimes united
at the base into a solid mass. The young gills are probably yellow,
but I have seen only mature specimens. Peck, 5Oth Rep. N. Y. State
Bot.
New Jersey, Trenton, ground in clearing, in pairs and singly. No-
vember, E. B. Sterling; Mt. Gretna, Pa. Mixed thin woods. October
to November. Near trees. Cespitose, Mcllvaine.
Individuals of all ages were found and eaten. The young gills are
very light yellow, darkening to a deep, rich yellow.
The caps are of good substance and flavor. When very young the
stems are edible.
292
Ochrosporse
TUBA'KIA W.G.S.
Ttiba, a trumpet.
(Plate LXXVII.)
Stem somewhat cartilaginous,
fistulose. PileilS somewhat mem-
branaceous, often clothed with the
universal floccose veil. Gills some-
what decurrent. Spores rust-color
or (in Phaeoti) brownish-rust color.
The species referred to this sub-
genus were taken from Naucoria
and Galera because they corre-
spond with Omphalia and Eccilia.
The pileus is, however, distinctly
umbilicate or depressed in only a
few of them ; the others are placed
here on account of their somewhat
decurrent gills, which are broadest behind and triangular.
Small and unimportant.
Tnbaria.
TUBARIA FURFURACEA.
Natural size.
Fries.
293
Agaricaceee
NAUCO'RIA Fr.
Naztcum, a nut-shell.
(Plate LXXVIII.)
Nancona. Pileus more or less fleshy, conical or convex, then expanded, margin
at first incurved. Gills free or ad-
nate, not decurrent. Veil fugaci-
ous or absent, sometimes attached
in minute flakes to the edge of the
young pileus. Stem cartilaginous,
hollow or with a spongy stuffing.
Growing on wood or on the ground,
sometimes rooted. Spores various
shades of brown, dull or bright.
Naucoria corresponds with Colly-
bia, Leptonia and Psilocybe; from
the latter it is distinguished by the
spore colors and from Galera in the
brown-spored series by the margin
of the pileus being at- first incurved.
"The spores are rust-color, or
brownish rust-color. The color of
the pileus is some shade of yellow.
The stem is not distinctly ringed,
but sometimes a slight spore-stained
band marks the place of the obsolete
ring." Peck, 23d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
The members of this genus are with two or three exceptions very
common, and common over the land. The greater number grow on
the ground among grass; a few grow upon decaying wood. The stems
are not of the same texture as the cap and frequently will not cook
tender. The caps, however, are, of all species tested, tender and of
good flavor. Species of the genus are among the first to appear in spring,
and well reward the enterprising mycophagist for his early tramps.
ANALYSIS OF TRIBES.
GYMNOTI (Gr. — naked). Page 295.
Pileus smooth. Veil absent. Spores rust-color, not becoming dusky-
rust-color.
294
'iV.^.Vr' 'f
NAUCORIA SEMI-ORBICULARIS.
Natural size.
Ochrosporse
PH/EOTI (Gr. — dusky). Page 296.
Pileus smooth. Gills and spores dusky rust-color. Veil rarely mani- Naucoria.
fest.
LEPIDOTI (lepis, a scale).
Pileus flocculose or squamulose. Veil manifest.
None known to be edible.
I. — GYMNO'TI.
N. hama'dryas Fr. — Gr., a nymph attached to her tree. Pileus
1^-2 in. broad, bay-brown-ferruginous when young and moist, pale
yellowish when old and becoming pale, slightly fleshy, convex then ex-
panded, gibbous, even, smooth. Stem 2-3 in. long, 3 lines thick,
soiueivhat fragile, hollow, equal, naked, smooth, pallid. Gills attenu-
ato-adnexed, somewhat free, slightly ventricose, almost 2 lines broad,
crowded, rust-color, opaque. Veil none. Widely removed from neigh-
boring species. Pileus somewhat separate as in Plutei. Fries.
Spores elliptical, rust-color, 13-14x7^ Massee.
Haddonfield, N. J. Frequent. Solitary. On ground along pave-
ments, under trees, in woods. Spring to autumn. Mcllvaine.
Massee gives it as hygrophanous. I have not found it so. It is
moist after rain and dew.
The caps and upper part of the stem are tender, easily cooked and of
good flavor.
N. cero'des Fr. Gr. — wax. Pileus K-i in. broad, watery cinna-
mon when moist, tan-color when dry, somewhat membranaceous, con-
vex bell-shape and flattened, at length depressed, obtuse, when moist
smooth, pellucid-striate at the circumference, when dry even, slightly
silky-atomate . Stem 2-3 in. long, 1-2 lines thick, slightly firm, tubed,
equal, somewhat flexuous, fibrilloso-striate under a lens, becoming dingy
bqy-brown sometimes for the most part, sometimes only at the base,
pallid upward, mealy at the apex. Gills adnate, separating, very broad
behind, hence almost triangular, somewhat distant, broad, plane, soft,
distinct, pallid then cinnamon very finely fimbriated at the edge under
a lens. Fries.
The typical form, growing among damp mosses, is quite early, gre-
garious, with the colors almost those of Galera hypnorum, but other-
295
Agaricaceee
(Plate LXXVIIIa.)
Naucoria. wise very different, b. Another form occurs on naked, commonly burnt
soil, in late autumn, with almost the habit of N. pediades, but with a
different color of gills and spores; this form is firmer. Stem I in. long,
tense and straight, and color more ochraceous. Stevenson.
Spores 9t* B. and Br.; smooth, 6x3^ Massee.
West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, in grass and moss, along
damp wood margins. August to October. Mcllvaine.
N. cerodes is not plentiful where I have found it. Enough has been
collected at a time to prove it esculent. It is tender, but has not much
flavor.
N. Stri'apes Cke. — stria, a line;
pes, a foot. Pileus i-i/£ in. broad,
ochraceous, bell-shaped, obtuse, then
expanded, smooth, even. Stem 2-3
in. long, 2 lines thick, hollow, equal,
erect or flexuous, white, longitudin-
ally striate. Gills slightly adnate be-
hind, rather distant, tawny rust-color.
Cespitose or gregarious. Among
grass on lawn. Stevenson.
Spores narrowly elliptical, 10-12
X4j«. Massee.
New Jersey, Trenton. Growing
among leaves near dump. May to
November. E. B. Sterling.
The few specimens tested were deli-
cate and of slight flavor.
NAUCORIA STRIAPES.
II. — PH^E'OTI.
N. pedi'ades Fr. — Gr.} a plain. Pileus 1-2 in. broad, yellow or
pale yellowish-ochraceous then becoming pale, slightly fleshy, convex
then plane, obtuse, even, dry, smooth, at length crookedly cracked, but
always without strise. Flesh white. Stem 2-3 in. long, 1-2 lines
thick, stuffed with a pith, somewhat flexttous, tough, equal, but with a
small bulb at the base, slightly silky becoming even, yellowish. Gills
adnexed, 2 lines broad, at first crowded, at length somewhat distant,
somewhat dingy-brown, then dingy cinnamon.
296
Ochrosporse
Spores brovvnish-rust-color. The small bulb at the base is formed by Naucoria.
the mycelium being rolled together. Stature variable. Fries.
Spores dingy rust-color, elliptical, 10-12x4-5^ Massee.
West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, in grassy places, pastures
and along pavements. Common. May to November. Mcllvaine.
In 1897 Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, abounded with N. pediades,
which were collected and eaten by many. The caps are tender and of
a mushroom flavor.
N. semi-orbicilla'ris Bull. — semi, half; orbicularis, round. (Plate
LXXVIII, p. 294.) PileilS 1-2 in. broad, tawny rust-color then ochra-
ceous, slightly fleshy, convexo-expanded, obtuse, dry, even, smooth,
corrugated when dry. Stem 3-4 in. long, scarcely beyond I line thick,
cartilaginous, tough, slender, tense and straight, equal, even, smooth,
becoming pallid rust-color, shining, often darker at the base, internally
containing a separate narrow tube which is easily broken up into fibrils.
Gills adnate, rarely sinuate behind, almost 3 lines broad, and many
times broader than the flesh of the pileus, crowded, pallid then rust-
color.
The pileus is slightly viscid when fresh and moist. Easily distin-
guished from S. semi-globatus, with which it has been confounded, by
the stem. Stevenson.
Spores 14x8/4 W.G.S.; 10x5-6/1. Massee.
Allied to N. pediades, distinguished by its viscid cap when moist,
and dark stem.
Common over the states. Washington, D. C., Mrs. Mary Fuller.
West Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, New Jersey. Solitary,
sometimes cespitose, very common on lawns, rich pastures, etc. April
until frost. Mcllvaine.
This is one of our first appearing toadstools, coming up when the
grass shows its full spring hue. It is found after rains until the coming
of frost. Its hemispherical caps, precise, neat, dark gills and brown
spores readily distinguish it. While usually small, patience and pick--
ing will soon gather quarts. The caps cook easily and are of excellent
flavor.
N. platysper'ma Pk. — platys, broad; spenna, seed. Pileus convex,
becoming nearly plane, glabrous, slightly tinged with ochraceous or red-
dish-yellow when young, soon whitish, the margin at first adorned with
297
Agaricacese
Naucoria. vestiges of a white flocculent veil. Flesh white. Lamellae moderately
close, slightly rounded behind, pallid, becoming brownish. Stem
equal, stuffed with a white pith, slightly flocculent or furfuraceous above
when young, whitish, the mycelium sometimes forming white thread-
like strands. Spores broadly elliptical, 15/u, long, 1 2. 5 /u. broad.
Pileus i-i-S in. broad. Stem 3-5-5 in. long, 1.5-2 in. thick.
On the ground. Compton, Cal. Prof. A. 7. McClatchie.
'This species differs from N. pediades and N. semi-orbicularis, to which
it is related, by its larger, broader spores and paler color. Peck, Bull.
Torr. Bot. Club, Vol. 25, No. 6.
This new species reported from California is so closely allied to N.
semi-orbicularis and N. pediades, both of which are edible, that it is
here given, that it may be recognized by students on the Pacific coast
or wherever it occurs.
298
Ochrosporse
GALE'KA Fr.
Galerus, a cap.
PileilS more or less membranaceous, conical or oval, then expanded, Gaiera.
striate, margin at the first straight, then adpressed to the stem. Gills
not decurrent. Stem somewhat cartilaginous, continuous with the
pileus, but differing in texture, tubular. Veil none or fibrillose. Spores
tawny-ochraceous.
Slender, fragile, generally growing on the ground.
Gaiera corresponds with Mycena, Nolanea, Psathyra and Psathyrella,
which are distinguished by their spore colors. In the brown-spored
series Naucoria is separated by the margin of the pileus being at first
incurved, and Tubaria by the decurrent gills.
The genus is composed of small species, but many grow in clusters,
and are of a consistency which decreases but little in quick cooking.
Those tested are delicate in texture and flavor.
G. lateri'tia Fr. — later, a brick. Pileus i in. high, pale yellowish
when moist, ochraceous when dry, hygrophanous, membranaceous,
acorn-sJtaped then bell-shaped, obtuse, even, smooth, slightly and densely
striate at the margin when moist. Stem 3 in. and more long, i line
thick, tubular, attenuated upward, tense and straight, even, but white-
pruincse, whitish. Gills adnexed in the top of the cone, hence appear-
ing as if free, ascending, very narrow, crowded, cinnamon.
Gills almost adpressed to the stem, almost pendulous. Remarkably
analogous with A. ovalis, but easily distinguished by the linear gills
and the absence of a veil ; very fragile. Fries.
Spores 1 1x5/1 W.P.; i I-I2X5-6/A Masses.
West Virginia, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania. On dung
and rich pastures. June to frost. Mcllvaine.
The narrow conical cap, distinctly striate, distinguishes this species
from G. tenera. In quality there is no difference. It is a well-flavored,
delicate species.
299
Agaricaceae
(Plate LXXIX.)
GALERA TENERA.
Two-thirds natural size.
Gaiera. G. te'nera Schaeff. — tener, tender. Pileus % in. and more high,
of one color, pallid rust-color when
damp, becoming pale when dry, hy-
grophanous, somewhat membranace-
ous, conico-bell-shaped, commonly
smooth, slightly striate when moist,
wholly even when dry, opaque, some-
what atomate. Stem commonly 3-4
in. long, i line thick, tubular, fragile,
equal or when larger thickened down-
ward, tense and straight, somewhat
shining, striate upward, of the same
color as the pileus when moist, and
like it becoming pale when dry. Gills
adnate in the top of the cone, appear-
ing as if free, ascending, somewhat
crowded, linear, cinnamon.
Pastures and grassy places in
woods. Common. May to November. Stevenson.
Spores ellipsoid, 14-21x8-12/1 K.; 14-8/1 W.G.S.; 14x7/1 W.P.;
12-13x7/1 Massee; elliptical, dark rust-color, almost rubiginous, 13-
16.5x8-10/1 Peck.
Var. pilosella (Agaricus pilosellus Pers.), has both pileus and stem
clothed with a minute erect pubescence when moist. A form is some-
times found in which the center of the pileus is brown or blackish-brown.
Peck, 46th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Var. obscu'rior Pk. A notable form of this species was found grow-
ing in an old stable of an abandoned lumber camp. The plants were
large, the pileus in some being more than an inch broad, the stems
were 3-6 in. long and the color was rust-colored as in G. ovalis, to
which the plants might be referred but for the large spores. Essex
county. July. I have labeled the specimens variety obscurior. Peck,
5oth Rep.
Haddonfield, N. J. ; Chester county; West Philadelphia, Pa. ; West
Virginia. In rich pastures, on lawns, dung in woods. Common. June
to October. Mcllvaine.
Very variable in size and in color when wet and dry. The color of
gills and spores readily distinguishes it in its habitats. From spring to
300
Ochrosporee
frost it can usually be gathered in quantity. It is small, tender, shrivels Gaiera.
in cooking, but makes a savory, excellent dish.
Var. obscurior found cespitose on very old manure at a ruined stable,
Mt, Gretna, Pa., August. Mcllvaine.
G. fla'va Pk. — flavus, yellow. Pileus membranous, ovate or bell
shaped, moist or subhygrophanous, obtuse, plicate striate on the mar-
gin, yellow. LamelleB thin, narrow, crowded, adnate, at first whitish,
then yellowish-cinnamon. Stem equal or slightly tapering upward, hol-
low, slightly striate at the top, sprinkled with white mealy particles,
white or yellowish. Spores ovate or subelliptical, brownish-rust-color,
13x8^.
Pileus 6-12 lines broad. Stem 2-3 in. long, 1-1.5 lmes thick.
Damp vegetable mold in woods. Tompkins county. July.
This species is well marked by the pale-yellow color of the pileus and
its plicate striations which are very distinct even in the dried specimens.
They extend half way to the disk or more. When dry the pileus is seen
to be sprinkled with shining atoms as in some other species of the same
genus. Occasionally the yellow cuticle cracks into squamules or small
scales. Peck, 46th Rep.
Trenton, N.J., Sterling; Haddonfield, N. J. ; Pennsylvania. Among
chips in woods and on woods ground. Mcllvaine.
This species is frequent, and when plentiful well worth gathering. It
has a more woody flavor than other Gaiera, but is tasty.
G. vittsefor'mis Fr. — vitta, a chaplet; forma, form. Pileus ^-i in.
broad, date-brown when moist, membranaceous, conical then hemis-
pherical, obtuse, even at tJie disk, striate toward the margin, smooth.
Stem 1^-3 in. long, >£— i line thick, tubular, equal, somewhat straight,
but not tense and straight, smooth or sometimes pubescent, slightly
striate under a lens, opaque, rust-color. Veil scarcely conspicuous.
Gills adnate, broader at the middle, in the form of a segment when
larger, somewhat ascending, somewhat distant, at first watery-cinnamon,
at length rust-color. Fries.
Spores elliptical, i2x6/A Massee.
Haddonfield, N. J. ; Mt. Gretna, Pa. On pastures, lawns, etc. June
to September. Mcllvaine.
Not previously reported.
301
Agaricacese
Gaiera. Though small it makes up in quantity when found. The stems are
not as tender as the caps. Quality good.
BOLBI'TIUS Fr.
Gr. — cow's dung.
Boibitius. Pileus membranaceous. Gills adnexed or free, membranaceous, soft,
salmon-color or rusty, dissolving (not dripping as in Coprinus), pow-
dered with the rusty spores. Stem central; universal veil absent,
partial veil often obsolete.
Very delicate and fragile, remarkable among the Ochrosporae for the
gills dissolving into mucus, and in this respect analogous with Coprinus
among the Melanosporae, and Hiatula amongst the Leucosporae. Grow-
ing on dung or amongst grass where dung abounds.
A small but very natural genus, with the vegetative portion like
Coprinus and the fructification resembling Cortinarius, hence occupying
an intermediate position between these two genera. Fries.
B. Bol'toni Fr. — after Bolton. Pileus rather fleshy, viscid, at first
even, then with the membranaceous margin sulcate, disk darker, subde-
pressed. Stem attenuated, yellowish, at first floccose from the remains
of the fugacious veil. Gills subadnate, yellow then livid-brown. Fries.
Haddonfield, N. J., cespitose among manure on sawdust.
Of small substance but good consistency and flavor.
302
Ochrosporae
B. fra'gilis Fr. Pileus 2 in.
(Plate LXXX.)
broad, light-yellow, then becoming Boibitius.
pale, somewhat membranaceous,
almost pellucid, conical then ex-
panded, somewhat umbonate,
smooth, viscous, striate round the
margin (which is often crenulated).
Stem 3 in. long, I line or little
more thick, fistulose, attenuated up-
ward, naked, smooth (and without
a manifest veil), yellow. Gills at-
tenuato-adnexed, almost free, ven-
tricose, yellow then pale cinnamon.
Spores rust-colored. Fries.
BOLBITIUS FRAGILIS.
Two-thirds natural size.
Thinner than B. Boltoni, etc., very
fragile, rapidly withering.
On dung. Common. June to Oc-
tober. Stevenson.
Spores subspheroid-ellipsoid, ellip-
tical, /X3-5/A Massee.
West Virginia; Pennsylvania. June
to frost. On rich grass and dung.
Pileus usually not over 1.5 in.
across. Often in plenty. Its substance
does not cook away as with C. mica-
ceus. It amply repays gathering,
being highly flavored.
B. no'bilis Pk. — noble. Pileus
thin, fleshy on the disk, ovate then
bell-shaped, smooth, plicate-striate,
pale-yellow, the disk tinged with red,
the margin at length recurved and
splitting. Gills subdistant, tapering
outwardly, attached, the alternate ones
303
(Plate LXXXa.)
BOLBITIUS NOBILIS.
About two-thirds natural size.
Agaricacese
Boibitius. more narrow, pale-yellow with a darker edge. Stem long, equal, smooth,
striate at the top, hollow, white.
Plant cespitose, 3-5 in. high. Pileus I in. broad. Stem I line thick.
Ground in woods. Greig. September.
A fine large species, but probably rare. Peck, 24th Rep. N. Y.
State Dot.
I have not seen this species. Figure after Professor Peck.
CREPIDO'TUS Fr.
Gr. — a slipper.
Crepidotus. Veil wanting or not manifest. Pileus eccentric, lateral or resupinate.
(Plate LXXXI.)
Spores rust-color.
The Crepidoti correspond in shape
and habit to the smaller Pleuroti and
the Claudopodes, but they are dis-
tinguished from both by the rust-color
of their spores. These are globose
in several species, in others they are
elliptical. In some there is a depres-
sion on one side which gives them a
naviculoid character and causes the
spore to appear slightly curved when
viewed in a certain position. In con-
sequence of the similarity of several
of our species, the character of the spores is of much importance in
their identification, and it is unfortunate that European mycologists
have so generally neglected to give the spore characters in their
descriptions of these fungi. In most of the species the pileus is at first
resupinate, but it generally becomes reflexed as it enlarges. It is gen-
erally sessile or attached by a mass of white fibrils or tomentum. For
this reason it is usually somewhat tomentose or villose about the point
of attachment, even in species that are otherwise glabrous. In several
species the pileus is moist or hygrophanous and then the thin margin is
commonly striatulate. This character is attributed to but one of the
304
CREPIDOTUS MOLLIS.
Natural size.
Ochrosporae
dozen or more European species. Their mode of growth is usually Crepidotus.
gregarious or somewhat loosely imbricated, in consequence of which
the pileus, which in most species is white or yellowish, is often stained
by the spores, and then it has a rusty, stained or squalid appearance.
The species occur especially on old stumps, prostrate trunks and soft
much decayed wood in damp, shaded places. Peck, 39th Rep. N. Y.
State Bot.
C. ful'vo-tomento'sus Pk. — tawny-tomentose. Pileus %-2 in.
broad, scattered or gregarious, suborbicular, kidney-shaped or dimidi-
ate, sessile or attached by a short, white-villose tubercle or rudimentary
stem, hygrophanous, watery-brown and sometimes striatulate on the
margin when moist, whitish, yellowish or pale ochraceous when dry,
adorned with small, tawny, hairy or tomentose scales. Lamellae broad,
subventricose, moderately close, rounded behind, radiating from a lateral
or eccentric white villose spot, whitish becoming brownish-ferruginous.
Spores elliptical often uninucleate, 8-10x5-6/4.
Decaying wood of poplar, maple, etc. Common. June to October.
A pretty species, corresponding in some respects to the European C.
calolepis, but much larger and with tawny, instead of reddish scales.
The cuticle is separable and is tenacious, though it has a hyaline gelatin-
ous appearance. The pileus is subpersistent, and specimens dried in
their place of growth are not rare. Peck, 39th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Haddonfield, N. J. ; Angora, West Philadelphia. On decaying
hickory. Mcllvaine.
Substance fair. Taste strong but pleasant.
20 305
Agaricaceee
CORTINA'RIUS Fr.
Cortina, a veil or curtain.
Cortinarius. Veil resembling the consistency of a cob-web, superficial, distinct
from the cuticle of the pileus. Flesh of pileus and stem continuous.
Gills persistent, dry, changing color, powdered with the spores. Trama
fibrillose. Spores globose or oblong, somewhat ochraceous on white
paper. Fries.
This genus is not easily confounded with any other, the cob-webby
veil stretched from stem to pileus in the young plant not being found in
other fungi. This must be looked for only in youth, as from its tender
character it soon breaks and often appears only as a very indistinct
collar on the stem, colored from catching the falling spores. The colors
are generally pronounced and often extremely bright, there being very
few prettier toadstools than those inclined to the blue or purple shades,
which are not uncommon in the immature form. The color of the
spores is also a marked feature, being rusty or brownish-ochraceous,
turning the gills to the same color at maturity. On account of this
change it is generally necessary to have specimens at both stages of
growth to accurately determine the species. The gills are thin, attached
to the stem in various manners, rarely slightly decurrent.
Cortinarius is distinguished from Flammula by growing on the ground
and by the bright ferruginous color of its spores.
Cortinarius is a sturdy, hardy genus preferring northern latitudes and
autumnal months, though several of its species grow as far south as Ala-
bama, and one, a new species described by Professor Peck, is found on
the Helderberg mountains in May. The genus contains many species,
most of which produce in great numbers, yet being woods-growing, and
coming as they do when leaves are falling, they are often missed because
of their similarity to their surroundings.
Heretofore, less than a dozen species have been reported as eaten.
This number is now doubled. While several species are bitter and oth-
ers equally unpleasant, not one has been accused of harm. It is highly
probable that other varieties than those herein given will prove equally
acceptable as food. I have tested all I have found in sufficient quantity
to warrant passing judgment upon them.
The genus does not contain as many species of superior excellence as
other fleshy genera of like numbers. The flesh is frequently dry and of
Ochrosporae
a strong woody or musky flavor, which it does not lose in cooking. The Cortinarfus.
stems are seldom cookable. All can be fried in butter, but cut in small
pieces and well stewed, or stewed and served in patties, or made into
croquettes are certain ways of keeping them in palate memory.
ANALYSIS OF TRIBES.
PHLEGMACIUM (Gr. — shiny or clammy moisture). Page 308.
Pileus viscid. Stem firm, dry. Veil partial, cobweb-like.
A. CLIDUCHU (Gr. — holding the keys — the typical subdivision). Page 308.
Partial veil as a ring on the upper part of the stem which is equal or
slightly expanded above. Not distinctly bulbous.
* Gills pallid then clay-colored.
** Gills purplish then clay-colored.
B. SCAURI (Gr. — club-footed). Page 310.
Bulbous. Bulb depressed or top-shaped, with a distinct margin
caused by the pressure of the pileus before expansion. Veil generally
ascending from the margin of the bulb. Gills somewhat sinuate.
* Gills whitish then cinnamon.
* Gills blue then cinnamon.
* Gills brownish-white then cinnamon.
MYXACIUM (Gr. — mucus). Page 3 13.
Universal veil glutinous. Pileus and stem viscid. Stem slightly
bulbous. Gills adnate.
INOLOMA (Gr. — a fibrous fringe). Page 314.
Pileus dry, not hygrophanous or viscid, covered at first with innate
silky scales or fibrils, becoming smooth. Veil simple. Pileus and stem
fleshy, rather bulbous.
* Gills violaceous, then cinnamon.
* Gills pinkish-brown, then cinnamon.
* Gills yellow, then cinnamon.
307
Agaricaceae
DERMOCYBE. Page 320.
Cortinarius. Pileus thin, equally fleshy, at first silky with a fine down, becoming
smooth when adult. Not hygrophanous, but flesh watery when moist
or colored. Stem equal or larger above, externally rigid, elastic or
brittle, internally stuffed or hollow. Veil single, thread-like.
TELAMONIA. Page 323.
Pileus moist, hygrophanous, at first smooth or sprinkled with the
whitish superficial evanescent fibrils of the veil. Flesh thin, or when
thick it becomes abruptly thin toward the margin, scissile. Stem ringed
below or coated from the universal veil, slightly veiled at the apex,
hence with almost a double veil.
HYGROCYBE. Page 325.
Pileus hygrophanous, smooth or covered with superficial white fibrils,
not viscid, moist when fresh, becoming discolored when dry. Flesh
very thin or scissile, rarely more compact at the center. S£em rather
rigid, bare. Veil thin, rarely collapsing and forming an irregular ring
on the stem.
PHLEGMA'CIUM. (Gr. — clammy moisture.)
A. CLIDUCHII.
* Gills pallid, then clay-colored.
C. seba'ceus Fr. — sebum, tallow. PileilS 2^-5 in. broad, unicolor-
ous, pale, of the color of tallow, equally fleshy, convex then rather
plane, commonly very repand, viscid, smooth, but at the first covered
over with a whitish pruinose luster. Flesh white. Stem 3-4 in. long,
/& — I in. thick, solid, stout, compact, never bulbous, often twisted and
compressed, slightly fibrillose, pale white. Cortina delicate, fugacious,
adhering only to the margin of the pileus. Gills emarginate, not
crowded, connected by veins, 4 lines broad, clay-color or pallid-cinna-
mon, paler at the sides. Fries.
The flesh of the pileus is not compact at the disk and abruptly thin
at the circumference, but equally attenuated toward the margin. The
flesh of the stem is white. The gills never turn bluish-gray. Taste
mild. Stevenson.
308
Oclirosporee
pip-shaped, 9X7/A Cooke. Cortinarius.
A very common and prolific species in West Virginia, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, North Carolina. Mcllvaine.
Pushing from the earth in great clusters it raises the mat of leaves
above it into hut-like mounds through which it seldom bursts. Yet side
openings to its huts show its coziness, and reveal the ground thickly
dusted with its spores. Detecting these mounds is part of the wood-
craft of a toad-stool hunter.
Where clusters are not dense, or the fungus is solitary, the stem is
frequently swollen at the base, even bulbous.
Both caps and stems are edible, but the stems are not equal to the
caps. It is a valuable food species, because of its lateness and quantity.
It is not of best quality.
C. tur'malis Fr. — turma, a troop. (Plate LXXXII, fig. 4, p. 306.)
PileilS yellow-tan, most frequently darker at the disk, not changeable,
compact, convex then plane, very obtuse, even, smooth (sometimes
obsoletely piloso-virgate), when young veiled with pruinate but very
fugacious villous down, soon naked, viscid. Flesh white. Stem some-
times 3 in., sometimes 6 in. long, i in. thick, solid, very hard, rigid,
cylindrical, here and there attenuated at the base, shining white when
dry, when young sheatJied with a white woolly veil, naked when full
grown. Cortina entirely fibrillose, superior and persistent in the form
of a ring, at length ferruginous with the spores. Gills variously adnexed,
rounded or emarginate, even decurrent with a tooth, crowded, serrated,
white then clay-color. Fries.
I find it edible and of great value, being plentiful in pine woods,
Maryland. I have collected a bushel in less than an hour in October.
Under pine needles forming mounds. Taylor.
The localities and the habit of C. turmalis are very like that of C.
sebaceus. The leaf mat broods the clusters.
C. turmalis is on a par with C. sebaceus. Personally I prefer the
latter,
** Gills purplish, then clay-colored.
C. va'rillS (Schaeff. ) Fr. — -varius, changeable. PileilS 2 in. and more
broad, \x\%\tf.ferruginous-tawny, compact, hemispherico-flattened, very
309
Agaricaceee
Cortinarms. obtuse, regular, slightly viscid, even, smooth, the thin margin at first
incurved, appendiculate with the cortina. Flesh firm, white. Stem
curt, i%— 2% in. long, i in. and more thick, bulbous, absolutely im-
marginate, compact, shining white, adpressedly flocculose, the superior
veil pendulous. Gills emarginate, thin, somewhat crowded, at first
narrow, violaceous-purplish) then broader and ochraceous-cinnamon,
always quite entire.
Variable in stature, but the habit and colors are always unchangeable.
It varies with the stem taller and somewhat equal, the pileus yellow-
tawny, and the gills dark blue. Fries.
In woods. Uncommon. September to November. Stevenson.
Minnesota; Ohio.
Edible. Cooke, 1891.
B. SCAI/RI.
* Gills whitish then cinnamon,
C. intru'sus Pk. Pileus fleshy, rather thin, convex, then expanded,
glabrous, somewhat viscid when moist, even or radiately wrinkled on
the margin, yellowish or buff, sometimes with a reddish tint. Flesh
white. Lamellae thin, close, rounded behind, at first whitish or creamy-
white, then cinnamon, often uneven on the edge. Stem equal or slightly
tapering either upward or downward, stuffed or hollow, sometimes
beautifully striate at the top only or nearly to the base, minutely floe-
cose when young, soon glabrous, white. Spores broadly elliptical,
brownish-cinnamon, 6— 8x4— 5//,.
Pileus 1-2.5 m- broad. Stem 1-3 in. long, 3-6 lines thick.
Mushroom beds, manured soil in conservatories or in plant pots.
Boston, Mass. R. K. Macadam. Haddonfield, N. J. C. Mcllvaine.
This interesting species is closely allied to Cortinarius multiformis and
belongs to the Section Phlegmacium. It has a slight odor of radishes
and is pronounced edible by Mr. Mcllvaine. Its habitat is peculiar,
but it possibly finds its way into conservatories and mushroom beds
through the introduction of manure or soil, or leaf mold from the woods.
It seems strange, however, that it has not yet been detected growing in
the woods or fields. Hebeloma fastibile is said sometimes to invade
mushroom beds, and our plant resembles it in so many particulars that
it is with some hesitation I separate it. The chief differences are in
the stem and spores. The former, in Hebeloma fastibile, is described
Ochrosporae
as solid and fibrous-squamose and the latter as 10x6 micromillimeters Cortinarius.
in size. The brighter color of the smaller spores and the stuffed or
hollow smooth stem of our plant will separate it from this species.
Peck, Bull, of the Torrey Bot. Club, October, 1896.
Cortinarius intrusus was a happy find. Several pints of it were col-
lected by the author in February — usually a famine month for the
mycophagist. They grew on the ground, in beds among plants, and
with potted plants in a hot-house in Haddonfield, N. J. The crop con-
tinued well into the spring. The species is delicate, savory, and a most
accommodating renegade from its kind. I have never found it else-
where.
** Gills bhie, then cinnamon.
C. Cfierules cens Fr. Pileus 2-3 in. across, equally fleshy, convex
then plane, obtuse, regular, even, almost glabrous, but often fibrilloso-
streaked ; viscid, when dry shining or opaque, dingy yellow, almost
tan-colored, varying to yellowish-brown, etc. Grills slightly rounded
behind, adnexed, thin, closely crowded, 2 lines broad, at first clear
intense blue then becoming purplish, at length dingy cinnamon. Stem
about 2 in. long, % in. thick (bulb more than an inch), firm, equally
attenuated upward, at first fibrillose, bright violet, then becoming pale
and whitish, naked, bulb often disappearing with age; veil fibrillose,
fugacious. Spores elliptical, 9-10x5^.
Amongst moss in woods, etc.
Neither the gills nor the flesh change color when broken, a point
which distinguishes the present from C. purpurascens. When young
every part is generally blue. Smell scarcely any. Fries.
Spores 10-12x5^ Cooke.
Haddonfield; West Virginia; Mt. Gretna, Pa. In woods September
to frost. Mcllvaine.
The American species seldom entirely loses the bluish-purple color
of its cap. The beautiful color fades somewhat or becomes splotched
with yellow. Neither does the bulb ordinarily disappear with age. It
is common. Taste of cap is mild, somewhat woody. They require
long, slow stewing, and are better made into patties and croquettes.
C. purpuras'cens Fr. — gills becoming purple when bruised.
Pileus 4-5 m- across, fleshy, disk compact, obtuse, wavy, variable,
3ii
Agaricaceae
Cortinarius. covered with a dense layer of gluten, but opaque when dry, bay or red-
dish then tawny-olivaceous, spotted; often depressed round the margin,
which is at first incurved then wavy, marked with a raised brown line.
Flesh entirely clear blue. Gills broadly emarginate, 3 lines and more
broad, crowded, bluish-tan, then cinnamon, violet-purple when bruised.
Stem about 3 in. long, % in. and more thick, solid, bulbous, every-
where fibrillose, intensely pallid clear blue, very compact, juicy, becom-
ing purplish-blue when touched, bulb submarginate. Spores elliptical,
IO-I2X5-6/X. Fries.
Var. subpurpuras' cens . Massachusetts. Frost.
Plentiful in West Virginia mountains in mixed woods, 1882. On
South Valley Hill, near Downington, Pa., October, 1887. Haddon-
field, N. J., 1892. In woods. September to frost. Mcllvaine.
Both stems and caps are juicy when young and of agreeable flavor.
It is among the best edible species of Cortinarius.
*** Gills brownish-white, then ferruginous.
C. turbina'tus Fr. — turbo, a top. Pileus unicolorous, dingy-yellow
or green, becoming pale, hygrophanous, opaque when dry, fleshy, con-
vex then flattened, obtuse, at length depressed, orbicular, even, smooth,
viscid. Flesh soft, white. Stem commonly curt, 2 in., but varying
elongated, yellowish, springing from a globoso-depressed distinctly mar-
ginate bulb, otherwise equal, cylindrical, stuffed then hollow. Gills
attenuato-adnate, thin, crowded, broad, quite entire, at first pallid light-
yellowish, at length somewhat ferruginous.
The typical form is regular, distinct from its allies in the hygrophan-
ous pileus, in the gills being isabelline- ferruginous and quite entire, and
in being without any dark-purple or purple color. Easily distinguished
by its turbinate bulb. Fries,
In woods. Uncommon. Stevenson.
Spores rough, i4-i6x7/*; rough, Cooke.
Cap 2-4 in. across. Stem commonly about 2 in. long, sometimes
longer. Mas see.
North Carolina, Schweinitz ; Pennsylvania, Schweinitz ; Massachu-
setts, Frost; Minnesota; Nova Scotia.
Edible. Cooke.
312
Qchrosporee
MYXA'CIUM. (Gr. — mucus.)'
C. COllin'ituS Fr. — collino, to besmear,
glabrous, glutinous when moist, shin-
ing when dry. Gills rather broad,
dingy-white or grayish when young.
Stem cylindrical, solid, viscid or glu-
tinous when moist, transversely crack-
ing when dry, whitish or paler than
the pileus. Spores subelliptical, 13-
Convex, Obtuse, Cortinarius.
(Plate LXXXIII.)
CORTINARIUS COLLINITUS.
About natural size.
The Smeared cortinarius is much
more common than the Violet cor-
tinarius and has a much wider range.
Both the cap and stem are covered
with a viscid substance or gluten
which makes it unpleasant to handle.
The cap varies in color from yellow
to golden or tawny-yellow and when the gluten on it has dried it is
very smooth and shining. The flesh is white or whitish. The young
gills have a peculiar bluish-white or dingy-white color which might be
called grayish or clay color, but when mature they assume the color of
the spores. They are sometimes minutely uneven on the edge.
The stem is straight, solid, cylindrical and usually paler than the cap.
When the gluten on it dries it cracks transversely, giving to the stem a
peculiar scaly appearance.
The cap is 1/2—3 in. broad, and the stem 2—4 in. long, and M — %
in. thick.
The plant grows in thin woods, copses and partly cleared lands and
may be found from August to September.
It is well to peel the caps before cooking, since the gluten causes dirt
and rubbish to adhere tenaciously to them. Peck, 48th Rep. N. Y.
State Bot.
In 4ist Rep. N. Y. State Mus. Nat. Hist., p. 71, Professor Peck de-
scribes a closely allied species, C. muscigenus, n. sp., "separated by its
more highly-colored pileus, striate margin and even, not diffracted-
squamose stem."
Agancaceae
Cortinarius. Prof. L. B. Mendel gives the following analysis: "Young specimens
gathered in New Haven early in November, 1897, gave:
Water 91.13$,
Total solids 8.87
Total nitrogen of dry substance „ 3.63
Edible. Cooke.
In appearance the Smeared cortinarius does not appeal to be eaten.
Neither does an eel. But peeled both are inviting. Raw, the caps of
this fungus have a strong woody smell and taste. This is somewhat
subdued by cooking.
I have found the plant in West Virginia, Pennsylvania and North
Carolina, often among the leaves in mixed woods, but it prefers a goodly
supply of light and the freedom of open places. It is often gregarious,
sometimes tufted.
C. io'des B. and C. PileilS 1/^-2 in., convex, at length plane,
viscid, firm, violet-purple. Flesh white, thick. Veil fugacious, spider-
web. Stem 2—3 in. long, i/4 in. thick, solid, thickened below. Gills
violet, at length cinnamon, ventricose, adnate, sub-emarginate, irregular,
sometimes forked. B. and C.
This is a small but beautiful species, the pileus, lamellae and stem
being of a bright-violet or purplish-violet hue. The spores are sub-
elliptical, generally uninucleate, iox6«. Peck, 32d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
The pileus in this species is sometimes spotted with white. The
bulbous white stem is adorned with lilac-colored fibrils. Peck, 35th
Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Sparingly found among roots at Mt. Gretna, Pa., September, 1897-
1898.
The caps are fairly good.
INOLO'MA. (Gr. — fiber; Gr. — a fringe.)
* Gills violaceous then cinnamon.
C. viola'ceus Fr. (Plate LXXXII, fig. 2, page 306.) One of our
most plentiful and beautiful autumnal fungi. As the American plant
differs somewhat from the European, Professor Peck's description is
given.
Pileus convex, becoming nearly plane, dry, adorned with numerous
314
Och.ro spores
persistent hairy tufts or scales, dark violet. LamellSB rather thick, dis- Cortinarius.
tant, rounded or deeply notched at the inner extremity, colored like the
pileus in the young plant, brownish-cinnamon in the mature plant.
Stem solid, fibrillose, bulbous, colored like the pileus. Spores sub-
elliptical, 12. 5/n long.
The Violet cortinarius is a very beautiful mushroom and one easy of
recognition. At first the whole plant is uniformly colored, but with age
the gills assume a dingy ochraceous or brownish-cinnamon hue. The
cap is generally well formed and regular and is beautifully adorned with
little hairy scales or tufts. These are rarely shown in figures of the
European plant, but they are quite noticeable in the American plant and
should not be overlooked. The flesh is more or less tinged with violet.
The gills when young are colored like the cap. They are rather
broad, notched at the inner extremity and narrowed toward the margin
of the cap. When mature they become dusted with the spores whose
color they take
The stem also is colored like the cap. It is swollen into a bulb at
the base and sometimes a faint ochraceous band may be seen near the
top. This is due to the falling spores which lodge on the webby fila-
ments of the veil remaining attached to the stem.
Cap 2-4 in. broad. Stem 3-5 in. long, about >£ in. thick. Peck,
48th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Minerva, Essex county. A form of this species occurs here, having
the pileus merely downy or punctate-hairy under a lens, no squamules
being distinguishable by the naked eye. July. Peck, 5oth Rep. N. Y.
State Bot.
Spores I2-I4XIO/A Cooke.
The spider web veil is exquisitely displayed in this species. This,
with its strongly bulbous base and violet tinge throughout, easily mark
it. Though usually solitary great numbers of it are found in its settle-
ments. The mixed woods of central New Jersey abound with it in July,
August and September. Throughout Pennsylvania and West Virginia
it is common, and is reported from several other states. In Redman's
woods, near Haddonfield, N. J., a densely clustered form of singular
beauty occurs. A dozen individuals of various forms and sizes with
swollen stems form a compact mass, rich in color, and cutting crisp and
juicy as an apple. They are far better than other Cortinarii I have
eaten. I have not seen it elsewhere.
315
Agaricaceae
(Plate LXXXIV.)
CORTINARIUS ALBO-VIOLACEUS.
One-half natural size.
Cortinarius. C. violaceus is everywhere eaten, and is in my opinion the best of its
genus. The American plant is not inodorous, but has a decided mush-
room smell and taste.
C. albo-viola'ceus Pers. Pileus fleshy, rather thin, convex, then
expanded, sometimes broadly sub-
umbonate, smooth, silky, whitish,
tinged with lilac or pale violet.
Lamellae generally serrulate, whitish-
violet, then cinnamon-color. Stem
equal or a little tapering upward,
solid, silky, white, stained with violet,
especially at the top, slightly bulb-
ous, the bulb gradually tapering into
the stipe.
Height, 3-4 in. ; breadth of pileus,
2-3 in. ; stipe, 3-6 lines thick.
Ground in thin woods, more fre-
quently under poplars. Center. Oc-
tober.
The stem is sometimes subannulate, and being violet above and white
below the obscure ring, it appears as if sheathed with a silky-white cov-
ering. Inodorous. Sometimes the stem gradually tapers from the base
to the top, so that it can scarcely be called bulbous. Peck, 23d Rep.
N. Y. State Bot.
Spores 12x5-6/4 Cooke; 6-9x4-5/4 K.; pruniform, io/* Q.
An allied species C. (Inoloma) lilacinus, Peck, with the stem and
bulbous part much broader than the cap, is not as common, but of far
better flavor.
Common in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, in mixed
woods. September to frost. Mcllvaine.
A mushroom flavor develops in cooking. The consistency of the
flesh is good. It is of medium grade.
C. lilaci'nus Pk. Pileus firm, hemispherical, then convex, minutely
silky, lilac-color. Lamellae close, lilac, then cinnamon. Stem stout,
bulbous, silky-fibrillose, solid, whitish, tinged with lilac. Spores nucle-
ate, iox6/*.
316
Ochrosporae
(Plate LXXXV.)
Plant 4-5 in. high. Pileus 3 in. broad. Stem 4-6 lines thick. Cortinarius.
Low mossy ground in woods. Croghan. September. This is a rare
but beautiful plant, allied to C. alboviolaceus, from which it may be
distinguished by its stouter habit, deeper color and bulbous stem. In
the young plant the bulb is much broader than the undeveloped pileus
that surmounts it. Peck, 26th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Massachusetts, Frost; Minnesota, Nova Scotia.
I have found a few specimens in several places: West Virginia, Red-
man's woods, Haddonfield, N. J., in which place it is more plentiful
than in any locality I have noted. Near lake at Eagle's Mere, Pa.,
August, and at Springton, Pa. Excellent.
C. as'per Pk. — rough. Pileus fleshy, firm, hemispherical, then con-
vex, rough with minute, erect, brown
scales, ochraceous. Grills close,
rounded behind and slightly emar-
ginate, dull violaceous, then pale cin-
namon. Stem equal, bulbous, solid,
fibrillose-scaly, colored like the pileus
but smooth and violaceous at the top,
the bulb white with an abundant
mycelium. Spores broadly elliptical,
with a pellucid nucleus, 8/t long.
Plant 3-4 in. high. Pileus 2-3 in.
broad. Stem 3-5 lines thick. Ground
in cleared places. Greig. September.
A fine species. The flesh of the
stem is violaceous. Peck, 24th Rep.
N. Y. State Bot.
This plant sometimes grows in tufts
or clusters and bears a very close re-
semblance to Armillaria mellea, both
in color and in the character of the
scales of the pileus. Peck, 2/th Rep.
In thin woods and clearings, West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania.
The whole fungus is edible when young, and ranks high in Cortinarii.
When full grown the stem is hard. Cut in thin, transverse slices it
CORTINARIUS ASPER.
About two-thirds natural size.
317
Agaricaceaa
Cortinarius. cooks tender, but does not equal the cap.
it is found in the autumn until frost kills it.
Like most of the Cortinarii
**
Gills pinkish-brown then cinnamon.
(Plate LXXXVI.)
C. squamulo'sus Pk. (Plate LXXXII, fig. i, p. 306.). Pileus
thick, fleshy, convex, densely fibril-
lose -squamulose, cinnamon -brown,
the scales darker. Lamellae not
crowded, deeply emarginate, pale
pinkish-brown, then cinnamon-col-
ored. Stipe thick, solid, shreddy,
subsquamulose, concolorous, swollen
at the base into a very large tapering
or subventricose bulb.
Height 4-6 in., breadth of pileus
2-4 in., stipe 6-9 lines thick at the
top, 1 2- 1 8 lines at the bottom.
Borders of swamps in woods.
Sandlake. August.
Related to C. pholideus and C.
arenatus, but distinct by the deep
emargination of the lamellae. It gives out a strong odor while drying.
The color of the flesh is pinkish-white. Peck, 23d Rep. N. Y.
This species was discovered in 1869, and had not since been observed
by the writer until the past season. It is manifestly a species of rare
occurrence. Peck, 28th Rep.
Massachusetts, Frost; Wisconsin, Minnesota. Ranges from New
England to Kentucky unchanged. Morgan.
Specimens from E. B. Sterling, Trenton, N. J., September, 1897.
Asylum grounds. Several .found at Mt. Gretna, August and Septem-
ber, 1897. Solitary in oak woods, gravelly soil. Mcllvaine. Sent to
Professor Peck and identified. Specimens were much darker than Pro-
fessor Peck's plates.
C. squamulosus is not attractive in appearance. The caps, only, are
edible. Their consistency is very pleasant and flavor fairly good.
CORTINARIUS squAMULOsus.
318
C. autumna'lis Pk. Pileus fleshy,
convex or expanded, dull rusty-yel-
low, variegated or streaked with in-
nate rust-colored fibrils. Gills rather
broad, with a wide shallow emargina-
tion. Stem equal, solid, firm, bulb-
ous, a little paler than the pileus.
Height 3-4 in., breadth of pileus
2-4 in. Stem 6 lines thick.
Pine woods. Bethlehem. Novem-
ber. The plant is sometimes cespi-
tose. The flesh is white. Peck, 23d
Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Mt. Gretna, Pa. , 1 899. Mcllvaine.
Quality fair. Caps meaty.
Ochrosporee
( Plate LXXXVIa.) Cortinarius.
CORTINARIUS AUTUMNALISo
C. ochra'ceus Pk. (Plate LXXXII, fig. 3, p. 306.) Pileus fleshy,
convex, at length* broadly subumbonate or gibbous, smooth, even or
obscurely wrinkled, pale ochraceous. Stem solid, fibrillose, ochraceous
at the top, white below, gradually enlarged into a thick bulbous base.
Height 2-4 in., breadth of pileus 2-3 in. Stem 4-6 lines thick at
the top, 1 2-1 8 lines at the base.
Under balsam trees in open places. Catskill mountains. October.
The stem appears as if sheathed. In some specimens the stem is
short and rapidly tapers from the base to the top. Peck, 23d Rep.
N. Y. State Bot.
Many of the species were found by the writer in mixed woods among
leaves at Mt. Gretna, Pa., September, 1898, Specimens were identified
by Professor Peck.
The gills are bright yellow when young. Cap smooth, innately
fibrillose, not viscid. Spores light brown.
Tasteless ; smell faint. Good consistency. A fair flavor develops in
cooking.
*** Gills yellow,
C. (Inoloma) aimula'tus Pk. Pileus broadly convex, dry, villose-
squamulose, yellow. FlesL yellowish. Lamellae rather broad, subdis-
tant, adnexed, yellow. Stem solid, bulbous, somewhat peronate by the
319
Agaricaceae
Cortinarius.
(Plate LXXXVIO
CORTINARIUS ANNULATUS.
Natural size.
yellow fibrillose annular-«terminated
veil. Spores broadly elliptical or
subglobose, 8/u, long.
Pileus 1-3 in. broad. Stem 1.5-3
in. long, 3-6 lines thick.
Thin woods. Whitehall. August.
The whole plant is yellow inclin-
ing to ochraceous. It has the odor
of radishes. The squamules of the
pileus are pointed and erect on the
disk, and often darker-colored there.
The species is allied to C. tophaceus
and C. callisteus, from which it is
separated by its persistently annulate
stem and more yellow color. Peck,
43d Rep.
Specimens received from E. B.
Sterling, Trenton, N. J., September
5, 189/0 Identified by Professor
Peck. Mixed woods Kingsessing,
near Bartram's Garden, Philadelphia, September, 1897.
Solitary among grass and leaves. The permanent marking of the
veil is conspicuous. Eight specimens were found and eaten. The caps
cook tender, and have a decided but not unpleasant flavor.
DERMO'.CYBE. (Gr. — skin; Gr. — ahead.)
C. cinnabari'nus Fr. — cinnabaris, dragon's blood. Pileus 2-3 in.
broad, scaf let-red, truly fleshy, campanulate, then flattened, obtuse or
very obtusely umbonate, silky, then becoming smooth and shining, or
obsoletely scaly; the firm flesh paler. Stem 1^-2 in. long, 3-4 lines
and more thick, solid, equal, sometimes however bulbous, fibrillose or
striate, scarlet-red, reddish brick-color internally. Cortina fibrillose, lax,
cinnabar. Gills wholly adnate, somewhat decurrent, 3 lines broad, some-
what distant, connected by veins, unequal and darker at the edge, dark
blood-color when bruised.
Odor of radish. Readily distinguished from all others by '^splen-
did scarlet color, and from C. sanguineus by its short solid and firm
320
Ochrosporee
stem, its broad pileus and somewhat distant gills. Stem never becom- Cortinarins.
ing yellow. Fries.
Spores 7-8x4/x Cooke.
It is a variable species with us.
Cap i % in. across, convex, broadly umbonate, margin involute, yel-
lowish-brown, silky, innately fibrillose, shining, when young the cap is
round, margin involute. Veil white, fibrillose, fugacious, leaving no
trace on stem. Flesh thick in center, solid, close-grained, white, tinged
with brown. Tastes strongly as radishes. Skin partially detachable.
Gills exceedingly beautiful in their deep claret-color, which is perma-
nent, decurrent.
Stem 3 in. long, shining, smooth, white near top, brownish below,
equal, fibrous, stuffed, skin removable.
On ground among pines, near station, Mt. Gretna, Pa^ August to
frost. Solitary, gregarious and cespitose.
Taste and smell like radishes. The caps cook well and are of fair
flavor. Makes good patties and croquettes.
C. cinnabarinus, Var. i. Mt. Gretna, Pa., August to frost. On de-
caying chestnut stumps.
Cap i in. across, shining, convex, orange-brown, white on margin
and under minute appressed squamules, but few on margin ; apparent
remnant of a veil on cap, as a viscid skin.
Gills rounded behind, slightly emarginate, like Tricholoma, grayish-
brown when young, becoming a brilliant scarlet, unequal.
Stem 2 in. high, over K in. thick, white, covered with brownish-
orange appressed squamules, often with stained marking of veil or frag-
ments of veil as ring. Cespitose, connate.
Taste and smell strong like radishes. Flavor in dish is decided but
pleasant. Makes good patties and croquettes.
Specimens were identified by Professor Peck as C. cinnabarinus, as
were those of the preceding. The variations are so great that I give
this place as a variety.
C. sanguin'eus Fr. — sanguis, blood. Pileus i-iK in. broad,
blood-color, becoming slightly pale when dry, fleshy, thin, convex then
plane, obtuse, occasionally depressed, silky or squamulose. Flesh red-
dish, paler. Stem 2-3 in. long, 2-3 lines thick, stuffed then hollow,
equal (rather attenuated than thickened at the base), here and there
21 321
Agaricacese
Cortinarius. flexuous, with fibrils of the same color, almost darker than the pileus.
Cortina arachnoid, fugacious, red blood-color. Gills adnate, crowded,
2-3 lines broad, quite entire, dark blood-color.
Wholly dark blood-color, the stem when compressed pouring forth
bloody juice. Odor of radish, Thinner than species nearest to it. The
spores are ochraceous on a white ground, somewhat ferruginous on a
black ground. Fries.
Spores 6x41* W.G.S.
North Carolina, Curtis; Massachusetts, Sprague, Farlow, Frost; Con-
oecticut, Wright; New York, Peck, 23d Rep.
Edible. Leuba.
(Plate LXXXVII.)
C. cinnamo'meilS Fr. Pileus I-2& in. across. Flesh thin, convexo-
campanulate, umbonate, somewhat
cinnamon color, silky squamulose
with yellowish innate fibrils, becom-
ing almost glabrous. Gills adnate,
broad, crowded, shining, yellowish,
then tawny-yellow. Stem 2-4 in.
long, equal, yellow, as is also the
flesh and the veil, hollow. Spores
• e
CORTINARIUS CINNAMOMEUS.
Natural size.
A very common species, especi-
ally in mossy places in pine woods,
occurring under many well defined
forms, which can not be separated as
species. Essential points common
to all. ( I ) Stem everywhere equal,
stuffed, then hollow, yellowish, fibrillose from the similarly colored veil.
(2) Pileus thin, flattened and obtusely umbonate, silky with yellowish
down, often glabrous when adult, and then bright cinnamon, but the
color is variable. (3) Flesh splitting, yellowish. (4) Gills adnate,
crowded, thin, broad, always shining. (5) Spores dark ochraceous,
size and color very variable; pileus from ^—3—4 in. across; color of
pileus changeable, depending on the more or less persistence of the
down (fundamental color and veil constant in this species and its allies) ;
gills varying through blood-red, reddish cinnamon, tawny saffron, golden
and yellow. Fries.
322
Ochrosporse
PileilS thin, convex, obtuse or umbonate, dry, fibrillose at least when Cortinarius.
young. Flesh yellowish. Lamellae thin, close, adnate. Stem slen-
der, equal, stuffed or hollow. Spores elliptical, 8/* long. Peck, 48th
Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Spores 7-8x4^ Cooke.
The Germans are said, to be very fond of this species, which is gen-
erally stewed in butter and served with sauce for vegetables.
Catalogued by Dr. M. A. Curtis, North Carolina, as edible. Edible.
Cooke.
Var. semi-sanguiri ens received from E. B. Sterling, Trenton, N. J.,
August, 1897. Juicy and good.
The species is common over the United States and plentiful in its
numerous varieties from August to frost. It frequents mixed woods,
borders and open and mossy places. The* pine woods of New Jersey
yield it in quantity, as do the hemlock forests of Eagle's Mere, Pa., and
oak woods of West Virginia.
It has a smell and taste — mildly of radishes. Its flavor when cooked
is decided but pleasant.
TEL AMO'NI A . ( Gr . — lint . )
C. armilla'tus Yr.—armilla, a ring. (Plate LXXXII, fig. 5, p. 306. )
Pileus 3—5 in. broad, red-brick color,
truly fleshy, but not very compact, at
first cylindrical, soon campanulate, at
length flattened, dry, at first smooth,
soon innately fibrillose or squamulose,
flesh dingy pallid. Stem 3-6 in. long,
% in. thick, solid, firm, remarkably
bulbous (bulb I in. thick, villous,
whitish) and fibrillose at the base,
when old striate and reddish-pallid,
internally dirty yellow. Exterior veil
woven, red, arranged in 2—4. distant
cinnabar zones encircling the stem;
partial veil continuous with the upper
zone, arachnoid, reddish-white. Gills
adnate, slightly rounded, distant, at first pallid cinnamon, at length
very broad ( % in.), dark ferruginous, almost bay-brown.
323
(Plate LXXXVIII.)
CORTINARIUS ARMILLATUS.
Agaricaceee
Cortinarins. Odor of radish. A very striking species. From the pileus not being
hygrophanous, at the first smooth and at length torn into fibrils or
squamulose, it might easily be taken for a species-of Inoloma. The
cortina itself is paler than the zones. It differs from all others in these
zones. The rings are usually somewhat oblique. Pries.
Professor Peck in the 23d Rep. N. Y. State Cab. Nat. Hist., describes
the American species as follows :
"PiletlS fleshy, thick, convex or subcampanulate, then expanded,
minutely squamulose, yellowish-red. Lamellae not close, broad, slightly
emarginate, whitish-ochraceous, then cinnamon. Stipe stout, solid,
fibrillose, whitish, girt with one to four red bands, bulbous.
"Height 4-6 in., breadth of pileus 2-4 in., stipe 4-8 in. thick.
"Woods. North Elba. August.
"A large and noble species. The margin of the pileus is thin and
sometimes uneven ; the upper band on the stem is usually the brightest
and most regular. The pileus is not distinctly hygrophanous."
Spores iox6/u. Cooke.
Edible. Cooke.
September 8, 1897, Mr E. B. Sterling, Trenton, N. J., sent me
several specimens new to me and remarkable in having two well-defined
veils, the lower and thicker one of which left a dark zone upon the
stem, the upper, fibrillose, was more persistent, but left a fainter im-
pression. These veils are not mentioned in Professor Peck's description
of the American species, but are prominently noted in that of Fries, as
above. In a very young specimen both veils were present. Cap light
brown, minutely squamulose, with a few small red spots; margin thin,
involute, flesh thick, yellowish, firm; gills distant, rounded behind,
slightly emarginate, alternate ones short, light brown inclined to cinereous
on edge.
Spores brown. Small young specimens did not show bulbous stem
as distinct as larger and older ones.
I afterward found several specimens at Mr. Gretna, Pa., September
and October, 1897.
The flesh is excellent, closely resembling Pholiota subsquarrosa.
The species seems to be rare. If found in quantity it will prove one of
our very best edibles.
324
Ochrosporse
C. dis'tans Pk. Pileus thin except the disk, convex, squamulose, Cortinanus.
bay-brown when moist, tawny when dry. Lamellae broad, distant,
thick, dark cinnamon-color. Stipe subequal, often a little tapering up-
ward, solid, slightly fibrillose-scaly, concolorous.
Height 2-3 in., breadth of pileus 1-2 in., stipe 4-6 in. thick.
Grassy ground in pine woods. Greenbush. June.
The flesh is dull-yellowish. The pileus, when drying, has for a time
a brown-marginal zone. Peck, 23d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
New Jersey pines. Eagle's Mere, Pa., coniferous woods. August.
Mt. Gretna, Pa., pines. August, September. Mcllvaine.
Like most of the hygrophanous Cortinarii, the taste is more or less
that of rotten wood. The flavor is flat and undesirable.
C. furfurel'lus Pk. Pileus thin, convex, furfuraceous with minute
squamules, hygrophanous, watery-tawny when moist, pale ochraceous
when dry. Lamellae broad, thick, distant, adnate or slightly emargi-
nate, tawny-yellow, then cinnamon. Stem equal, peronate, colored like
the pileus, with a slight annulus near the top. Spores subelliptical,
minutely rough, 8-iox6/A.
Plant 1-2 in. high. Pileus 1-2 in. broad. Stem 2-4 lines thick.
Moist ground in open places. Gansevoort. August. Peck, 32d
Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Haddonfield, N. J., Mt. Gretna, Pa. Mcllvaine.
Strong woody flavor — like rotten wood. Not poisonous, but not
desirable.
HYGROCYBE.
C. casta'neus Bull. — chestnut. Pileus fleshy, thin, campanulate or
convex, then expanded, dark chestnut-color when moist, paler when
dry. Lamellae rather broad, violet-tinged, then cinnamon. Stipe
fibrillose, stuffed or hollow, lilac tinged at the top, white below.
Height 2-3 in., breadth of pileus 1-2 in., stipe 3-4 lines thick.
Ground under spruce or balsam trees. Catskill mountains. October.
Edible. Peck, 23d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Spores 8x5/a.
It is certainly a wholesome, esculent species, but a great number
would be required to make a good dish. M ' . C, Cooke.
Catalogued by Rev. M. A. Curtis, North Carolina, as edible.
325
Agaricaceee
Cortinarius. Eaten in Italy. Inodorous, edible and agreeable. Cordier. More
than fair. I have often eaten it. R. K. Macadam.
PAXIL'LUS Fr.
Paxillus, a small stake.
PaxUlns. Hymenophore continuous with the stem, decurrent. Gills membra-
naceous, somewhat branched, frequently anastomosing behind, distinct
from the hymenophore and easily separable from it. Spores dingy-white
or ferruginous.
Fleshy putrescent fungi, margin of pileus at first involute, then con-
timially and gradually unfolding and expanding. Fries.
Pileus symmetrical or eccentric. Stem central, eccentric or wanting.
Edge of gills entire, sharp.
The marked features of this genus are the strongly involute margin,
the soft, tough, decurrent gills, separating readily from the flesh, and
the color of the spores.
The members of this genus possess some of the characters of Boletus.
The gills separate easily from the hymenophore as do the tubes of the
latter, and their anastomosing tendency is in P. porosus so marked that
the hymenium consists of large angular tubes. The gills of P. solidus
B. and C. form pores at the base, and its spores are elongated, both
features indicating an affinity with Boletus.
ANALYSIS OF TRIBES.
LEPISTA (a pan). Page 327.
Pileus entire, central. Spores dingy-white, in P. panaeolus somewhat
rust-color. On the ground.
326
Ochrosporse
TAPINIA (to depress). Page -i-^.O
Pileus generally eccentric or resupinate. Spores rust-color. On the Paxillus.
ground or on stumps.
So far as known the species of this genus are harmless. Many of
them are large, fleshy and inviting in appearance, but their flesh is
usually dry and coarse, and, though absorbent, is hard to cook tender.
P. atrotomentosus, which seems to be rare, is an exception. The flesh
of this species being firm in texture and readily made into a first-class
dish.
LEPIS'TA.
P. lepis'ta Fr. — lepista, a pan. Pileus 2-4 in. broad, flat or depressed,
dirty-white, smooth, sometimes minutely cracked near the margin
which is thin,. involute and often undulate. Stem very variable in length,
1-4 in., %—% in. thick, dingy white or cream, solid, white inside,
equal, with a cartilaginous cuticle passing between the gills and the
flesh of the pileus, base blunt, villous, white. Gills very decurrent,
crowded, 2-3 lines broad, slightly branched but not at the base, dingy-
white becoming darker,
Spores reddish, becoming dingy brown. Broadly pyriforme 6x8/*
Massee.
Pennsylvania. September, 1894. Mcllvaine. Albion, N. Y., Dr.
CnsJdng, 1898.
On ground in woods and margins of woods.
Flesh white. Gills narrow, crowded, brittle, decurrent, dingy-white
or pale-buff, easily separating from cap. Stem solid, elastic, at length
hollow, often short, an inch long, tapering downward, frequently up to
four inches in length and equal, base villose.
Resembling Lactarius piperatus and some forms of Clitocybe. It is
separated from the former by the absence of milk and from the latter by
its involute margin. The Clitocybe resembling it are all edible.
Smell strong, like old oily nuts. Edible but coarse.
P. li'vidus Cke. Pileus 1-2 in. across, convex, at length slightly
depressed at the disk, margin slightly arched and incurved, dingy-
white, or livid ochraceous, opaque. Gills decurrent, arcuate, almost
327
Agaric aceae
Paxiiius. crowded, iK line broad, white. Stem 3-4 in. long, K in. thick at the
apex, attenuated downward, white, fibrillose, stuffed then hollow, usu-
ally rather flexuous. Flesh nearly white. Spores globose, 3-3.5/4
diameter, nearly white.
In woods. Usually in small clusters. Closely allied to Paxiiius revo-
lutus, but distinguished by the absence of any tinge of violet on the
pileus or stem, and by the persistently white gills. Massee.
Received from Katherine A. Hall, Danville, N. Y. October, 1898.
Raw it tastes like a drug-store smell. Edible, pleasant.
TAPI'NIA.
(Plate XC.)
P. involu'tllS (Batsch) Fr. — involutus, rolled inward. Pileus 2-5
in. broad, fleshy, compact, con-
vexo-plane then depressed , smooth ,
viscid when moist, shining when
dry, yellowish or tawny-ochrace-
ous, strongly involute, margin
densely downy, flesh pallid. Stem
2-4 in. high, about '2 in. thick,
solid, firm, paler than the pileus,
central or eccentric. Gills 2-3
lines broad, crowded, branched,
anastomosing, forming pores be-
hind, whitish then yellowish or
rusty, spotting when bniised,
Spores rust-color, ellipsoid or
oblong-ellipsoid 8-i6x6/n K.; 5x
6/i W. G. S. Elliptical, 8-io/»
Peck.
It grows singly or in groups and likes damp mossy soil. Common
in cool hemlock or spruce woods in the Adirondack mountains ; not
rare in the mixed woods of all our hilly districts. When growing on
decayed stumps the stem is sometimes eccentric. August, November.
C. H. Peck.
In open woods near Haddonfield, N. J., it grows to a large size and
in quantity. In Angora woods near Philadelphia a complete ring of it
20 ft. in diameter was seen.
328
PAXILLUS INVOLUTUS.
One-half natural size.
Ochrosporee
Considered edible throughout Europe and said to be highly esteemed Paxiiius.
in Russia. The flesh of the American plant is dry and coarse, does not
cook tender and is rather tasteless.
P. a'tro-tomento'sus (Batsch.) Fr. — ater, black/ tomentum, down.
Pileus 3-6 in. broad, rust-color or reddish-brown, compactly fleshy,
eccentric, convex then plane or depressed, margin thin, frequently-
minutely rivulose, sometimes tomentose in the center. Flesh white.
Stem 3-6 in. high, /z-i in. thick, stout, solid, elastic, eccentric or
lateral, unequal rooting, covered with dense velvety down, very dark
brown. Grills adnate, 3 lines broad, close, anastomosing at the base,
yellowish, interspaces venose.
Spores subhyaline 4-6x3-4^ K. Elliptical, pale-yellowish, 5x2.5-
3/A Massee. Elliptical 5-6x4^ Peck.
Found near Philadelphia, gregarious in old woods. September. In
New Jersey in pine woods on stumps and on the ground, probably
growing from roots. Mcllvaine.
Grows singly or cespitose, sometimes in large tufts, when the pileus is
frequently irregular from compression. In wet weather the pileus is
moist and sometimes obscurely mottled with dark spots. Occasionally
it has an unpleasant dirt-like odor. Peck.
Cordier considers this species suspicious and Paulet inutile on account
of its bad taste.
The flesh differs from most Paxilli in being very fine grained and
cooked is of the consistency of a marshmallow. The taste is marked
but pleasant.
Agaricaceae
Series IV, PORPHYRO'SPOR-ffi (Pratelli). Gr.— purple.
Spores typically black-purple or brownish-purple, more rarely dusky
brown. (It is to be observed that the spores vary in color according to
the color of the ground on which they are deposited. ) There are sterile
forms with the gills persistently white (A. obturatus, A. udus) . Those
species are more deceptive in which the gills continue for a long time
white, and even begin to decay before they are discolored by the spores ;
these may be easily mistaken for Leucospori. Fries.
Pratelli is the name given by the early authors to this series, based
upon the spore color; Porphyrosporae is the name now used. The spe-
cies within the group are closely allied to those having black spores
without a tinge of purple or violet (Melanosporae), but in none of the
species do the gills deliquesce as in Coprinus, neither are there resupi-
nate or lateral stemmed species.
There is a present tendency to do away with this series and include
all dark-spored species in the Melanosporae. Professor Atkinson and
Bertha Stoneman, in their "Provisional Key to the Genera of Hymen-
omit the series and give " Melanosporae, Gill and Butz
(Pratellae and Coprinariae in broadest sense).
Spores dark brown, purplish-brown or black."
It is frequently difficult to determine by the
spore-color of this series even to which series a
specimen belongs. Many of our best edibles
belong in this series. I know of none noxious.
omycetes,
Chitonia.
(PlateXCI.)
CHITO'NIA Fr.
Universal veil distinct from the pileus, at ma-
turity forming a distinct volva round the base of
the ringless central stem. Gills free from the
stem. Spores brownish-purple.
Analogous in structure with Volvaria and
Amanitopsis. An exotic genus imported into
this country.
No American species reported.
CHITONIA RUBRICEPS.
Two-thirds natural size.
PLATE XCII.
PORPHYRQSPORAE.
HYPHOLOMA
PSILOCYBE.
PSATHYRA
DECONICA.
CHART OF GENERA ix PURPLE-STORKD SERIES — roRPHYROsroRAE. PAGE 330
Porphyrosporee
AGAR'ICUS.
Agaricon, a Greek name for fungi, said to be derived from the name
of a town, Agara.
Pileus fleshy, flesh of the stem different from that of the pileus, fur-
nished with a distinct ring. Gills at first enclosed by the veil, free,
rounded behind, at first white or whitish, in some species this stage last-
ing but a short time, then pink or reddish, at length dark purplish-
brown from the spores. Spores brown, brownish or reddish-purple.
On the ground, generally in pastures, meadows or manured ground,
a few species occur in woods.
Analogous with Lepiota of the white-spored series. Stropharia also
bears a ring and has similar colored spores, but is separated by the flesh
of stem and pileus being continuous and the gills being more or less
adnate.
Formerly in Agaricus as sub-genus Psalliota (psallion, psalion, in
poetry, a ring). When Psalliota was raised to generic rank it was given
the name of the great genus Agaricus as a mark of distinction on ac-
count of its including the most widely known and useful mushroom of
the world — Agaricus campester. The name Psalliota is not in modern
use.
Old Agaricus included many subgenera and consequently many more
species. Now it contains but few. All of them are highly flavored and of
marked excellence. Before the subgenera under Agaricus were promoted
to full generic standing it was customary to state the name of a species
thus: Agaricus (Psalliota) campester. Agaricus (Stropharia) semi-
orbicularis. This was lengthy and clumsy. In 'the older books this
form prevails. Often, however, the subgenus is omitted before the
name, which compels the student to look up the subgenus to which the
species belongs. The older books are therefore puzzling to modern
students, who find there simply the name Agaricus to guide them. The
present genus of a known species in old Agaricus can be easily found
by looking in the index for its specific name. The name of the genus
follows it in parentheses.
All of the genus can be cooked in any desired way.
331
Agaricacese
ANALYSIS OF SPECIES.
Agaricus. * Gills at first or very soon pink or rosy.
* Gills at first brownish or gray.
** Gills .at first white or whitish.
* Gills at first or very soon pink or rosy.
A. campes'ter Linn. — campus, a field. (Plate XCIII, fig. 4 (3 figs.)
XCIIItf. PileilS at first hemispherical or convex, then expanded
with decurved margin or nearly plane, smooth, silky floccose or
hairy squamulose, the margin extending beyond the lamellae, the flesh
rather thick, firm, white. Lamellae free, close, ventricose, at first deli-
cate pink or flesh color, then blackish-brown, subde liquescent. Stem
equal or slightly thickened toward the base, stuffed, white or whitish,
nearly or quite smooth. Ring at or near the middle, more or less lacer-
ated, sometimes evanescent. Spores elliptical, 6-8x4-5^.
Plant 2-4 in. high. Pileus 1-5-4 in- or more broad. Stem 4-8
lines thick. Peck, 36th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Spores spheroid-ellipsoid, 9x6/1* K.; 6x8/* W.G.S.
The varieties of A. campester are numerous. All of them are edible
and vary but slightly in their excellence.
Var. at bus Berk. — albus, white. A very common wild form. Cap
2-4 in. across, smooth or slightly fibrillose. Stem 1^2-3 in. long,
K-% in. thick, white or whitish. Spring to autumn, in rich grassy
places. Sometimes very large. It is cultivated.
, Var. gri'seus Pk. — griseus, gray. Cap grayish, silky, shining. Rinfif
vanishing. Reported from Virginia.
Var. prati'cola Vitt. — pratwn, a meadow; colo, to inhabit. Meadow
variety. Cap covered with reddish scales. Flesh pinkish. Parade
ground, Mt. Gretna, Pa.
Var. timbri'mis Vitt. — umber, dark brown. Cap brown, smooth.
Stem short, minutely scaly.
"Var. rufescens Berk.—nifescens, becoming red. PileilS reddish,
minutely scaly. Gills at first white. Stem elongated. Flesh turning
bright red when cut or bruised. This departs so decidedly from the
ordinary characters qf the type, especially in the white color of the
young gills, that it seems to merit separation as a distinct species. ' ' Peck,
36th Rep.
332
; IWJfcra XC/il.
"\
PLATE XCIIIa.
Photograph by C. F. Millspaugh.
Cultivated.
AGARICUS CAMPESTER.
Porphyrosporee
Var. villa ticus Brond. — belonging to a villa. Cap scaly. Stem scaly. Agaricus.
Var. Jiorteri sis Cke. — growing in gardens. Cap brownish or yellow-
ish-brown, covered with fibrils or minute hairs. This is a cultivated
species.
"Var. Bu'channi. Cap white, smooth, depressed in center, the mar-
gin naked. Stem stout. Ring thin, lacerated. A rare variety, some-
times occurring in mushroom beds.
"Var. elongdlus — elongated. Long-stemmed variety. Pileus small,
smooth, convex, the margin adorned with the adherent remains of the
lacerated veil. Stem long, slender, slightly thickened toward the base.
Ring slight or evanescent. This is also a variety of mushroom beds.
"Var. vaporarius. Green-house variety (A. vaporarius Vitt. ) Pileus
brownish, coated with long hairs or fibrils. Stem hairy-fibrillose, be-
coming transversely scaly. Conservatories, cellars, etc. Not differing
greatly from Var. hortensis." Peck, 36th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
The A. campester is known the world over as the common mush-
room. It is cosmopolitan, appearing in pastures and rich places from
spring and until long after severe frosts. It is the sweet morsel of gour-
mets. Indirectly it has done more damage than the assembled vicious-
ness of all other toadstools. It is by mistaking the young button forms
of the deadly Amanita for the button forms of the common mushroom
that most cases of fatal toadstool poisoning are brought about. It is,
also, usually the persons who think they know the mushroom, and can
not be deceived, that get poisoned. If two rules are observed danger
can be avoided, (i) Never eat a fungus gathered in the woods be-
lieving it to be the mushroom. The typical A. campester does not
grow in the woods ; species of Agaricus somewhat resembling it do.
(2) Look at the gills; those of the mushroom are at first a light-pink
which rapidly, as the plant matures, darken to a dark-brown, purplish-
brown, or purplish-black. This is due to the ripening of the spores.
Those of the Amanita are constantly white.
Pages could be written upon the mushroom and its culture, and reci-
pes for the cooking of it would fill a volume. One important thing is
omitted from them all — it is culinary heresy to peel a mushroom. Much
of the flavor lies in the skin, as it does in that of apples, apricots,
peaches, grapes, cherries and other fruits. The mushroom should be
wiped with a coarse flannel or towel until the skin is clean. See chapter
on cooking, etc.
333
Agaricaceae
Agaricus. Lafayette B. Mendel, in American Journal of Physiology, March,
1898, gives the following analysis of A. campester:
Two varieties of the common mushroom were collected in New Ha-
ven. Fifteen specimens of one variety weighed i% ounce, an average
weight of 43 grains each. The analysis gave :
a. b.
Water 87.88$ 92.20$
Total solids 12.12 7.80
Total nitrogen in dry substance 4.42 4.92
Ash in dry substance n.66 17.18
A. COmp'tulllS Fr. — comptus, gaily adorned. PileilS i-i /£ in. broad,
yellowish-white, slightly fleshy, convex then plane, obtuse, adpressedly
fibrilloso-silky , becoming even. Flesh thin, soft, of the same color as
the pileus. Stem 2 in. long, 2-3 lines thick, hollow, stuffed with floc-
cules when young, somewhat attenuated, even, smooth, white, becoming
somewhat light yellow. Ring medial, torn, fugacious, of the same
color. Gills rounded-free behind, crowded, soft, broader in front,
flesh-color then rose, not dingy-flesh-color except when old.
Closely allied to A. campestris, but constantly distinct in its more
beautifully colored gills. Fries.
Cultivated ground. Menands. August. Peck, Rep. 41.
Closely allied to A. campestris, from which it may be separated by
its smaller size, the yellowish hue of the dry plant and by the smaller
spores. Peck, 4ist Rep. N. Y. State Bot..
Mt. Gretna, Pa. Parade ground, with A. campester; Haddonfield,
N. J. August to frost. Mcllvaine.
A. comptulus appears frequently in the latitude of Philadelphia. It
is a neat species, but not substantial in flesh. Here it usually grows
close to the ground. The ring is very evanescent.
Its edible qualities are those of A. campester.
A. Sllvat'icus Schaeff. — belonging to woods. Pileus thin, at first
convex or bell-shaped, then expanded, gibbous or subumbonate, fibril-
lose or variegated with a few thin tawny brownish or reddish-brown
spot-like adpressed scales, whitish, brownish or smoky-gray, the disk
sometimes tinged with red or reddish-brown, the flesh white or faintly
reddish. Lamellae thin, close, free, narrowed toward each end, red-
334
Porphyrosporse
dish, then blackish-brown. Stem rather long, equal or slightly taper- Agaricus.
ing upward, hollow, whitish. Spores elliptical, 5-6.5x4-5^.
Plant 3-5 in. high. PileuS 2-4 in. broad. Stem 4-6 lines thick.
Woods. Summer and autumn. Not common. Peck, 36th Rep.
N. Y. State Hot.
Massachusetts, Farlow; Minnesota, Johnson; California — edible, H.
and M.
West Virginia, 1881-1885, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. August to
frost. In pine and mixed woods. Mcllvaine.
Edible, Curtis. Edible, Peck.
In taste and smell A. silvaticus resembles A. silvicola, but is stronger.
It is a frequent but not common species in the localities where I have
found it. Quantities of it have not occurred, but myself and friends
have eaten it for years, knowing no distinction in effect between it and
allied species. Its strong taste requires that it be well cooked. It does
not lose its high flavor, which may be objectionable to some. I prefer
using its juices as a flavoring.
A. diminuti'vus Pk. — diminutive. PileuS thin, fragile, at first con-
vex, then plane or centrally depressed, sometimes slightly umbonate,
whitish or yellowish, faintly spotted with small thin silky appressed
brownish scales, the disk brownish or reddish-brown. ' Lamellae close,
thin, free, ventricose, brownish-pink becoming brown, blackish-brown
or black. Stem equal or slightly tapering upward, stuffed or hollow,
smooth, pallid. AimulllS thin, persistent, white. Spores elliptical 5x4/^1.
Plant 1.5-2 in. high. PileuS I-I-5 m- broad. Stem 1-2 lines
thick.
Woods. Croghan and Sandlake, N. Y. August. Autumn.
This is a small but symmetrical and beautiful Agaric. It is perhaps
too closely related to the preceding species (A. silvaticus) , of which it
may possibly prove to be a mere variety or dwarf form. Its pileus is
quite thin and fragile. Usually the darker or reddish hue of the disk
gradually loses itself in the paler color of the margin, but sometimes the
whole surface is tinged with red. Peck, 36th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Chester county; W7est Philadelphia, Pa., September; Mt. Gretna,
Eagle's Mere, Pa., August. Mcllvaine.
I have found A. diminutivus so intimately associated with A. sil-
335
Agaricaceae
vaticus that its being a dwarf form of the latter seemed more than prob-
able. Its edible qualities are the same.
A. Rod'mani Pk. Pileus rather thick, firm, at first convex, then
nearly or quite plane, with decurved margin, smooth or rarely slightly
cracked into scales on the disk, white or whitish, becoming yellowish
or subochraceous on the disk, the flesh white, unchangeable. Lamellae
close, narrow, rounded behind, free, reaching nearly or quite to the
stem, at first whitish then pink or reddish-pink, finally blackish-brown.
Stem short, subequal, solid, whitish, smooth below the ring, often
scurfy or slightly mealy-squamulose above; ring variable, thick or thin,
entire or lacerated, at or below the middle of the stem. Spores broadly
elliptical or subglobose, generally uninucleate, 5-6x4-5^.
Plant 2-3 in. high. Pileus 2-4 in. broad. Stem 6— 10 lines thick.
Grassy ground and paved gutters. Astoria, L. I. Rev. W* Rodman.
Washington Park, Albany. May to July.
This species is intermediate between A. campestris and A. arvensis,
from both of which it may be distinguished by its narrow gills, solid stem
and smaller, almost globose, spores. In size, shape of the pileus and
general appearance it most resembles A. campestris, but in the whitish
primary color of the gills and in the yellowish tints which the pileus
often assumes, it approaches nearer to A. arvensis. Peck,
36th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
I can now add my own testimony to that of Mr. Rodman as to its
edibility. Its flesh is firm but crisp, not tough, and its flavor, though
not equal to that of the common mushroom, is nevertheless agreeable,
and its use as food is perfectly safe. Peck, Rep. 49.
This species has grown freely for several years at Hull and Cohasset,
Mass. It is usually found about June ist, and is not seen again until
early autumn. It is the handsomest mushroom I have seen, and its
edible qualities are on a par with its appearance. Macadam.
A. hsemorrhoida'rms Shulzer. Gr. — discharging blood. Pileus 4
in. across, reddish-brown, fleshy, ovate then expanded, covered with
broad adpressed scales, margin at first bent inward. Flesh when broken
immediately blood-red. Stem 4 in. high, I in. thick, soon hollow,
fibrillose, the solid base somewhat bulbous. King superior, large. Gills
free, approximate, crowded, rosy-flesh-color, at length purple-umber.
336
Porphyrosporse
Very striking, 3-4 in. high. The pileus and the white stem become
spotted blood-red when touched. The stem when young is adpressedly
squamulose below, when full grown mealy, becoming smooth. Fries.
Spores purple-brown, 7-8x5;* Massee; brown, elliptical, $-6x41*. Peck.
A rare or overlooked plant in United States, first recorded by Professor
Peck, who found it but once, growing under a hemlock tree. Rep. 45.
Nebraska, Clements; West Virginia; Eagle's Mere and Mt. Gretna,
Pa. In hemlock and mixed woods. Autumn. Mcllvaine.
Cap 2-4 in. across. Stem 3-4 in. long, up to % in. thick.
Every part of the plant turns red and has a congested appearance
when bruised. The flesh is white but immediately becomes red when
broken.
It is a frequent but not common species, growing singly, or in small
clusters.
In flavor and substance it is equal to any mushroom.
A. mari'timus Pk. Pileus very fleshy, firm, at first subglobose,
then broadly convex or nearly plane, glabrous, sometimes slightly
squamose with appressed spot-like scales, white becoming dingy or
grayish-brown when old. Flesh whitish, quickly reddening when cut,
taste agreeable, odor distinct, suggestive of the odors of the seashore.
Lamellae narrow, close, free, pinkish becoming purplish-brown with age,
the edge white. Stem short, stout, firm, solid, equal, sometimes bulb-
ous, white, the annulus delicate, slight and easily obliterated. Spores
broadly elliptic, purplish-brown, 7~8p. long, 5-6/A broad1.
PileilS 2-8 in. broad. Stem 1-2 in. long, .6 in. thick.
Sandy soil near salt water, Lynn, Mahant and Marblehead, Mass.
June to December. R. F. Dearborn.
This is a very interesting and an excellent mushroom. Dr. Dearborn
writes that he has used it on the table for fourteen years and that it is
the only mushroom that he has ever eaten in which the stem is as good
as the cap. He considers it the most hearty and satisfying of all the
numerous species that he has ever eaten. Both its taste and odor is
suggestive of the sea. The latter is quite strong, and perceptible by
one riding along the road by whose side the mushrooms are growing.
They sometimes grow in semicircles and attain a larger size in warm
weather than in the colder weather of autumn. They are most abun-
dant in August. The flesh, when cut or broken, quickly assumes a pink
22 337
Agaricaceee
Agaricus. or reddish hue on the freshly-exposed surface. This is a very distinctive
character and with the maritime habitat makes the species easy to rec-
ognize. Another species, Agaricus haemorrhoidarius Kalchb. exhibits
a similar change of color in its wounded flesh, but is of very rare occur-
rence with us, does not, so far as ascertained, grow near the sea, has a
darker cap and a long hollow stem. The stem in the maritime mush-
room is short and solid. Its collar is very slight and easily destroyed.
Peck, Bull. Torr. Bot. Club, Vol. 26, No. 2, F. 1899.
A. Califor'nicilS Pk. — Pileus at first subconical, becoming convex,
minutely silky or fibrillose, whitish, tinged with purple or brownish-
purple on the disk. Flesh whitish. Gills close, free, pink becoming
purplish, then blackish-brown. Stem rather long, solid or stuffed, equal
or tapering upward, distinctly and rather abruptly narrowed above the
entire externally silky ring, pallid or brownish. Spores broadly ellipti-
cal, 5-6x4-5 p..
Pileus 1-3 in. broad. Stem 1.5-3 m- l°ng> 2~4 lmes thick.
Under oak trees. Pasadena. January. McClatchie.
This fungus is similar in size, shape and habitat to A. hemor-
rhoidarius, but it is unlike that species in color, in the adornment of the
pileus and in its color not changing where bruised or broken. Bull.
Torr. Bot. Club, 22-5 My. 95.
A. Elven'sis B. and Br. — Name from river Elwy, Wales, where first
found. Tufted.' Pileus 4—6 in. or more across, subglobose then hemi-
spherical, fibrillose, broken up into large persistent brown scales, areo-
late in the center, margin very obtuse, thick, covered with pyramidal
warts. Stem at first nearly equal, at length swollen in the center, and
attenuated at the base, 4—6 in. high, 2 in. thick in the center, fibrillose
and areolate below, nearly smooth within the pileus, solid, stuffed with
delicate threads. Ring thick, very large, deflexed, broken here and
there, warted in areas beneath. Gills rather crowded, H in. broad,
free, of a brownish flesh-color. Spores elliptic oblong, 8x4/x.
Under oak trees, etc. Edible, delicious eating. Flesh of pileus % in.
thick, red when cut. Masses.
California, H. and M.
Edible. Cooke, 1891.
338
Porphyrosporse
A. fc^dera'tllS Berk, and Mont. — confederated. Pileus fTeshy, thin, Agaricus.
at first ovoid then bell-shaped, finally convex, somewhat umbilicate
with the center slightly depressed, margin hanging down (when dry
involute), fragments of the veil hanging from the margin, tawny, scaly
with minute, scattered, white, persistent granules, 2-3 in. broad, % — \%
in. high.
Stem stout, hollow, stuffed with fibers, gradually increasing in size
to the base; below the ring rough from the ruptured bark, 4 in, high.
Ring superior, broad, reflexed, torn, persistent. Gills linear, medium
broad, at first pinkish-lilac, when adult brownish, edge white, pulveru-
lent, adnate, gradually attenuated toward the margin. Spores dingy-
brown, ovoid oblong, io/x long. Somewhat cespitose. Elegant.
On the ground in pastures. July. Columbus, Ohio. Sullivant,
Mont. Syll., p. 121.
Edibility not reported. I have not seen this species.
A. xylo'genus Mont. Gr. — produced on wood. Pileus membrana-
ceous, at first ovoid, then conical, bell-shaped, umbonate, finally con-
vexo-plane, smooth, pale-yellow, center brownish, margin split, striate
when dry, i/^— 2/£ in. broad, iK in. high. Stem cartilaginous, white,
3 in. high, K in. thick, gradually thickened toward the base, hollow.
Ring of medium size, inferior, erect or reflexed. Gills free, remote,
lance-shaped, rounded behind, attenuated toward the margin, pink as
in A. campester. Spores spherical, colorless, hyaline, S~7-SlJ--
On dead wood. August. Columbus, Ohio. Sullivant. Mont. Syll.,
p. 122.
Edibility not reported. I have not seen this species.
** Gills at first brownish or gray.
A. argen'teus Braendle — of silver. Pileus thin, convex becoming
nearly plane, slightly silky or glabrous, pale grayish- white or grayish
brown, shining with a silvery luster when dry, the margin sometimes
striate, at first incurved, often revolute when old. Flesh whitish,
becoming blackish where cut. Lamellae close, free, at first brownish
becoming blackish brown or black with age. Stem short, glabrous,
solid, often narrowed toward the base, the annulus slight, evanescent.
Spores broadly elliptic, 7-iOft long, 6/x, broad.
339
Agaricaceae
Agaricus. Pileus 1-2 in. broad. Stem 1-1% in. long, M-X in. thick.
Lawns and grassy places in rich soil. Often associated with Stro-
pharia bilamellata Pk. After rains from April to November. Wash-
ington, D. C. F. J. Brcendle.
This is a small mushroom, peculiar in having the young gills of a dark
color and in the absence of any pink hues. The gills sometimes be-
come moist and manifest a tendency to deliquesce. The drying speci-
mens emit a strong but not unpleasant odor. Mr. Braendle says that
their edible quality is excellent and that it is not impaired by drying.
Peck, Bull. Torr. Dot. Club, Vol. 26, F. 1899.
A. praten'sis Schaeff. — a meadow. Pileus 2—3)^ in. across, ovoid
then expanded, becoming smooth or sometimes broken up into scales
more or less concentrically arranged, whitish, then grayish. Flesh
thick in the center, thin toward the margin, white. Gills free, rounded
behind, about K in. broad, grayish, then brown. Stem about 2 in.
long, %—% in. thick, base thickened, smooth, whitish. .Ring median,
simple, usually deciduous. Stem becoming more or less hollow. Spores
elliptical, apiculate, 6x3.5^.
On pastures and woods. Distinguished by the grayish gills becoming
brown without any intermediate 'pink or fleshy tinge, and in being
rounded behind, the median deciduous ring, and the more or less hollow
stem. Massee.
California. Common. Edible. H.andM. Not elsewhere reported.
A. achi'menes B. and C. Gr. — an amber-colored plant. Pileus 4-6
in. broad, pallid or yellowish-white, smooth like kid leather, but studded
with warty excrescences especially toward the center. Stem 4-6 in.
high, 3-4 lines thick, white, stuffed with floccose fibers, furnished toward
the apex with a large deflexed ring. Gills broad, crowded at first,
whitish then ash-colored and dingy-brown, free. Spores brownish, oval
or ovate. .
A splendid species allied to A. fabaceus, but differing in its pal^r
spores, warty cap, ample ring, etc.
On the earth. Solitary. June. S. C. Ravenel. Am. Jour. Sci.
and Arts, 1849.
I have not seen this species.
340
Porplkyrosporee
A. faba'ceus Berk. — relating to beans. Pileus 4-5 in- across, Agaricus.
thin, almost submembranaceous, umbonate, conical when young, be-
coming nearly plane as it expands, white, viscid when moist; epidermis
smooth, tough, feeling like fine kid leather, turning yellow when bruised.
Stem 3-4 in. high, K in. thick, white, smooth, with the exception of
a few fibrilla, equal except at the base. Veil large, at first covering
the gills and connecting the margin with the stem, white, externally
floccose. Gills crowded, very thin, not ventricose, free, brown when
young, then darker brown, at length almost black like the dark part of
a bean flower. A fine species allied to A. arvensis. When young it
has a peculiar but not unpleasant smell. On the ground, amongst dead
leaves in open woods. Waynesville, September 10, 1844. Hooker's
London Jour, of Botany, 1847.
Described by Berkeley from specimens collected by Thomas G. Lea,
in the vicinity of Cincinnati.
On ground among old leaves in woods. Common. Pileus 3-4 in.
broad. Stem 3-4 in. high. Spores brown, nucleate on one side,
small, 5-5/^long. Morgan.
This is among the most delicious species for the table. Fresh speci-
mens have a distinct taste and odor of peach kernels or bitter almonds
which is nearly lost in cooking. Am. Jour. Science and Arts, 1850.
Curtis.
Ohio, Lea, Morgan; North Carolina, Curtis; South Carolina, Rave-
nel; Massachusetts, Sprague.
*** Gills at first whitish.
A. arven'sis Schaeff. — belonging to cultivated ground. HORSE
MUSHROOM, PLOWED-LAND MUSHROOM. (A. Georgii Sow., A. pra-
tensis Scop., A. edulis Krombh., A. exquisitus Vitt.) Pileus at first
convex or conical, bell-shaped then expanded, at first more or less floc-
cose or mealy, then smooth white or yellowish. Flesh white. Gills
close, free, generally broader toward stem, at first whitish, then pinkish,
finally blackish-brown. Stem equal or slightly thickened toward the
base, smooth, hollow or stuffed with a floccose pith; ring rather large,
thick, the lower or exterior surface often cracked in a radiate manner.
Plant 2-5 in. high. Pileus 3-5 in. or more broad. Stem 4-10
lines thick.
341
Agaricaceee
Agaricus. Cultivated fields and pastures. Summer and autumn.
This species is so closely related to the common mushroom that it is
regarded by some authors as a mere variety of it. Even the renowned
Persoon is said to have written concerning it : " It appears to be only a
variety of A. campestris." Fries also says that it is commonly not dis-
tinguished from A. campestris, but that it is diverse in some respects;
its white flesh being unchangeable, its gills never deliquescing, remain-
ing a long time pale and not becoming dark-red in middle age. Berk-
eley says of it: "A coarse but wholesome species, often turning yellow
when bruised." Peck, 36th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Spores spheroid-elliptical, gx6p K.,- Iix6/i W. G.S.; elliptical, 8-10
X5-6.5/* Peck.
Indiana, H. I. Miller; Minnesota, B. L. Taylor; West Virginia,
North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Mcllvaine.
Unless the numerical system of John Phoenix to express degrees of
quality is adopted by a mycophagists' congress, and one species of
fungus is chosen as the standard of excellence, the comparative excel-
lence of species will never be settled. English epicures shun A.
arvensis ; the French prefer it. Berkeley says it is inferior to the com-
mon mushroom; Vittadini says it is very sapid and very nutritious. So
opinion varies. Individual tastes must decide excellence. Comparison
never will. Toadstools differ in substance, texture and taste as one
meat or vegetable differs from another. Beef could not be chosen as
the standard for meats, or cabbage as the standard for vegetables.
Agaricus arvensis is good.
A. Hiagni'ficus Pk. — magnificent. (Plate XCIV. ) Pileus 5-:5 cm.
(2-6 in.) broad, fleshy, thick, convex, becoming nearly plane or cen-
trally depressed, bare, often wavy and split on the margin, white or
whitish, often brownish in the center. Flesh 1-5-2 cm. ( % in.) thick
in the center, thin on the margin, white, unchangeable. Gills numer-
ous, rather broad, close, free, ventricose, white becoming dark purplish
brown with age, never pink. Stem 10-15 cm. long (4-6 in.), about
2.5 cm. thick (i in.), firm, stuffed with cottony pith, bulbous or thick-
ened at the base, fibrillose, striate, minutely furfuraceous (covered with
scurf) toward the base, ringed, pallid or whitish, the ring thin, persistent,
white. Spores small, elliptic, 5-6/u. long, 3-4/4 broad.
342
PLATE XCIV.
Grouped by F. D. Briscoe— Studies by C. Mcllvaine.
AGARICUS MAGNIFICUS. PECK,
A new species of Agaricus.
PACK.
342
Porphyrosporae
Gregarious or cespitose; thin woods, Mt. Gretna, Pa. August. Agancus-
CJiarles Mcllvaine.
A large fine species distinguished from its near allies by the absence
of pink hues from the gills. Mr. Mcllvaine remarks that it has an anise-
like flavor and odor and that when young the whole fungus is tender
and high flavored, but when full grown the caps only are edible. Peck,
Bull. Torr. Bot. Club, Vol. 26, F. 1899.
A. silvic'ola Vitt. — silva, a wood; colo, to inhabit. (Plate XCIII, fig.
2, p. 332.) (A. arvensis, var. abruptus Pk. ; now A. abruptus Pk.)
Pileus convex or sub-bell-shaped, sometimes expanded or nearly plane,
smooth, shining, white or yellowish. Gills close, thin, free, rounded
behind, generally narrowed toward each end, at first whitish, then pink-
ish, finally blackish-brown. Stem long, cylindrical, stuffed or hollow,
white, bulbous; ring either thick or thin, entire or lacerated. Spores
elliptical, 6-8x4-5^1.
Plant 4-6 in. high. PileilS 3-6 in. broad. Stem 4-8 lines thick.
Woods, copses and .groves or along their borders. Summer and
autumn. Peck, 36th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Very good eating, though scarcely as highly flavored as the common
mushroom. Reck.
West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, June to frost. Mcllvaine.
A. s-ilvicola, by many authors considered a variety of A. campester,
is, seemingly, becoming common. Professor Peck in 46th Rep. has
made the abrupt bulb and its usual double veil distinctive marks which
ally it to A. arvensis. He therefore calls it var. abruptus. As this
book goes to press Professor Peck writes me that he concludes var.
abruptus to be a good and distinct species. It is therefore given as
such. While familiar with it since 1881, I never found it in quantity
until 1898, at Mt. Gretna, Pa. There, among the straw and rubbish
of abandoned camps on wood margins, it grew in great quantity;
sometimes singly, at others in crowded clusters. When growing singly
it exhibits all the characteristics of its description; when clustered,
the stems are not always bulbous. The caps are thin but fleshy,
brittle and bear a disproportionate width to the stem — like a plate on
a pipe stem. The cap^s when mature are usually tinged with yellow and
are spread flat; the ring is large, often double, yellowish, often torn,
fragments of it frequently hang from the cap margin ; the bulb when
343
Agaricacese
Agaricus. perfect is small, abrupt, as if it had once been round but the stem
pushed into it. It has a strong spicy mushroom odor and taste, and
makes a high-flavored dish. It is delicious with meats. It is the
very best mushroom for catsup. Mixed with Russulae or Lactarii or
other species lacking in mushroom flavor, it enriches the entire dish.
The stems, excepting of the very young, are tough.
Larvae do not infest A. silvicola. Its habit of growth shows it to be
cultivatable. It has but one draw-back. Growing as it does in woods
and in the presence of the poisonous Amanita, it is possible for the
careless collector to confound the two. The Amanitae have larger bulbs,
cups at the base, and white gills; the A. silvicola has no volva, has
whitish gills when very young only, they become pinkish, then a marked
blackish-brown.
A. creta'ceilS Fr. — creta, chalk. Pileus 3 in. and more broad,
wholly white, fleshy, lens-shaped-globose when young, then convexo-
flattened, obtuse, dry, sometimes even, sometimes rivulose chiefly round
the margin from the cuticle separating into sqtiamules. Flesh thick,
white, unchangeable. Stem 3 in. long, 3-6 lines and more thick, hol-
low, stuffed with a spider-web pith, firm, attenuated upward, even,
smooth, not spotted, white. Gills free, then remote, ventricose but
very much narrowed toward the stem, crowded, remaining long white,
becoming dingy-brown only when old. Fries.
Spores 3x4/1. W.G.S.; 5-6x3.51". Massee.
Under certain conditions the spores are white. M. /. B.
In lawns and rich ground.
North Carolina, on earth and wood. Edible, Curtis; Minnesota, rare,
Johnson; California, H. and M.; Ohio, Lloyd; Kentucky, Lloyd, Rep.
4; New York, Peck, Rep. 22.
A. Subrufes'cen-S Pk. — siib, under; rufescens, becoming red. PileilS
at first deeply hemispherical, becoming convex or broadly expanded,
silky fibrillose and minutely or obscurely scaly, whitish, grayish or dull
reddish-brown, usually smooth and darker on the disk. Flesh white,
unchangeable. Lamellae at first white or whitish, then pinkish, finally
blackish-brown. Stem rather long, often somewhat thickened or
bulbous at the base, at first stuffed, then hollow, white; the annulus
flocculose or floccose-scaly on the lower surface; mycelium whitish,
344
Porphyrosporee
forming slender branching root-like strings. Spores elliptical, 6-Jp. Agaricns.
Peck, 48th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Indiana, H. I. Miller, 1898; Haddonfield, N. J., Mcllvaine.
June 2, 1896, I found several specimens of a fungus new to me, and
sent them to Professor Peck for identification. He pronounced it a
dwarf form of his species A. subrufescens. The cluster grew on a flor-
ist's compost pile at Haddonfield, N. J. Its flesh has a flavor like that
of almonds.
This species is now cultivated and has manifest advantages over the
marketed species — it is easier to cultivate, very productive, produces in
less time after planting the spawn, is free from attacks of insects, carries
better and keeps longer.
Amateurs are likely to succeed in growing it, and to have goodly crops
of mushrooms instead of disappointments.
A. placo'myces Pk. Gr. — a flat cake. (Plate XCIII, fig. 3, p. 332.)
Pileus thin, at first convex, becoming flat with age, whitish, brown in
the center and elsewhere adorned with minute brown scales. Lamella}
close, white, then pinkish, finally blackish-brown. Stem smooth, an-
nulate, stuffed or hollow, bulbous, white or whitish, the bulb often
stained with yellow. Spores elliptical, 5-6.5/1* long.
Cap 2-4 in. broad. Stem 3-5 in. long, H to nearly % in. thick.
It grows in the borders of hemlock woods or under hemlock trees
from July to September. It has been eaten by Mr. C. L. Shear, who
pronounces it very good. I have not found it in sufficient q-uantity to
give it a trial. This mushroom is very closely related to the wood
mushroom or silvan mushroom, Agaricus silvaticus, a species which is
also recorded as edible, but which is apparently more rare in our state
(New York) than even the flat-cap mushroom. This differs from the
silvan mushroom in its paler color, in having the cap more minutely,
persistently and regularly scaly, and in its being destitute of a prominent
center. In the silvan mushroom thte scales, when present, are few, and
they disappear with age. Peck, 48th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Mrs. E. C. Anthony, Gouverneur, N. Y., June, 1898, writes: "In
great abundance on lawn, tumbling over one another in their haste to
make their appearance. One of the largest, which did not have half a
chance to display its proportions, would probably measure 7 in., per-
haps more. When mature they crack across the top, showing the white
345
Agaricaceee
Agaricus. flesh. The gills are pink, stem white, solid and bulbous. There is no
perceptible odor when fresh."
Indiana, H '. I. Miller, edible, good.
Specimens sent to me by Mrs. Anthony, though not fresh, were eaten
by me. They very much resembled the common mushroom, but proba-
bly, owing to their condition, were not so tender.
I have not found the species. The illustration is after a painting by
Mrs. E. C. Anthony,
A. varia'bilis Pk. — variable. (Plate XCIII, fig. i, p. 332.) Cap
2-6 in. across, ovate, bell-shaped, irregularly convex and wavy, margin
incurved but never striate, smooth, minutely fibrillose, with few remain-
ing floccose scales; mature plant pure white, when young distinctly
tinged with lilac and here and there with yellow when mature, slightly,
broadly umbonate and depressed around umbo, cracks along gills.
Flesh thick in center, very thin, even membranaceous toward, margin,
spongy, unchangeable. Gills free, close, thin, flaccid, ventricose, nar-
row next stem, but few short, pure-white when young, then dark-umber
without purple tinge. Stem equal, tubed, white, silky, smooth above
ring, rippled and minutely furfuraceous (scurfy) below, flocculose-fur-
furaceous when young, densely hairy at base, and occasionally slightly
expanding, but not bulbous, densely cespjtose with a coarse, white,
root-like mycelium. Veil heavy at first, mottled with yellow scales be-
neath ; as cap expands veil becomes, thin, like tissue paper, ruptures at
both stem and margin leaving torn ring on stem and appendiculate frag-
ments on edge of cap.
Spores shed in great quantity, rich dark umber-brown without shade
of purple.
Taste strong like almond. Smell slightly of musk, like the* running
mycelium of A. campester.
Found at Mt. Gretna, Pa. Charles Mcllvaine.
I have never found worms in this species. It is very prolific and its
habitat shows that it can be cultivated. Its freedom from worms and
lasting carrying quality will make it commercially valuable.
It grew in an old roofless stable from September until after several
frosts, in enormous quantity, 25 or 3.0 pounds in a patch. It differs
from A. subrufescens in not having a shade of red about it, in its very
distinct light-lilac cap when full grown, and in its snow-white youth.
346
Porphyrosporee
The young gills are pure white as are the caps. The stems sometimes Agaricus.
taper upward, but they are usually remarkably equal.
It is delicate when cooked and of excellent flavor.
A. tabula'ris Pk. — relating to boards. Pileus 5-10 cm. broad, very
thick, fleshy, firm, convex, deeply cracked in areas, whitish, flesh whit-
ish, tinged with yellow, the areas pyramidal, truncate, the sides hori-
zontally striate, their apices sometimes tomentose. LamellaB narrow,
close, free, blackish-brown when mature. Stem short, thick, solid.
Spores broadly elliptical, 7. 5-90, long, 6-7. 5/* broad, generally contain-
ing a single large nucleus.
In clay soil by roadsides. Craig, Colorado. August. E. Bethel.
This species is remarkable for the peculiar upper surface of the pileus
which is broken into pyramidal areas. The sides of these are marked
by parallel lines in such a way that they appear as if formed by small
tablets placed one upon another, each successive tablet being a little
smaller than the one immediately preceding it. Only dried and broken
specimens have been seen by me and the notes of the collector do not
give the color of the young lamellae. There is a trace of a thick ring on
the broken stem of one specimen. Peck, Bull. Torr. Bot. Club, Vol.
25, No. 6, 1898.
Not elsewhere reported. Edible qualities not given.
347
Agaricaceae
PILOSACE Fr.
PUosace. Hymenium differentiated from the stem. Gills free from the stem ;
general and partial veil both absent,
(Plate > CV.) hence there is no ring on the cen-
tral stem. Spores purple-brown.
A peculiar genus, with the habit
of Agaricus, but without a trace of
a ring. Massee.
P. eximius Pk., 24th Rep. N. Y.
State Bot. , is the only species thus
SECTION OF PILOSACE ALGERIENSIS.
far reported in America. Edible qualities unknown.
STROPHA'RIA.
Gr. — a sword-belt. (Referring to the ring. )
stropharia. Flesh of stem and pileus continuous. Veil present, when ruptured
forming a distinct ring on the stem. Gills more or less adnate.
On the ground or epiphytal.
Separated from all the genera of the purple-spored series but Agari-
cus by the presence of a distinct ring, and from that by the continuity
of flesh in stem and pileus, and by the gills not being free. Pileus
somewhat fleshy, sometimes viscid.
The species belonging to this genus are rather small, and from their
habitats are frequently passed or overlooked. Yet many of them are
common and plentiful. Those which have been tested are excellent and
worth seeking in their season. The entire genus has been under a
cloud. Writers upon it assert some of its members to be dangerously
poisonous. So far as carefully tested by the writer no doubtful one has
348
Porphyrosporee
been encountered, and one — semiglobata — has been eaten by himself stropharia.
and friends since 1881, notwithstanding its dangerous reputation.
The division between this genus and Agaricus is not always sharply
defined. S. aeruginosa, S. semiglobata and S. stercoraria were formerly
placed in Psalliota, now Agaricus.
ANALYSIS OF TRIBES.
A. VISCIPELLES (yiscum, bird-lime; pellis, a skin). Page 349.
Pellicle of the pileus even or scaly, generally viscid.
* Mundi — mnndns, clean. Not growing on dung.
** Merdarii — merda, dung. Ring often incomplete.
B. SPINTRIGERI (Stropharia spintriger).
Pileus without a pellicle, but fibrillose, not viscid. None known to
be edible.
A. VISCIPELLES. Pellicle of the pileus even or scaly.
* Mun'di — not growing on dung.
S. fierugmo'sa Curt. — czrugo, verdigris,
compact, convex-bell-shaped then
flattened, somewhat umbonate (ob-
tuse when larger), with very viscid
pellicle, the ground color yellowish
but verdigris from the azure-bhte
slime with which it is more or less
covered over, becoming pale as the
slime separates. Stem hollow, soft,
equal, at the first scaly or fibrillose
below the ring, viscid, becoming more
or less aztire-blue green . Ring distant.
Gills adnate, plane, 2 lines and more
broad, not crowded, soft, whitish
then dusky, becoming somewhat pur-
ple.
Pileus fleshy, but not
(Plate XCVI.)
STROPHARIA ^ERUGINOSA.
Natural size. (After Stevenson.)
The above are the essential marks of this species.
349
Variable in form,
Agaricaceae
Stropharia. sometimes cespitose. The typical and handsomest form is gathered in
soaking weather in later autumn in shaded woods; it is large (pileus
and stem 3 in. and more), stem squarrose with white spreading scales,
intensely verdigris or azure-blue-pelliculose and very glutinous. From
this there is a long series of forms with the gluten more separating (on*
the separation of the gluten the pileus becomes yellow), and the scales
alike of the pileus and stem rubbed off. Finally, a smaller form occurs
in open meadows, stem scarcely 2 in. long, only 2 lines thick, becoming
azure-blue-green and without scales, pileus 1—2 in. broad, pale verdigris
soon light yellowish, less viscid. In this form the ring is incomplete,
while in the typical form it is entire, spreading, and persistent.
In woods, meadows, etc. Common. July to November. Stevenson.
Spores ellipsoid or spheroid-ellipsoid, 8x4-^ K.; SX//A W.G.S.;
elliptical, 10x5/4 Massee.
POISONOUS. Stevenson.
"There is a white variety, in which the pileus is perfectly white from
the first." Cooke.
S. aeruginosa has been noted here by Schweinitz in Pennsylvania,
Curtis in North and South Carolina, Frost in Vermont and Massachu-
setts, Harkness .and Moore, California, Morgan, Ohio. The qualities
of the American representatives are not reported. I have not seen the
species. As it is asserted to be poisonous by European writers it may
be. M. C. Cooke says: "It has the reputation, which is somewhat
general on the continent, of being poisonous, but probably this is only
assumed from its disagreeable taste and repulsive appearance." Collect-
ors are cautioned to look out for it, and not to eat of it carelessly.
I can find no case of poisoning by this species reported. It presents
another case of "Not proven."
** Merda'rii — ring often incomplete.
S. Stercora'ria Fr. — stercus, dung. Pileus I in. broad, yellow, fleshy,
but thin at the margin, hemispherical then expanded, obtuse, orbicular,
with a viscid pellicle, naked, smooth, even or at length slightly striate
only at the margin. Stem 3 in. and more long, 2—3 lines thick, stuffed
with a separate fibrous pith, equal, clpthed to the ring (which is scarcely
i in. distant from the pileus, viscous, narrow, but somewhat spreading)
with the flocculose veil which is at the same time viscous (so that it
350
Porphyrosporae
appears as if smooth), yellow. Gills adnate, very broad behind, 2 stropharia.
lines broad, somwhat crowded, dusky-umber or dusky-olivaceous, of
one color, quite entire.
Stem silky-viscous when moist, when dry becoming even, shining and
yellowish-white, and without a manifest veil. The gills are truncate and
somewhat decurrent. Fries.
Spores 17x13^ W.G.S.; elliptical, 1 8-20x8- 1 o/x Massee.
West Virginia, 1881-1885; Pennsylvania; New Jersey. June to No-
vember. Mcllvaine.
I have enjoyed this species, which is common, since 1881. It is
usually conspicuous upon droppings and manure piles. It also occurs
on richly-manured ground, in wood and field, usually single; some-
times two or three are united.
Caps and stems are edible, but do not cook in the same time. It is
better to cook the caps only. They are delicious.
Pileus com-
(Plate XCVIrz.)
S. semigloba'ta Batsch. — semi, half; globus, a ball,
monly % in. broad, lig Jit-yellow, slightly
fleshy, hemispherical, not expanded, very
obtuse, even, viscous. Stem about 3 in.
long, i line thick, tubed, slender, firm and
straight, equal, even, smooth, becoming
yellow, paler at the apex, powdered with
the spores, otherwise smeared with the
glutinous veil which is abrupt above ter-
minating in an incomplete (not membra-
naceous) viscous, distant ring. Gills ad-
nate, very broad, plane, clouded with black.
Spores dusky-purple. Stevenson.
Spores blackish-purple, I3x8/u, W.G.S.; elliptical, ends rather acute,
12x6^. Massee.
Grows on dung, rich lawns and pastures. April to November. A
common, frequent, solitary species, easily recognized by its hemi-
spherical cap, dark mottled gills. At first sight it resembles* Naucoria
semiorbicularis.
The caps are equal to any mushroom. I have eaten it since 1881.
M. C. Cooke says : "It was Sowerby who drew attention to this species
SECTION OF
STROPHARIA SEMIGLOBATA.
Natural size. (From Massee.)
351
Agaricacese
stropharia. as dangerous, and intimated that it had been fatal. Since that period
we are not aware of any further evidence against it.
It is tender, good and harmless.
HYPHOLO'MA.
Gr. — a web; Gr. — a fringe.
( Plate XCVIa.)
Hyphoioma. Pileus more or less fleshy, margin at first incurved. Veil webby, ad-
hering in fragments to the margin of
the pileus, not forming a distinct ring
on the stem. Stem fleshy, similar
in substance to that of the pileus with
which it is continuous. Gills at-
tached to the stem, sometimes with a
notch at the juncture (emarginate),
occasionally separating and then ap-
pearing to be free.
Generally cespitose, mostly grow-
ing on wood above or under the
ground.
Spores brownish -purple, some-
times intense-purple, almost black.
Corresponding to Tricholoma, En-
toloma and Hebeloma.
HYPHOLOMA FASCICULARIS.
Natural size.
352
PLATE XCVI1
Porphyrosporse
ANALYSIS OF TRIBES.
FASCICULARES (H. fascicularis). Page 354.
Pileus tough, smooth, bright colored, not hygrophanous. Hyphoioma.
VlSClDl (viscidus, viscid).
Pileus naked, viscid. None known to be edible.
VELUTINI (H. velutinus). Page 360.
Pileus silky or streaked with small fibers.
FLOCCULOSI (floccus, a lock of wool).
Pileus covered with superficial floccose scales, at length disappearing.
(None reported edible.)
APPENDICULATI (//". appendiculatus) . Page 362.
Pileus smooth, hygrophanous.
Members of this purple-spored genus grow upon decayed wood,
either standing or as roots in the ground, or from ground heavily laden
with woody material. They grow singly, in groups, or in densely-
tufted or overlapping masses. The several species vary in shades of
yellow, red, orange, brick-color and brown; their caps are from i— 6 in.
across ; their stems are short or long, as the number in the cluster per-
mits ; when growing singly the stems are short and sturdy. There is a
floccose veil, or remnants of one, about the stem. The gills are yel-
lowish, greenish, olivaceous or greenish shades of yellow, gray, purple,
almost black. They are showy, easily recognized and are found from
September until mid-winter. I have gathered them when frozen hard.
The flesh is solid, or spongy, flexible or fragile, white or yellowish; the
tastes are sweet, nutty, bitter and saponaceous. Patches of them — and
they are frequent in almost every woods in the land — often yield several
bushels. Tons of them annually go to waste.
Old authors and some copyists say "the species are not edible, the
tough ones being bitter, the fragile ones almost void of flesh." Eighteen
years of experience with them warrants my saying that there is not a
single wild genus approaching it in economic value, and when its most
prominent species are properly cooked, few equal it in consistency and
flavor. As a pickle the Hypholomas have no superior.
23 ' 353
Agaricacese
Hyphoioma. Half a dozen or more of the species are exceedingly difficult to sep-
arate. Professor Peck has happily made a new species, H. perplexum,
which is well named. For all culinary purposes these affiliated species
may be gathered under that convenient name ; for botanic purposes his
description covers several perplexing characteristics common to what
have been written as separate species, and covers a composite species.
The occasional bitter taste of some species is not constant, and can
not be relied upon as a distinguishing mark. In the same tufts some
individuals may be mild, others bitter; some individuals in groups are in
a position and of an age to absorb water ; others are not. There will
be a marked difference in their taste raw. A few in the same group may
have been infested by insects ; others not. Those infested are often in-
tensely bitter, while their companions are of pleasant flavor. The same
remarks apply to neighboring clusters and individuals. I am of the
opinion, from long observation, that the bitter is largely due to the in-
jury and excrement of larvae. Changes of taste occur in toadstools in
a most marked and rapid manner. Apples from the same tree, chest-
nuts from the same tree, acorns from the same oak, radishes from the
same seed, blackberries from the same bush, differ widely in taste. Why
not toadstools of the same species?
I have often seen species of this genus, described as having stems up
to 5 in. long, stretch and twist their stems to over a foot in order to get
their caps from the inside of, or from a crack in a decaying stump, out into
the light; and I have seen stems of the same species stout, solid and
sturdy when individuals grew upright and singly. But wherever and
however they grow, Hypholomas are safe. I have eaten them indis-
criminately since 1 88 1, and as long ago as 1885 published their edibility.
FASCICULA'RES. Pileus smooth, etc.
H. perplex'um Pk. — perplexus, perplexed. Perplexing Hyphoioma.
(Plate XCVII, fig. 2, p. 352.) Pileus convex or nearly plane, gla-
brous, sometimes broadly and slightly umbonate, reddish or brownish-
red fading to yellow on the- margin, the flesh white or whitish. La-
mellae thin, close, slightly rounded at the inner extremity, at first pale-
yellow, then tinged with green, finally purplish-brown. Stem nearly
equal, firm, hollow, slightly fibrillose, whitish or yellowish above, rusty-
reddish or reddish-brown below. Spores elliptical, purplish-brown,
354 f
Porphyrosporae
The Perplexing Hypholoma has received the name because it is one Hyphoioma.
of a group of five or six very closely allied species, whose separation
from each other is somewhat difficult and perplexing. Of these six
species three have a decidedly bitter, unpleasant flavor, and three are
mild, or not decidedly bitter, if we may rely on the published descrip-
tions of them. The three bitter ones, also, have no purplish tints to
the mature gills; but two of the mild ones have. By using these and
other distinguishing characters the six species may be tabulated and
their several peculiarities more clearly shown.
Taste bitter I
Taste mild, or not clearly bitter 3
I. Stem solid or stuffed, flesh whitish, gills whitish, then
sooty-olive sublateritium
I . Stem hollow, flesh yellow 2
2. Cap yellow or tinged with tawny, stem yellow, gills
yellow, becoming greenish fasciculare
2. Cap brick-red, stem ferruginous, gills green, becom-
ing olive elaeodes
3. Cap red or brick-red, with a yellow margin; gills yel-
low, then greenish, finally purplish-brown perplexum
3. Cap yellow, or slightly tawny on the disk only 4
4. Gills gray, becoming purplish-brown capnoides
4. Gills yellow, becoming gray, neither green nor pur-
plish epixanthum
Probably in general appearance the Perplexing hypholoma most
nearly resembles the brick-red Hypholoma, H. sublateritium; but it has
often been mistaken for the tufted Hypholoma, H. fasciculare. From
this it may be separated by the more red cap, the whitish flesh, the
purplish-brown color of the mature gills, and the mild flavor. FromH.
sublateritium it is distinguished by its usually smaller size, more slender
hollow stem, the yellow greenish and purplish tints of the gills, and the
absence of a bitter flavor. Some may prefer to consider it a variety of
this fungus, rather than a distinct species.
Its cap is 1-3 in. broad, its stem 2-3 in. long and 2-4 lines thick.
It commonly grows in clusters, though sometimes singly, on or about
old stumps or prostrate trunks of trees, in woods or open places. The
caps of the lower ones in a cluster are often defiled and apparently dis-
colored by the spores that have lodged on them from the upper ones.
355
Agaricaceae
Hyphoioma. It appears in autumn, and continues until freezing weather stops its
growth. It is a very common species, as well as a late one, and may
often be gathered in large quantity. Its flavor is not first quality, but
with good preparation it makes a very acceptable dish. It has been
tested by myself and correspondents several times, and has been proved
harmless. Peck, 49th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
West Virginia, 1881-1885; New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsyl-
vania, October to January. On stumps, roots, ground containing de-
cayed woody matter. Mcllvaine.
H. perplexum is abundant in most if not all the states. I have eaten
it and its allied species since 1881 ; dried them, pickled them, and fed
them to many. If the collector gets puzzled, as he will, over one or
all of these species, because no description fits, he can whet his patience
and appetite by calling it H. perplexum and graciously eating it.
H. capnoi'des Fr. Gr. — like smoke, from the color of the gills.
Pileus I in. sometimes 3 in. broad, ochraceous-yellowisJi, fleshy, convex,
then flattened, obtuse, dry, smooth. Flesh somewhat thin, white. Stem
2—3 in. long, 2—4 lines thick, growing together at the base, hollow,
equal, often curved and flexuous, becoming silky-even, pallid, whitish at
the apex, here and there striate, becoming rust-colored under the surface-
covering when old. Cortina appendiculate, white, then becoming
brownish-purple. Gills adnate, easily separating, somewhat crowded,
rather broad, arid, at first bluish-gray then becoming brownish-purple.
Cespitose, fasciculate; odor and taste mild. On pine-stumps. Un-
common. Fries.
Spores ellipsoid-spheroid, 7x5/4 K.; elliptical, brownish-purple, 8x4^
Massee.
California, H. and M.; Minnesota, not necessarily in fir-woods, Jolm-
son; New York, on or about stumps or decaying wood of spruce. Peck,
50th Rep.
Haddonfield, N. J., 1894. Pine roots and stumps, and on ground.
Cespitose. September to frost. Mcllvaine.
A pretty species with caps up to \% in. across. Stem 2-4 in. long,
%—% in. thick, growing together (connate). The taste and smell are
pleasant. The basket is soon filled from its clusters. There is not a
better Hyphoioma. The slightly soapy taste which attaches to most of
the abundant and better known species is absent in this.
356
Porphyrosporae
H. fascicula'ris Huds. — fasciculus, a small bundle. (Plate XCVIII,
P- 352.) PileilS about 2 in. broad, light yellow, the disk commonly
darker, fleshy, thin, convex, then flattened, somewhat umbonate or
obtuse, even, smooth, dry. Flesh light yellow. Stem very variable
in length, hollow, thin, incurved or flexuous, fibrillose, of the same
color as the pileus and flesh. Gills adnate, very crowded, linear, some-
what deliquescent, sulphur-yellow then becoming green.
It is very easily distinguished from the preceding species by its bitter
odor and taste, light-yellow flesh, and somewhat deliquescent, sulpJiur-
yellow then green gills. It forms also more crowded clusters. There
are many remarkable varieties ; one robustior ( more robust ) , stem
thickened at the base, another nana (dwarf), both on the ground.
Cespitose on old stumps and the ground. Extremely common.
Stevenson.
Spores elliptical, 7x4^ Massee; 6—7x4/1, K.; 6x4^ W.G.S.; ferrugin-
ous purple, 6x4/i Morgan.
"It is very usual to regard this as a poisonous species, but possibly
it is not so in reality." Cooke.
West Virginia, 1881, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina,
Mcllvaine.
A very common species appearing in October and lasting until well
into the winter, growing in large, overlapping masses or in tufts from
old stumps or roots, and about trees where decay has begun. Some-
times solitary. It is then short-stemmed and sturdy. There are sev-
eral closely allied species. To know the one from the other, a careful
study of the group is necessary. (See introduction to genus, H.
epixanthum, H. sublateritium, H. capnoides, H. elaeodes, and H. per-
plexum.) Old authors give it as bitter and poisonous. The bitter is
not always present. Any there is disappears in cooking. It is not
poisonous, but one of our most valuable species. I have eaten it since
1 88 1. A little lemon juice or sherry will cover the slightly saponaceous
taste sometimes present. The caps only are good. It makes a choice
pickle and a good catsup.
H. epixan'thum Fr. Gr. — epixanthos, yellowish-brown. Pileus 2-3
in. broad, light-yellow or becoming pale, the disk commonly darker,
fleshy, moderately thin, convexo-plane, obtuse or gibbous, even, slightly
silky then becoming smooth. Flesh white, becoming light-yellow. Stem
357
Agaricaceae
Hyphoioma. about 8 in. long, 3—4 lines thick, hollow, attenuated from the thickened
base or equal, floccose-fibrillose , pale rust color or becoming dingy-brown
below, with a frosty bloom at the apex ; veil hanging from margin of
pileus, white. Gills adnate, crowded, at first light yellow-white, at
length becoming ash-colored, not deliquescent, and not becoming purple
or green.
Strong smelling, odor acid ; extremely variable in stature ; not hy-
grophanous. Fries.
Spores elliptical, 7x4^ Massee.
West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina. On oak,
chestnut stumps and growing from tree roots in ground. October to
December. Mcllvaine.
(See H. perplexum, H. sublateritium and compare descriptions.)
This species, in common with its allies, is extremely hard to deter-
mine. When growing singly from roots or from ground heavily charged
with decaying wood, it is a sturdy, solid plant; when in clusters the
stem is longer, more flexible and the whole character of the plant is
modified. Except for botanic purposes there is no occasion to puzzle
over it. It is in every way an excellent and useful fungus.
H. disper'sus Fr. — dispergo, to scatter. Pileus i-i/£ in. broad,
tawny-honey-color, not hygrophanous, slightly fleshy, bell-shaped then
convex, at length expanded, even, superficially silky round the margin
with the veil, or squamulose, otherwise even and smooth. Flesh thin,
a little paler than the pileus. Stem 2 in. or a little more long, 2 lines
thick, tubed, equal, tense and straight, tough, fibrilloso- silky , somewhat
rust-colored, becoming dingy-brown at the base, pale at the apex.
Gills adnate, thin, ventricose, broad, 3-4 lines, crowded, at first pallid-
straw color, at length crowded, obsoletely green. Fries.
Gills broader than H. fascicularis, etc. Solitary, scarcely ever ces-
pitose. On pine stumps and the ground. April to November.
Spores elliptical, 7x3-4^ Massee.
North Carolina, in pine woods, Curtis; California, H. and M.; West
Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, New Jersey, Mcllvaine.
Difficult to distinguish from H. fascicularis when growing solitary.
Its edible qualities are precisely the same.
H. elseo'des Fr. Gr. — an olive; Gr. — eidos, appearance. Pileus
358
Porphyrosporee
brick-red or tan, fleshy, rather plane, somewhat umbonate, dry, smooth, Hyphoioma.
opaque. Flesh yellow. Stem stuffed then hollow, equal, commonly
slender, incurved or flexuous, fibrillose, of the same color as the pileus,
becoming rust-color. Gills adnate, crowded, thin, green then pure
olivaceous.
Cespitose. Odor bitter. On trunks and on the ground. Fries.
Cap 1-2 in. across. Stem 2-4 in. long, %-% in. thick, stuffed
then hollow.
West Virginia, 1881-1885, Haddonfield, N. J.; Pennsylvania. On
stumps, roots and ground in woods, etc. Mcllvaine. Not reported
elsewhere.
Its habit is the same as H. fascicularis, to which it is closely allied,
and to me seems but a form of this very variable species. It is equally
good.
H. sublateri'tium Schaeff. — sub and later, a brick. (Plate XCVII,
fig- 3» P- 352-) Pileus 2-3 in. and more broad, tawny-brick-red, but
paler round the margin and covered over with a superficial, somewhat
silky, whitish cloudiness (arising from the veil), fleshy, convexo-plane,
obtuse, discoid, dry, even, becoming smooth. Flesh compact, white,
then becoming yellow. Stem 3-4 in. long, 3-5 lines thick, stuffed,
stout and firm, commonly manifestly attenuated downward, rarely equal,
scaly-fibrillose , fibrils pallid, rust-colored downward. Cortina superior,
at first white, at length becoming black. Gills adnate, more or less
crowded according to stature, narrow, at first dingy-yellowish and darker
at the base, then sooty, and at length inclining to olivaceous.
Spores brownish purple. Somewhat cespitose. Stem incurved from
position. There are many varieties: B, somewhat solitary, the pileus
and stem, which is thickened at the base, of the same color, reddish.
C, smaller, pileus light yellowish, the hollow stem equal. Schaeff.
Var. sqnamo'sum, Cooke. Pileus convex, bright brick-red, shading
to yellow at the margin, spotted with superficial scales. Flesh very
thick, yellowish. Gills narrowish, adnate. Stem elongated, stout, pale
above, rust-colored below, hollow, veil hanging from the margin when
young.
On trunks. A very beautiful variety, larger and more robust than
the typical form. Massee.
Spores 6x3/x. W.G.S.; elliptical, sooty-brown, 8x4/4 Massee
359
Agaricaceee
Hyphoioma. West Virginia, 1881-1885; Pennsylvania, New Jersey, densely ces-
pitose on stumps and roots. October to long after frosts. Mcllvaine.
Edible. Dr. Taylor, 1893. Dept. of Agr. Rep. No. 5.
H. sublateritium has many forms. Both Fries and Stevenson indi-
cate this as a variable species and my own observation confirms the
truth of this.
This is a very common autumnal species, lasting into the winter. Old
authors give it as bitter and very poisonous. I tested it in 1881 and
have been eating it, in common with all Hypholomas I have found, ever
since. At times it is bitter. I believe this to be due to the passage of
larvae through the flesh. Unattacked specimens are slightly saponaceous
to the taste while others in the same bunch are bitter.
VlS'CIDI. Pileus viscid, etc. (None known to be edible.)
Velutini. Pileus silky, etc.
H. veluti'miS Pers. — vellus, a fleece. Velvety. Pileus fleshy, thin,
convex or expanded, brittle, minutely tomentose-scaly, becoming
smooth, hygrophanous, yellow with the disk reddish. Lamellae rather
broad, attached, tapering toward the outer extremity, dark brown tinged
with red, the edge whitish-beaded. Stem equal, rather slender, hollow,
fibrillose, subconcolorous, white-mealy and slightly striate at the top.
Spores black.
Height about 2 in., breadth of pileus 1-1.5 m-
Roadsides. Albany Cemetery. September. The pileus sometimes
cracks transversely. Peck, 23d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Spores 6x8/x, W.G.S.; elliptical, 10x5/1* Massee.
Often used in catsup. Innocent and edible. Cooke.
West Virginia. 1881-1885, Pennsylvania, West Philadelphia, Bart-
ram's Creek, 1887, Mcllvaine.
Var. leiocepli alus B. and Br. (GV. — smooth; Gr. — head, from its
smooth pileus). Pileus hygrophanous, rugged, smooth except at the
margin, where it is fibrillose, pallid as is the stem, whose apex is mealy.
Densely cespitose, much smaller than the common form, but ap-
parently a mere variety, though a striking one from its smooth but very
rugged disk. On old stumps. Stevenson.
New York, Peck, 23d Rep. ; West Virginia, West Philadelphia, Bart-
ram's Creek, Haddonfield, N. J., September to November. Mcllvaine.
360
Porphyrosporse
Quantities of var. leiocephalus grow in the West Virginia forests on Hyphoioma.
stumps and on the ground from decaying roots. \% in. is the limit of
its width. Its frequent and dense clusters, its tenderness and deli-
cacy of flavor make it a favorite.
H. aggrega'tum Pk. — aggrego, to grow together. Densely cespitose.
PileilS thin, convex or subcampanulate, grayish-white, obscurely spotted
with appressed brownish fibrils. Lamella? subdistant, rounded behind,
nearly free, at first whitish, then brown or blackish-brown with a whitish
edge. Stem rather long, hollow, somewhat woolly or fibrillose, white.
Spores brown, elliptical, 8x4-5^.
Pileus about i in. broad. Stem 2-3 in. long, 1.5-2 lines thick.
At the base of trees and stumps in woods. Alcove. September.
The cespitose habit and obscurely spotted grayish-white pileus are
marked features of this species. From H. silvestre the species may be
distinguished by its smaller size, adnexed or nearly free lamellae which
have no rosy tint, and by its very cespitose mode of growth. Peck,
46th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Mt. Gretna, Pa., about trees and stumps. September to November,
1898-1899. Mcllvaine. Not reported elsewhere.
The caps are oyster-color. Amateurs accustomed to the gayer colors
of the autumnal Hypholomas will not suspect this of belonging to the
genus, until the color of the spores is obtained.
The caps are fine.
H. lachrymabun'duni Fr. — lachryma, a tear. Pileus 2-3 in. broad,
whitish when young, then dingy-brown, becoming pale around the mar-
gin, truly fleshy but not compact, convex, obtuse, scaly with hairs, the
innate scales darker. Flesh white. Stem 2 in. long, 3-4 lines thick,
hollow, somewhat thickened at the base, scaly with fibrils, becoming
brownish-whitish. Veil separate, clothed with fibers, hanging from the
pileus, white. Gills adnate, crowded, 3 lines broad, whitish then
brownish-purple, edge whitish and distilling drops in wet weather.
Spores brownish-purple. From mutual pressure the caps are often
irregular. Very cespitose, firm. Fries.
Spores brownish-purple, 9x41". Massee.
On ground and on trunks. Truly cespitose. Smaller than H. velu-
Aguricaceae
Hyphoioma. tinus, but firmer, truly fleshy, not hygrophanous. Bushy pastures.
Bethlehem. October.
Our specimens do not agree in all respects with the published de-
scription of the species. The pileus is sometimes wholly destitute of
scales and sometimes densely clothed with hairy, erect ones. The species
is manifestly variable. Peck, 3Oth Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
" Like H. fascicularis in quality. Intensely irritant. It is bound with
the weight of its own guilt." Hay.
This is a good specimen of Hay's comments. H. fascicularis is never
irritant, is good eating, is innocent.
There is irony in the comment of Dr. Cooke: "This doubtful spe-
cies is used by the smaller ketchup makers."
I have not seen this species. When I do I shall eat it and expect to
live.
APPENDICULA'TI. Pileus hygrophanous, smooth.
H. incer'tum Pk. (Plate XCVIII.) Pileus fragile, convex or sub-
campanulate, then expanded, hygrophanous, often radiately wrinkled,
whitish with the disk yellowish, the thin margin sometimes purplish-
tinted, often wavy, adorned by fragments of the white flocculent fuga-
cious veil. Lamellae close, narrow, whitish then rosy-brown, the edge
often uneven. Stem equal, straight, hollow, easily splitting, whitish
with a frosty bloom or slightly scurfy at the top. Spores elliptical,
purplish-brown, 8x5^*.
Plant gregarious or subcespitose, 2-3 in. high. Pileus 1-2 in.
broad.' Stem 1-2 lines thick.
Ground among bushes. Green Island and Sandlake. June and July.
The veil is sometimes so strongly developed as to form an imperfect
ring. The color is nearly white from the first. Peck, 2Qth Rep. N. Y.
State Bot.
As the name indicates, I was uncertain whether this was a form of H.
Candolleanum, to which it is very closely related, but as Fries says of
that "Gills at first violaceous," and as our plant has them at first white
or whitish, I concluded to risk the uncertainty on a new species.
I have seen Central Park, New York, well covered with it in May. It
is also common in the vicinity of Boston. Of very agreeable flavor and
delicate substance. The profusion of its growth compensates for its
small size. Macadam.
362
I'LATE XCVIII.
IE
"D
O
0
^
>
O
m
?o
H
C
Porphyrosporae
Indiana, H. I. Miller; Mt. Gretna, Pa., in great clusters between Hyphoioma.
railroad ties and beside track, Mcllvaine.
Tender. One of the best.
H. appendicilla'tum Bull. — a small appendage. From the veil ad-
hering to margin of pileus. (Plate XCVII, p. 352.) Pileus 2-3 in.
broad, date-brown then tawny, becoming pale yellowish when dry,
fleshy-membranaceous, thin, ovate then expanded, at length flattened,
obtuse, smooth, when dry slightly wrinkled, somewhat sprinkled with
atoms. Stem 3 in. long, 2-3 lines thick, fistulose, equal, smooth,
white, pruinate at the apex; veil fringing the margin of the pileus,
fugacious, white. Gills somewhat adnate, crowded, dry, white then
flesh-colored, at length dingy-brown.
Densely cespitose, very fragile and hygrophanous. Much thinner
and more fragile than A. Candolleanus. It may be safely distinguished
from species which are nearest to it by the gills being whitish then
brownish-flesh color.
Var. lana'tum, A curious form, densely woolly when young, traces
of the woolly coat remaining at the apex when the pileus is fully ex-
panded. Sibbertoft. B. and Br., 1876. Stevenson.
Spores ellipsoid, pellucid, 6-8x3-4^ K.; 4x6/i W.G.S.; elliptical,
5x2. 5 p Massee.
Angora, West Philadelphia, October, November, December, 1897;
Haddonfield, N. J., Mt. Gretna, Pa., cespitose and gregarious in woods '
about stumps. Mcllvaine.
"It is very common and edible." Farlow.
At Mt. Gretna, Pa., October, 1898, in great abundance. When
found it was gregarious in large patches and cespitose on stumps. My
identification was confirmed by Professor Peck.
It dries well, and retains flavor and esculent qualities. Cooked it is
among the best.
H. Candol'leanum Fr. — After DeCandolle. Pileus 2-4 in. broad,
date-brown then becoming white, the top somewhat yellowish, some-
what fleshy, acorn-shaped then bell-shaped, soon convex and at length
flattened, obtuse and unequal, smooth, even. Flesh thin, white. Stem
3 in. long, 2-4 lines thick, fistulose, solid at the base, somewhat thick-
ened, fibrillose, white, striate at the apex; veil in the form of a cortina,
363
Agaricaceas
Hyphoioma. web-like, appendiculatc (depending from the margin of the pileus),
white, at length becoming dingy-brown. Grills rounded-adnexed, then
separating, crowded, violaceous then brownish-cinnamon, the edge at
first whitish.
Readily distinguished from neighboring species by the gills being at
first beautifully dark violaceous, never flesh-colored. Densely cespitose,
fragile, very hygrophanous. Stevenson.
Spores elliptical, 8x4^ Massee.
Edible, often used in catsup. Cooke.
A species variable in color with the weather. Its gills are cream-
colored at first, then purplish, then very dark. After rain the fragile
cap often turns up at the margin and splits.
It differs somewhat in texture from other Hypholomas, being more
delicate in texture and substance. It is excellent.
H. suba'qililum Banning. — aquilus, brownish, tawny. Pileus brown,
convex, smooth, hygrophanous, often shaded into ocher at margin, veil
delicate, silk-like, encircling and covering the marginal extremities of
the lamellae but forming no ring on the stem. Flesh white, turning
umber when cut. Lamellae adnexed or nearly free, close, forked, um-
.ber. Stem cespitose, regular, hollow, silky, white, 2-3 in. long.
Spores brown, 4x5^. Banning MS.
Druid Hill Park, Baltimore, Miss Banning; decaying wood, Adiron-
dack mountains. August and September. New York. Peck, 45th
Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
H. subaquilum is closely allied to H. appendiculatum, but is dis-
tinguished by its darker colored cap and gills.
Its edible qualities are the same. It is among the best.
364
PSILO'CYBE Fr.
Gr. — naked; head.
Porphyrosporse
Pileus more or less fleshy, smooth, margin at first incurved. Gills PsUocybe.
becoming brownish or purple. Stem somewhat cartilaginous, rigid or
tough, tubular, hollow or stuffed, often rooting. Veil absent or rudi-
mentary, never forming a membrane. Spores purple, purple-brown or
slate-color.
Generally growing on the ground, gregarious, sometimes cespitose.
Psilocybe is analogous in form to Collybia, Leptonia and Naucoria,
which are distinguished by their spore colors. Separated from Psathyra
by the incurved margin of the pileus.
But one species of Psilocybe is herein given as edible. Of it, alone,
the writer has had opportunity to eat meals. Several others of the
species have been found by him and tested in small quantity. They are
all of good texture, substance and flavor, though most are small. He
is of the opinion that increased testing will prove the entire genus edi-
ble. Nothing can or should be prognosticated about a toadstool, but
the indications are all in favor of Psilocybe.
P. spadi'cea Schaeff. — spadiceus, date-brown. Pileus thin, submem-
(Plate XCIX.)
branaceous, hemispherical, then con-
vex or expanded, smooth, hygro-
phanous, pale grayish -brown and
striatulate when moist, white or yel-
lowish when dry. Gills narrow, close,
attached, easily separating from the
stem, at first whitish, then brown,
tinged with flesh-color. Stem straight,
equal, hollow, smooth, white.
Height 1-2 in., breadth of pileus
1-1.5 m- Stem 1-2 lines thick.
Grassy ground in yards and fields.
Albany. June. Gregarious or cespi-
tose. The pileus is fragile, the spores
are brown. Peck, 23d Rep. N. Y.
State Bot.
Spores brown, 9x47* Massee; purplish brown, 7.6x5.1^ Morgan.
Haddonfield, N. J., October, November, December, 1896. In large
patches and where stumps had been taken from the ground. Mcllvaine.
365
PSILOCYBE SPADICEA.
Two-thirds natural size.
Agaricaceae
Psiiocybe. Var. Jiygro philus Fr. Gr. — moist; loving.
Pileus tawny, then clay-color. Stem 4-6 in. long, rather fusiform,
rooting. Gills emarginate with a deeply decurrent line; at length
umber-brown.
Var. polycepli alus Fr. — polus, many; cephale, head.
Densely crowded. Stem thinner, flexuous. Gills nearly free, at
length tawny-umber.
The plant is tender, cooks easily and is of fine flavor.
P. semilancea'ta Fr. — semi, half; lancea, a spear. Pileus % in.
high, not broad, various in color, becoming yellow, green, dingy-brown,
somewhat membranaceous, acutely conical, almost cuspidate, never ex-
panded, but the margin when young at first bent inward, covered with a
Pellicle which is viscous and separable in wet weather, slightly striate
chiefly round the margin. Stem as much as 3 in. long, scarcely i line
thick, tubular and containing a pith, equal, more frequently flexuous,
smooth, capable of being twisted round the finger, smooth, becoming
pale; furnished with a veil when young. Gills ascending into the sum-
mit of the cone, adnexed, almost linear, crowded, becoming purple-
black. Fries.
Gregarious, very tough. Pastures and roadsides, etc. Common.
August to November. Stevenson.
Spores ellipsoid, 9-16x4-9^1 K.; 14x9/4 W.G.S.
New York, Peck, Rep. 23 ; No via Scotia, Somers.
Var. ccerules cens Cooke — becoming blue. Base of stem turning indigo-
blue.
Not common in America, but frequently found. According to M.
C. Cooke — a careful authority — P. semilanceata has a dangerous reputa-
tion. It is said to have proved fatal to children when eaten raw. It is
not deleterious when cooked.
Porphyrosporse
PSA'THYRA Fr.
Gr. — friable.
Veil none or only universal, and
floccoso-fibrillose. Stem somewhat
cartilaginous, fistulose with a tube,
polished, fragile. PileilS conical or bell-
shaped, membranaceous , the margin at
the first straight and adpressed to the
stem. Gills becoming purple or brown-
ish. Slender, fragile, hygrophanous.
Some of the last species of Hypho-
loma and Psilocybe are very closely
allied to them. The Coprinarii are
readily distinguished by the gills being
white or ash-color, then black, not
dusky-brown nor becoming purple.
Psathyra corresponds with Mycena,
Nolanea, Galera and Psathyrella. All
the species grow on the ground or on
trunks. Stevenson.
But four American species reported.
(Plate C.)
Psathyra.
PSATHYRA GYROFLEXA.
Natural size. (After Massee.)
Omitted from Index to Species.
Small and unimportant.
DECONICA.
Stem tough; margin of Pileus at first incurved. Gills subtriangu-
larly decurrent. Corresponds with Omphalia, Eccilia, Tubaria.
Few American species. Small and unimportant.
367
Agaricaceaa
«;,»»•
o.-.w.t .
F. MELANOS'POBJE (spores black). Gr.— black; GV.— seed.
'ARIOUS as are the spore colors in this series (in
its broadest sense), there is an entire absence of
brown and purple shades in the black spores of four
of the genera belonging to this group or series. In
Gomphidius the spores are dingy-olivaceous. It
is an outsider affiliating with thoroughbreds because
of more technical congeniality than other genera
afford. Like comets in the universe, it has no
home. The singular genus Montagnites (of which but one species has
been found in America, and that in Texas) has the relationship of
spore-color. Panaeolus, Anellaria, Psathyrella, when young, have gills
free from each other; Coprinus, in early life, presents them pressed
tightly together; as the plants age and the spores ripen, the entire gill
structure becomes black and dissolves into an inky fluid, the color of
which is due to the spores.
The species are all of delicate body, and many of them add gener-
ously to table luxuries.
COPRI'NUS Pers.
Gr. — dung.
Coprinus. Pileus separate from the stem. Gills membranaceous, at first closely
pressed together, cohering, at length melting into a black fluid. Trama
obsolete. Spores oval,1 even, black.
The extreme closeness of the gills and their entire deliquescence into
a fluid, black from the spores, sharply define this genus and separate it
from all others. At first the form is oval or cylindrical; most are
furnished with a downy or scurfy veil often adhering to the pileus,
sometimes forming an adhering volva at the base of the stem. Nearly
all are ephemeral, many completely disappearing in a day.
Cystidia (sterile cells) of large size are frequent on the gills of many
species.
368
MELANQSPQRAE.
PSATHYRELLA.
MONTAGNITES.
CHART OF GENERA ix BLACK-SPORED SERIES — MELAXOSPORAE, PAGE 368
Melanosporae
The majority grow on richly manured ground or dung, some on rotten Copriuus.
wood and other materials Bolbitius, the only ally, has the same
ephemeral existence, and grows in similar situations, but the gills only
soften (not melting) and the spores are somewhat rust-colored.
The blackening of the gills is not a process of decay, but is due to
the growth of the spores, and the plant is still (before deliquescence)
perfectly edible although not so inviting in appearance as before.
Species of Coprinus are very common and are easily recognized by
the deliquescent gills which, when mature, stain the fingers black.
In "Once upon a Time," when country people made their own writ-
ing inks, the convenient Coprinus gave its juices for this purpose. A
little corrosive sublimate added to the boiled and strained fluid pre-
vented it from molding.
With few exceptions the species are small. They are tender, of real
mushroom flavor and highly enjoyable. They make a thin, well flavored
catsup, but are better used to give flavor to their less favored brethren.
They stew in from two to fifteen minutes, depending upon the solidity
of the species.
ANALYSIS OF THE TRIBES.
A. PELLICULOSI (pellicula, a thin skin). Page 370.
Gills covered above with a fleshy or membranaceous skin, hence the
pileus does not split along the lines of the gills, but becomes lacerated
with the edges turned upward.
* Comati — coma, hair. Furnished with a ring formed from the free
margin of the volva. The skin of the pileus torn into innate scales.
* Atramentarii — atramentum, ink. Ring imperfect. Volva absent.
Pileus dotted with minute innate scales.
* Picacei — pica, a magpie. Universal veil downy, at first continu-
ous then broken up into superficial scales forming patches on the pileus.
f Tomentosi — tomentum, down. Pileus at first covered with a
loose hairy down, becoming torn into distinct scales, at length disap-
pearing. Ring absent.
* Micacei — mico, to glitter. Pileus at first covered with minute
glistening scales, soon disappearing. Ring none.
****** Glabrati. Pileus smooth. Veil absent.
24 369
Agaricaceee
B. VELIFORMES (velum, a. veil; forma, form). Page 380.
Coprinus. Pileus very thin without a skin, at length opening into furrows along
the backs of the gills and becoming folded in furrows. Stem thin, hol-
low. Gills wasting away into thin lines.
* Cyclodei. Gr. — a circle; appearance. Stem with a ring or volva.
** Lanatuli — lanatus, woolly. Pileus covered with superficial woolly
floccules, at length disappearing. Ringless.
*** Furfurelli — furfttreus, branny. Pileus mealy or scurfy. Gills
generally attached to a collar at the apex of the stem. Ringless.
. **** Hemerobii. Gr. — living a day. Pileus always smooth.
None known to be edible.
A. PELLICULO'SI. Cap becoming torn, edge turning upward, etc.
* Comati. Furnished with a ring, etc.
C. COma'tus Fr. — coma, hair. (Plate CII.) Pileus 2-7 in. high,
white, fleshy, at first oblong, becoming bell-shaped, seldom expanded,
when in mature deliquescing state, splitting at the margin along the line
of the gills, the cuticle, except upon the apex, separating into shaggy,
often concentric scales, at times yellowish, at others tinged with pur-
plish-black. Gills free from the stem, crowded and at first cohering,
broad, white then tinged with pink or salmon color, then purple to
black and dissolving into ink. Stem up to 10 in. long, up to % in.
thick, attenuated upward, most part concealed within the cap, hollow,
but with spider-web threads within, smooth or fibrillose, white or lilac-
white, easily pulling out of cap, brittle. Ring thin, torn, sometimes
entire and movable.
On rich soil, lawns, gardens, roads, dumps, especially where ashes
have been placed. Solitary or in large dense clusters. August until
after frost, but it is occasionally found during the spring months.
Spores elliptical, black, i3-i8/i long Peck. Almost black, elliptical,
i3-i8x7-8/x. Massee; 1 1-13x6-8^ K.; 15x8;* W.G.S.
Var. brev'iceps Pk. Pileus before expansion subovate, shorter and
broader than in the typical form, 1.5-2.5 in. high. Dumping ground.
Albany. November. H. Neiman. Peck, 49th Rep.
Coprinus comatus is common to the United States. In its perfection
it is a stately and beautiful plant. I have seen it with the oblong cap
370
PLATE CII.
Photographed by Dr. J. R. Weist.
COPRINUS COMATUS.
Melanosporae
eight inches long, but its usual height is from 2-4 in. It occurs after Coprmus.
hard rain and often in the most unexpected places. It is a rather do-
mestic species, usually in troops, but often in clusters of from five to
fifty individuals. I have seen it lift firmly sodded ground about rail-
road stations, and again, bulging the surface of gardens like mole-hills.
There are toadstools of higher flavor, but not one of greater delicacy.
In this C. comatus is not excelled from its earliest stage until fully
ripened. It is everywhere commended.
Lafayette B. Mendel, in American Journal of Physiology, gives the
following analysis :
The specimens were freshly gathered and had not yet turned " inky."
They varied very widely in size, thirty-six mushrooms weighing 1485
grams, of which 980 grams belonged to the caps (pileus) and 505
grams to the stems. The average weight of a fresh specimen was thus:
Pileus 27 grams
Stem 14
Total weight 41
A specimen which had attained the average growth weighed :
Pileus 43 grams
Stem 25
Total weight 68
An analysis yielded the following results :
Water 92-T9 per cent.
Total solids 7.81
The dry substance contained :
Total nitrogen 5.79 per cent.
Extractive nitrogen 3.87
Protein nitrogen 1.92
Ether extract 3.3
Crude fiber 7.3
Ash 12.5
Material soluble in 85 per cent, alcohol 56.3
C. SOboli'feruS Fr. Pileus iK-2& in. across, subcylindrical, then
oval bell-shaped, lower half of pileus usually undulate but not furrowed
or striate, disk obtuse, usually depressed, distinctly scaly, dingy white,
toward the apex tinged with pale brown, scales darker. Flesh very
thin. Gills free, tapering toward each end, % in. or more broad,
crowded, pale then blackish. Stem 5-8 in. long, K in. thick at the
371
Agaricacese
Coprinus. base, slightly attenuated upward, silky-white, stuffed; toward the base
there is a depressed zone caused by the edge of the pileus when young.
King fugacious. Spores elliptical, 15x7^.
Amongst grass near to trunks, buried wood, etc. A very large and
beautiful species, distinguished from Coprinus atramentarius, its nearest
ally, by the larger size of every part, the costate (ribbed) or waved
lower portion of the pileus, the truncate, depressed disk, with distinct
squamules, the whitish color of the pileus, and the imperfectly hollow or
stuffed stem.
Spores elliptical, 15x7/4 Massee.
Almshouse grounds, Philadelphia. On maple roots in grass-grown
places, May, 1897—1898. Mcllvaine. Not previously noted in United
States.
C. soboliferus is a substantial food-giving species, very heavy for its
size. It grows singly and in clusters and will immediately attract atten-
tion, wherever found. It is of fine flavor and substance. Cook at once.
C. OVa'tus (Schaeff. ) Fr. — ovum, an egg. Pileus white, somewhat
membranaceous, at the first egg-shaped and densely imbricated with
thick spreading concentric scales, covered with an even hood at the apex,
then expanded, striate. Stem 3-4 in. long, solid at the base, rooting,
otherwise hollow, with spider-web threads within, attenuated upward,
downy, shining white. Ring not very conspicuous and soon vanishing.
Gills free, remote, slightly ventricose, at the first somewhat naked and
remaining long shining white, at length timber-blackish, never becoming
purple.
Smaller, thinner, less handsome than C. comatus. For the most part
solitary. Fries.
Spores 1 1-12x7-8/4 Massee.
On rich ground, dumps, etc. Same habitat as C. comatus.
West Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, New Jersey. Mcll-
vaine.
So closely allied to C. comatus that it is with difficulty distinguished
from it. However, its edible qualities are the same, and into these the
name does not enter.
C. sterquili'nus Fr. — sterquilinium , a dunghill. Pileus about 2 in.
across when expanded, conical, then expanded, sulcate more than hali
372
PLATE CIII.
on
o o
•fl -0
B £•
5 3
d c2
cc oi
la
Melanosporse
way from margin to disk, at first villous or silky, disk rather fleshy with Coprinus.
rough scales, silvery-gray, tinged with brown at the apex. Flesh thin.
Gills free, ventricose, about 2 lines broad, pale then umber-purple.
Stem 4—6 in. high, slightly attenuated upward, white, fibrillose, hollow,
thickened base solid, and booted for about an inch from the base, mar-
gin of sheath ending in a free border or ring.
On dung. A fine large species known by the scaly apex of the pi-
leus, the basal portion of the stem surrounded by a volva-like, adnate
structure with a free upper margin. The stem soon becomes black when
bruised. Base of stem not rooting but abrupt, and furnished with a few
white fibers. Massee.
Edible, Cooke, 1891 ; also Leuba.
Nova Scotia, Dr. Somers.
This species is not reported as found in the United States,
**Atramentarii. Ring imperfect, etc.
C. atramentarius (Bull.) Fr. — atramentum, ink. (Plate CIII, fig.
i, p. 372.) Pileus i%-4 in. across, ovate, expanding, grayish, lead-
color or grayish-brown, with occasionally a few obscure scales on disk,
often covered with bloom ; margin ribbed, sometimes notched, soft, ten-
der. Gills free, ventricose, up to % in. broad, crowded and at first
cohering and white with white floccose edges, then becoming black and
dissolving into ink. Stem up to 5 in. long, up to >£ in. thick, smooth,
whitish, hollow, at first spindle-shaped, then attenuated upward, with
more or less distinct ring near base.
Spores subcylindrical, large cystidia numerous, I2x6/* Massee/ 9-10
x6/A K.; 9x5/x W.G.S.; 8-io/t long Peck.
Indiana, H . I. Miller; Harrisburg, Pa., Dr. J. H. Fager; West Vir-
ginia, Mcllvaine.
The stem is obscurely banded within, by which it may be recognized
with certainty.
It grows singly or in clusters of many individuals on rich ground,
whether lawns, gardens, gutter sides, or in woods, but not on dung. I
know of a fine cluster growing year after year on a much-decayed pear-
stump. Occasionally it appears in the spring months, but is common
during the summer and autumn after rains, and from its first appearance
373
Agaricacese
Coprinus. it occurs in successive crops until stopped by severe frost. It is com-
mon in Europe and over the United States.
The flavor is higher than that of C. comatus. It should be cooked
as soon as gathered, and kept in a cool place until needed.
Analysis shows the following:
Two separate, freshly-gathered lots of this species were examined.
The one («) contained six young small specimens weighing 5.5 grams,
or .9 gram each; the other (<$>) contained eight mushrooms weighing
12 grams, or 1.5 grams each. An analysis gave:
a. b.
Water 92-31 percent. 94.42 percent.
Total solids 7.69 5.58
The dry substance contained:
Total nitrogen 4.68 4.77
Ether extract 3.1 5.7
Crude fiber 9.3
Ash 16.8 20.1
Lafayette B. Mendel in American Journal of Physiology.
C. fusces'cens (Schaeff.) Fr. — fuscus, dark or swarthy. Pileus I—
l/€ in. across, submembranaceous, ovate, expanded, dull, disk rather
fleshy, even or cracked into squamules, grayish-brown, disk reddish.
Gills adfixed, blackish-umber. Stem 4-5 in. long, about K in. thick,
equal, fragile, hollow, subfibrillose. Ring indistinct or absent, whitish.
Mas see.
Smaller and more slender than Coprinus atramentarius. Pileus
brownish-gray, disk becoming reddish, not sprinkled with micaceous
particles, but at first covered with a mealy bloom. Gills adnexed,
attenuated from the stem to the margin, deliquescent. Fries.
Spores elliptical, pointed at the ends, iox6/* Massee; iox5/x. W.G.S.
Solitary and in tufts. On stumps, trunks, etc. May to October.
West Philadelphia, Pa., Mcllvaine.
C. fuscescens is tender, delicate and of excellent flavor. In this it
ranks with C. atramentarius
C. macro'spoms Pk. Pileus ovate, then expanded, rimose-striate
(cracked in lines), obscurely floccose-squamulose, white, the small even
brownish disk scaly. Lamellae crowded, free, white then black. Stem
374
Melanosporae
COPRINUS MACROSPORUS.
Enlarged one-third.
glabrous, white, with traces of an annulus (ring) near the thickened or Coprinus.
subbulbous base.
Spores very large, elliptical, 20—
20.5 long, 12-16/4 broad. (Plate CIV.)
Plant cespitose, 2-3 in. high. Pi-
leus 1-2 in. broad. Stem I line
thick.
Ground in open fields. Ticonder-
oga. August.
The prominent characters of this
species are the cracked pileus, squam-
ose disk, free lamellae and large
spores. In its early state it resembles
some species of Lepiota. It seems
to be intermediate between the sec-
tions Atramentarii and Micacei. Peck,
3istRep. N. Y. State Bot.
Found in quantity at Mt. Gretna,
Pa. August to September, 1898,
growing among old stable bedding
on parade ground.
C. macrosporus is an excellent species, higher in flavor than any other
Coprinus.
***Pica'cei. Universal downy veil, etc.
C. pica'ceus (Bull.) Fr. Pileus 2-2^ in. across, membranaceous,
ovato-bell-shaped, striate up to the disk, smoky-black, variegated with
large, irregular, superficial white patches. Gills free, % in. or more
broad, ventricose, grayish-black. Stem 5-6 in. long, base bulbous,
abrupt, otherwise equal, %—% in. thick, white, hollow, fragile, smooth.
Spores elliptical, apiculate, 14x8/4; cystidia large, numerous. Massee.
Decaying trunks or branches of trees in woods. Lyndonville. June.
Fairman.
The form here referred to this species differs somewhat from the
description of the type in being smaller, in having no bulb to the stem
and in having smaller spores. It is probably the "smaller variety
growing on rotten wood" noticed by Stevenson in his British Fungi. I
375
Agaricaceae
have seen the true form of the species from Kansas. The New York
plant seems to me to be worthy of distinctive designation, at least as a
variety, and I call it
Var. ebulbo'sus. Plant smaller. Stem destitute of a bulb. Spores
8-iox5)U,. Peck, 44th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Minnesota, Johnson, 1897; Kansas, Cragin, 1884; Wisconsin, Bundy;
Nebraska, Clements.
Edible. Leuba.
Large quantities grew on rotting chestnut and oak rails at Mt. Gretna,
Pa., from June to August, 1899. It is strong and unpleasant.
****Tomento'si. Pileus at first veiled with a loose hairy veil.
(Plate CV.)
C. fimeta'rius Fr. — fimetum, a dunghill. PileilS 1-2 in. across,
membranaceous, thin, at first cylindrical ',
soon conical, the edge at length revolute and
torn at the margin, when young everywhere
covered with floccose-squarrose white scales
(from the universal veil), which separate
from the vertex toward »the circumference,
at length naked, longitudinally cracked,
but not opening into furrows, the vertex
which remains entire, livid. Stem about
3 in. long, 2—3 lines and more thick, hol-
low, fragile, thickened and solid at the base,
attenuated upward, shining white and
downy with squamules of the same color.
Gills free, reaching the stem, at first ven-
tricose, then linear, flexuous, black. Stem
when young curt and firmer. Fries.
Spores spheroid-ellipsoid ,15-1 8x9- 1 2/x
K.; 15x9/4 W.G.S.; 12-14x7-8/4 Massee.
Sometimes there is a root as long as the
stem. M.J.B. Common on dung heaps in successive crops. Spring
to autumn.
Var. pulla'tus. Pileus with adpressed scales and tomentose, soon
naked, brownish, then blackish. Stem equal, becoming smooth.
On dung. Clustered. Stature of the type.
376
COPRINUS FIMETARIUS.
Melanosporee
Var. cinereus. Pileus membranaceous, floccosely mealy, then naked, Coprinos.
ashy-gray. Stem subequal, rootless, hollow to the base, often twisted.
Spores 12-8/t.
On dung and rich soil.
Var. macrorhi'za. Pileus at first with feathery squamules. Stem
short, hairy, rooting, sometimes more or less marginately subbulbous.
Spores 13-14x8-9^.
On dung. Pileus pale and smaller than in the typical form, stem
shorter, with a more or less elongated rooting base. Berkeley.
Of this very variable species there is a small form growing on de-
cayed wood in woods. It has the spores rather smaller than in the
type, they being 10-1 i/u. long, Syu. broad. It might be designated Var.
silvi'cola. Peck, 43d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
West Virginia, 1881-1885, May to October. Mcllvaine,
Common to the United States. Of excellent flavor and tender. It
must be cooked at once.
C. tomento'sus (Bull.) Yr.—tomentum, pubescence. Pileus very
thin, at first oblong-oval and floccose-scaly, soon bell-shaped, naked,
closely striate, grayish-brown or blackish-brown, often with a leaden
hue, finally expanded, the disk smooth, reddish or ochraceous-brown,
the margin turned upwards and much split or lacerated. Lamellae
closely crowded, narrow, free, white then pinkish, finally black. Stem
white, tall, fragile, tapering upward, finely floccose-squamulose, hollow,
sometimes with a large tap root. Plant gregarious or cespitose.
Height 3-6 in., breadth of pileus 6-18 lines.
Very variable in size and color. The covering of the pileus is easily
rubbed off. It soon disappears and the plant quickly decays, seldom
continuing through the day. Peck, 23d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Mt. Gretna, Pa., about old picketing places in camp grounds. Prof.
M. W. Easton, July, 1898.
West Virginia, North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, May to
September, on dung, rich ground, gardens and in woods. Mcllvaine.
Very delicate ; of strong mushroom flavor. It is common, and can
usually be collected in numbers. It is of little food value in itself, but
yields an excellent flavor to anything it is cooked with. It must be
cooked as soon as gathered.
377
Agaricaceae
Coprinus. C. Ili'veilS Fr. — nix, snow. PileilS white, 1-2 in. across, thin, ovate
then bell-shaped, margin at length turned upward, split or covered with
a dense white, mealy or downy covering, slightly pink. Gills adnexed,
narrow, crowded, at first cohering, white then pinkish, then black.
Stem at first short, then up to 4 in., slender, attenuated upward, cov-
ered with white down, fragile, hollow.
Spores i6x.ii—i3pMasseef' 10x12/4 W.G.S.
Common on dung and dung heaps, clustered. May to frost.
West Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New Jersey. Mcll-
vaine.
Very variable in size, but clearly distinguished by its snow-white color
and adnexed gills. Like all of the thin, delicate species of this genus
there is little substance left after cooking, but the savory flavor is im-
parted to the cooking medium.
***** Mica'cei. Pileus at first covered with minute, glistening
scales, etc.
C. micaceus (Bull.) Fr. — mica, grain, granular. (Plate CIII, fig.
2, p. 372.) Pileus thin, ovate, then bell-shaped, with the margin
more or less revolute, wavy, splitting, closely striate, with a few minute
scales and sparkling atoms, or naked, varying in color from whitish-
ochraceous to livid-brown, generally darker when moist or old. Gills
rather narrow, crowded, white then pinkish, finally black. Stem slender,
fragile, easily splitting, slightly silky, white, hollow, often twisted.
Plant mostly cespitose.
Height 2-4 in., breadth of pileus, 1-2 in.
Streets, yards and fields, on or about old stumps. May to Septem-
ber. Peck, 23d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Spores elliptical, blackish, 7-8x4-5/4 Massee; 7x8/4 W.G.S./ iox5/*.
W.P.; elliptical, brown, 6— %[*• Peck.
Var. gramtla ris . Pileus sprinkled with granules or furfuraceous
scales. New York. August. Peck, 47th Rep.
Indiana, H. I. Miller; West Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania,
New Jersey. May to October. Mcllvaine.
Common from spring until frost. This is the oval-capped toadstool
found in clusters about trees, posts, along grassy sides of pavements, pop-
ping up, Brownie-like, from sodded places. Although small and thin, its
378
Melanosporse
clusters soon fill baskets, and its continuous growth in some places, from Coprinus.
month to month, year to year, makes it one to be depended upon.
Stewed for ten minutes it makes a rich, luscious dish. C. congregatus
closely resembles it and is equally good.
****** Glabra'ti. Pileus smooth, etc.
C. deliques'cens (Bull.) Fr. Pileus 3~4 'n- broad, livid-fuliginous,
membranaceous, bell-shaped then expanded, smooth, but dotted with
minute points on the disk, never downy or split, the edge turning up-
ward and striate, the striae broad but not deep. Stem 4 in. long, 2-4
lines thick, hollow, with a bark-like covering, equally attenuated up-
ward, smooth, shining white. Gills free, at length remote from the stem,
very crowded, flexuous, very narrow, only % line broad, lurid-blackish.
Fries.
Frequent on stumps and among fallen leaves, sometimes in tufts.
July to October.
Spores elliptical, obliquely apiculate, 8x5/1. Massee.
Sometimes confounded with C. atramentarius.
West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Mcllvaine.
C. deliquescens is of good size and quality. The stems do not cook
well with the caps. The flavor is the same as C. atramentarius.
C. COngrega'tllS (Bull.) Fr. Pileus /£-K in. high, cylindrical, then
bell-shaped, finally expanded and split at the margin, smooth, viscid,
margin slightly striate, ochraceous. Gills about I line broad, slightly
adnexed, white, finally becoming black. Stem i^ in. high, equal,
smooth, hollow, whitish.
On the ground, also in hot-houses. Massee.
Readily distinguished by the densely cespitose mode of growth, the
small size, the viscid, ochraceous, glabrous pileus which remains elon-
gato-cylindrical for some time, then becomes campanulate and finally
expands and splits at the margin.
Densely cespitose, fragile, readily distinguished from C. digitalis by
its much smaller size. Fries.
Spores ;x8/x W.G.S.; ioxs/* W.P.
Fries and Cooke considered this a good species.
So closely allied to neighboring species that it is difficult to deter-
mine it. Edible qualities are included in the alliance.
379
Agaricaceae
B. VELIFORMES. Pileus very thin, etc.
* Cyclodei. Stem bearing ring, etc.
Coprinus. None edible.
** Lanatuli. Pileus with superficial downy covering, etc.
C. lagopus Fr. — Gr. , a hare; a foot. Pileus I in. broad, whitish,
disk livid, very tender, cylindrical then bell-shaped, when young beau-
tifully downy then naked, flattened and split, radiately furrowed. Stem
5 in. and more long, I line thick, very weak, very fragile, slightly at-
tenuated at both ends, everywhere white-woolly. Gills at length re-
mote, narrow, black. Fries.
Fries distinguishes two forms. A, nemorum. Stem slender, 4-6 in.
long. B, viarum. Stem 2-3 in. long. Pileus broader, livid. Both
forms are inodorous. The pileus of the long-stemmed form is sometimes
entirely clear brown, at others grayish with a brownish disk. Stem
very weak, 5 in. and more in length, I line thick, attenuated at both
ends. Pileus thin, expanded bell-shaped, about I in. across, when
young elegantly flocculose, then furrowed, disk livid. Gills rather dis-
tant.
New York, Peck, 38th Rep.; Mt. Gretna, Pa., July, 1898, on rub-
bish about abandoned camp. Prof. M. W. Easton.
A strikingly beautiful species. Both forms were found in abundance,
tested and eaten with enjoyment. They are extremely delicate, and of
attractive but not high flavor.
C. VirgineilS Banning. PileilS ovate, bell-shaped, or cylindrical,
pale ocher, the margin thin, torn, downy. Lamellae narrow, close,
forked, at first white, turning dark but never black, adnexed. Stem
3)2 in. long, stout, somewhat stuffed, attenuated where it meets the
pileus, flattened, downy. Spores black.
Cespitose or gregarious at the roots of trees or about old stumps.
Also found in Virginia.
The plant is not rapidly deliquescent, remaining perfect for some
hours. Banning MS.
Maryland. Virginia. Miss M. E. Banning MS. Peck, 44th Rep.
Chester county, Pa. New Jersey, about pear -trees and stumps.
Mcllvaine.
380
Melanosporae
This little Coprinus is a valuable species when found. A patch of it Coprinus.
about a tree or stump is treasure trove. Patches of it appear in July
and bear until October. The not-particular observer would mistake it
for C. micaceus.
*** Furfurel'li. Piletis micaceous or scurfy, etc.
Pileus 2 in. broad,
(Plate CVI.)
C. domes'ticus (Pers.) Fr. — damns, a house,
fuliginous, disk date-brown, thin, ovate
then bell-shaped, covered with small
branny scales, then opening into furrows
and flattened, undulately silicate, disk
obtuse, even. Stem 2—3 in. long, 2—3
lines thick, fistulose, slightly firm, at-
tenuated upward, adpressedly silky, be-
coming even, white. Gills adnexed, at
first crowded, distant when the pileus is
split, linear, white then reddish, at length
brownish-blackish .
A larger and more remarkable species
than all the neighboring ones. Fries.
Spores 14-16x7-81". Massee.
On much decayed wood, damp car-
pets, in cellars, etc. Often in clusters.
Mt. Gretna, Pa., Prof. M. W. Easton,
July, 1898; West Virginia, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, Mcllvaine.
C. domesticus is the largest of its sec-
tion and is sometimes of remarkable growth. I have seen it start from
under a board in a cellar and prolong its stems for over a foot to get its
caps to air and light. Under such conditions the stems are twisted in
a confused mass. «
It is very tender with a decided mushroom flavor. Cook at once.
C. silvat'icus Pk. Pileus membranaceous, with a thin fleshy disk,
convex, striate in folds on the margin, dark-brown, the depressed
striae paler. Lamellae subdistant, narrow, attached to the stem, brown-
ish. Stem fragile, slender, smooth, hollow, white. Spores gibbous-
ovate, 12.//A long.
38i
COPRINUS DOMESTICUS.
Natural size.
Agaricaceee
Coprinus.
(Plate CVII.)
Plant 2 in. high. Pileus 6-10 lines broad.
Stem -5 lines thick. Ground in woods. Greig.
September.
The striae extend about half way up the pi-
leus. Allied to C. plicatilis and C. ephemerus
Peck, 24th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey.
Frequent, but not common. On ground in
woods, August to October. Mcllvaine.
This pretty little fungus is frequently found.
I have never been able to get it in quantity, but
have often eaten it. Its flavor is musky, rather
strong. It is edible, but is not Obtainable in
sufficient numbers to make it of much food value.
COPRINUS SILVATICUS.
Enlarged one-fourth.
(After Peck.)
C. ephem'erus Fr. Gr. — lasting for a day.
Pileus /£-% in. across, very thin, ovate, then
bell-shaped, finally expanded and splitting, fur-
rowed radiately, at first slightly scurfy, disk elevated, even, reddish.
Gills slightly attached, linear, white, then brownish, at length blackish.
Stem i y^—2 % in. high, I line or more thick, equal, glabrous, pellucid,
hollow, whitish. Spores 16—17x9—10/4.
On dunghills, manured ground, etc. To the naked eye appearing
almost glabrous, but under a lens seen to be distinctly scurfy. Known
from Coprinus plicatilis by the disk of the pileus being prominent and
not depressed. Massee.
Common dung and dung heaps. May to October. New York, Peck.
23d Rep.
Of such size and delicate substance as to be of little food value. But
it has a strong mushroom flavor which is choice as a flavoring. It ap-
pears during the summer months on dung and dung heaps. It must
be cooked as soon as gathered.
C. semilana'tus Pk. Pileus submembranaceous, broadly conical,
then expanded and strongly revolute, and the margin sometimes split,
covered with mealy atoms, finely and obscurely rimose-striate, pale
grayish-brown. Lamellae narrow, close, free. Stem elongated, fragile,
hollow, slightly tapering upward, white, the lower half clothed with
^82
Melanosporee
loose cottony flocci which rub off easily, the upper half smooth or Coprinus.
slightly farinaceous. Spores broadly elliptical, 12.7/x long.
Plant very fragile, 4-6 in. high. Pileus 8-12 lines broad. Stem I
line thick at the base. Rich ground and dung. Sandlake. August.
(Plate IV, fig. 15-18.) Allied to C. coopertus. Peck, 24th Rep. N.Y.
State Bot.
West Virginia. 1881-1885, Mt. Gretna, Pa. July to October.
Mcllvaine.
I have seldom found it, though at times it was quite common about
stables in West Virginia. It has good mushroom flavor and is edible.
It is stately, attracting attention by its peculiar cap.
C. plica'tilis Fr. — plico, to fold. PileilS I in. broad, dusky-brown
then bluish-a;ay-cinereous, disk darker, dusky-brown or reddish, oval-
cylindrical then campanulate, soon expanded, opening into furrows,
sulcate-plicate, for the most part smooth, disk broad, even, at length
depressed. Stem 1-3 in. long, fistulose, thin, equal, even, smooth, pal-
lid, somewhat pellucid. Gills remote from the stem and adnate to a col-
lar which is formed from the dilated apex of the stem, distant, gray-
blackish. Fries.
Very tender and fragile, but when scorched by the sun not melting
into fluid. Very variable in stature and size. Stevenson.
Spores 12— 1 4x8-1 o/* Massee; broadly elliptic, 5ft long, M.J.B.;
n-13/A long, 8-io/u. broad Peck, Rep. 50.
Common in rich pastures, lawns, roadsides, etc. May to October.
West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Mcllvaine.
A neat little fungus often found in great plenty. Though small it is
nevertheless edible and must be written with its edible companions.
0
383
Agaricaceae
PANJTOLUS Fr.
Gr. — all; Gr. — variegated.
Panseoius. PHeuS slightly fleshy, not striate, margin exceeding the gills. Gills
(Plate CVIII.)
PAN^OLUS
aeolus solidipes. P.
ascending in a conical manner,
slate-gray, mottled with the black
spores. Stem polished. Veil
woven, often absent. Spores black.
On the ground in rich earth, and
on dung.
In the black-spored series Psathy-
rella is separated by the striate
pileus, not exceed1'^'; the gills,
Anellaria by the ri.Vg and Coprinus
by the deliquescent gills.
Panaeolus, in its entirety, has a
precise looking membership. If
the gills were cut from cardboard
and fixed by machinery, they could
not be more correct. Some of the
species are among the earliest ar-
rivals at toadstool lawn parties, and
some are the last to leave. Several
are culinary favorites, notably Pan-
papilionaceus possesses intoxicating properties.
P. campanulatus is reported to be a sedative.
The edible species are easily cooked and are exceptionally delicate
and well flavored.
P. retiru'gis Fr. — rete, a net; ruga, a wrinkle. Pileus about i in.
across, at first almost globose, then hemispherical, subumbonate, mi-
nutely mealy, opaque, moist, furnished with uniting raised ribs, pinkish
tan-color; margin with irregular fragments of the veil attached. Flesh
rather thick. Gills adnexed, ascending, 2 lines or more broad, grayish-
black. Stem 2-4 in. long, about 2 lines thick, equal, pruinose, pur-
plish flesh-color, hollow. Fries.
Spores elliptic-fusiform, 1 1-13x7^ Massee.
On dung. Distinguished among the species of Panaeolus by the
384
Melanosporse
raised ribs on the pileus and its appendiculate margin. The pileus is Paneeoius.
sometimes grayish. Closely resembling, superficially, Psathyra cor-
rugis, which is, however, distinguished by the violet-black gills.
Spores elliptical, shortly fusiform, 2O/* Q.; i6xiifi W.G.S.
New York, Peck, 23d Rep. West Virginia, 1881-1885. Pennsyl-
vania, New Jersey, frequent on dung. June to frost. Mcllvaine.
P. retirugis is not a common species, and is a sparse grower, but is
frequently found. It is seldom that a mess can be had at one time. It
is an excellent species by itself and imparts a good flavor to others.
P. fimi'cola Fr. — fimus, dung; cola, to inhabit. Pileus 3^-K in.
across and high, slightly fleshy, convex bell-shaped, obtuse, glabrous,
opaque, dingy-gray when moist, paler and yellowish when dry, with a
narrow brown encircling zone near the margin. Gills adnate, 2 lines or
more broad, gray, variegated with smoky-black. Stem 2-4 in. high,
i line or more thick, equal, fragile, whitish, powdered with white meal
upward, hollow. Fries.
Stem soft, fragile, obsoletely silky-striatulate, 2-4 in. long. Pileus
when moist commonly smoky-gray, when dry grayish clay-color, some-
times discoid. Gills semi-ovate with a minute decurrent tooth. Fries.
West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey. Frequent. On dung and
"richly manured places. June to September. Mcllvaine,
P. fimicola is neither as large nor heavy as P. solidipes, but in other
respects equals it.
P. SOli'dipes Pk. — solidus, solid; pes, a foot. (Plate CIII, fig. 3, 4,
p. 372.) Pileus 2-3 in. across, firm, at first hemispherical, then sub-
campanulate or convex, smooth, whitish, the cuticle at length breaking
up into dingy-yellowish, rather large, angular scales. Grills broad,
slightly attached, whitish, becoming black. Stem 2-4 lines thick, firm,
smooth, white, solid, slightly striate at the top. Spores very black
with a bluish tint. Height of plant jJ-8 in. Dung heaps. West Al-
bany. June.
A large species, remarkable for its solid stem. The scales on the
pileus are larger on the disk, becoming smaller toward the margin. The
upper part of the stipe is sometimes beaded with drops of moisture.
Peck, 23d Rep. N. Y State Bot.
25 385
Agaricaceee
Pameoius. West Virginia, 1881-1885. Pennsylvania, New Jersey, frequent on
dung and dung heaps. May to frost. Mcllvaine.
On mature plants, or after rains, the scales are not always present.
P. solidipes is a handsome, readily recognized species of good weight
and substance. It is one of the best of toadstools.
P. campanula' tllS Linn. — campanula, a little bell. Pileus oval,
bell-shaped or obtusely conical, sometimes umbonate, smooth, somewhat
shining, brownish, with a peculiar gray or lead-colored tint, sometimes
becoming reddish-tinted, the margin, often scalloped or fringed with the
appendiculate veil. Lamellae not broad, attached, becoming grayish-
black. Stem long, slender, hollow, reddish, pruinose and slightly
striate at the top, at length dusted with the spores.
Height 4-6 in., breadth of pileus 6-12 lines.
On horse dung and rich soil. June and July. Common.
In very wet weather the cuticle of the pileus sometimes cracks into
scales or areas. Peck, 23d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Spores subellipsoid, 16-18x10— 13/4 K.; 8-9x6)"- Massee,
Mr. R. K. Macadam, Boston, Mass., informs me that he has infor-
mation of a case of poisoning by this fungus. "The victim experi-
enced dizziness, dimness of vision, trembling and loss of power and
memory. He recovered after simple treatment and was well inside of
24 hours."
A full account of this case is in "The London Medical and Surgical
Journal," Vol. 36, November, 1816. The poison acts as a sedative.
I have several times eaten of this fungus in small quantities, because
larger could not be obtained, and with no other than pleasant effect.
There does not appear to be any case of poisoning reported by it since
1816, which, considering the inquisitiveness of man, is singular. Caution
is advised.
P. papiliona'ceus Fr. — papilio, a butterfly. Pileus subhemispherical,
sometimes subumbonate, smooth, or with the cuticle breaking up into
scales, whitish-gray, often tinged with yellow. Lamellae very broad,
attached, becoming black. Stem slender, firm, hollow, pruinose above,
whitish, sometimes tinged with red or yellow, slightly striate at the top
and generally stained by the spores.
Height 3-5 in., breadth of pileus 6-18 lines.
386
Melanosporse
On dung and rich soil. Common. May and June.
A small form occurs with the pileus nearly white, scarcely half an
inch in diameter, and the cuticle not cracking. Peck, 23d Rep. N. Y.
State Bot.
The effects of P. papilionaceus are very uncertain. I have seen it
produce hilarity in a few instances, and other mild symptoms of intoxi-
cation, which were soon over, and with little reaction. But I have seen,
at table, the same effects from eating preserved peaches and preserved
plums which had fermented. Many personal testings have been with-
out effect. Testings upon others vary with the individuals. The fungus
seems to contain a mild stimulant. It is not dangerous, but should be
eaten with caution. Being of small size, and not a prolific species,
quantities of it are difficult to obtain. Moderate quantities of it have
no effect whatever.
Panseolus.
387
Agaricaceae
ANELLA'RIA Karst.
Anellus, a little ring.
Aneiiaria. Pileus slightly fleshy, smooth and even. Gills adnexed, dark slate-
color, variegated with the black spores. Stem central, smooth, shining,
rather firm. Ring present at first, either persistent or forming a zone
around the stem.
The species of this genus were formerly included in Panaeolus, from
which this is separated by the presence of a ring, more or less definite.
In other characters they are similar. As in Amanitopsis and Amanita.
(Plate CIX.)
A. separa'ta Karst. — separates, distinct, separate. Pileus i-iK in.
across, height about the same, ovate, then
bell-shaped, not expanding, viscid, even,
ochraceous, then whitish, shining, wrinkled
when old. Flesh rather thick. Gills adfixed,
ascending, thin, crowded, broad, 2-3 lines,
grayish-black, margin paler. Stem long, 3-5
in., straight, base thickened, attenuated up-
ward, whitish, shining, top somewhat striate.
Ring persistent, distant. Massee.
On dung. Rather variable in size.
Pileus bell-shaped, but very obtuse at the
summit, >£-i M in. from the base to the apex,
not expanding at the base without cracking.
Spores broadly elliptic-fusiform, black,
opaque, iox7/x Massee; ellipsoid, 16—22x10—
I2/* K.; i6xn/t W.G.S.
West Virginia, 1881-1885, New Jersey,
Mt. Gretna, Pa., July, 1898, on dung. Me-
Ilvaine.
A common, frequent species from May to
October. It is substantial in flesh, excellent
in substance and flavor. Cook soon and not
over fifteen minutes.
ANELLARIA SEPARATA.
Natural size.
388
Melanosporaa
PSATHYREL'LA.
Gr. — fragile.
PileilS membranaceous, striate, margin straight, at first pressed to the Psathyreiia.
stem, not extending beyond the gills . Veil inconspicuous. Gills sooty-
black, not variegated. Spores black.
Closely resembling Psathyra in appearance, but separated by the
spore color.
In the black-spored series Panaeolus and Anellaria are distinguished
by their pilei not being striate and Coprinus by its deliquescent gills.
The species are small and can seldom be gathered in quantity. But
those tested have the full mushroom flavor and are valued for the flavor
they give to less gifted species when cooked with them.
P. gra'cilis Fr. — slender. Pileus 3^-1 in. broad, sooty, livid, etc.,
when dry, tan, rosy or whitish, hygrophanous, membranaceous, bell-
shaped, obtuse, smooth, even, slightly and pellucidly-striate only round
the margin. Stem 3 in. and more long, scarcely I line thick, tubular,
remarkably tense and straight , equal, naked, smooth, whitish, not rooted ',
wJiite-villons at the base. Grills wholly adnate, commonly broader be-
hind (rarely linear), almost distant, distinct, at first whitish, then cin-
ereous-blackish with the black spores, edge rose-colored. Fries.
When dry the pileus is soft to the touch. Gregarious, fragile. Very
similar to A. corrugis, and there is a variety corrugated. Stevenson.
Spores ellipsoid, 13-14x7-8^ K.; 5xi2/u- W.G.S.; 7x3-3.5/4 Mas-
see; 14x8/4 Morgan.
New York, Peck, Rep. 23 ; West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania,
common, rich ground, June to October. Mcllvaine.
A common and beautiful fungus, growing in patches on rich ground.
It is decidedly prim. Its conical cap is regular as an extinguisher. It
pays to gather it for flavoring other species. I have not seen the
corrugated form mentioned by Fries. P. graciloides Pk. lacks the rosy-
edged gills; gills are whitish.
3*9
Agaricaceae
(Plate CX.)
PsathyreUa. P. graciloi'des Pk. — slender. Pileus thin, conical or bell-shaped,
glabrous, hygrophanous, brown and striatu-
late when moist, whitish and subrugulose
when dry. Lamellae ascending, rather
broad, subdistant, brown, becoming black-
ish-brown, the edge whitish. Stem long,
straight, fragile, hollow, smooth, white.
Spores blackish, elliptical, 15-16.5x8-
8.5*.
Plant gregarious, 4-6 in. high. Pileus
I in. broad. Stem I line thick.
Ground in an old dooryard. Maryland.
September.
This is allied to A. gracilis Fr., but the
edge of the gills is not rosy. When dry-
ing the moisture leaves the disk of the pi-
leus first, the margin last. When dry the
plant bears some resemblance to large forms
of A. tener. Under a lens the texture of
the surface of the pileus is seen to be com-
posed of matted fibrils. Peck, 3Oth Rep.
N. Y. State Bot.
Pennsylvania and New Jersey, on ground
about houses and stables, often in barn
yards, after they have been cleaned out
and are empty for the summer. Mcllvaine.
The whitish-edged gills with entire absence of rosiness on gill edges
distinguish this species from P. gracilis Fr. It is frequent but not
plentiful. Often a pint can be gathered. It has a fine mushroom flavor,
resembling the delicate forms of Coprinus.
P. atoma'ta Fr. — atomatus, atomate. Pileus ^-i in. broad, livid,
when dry becoming pale tan or pale flesh-color, sometimes reddish, hy-
grophanous, membranaceous, bell-shaped, obtuse, slightly striate, when
dry without striae, slightly wrinkled, sprinkled with shining atoms.
Stem 2 in. long, almost I line thick, tubular, equal, not rooted, lax,
slightly bent (not tense and straight), white and white pulverulent at
PSATHYRELLA GRACILOIDES.
39C
Melanosporae
the apex. Gills adnate, broad, ventricose, slightly distant, distinct, Psathyreiia.
whitish, but cinereous-blackish with the black spores. Fries.
Solitary or gregarious. Pileus changing like A. gracilis from livid
to whitish and rose-color, but more fragile. Stevenson.
Spores elliptical, iox4/u. Massec; 14x9^ W.G.S.; I ix8/* Morgan.
Chester county, Pa., June to September. Mcllvaine.
Several specimens were eaten. In flavor they could not be distin-
guished from C. micaceus. The scarcity and small size of the species
make it of little value, save as a flavoring.
P. dissemina'ta Pers. — dissemino, to scatter. Found everywhere.
Densely tufted. Pileus about 14 in. across, (Plate CXI.)
membranaceous, ovate, bell-shaped, at first
scurfy, then naked, coarsely striate, mar-
gin entire, yellowish then gray. Gills ad-
nate, narrow, whitish, then gray, finally
blackish. Stem 1—1^2 in. long, rather
curved, mealy then smooth, fragile, hol-
low. Massee.
Crowded. Pileus ovate, conical, at
length bell-shaped, lA—% in. from the base
to the apex, striate and plicate, membra-
naceous, pale buff or reddish-brown, at
length gray, becoming flaccid and dissolv-
ing. Gills distant, narrow, pale brown.
Stipes 1—3 in. long, slender, weak, brittle,
crooked, hollow, pale yellowish, whitish or
grayish. Particularly partial to old willow trees, and when growing on
a stump of a felled tree often covering nearly a square yard. Grev.
Spores 8x6^ W.G.S.; 7.6x5/4 Morgan.
West Virginia, New Jersey, Mt. Gretna, Pa., about abandoned camp.
Densely tufted. May to frost. Mcllvaine.
Patches of it are very common on old trunks, about decaying trees,
on ground. The caps rarely reach I in. in diameter. The plants cook
jY*»*'^s
PSATHYRELLA DISSEMINATA.
391
Agaricaceae
Psathyreiia. away to almost nothing, but they are of fine flavor, which they impart
to the cooking medium.
GOMPHI'DIUS Fr.
A wooden bolt or nail.
Hymenophore decurrent. Gills distant, composed of a mucilaginous
membrane, which can be readily separated into two plates, continuous
at the edge which is acute and powdered with the blackish fusiform
spores. Veil viscoso-floccose. Fleshy, putrescent, pileus at length the
shape of an inverted cone.
A small genus with great difference among the species. Intermediate
in habit between Cortinarius and Hygrophorus.
Universal Veil glutinous, at first terminating on the stem in a floccose
ring soon disappearing. The Gills frequently admit of being detached
and stretched out into a continuous membrane. Fries.
A genus possessing several well-marked characters. The very decur-
rent gills differ from all others in their soft mucilaginous consistency.
The spores are larger than usual in the Agaricaceae and have the elon-
gated spindle-shape found in Boleti. The stem and pileus are of the
same substance, and the pileus and veil are both glutinous when moist.
The spores have been described as greenish-gray becoming black, and
as dingy-olive,
I have had opportunity to see but two species of this small genus —
G. rhodoxanthus and G. viscidus. Of these the spores are decidedly
olivaceous. If the six other species recorded as found in the United
States are as creditable, they are well worth hunting for. G. Oregonen-
sis Pk, is reported as edible and as a valuable food species in Oregon.
392
Melanosporaa
The glutinous coatings to pileus and stem do not appear on the Ameri-
can form of G. rhodoxanthus in the localities I have found it in during
fifteen years.
•
G. glutino'sus (Schaeff.) Fr. — glutin, glue. Pileus 2-5 in. broad,
purple-brown, often mottled with black spots, fleshy, convex, obtuse,
at length plane, even depressed, even, smooth, very glutinous. Flesh
thick, about % in., soft, white. Stem 2-3 in. and more long, about
% in. thick, solid, whitish, thickened and externally and internally
yellow at the base, viscid with the veil, fibrillose or varying with black
scales. Cortina often woven in the form of a ring, but soon fugacious.
Gills deeply decurrent, distant, distinct, branched, quite entire, muci-
laginous, 3-4 lines broad, at first whitish, then cinereous, clouded with
the spores.
Trama none, wherefore the gills easily separate from the pileus.
Taste watery, moldy. Odor not marked. Stevenson.
Spores 2O/A Cooke; 18-23x6-8^ K.; 16-17x6^ W.G.S.; 18-20x6/1*
Mas see.
Distinguished by the bright yellow base of stem.
Pine woods. July to November. Nova Scotia. Somers.
Edible. Letiba. Chiefly used for catsup. Cooke.
Var. ro'seus. Pileus rose-color. Stem white, attenuated and rosy
flesh-color internally at the base. Very distinguished, always smaller.
Spores 2o-22x6fi K.
Nova Scotia. Massachusetts. Frost.
I have not seen this species or its variety. Eminent authorities vouch
for its edibility.
G. Oregonen'sis Pk. Pileus at first convex, becoming nearly plane
or somewhat centrally depressed, viscid, brown or dark-brown, becom-
ing black in drying, taste sweet and pleasant. Lamellae numerous,
rather close, adnate or slightly decurrent, blackish in the dried plant.
Stem short, solid, equal or slightly tapering upward, colored like the
pileus. Spores oblong, I o-i 2. 5/x. long, 4~5/x broad.
Pileus 5-10 cm. broad. Stem 2.5-5 cm. long, 4-10 mm. thick.
Fir woods. Oregon. September to December. Lane.
Dr. Lane writes that this species is edible and grows so abundantly
in fir woods that it might be gathered by wagon loads and might be
393
Agaricaceee
made a source of an abundant food supply.
Vol. 25, No. 6, June, 1898.
Peck. Torrey Bulletin,
(Plate CXII.)
U
GOMPHIDIUS VISCIDUS.
One-half natural size.
Gr. vis'cidus Fr. — viscid. Pileus 2-3 in. and more broad, brownish-
red, compact, at first bell-shaped,
then expanded, umbonate, slightly
viscous, shining when dry. Flesh
yellowish. Stem 3-4 in. and more
long, )4 in. thick, solid, equal or
attenuated at the base which is rhu-
barb-colored internally, scaly-fibril-
lose, not very viscous, yellowish.
Cortina very evidently fioccose, not
glutinous, woven in the form of a
ring, but readily falling off. Gills
deeply decurrent, distant, the shorter
ones adnexed to the longer, not truly
branched, at first paler, somewhat
olive, at length brownish -purple,
clouded with the spores. Fries.
Hymenophore descending between the gill plates. Odor not unpleas-
ant. Stevenson.
Chiefly used in catsup. Cooke. Edible. Leuba. Cooke.
North Carolina, Massachusetts, Frost. Minnesota, California, Penn-
sylvania.
Many grew under pines at Mt. Gretna, Pa., September to November.
The gills seemed branched, but were grown together. Taste and smell
pleasant. The caps are good, but not equal to G. rhodoxanthus.
G. rhodoxan'thus Schw. (Plate XCVII, fig. 4, 5, p. 352.) Soli-
tary. Pileus 1-2 in. broad, cushion-shaped, reddish-yellow, sometimes
with dusky hues. Gills arched, decurrent, orange-yellow. Stem atten-
uated, short, firm.
Spores oblong, IO-I2.5/A in length. Peck. Olivaceous. Mcllvaine.
Solitary, gregarious or cespitose.
Among leaves and grass in shady places. August to October.
When the student has mastered the name and memorized the descrip-
394
Melanosporae
tion, Gomphidius rhodoxanthus can not be mistaken for any other spe-
cies.
It is not common in localities I have frequented, but its presence is
pretty general in the United States, specimens having been sent to me
from Georgia, Iowa, New York, New Jersey, etc., and I have found it
in West Virginia, North Carolina, Woodland Cemetery, Philadelphia,
and other places in Pennsylvania, from July to September, 1898, in-
clusive. Having enjoyed it in West Virginia in 1882, I was delighted
to find it in generous quantity at Mt. Gretna, Pa., and to eat many
meals of it.. Its caps are not excelled by any edible fungus. They
have solid, delicious substance and rich full flavor.
The plant is often cespitose. I have never found its cap viscid or
glutinous. The cooked flesh has the latter consistency.
MONTAGNITES Fr.
After Montagne. (Plate CI, fig. 6, p. 368.)
The universal veil forming a volva, persistent. Stem dilated at the Montagnites.
apex into a plane round disk, even on both sides, to the margin of which
are ad fixed the gills which are free, not joined by any membrane , radiating,
razor-shaped, persistent, obtuse at the edge. Trama cellulose. Spores
oblong, even, black fuscous. Fries.
A single species is reported from Texas.
395
Polyporaceee
FAMILY II.— POLYPORACE^J.
Hymenophore inferior, facing the ground. Hymenium consisting of
tubes with poriform mouths which are round or angular, sometimes
sinuous or torn, lined with 4-spored sporophores and cystidia.
Fleshy, coriaceous or woody fungi, most abundant and luxuriant
in warm countries. Intermediate between the Agaricaceae and the
Hydnaceae, connected with the former by Daedalea and Lenzites, and
with the latter by Fistulina and Irpex. Fries.
Within this large family are famed edible species, notably in Boletinus,
Boletus and Fistulina. In the woody species the razor-strop man finds
material for his strops (Polyporus celulinus) ; the surgeon styptics; the
peasant punk to catch sparks from his flint, and the 4th of July urchin
a fire-holder to light his pyrotechnics. The Chinese have placed some
species in their fathomless materia medica, while the Polyporus of the
locust tree is used in America as a medicine for horses. No fungoid
growth is more universal. They are the ever active pruners of our trees
and converters of forest debris. They begin the task in Nature's labora-
tory of changing decaying wood into assimilable shape as food to feed
the very trees that dropped it. Some are of annual growth, others add
to their substance year after year, often attaining enormous size. In
summer and in winter they are ever present objects for interesting study.
SYNOPSIS OF GENERA.
BOLETINUS. Page 398.
Hymenium composed of broader radiating gills connected by very
numerous more narrow anastomosing branches or partitions and forming
large angular pores. Tubes somewhat tenacious, not easily separable
from the hymenophore and from each other, adnate or subdecurrent,
yellowish. Peck.
BOLETUS. Page 404.
Stratum of tubes easily separable from the hymenophore. Stem
central.
396
Polyporaceae
STROBILOMYCES . Page 47 5 .
Tubes like Boletus, but pileus with large scales. Stem central.
FlSTULlNA. Page 477.
Fleshy, lateral, tubes crowded but distinct.
POLYPORUS. Page 479-
Stratum of tubes distinct from hymenophore, but not separable, not
stratose; fleshy and tough, stipitate or sessile.
FOMES.
Tubes as in Polyporus, often stratose; woody, sessile; dimidiate.
(No edible species reported.)
POLYSTICTUS.
Tubes as in Polyporus, not stratose, generally developing from the
center to the margin, at first shallow and punctiform, coriaceous or
membranaceous. (No edible species reported.)
PORIA.
Tubes as in Polyporus, not stratose; entirely resupinate. (No edible
species reported. )
MUCRONOPORUS.
Tubes studded with reddish-brown spines, intermingled with the ba-
sidia, otherwise as in Polystictus (and also as in Polyporus and
Fomes). Atkinson. (No edible species reported.)
TRAMETES.
Tubes immersed in flesh of pileus, of various depths, hence not form-
ing a heterogeneous stratum, subcylindrical, not stratose; corky; sessile.
D^DALEA.
Tubes as in Trametes, but sinuous and labyrinthiform ; corky; not
stratose; sessile. (No edible species reported. )
397
Polyporacese
HEXAGONIA.
Tubes from the first dilated in hexagonal channels, not stratose;
plants corky, sessile. Atkinson. (No edible species reported.)
FAVOLUS.
Tubes large at first, radiating from a central stem, or from a lateral
attachment in sessile or dimidiate forms ; plants tough and fleshy. At-
kinson. (No edible species reported.)
CYCLOMYCES.
Gills or tubes in concentric circles. Stem central, subcentral or none.
Atkinson. (No edible species reported.)
MERULIUS. Page 490.
Subgelatinous . Tubes very shallow , formed by anastomosing wrinkles ;
resupinate.
BOLETI'NUS Kalchb.
(Plate CXIII, p. 402.)
Boietinus. Hymenophore not even (as in Boletus), but extended in blunt points
descending like a trama among the tubes. Tubes not easily separable
from the hymenophore and from each other. Stem ringed, hollow.
Spores pale yellowish. Sylloge, Vol. VI, p. 51.
Professor Peck has for excellent reasons, given in his Boleti of the
United States, emended the generic diagnosis of Fries thus : Hyme-
nium composed of broader radiating lamella connected by very numerous
more narrow anastomosing branches or partitions and forming large
angular pores. Tiibes somewhat tenacious, not easily separable from the
hymenophore and from each other, adnate or subdecurrent, yellowish.
Professor Peck classifies Boietinus as follows :
Stem hollow B . cavipes
Stem solid I
I . Stem lateral or eccentric B. porosus
I . Stem central 2
2. Pileus^pale yellow, silky B. decipiens
2. Pileus red or adorned with red scales 3
398
Polyporacese
3 . Pileus red B. paluster Boietmus.
3. Pileus soon red-squamose B. pictus
Boleti of the United States, p. 76.
There are six species given as found in the United States — B. cavipes
Kalchb., B. pictus Pk., B. paluster Pk., B. decipiens Pk., B. porosus
Pk., B. appendiculatus Pk. — of these I have found and eaten four. B.
decipiens has, at this writing, not been seen by Professor Peck, but
Professor Farlow, of Harvard, has informed him of authentic specimens.
There is every probability of its being as edible as the others; a descrip-
tion of it is, therefore, given.
In consistency Boletinus is of the best, being rather like that of marsh-
mallows, and the same as Boletus subaureus. The flavor is mild and
pleasant.
Professor Peck mentions that the smell of B. porosus is sometimes
unpleasant. I have been fortunate in not having had this experience.
B. ca'vipes Kalchb. Pileus broadly convex, rather tough, flexible,
soft, subumbonate, fibrillose-scaly, tawny-brown, sometimes tinged with
reddish or purplish. Flesh yellowish. Tubes slightly decurrent, at first
pale-yellow, then darker and tinged with green, becoming dingy-ochra-
ceous with age. Stem equal or slightly tapering upward, somewhat
fibrillose or floccose, slightly ringed, hollow, tawny-brown or yellowish-
brown, yellowish at the top and marked by the decurrent dissepiments
of the tubes, white within. Veil whitish, partly adhering to the margin
of the pileus, soon disappearing. Spores 8-IOX4//..
Pileus 1-5-4 in. broad. Stem 1.5-3 in. long, 3-6 lines thick.
Swamps and damp mossy ground under or near tamarack trees. New
York, Peck; New England, Frost.
The pileus is clothed with a fibrillose tomentum which becomes more
or less united into floccose tufts or scales. The umbo is not always
present and is generally small. The young stem may sometimes be
stuffed, but, if so, it soon becomes hollow, though the cavity is irregu-
lar. The freshly shed spores have a greenish-yellow or olivaceous hue,
but in time they assume a pale or yellowish-ochraceous hue. This spe-
cies is apparently northern in its range. It loves cold sphagnous
swamps in mountainous regions. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
399
Polyporaceee
Boletinus. West Virginia mountains under spruce trees. Haddonfield, N. J.,
among scrub pines. Mt. Gretna, Pa., among pines.
It is of excellent consistency and of mild pleasant flavor. It is at its
best in patties, croquettes and escallops.
B. appendicula'tus Pk. Pileus fleshy, convex, glabrous, ochrace-
ous-yellow, the margin appendiculate with an incurved membranous
veil. Flesh pale-yellow, unchangeable. Tubes rather small, yellow,
their mouths angular, unequal, becoming darker or brownish where
wounded. Stem solid, slightly thickened at the base, yellow. Spores
pale-yellow, oblong, io-i2x4/x. Pileus 4-8 in. broad. Stem 2—3 in.
long, 4-6 lines thick.
Under or near fir trees. Washington. September to December.
Yeemans. Peck, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, Vol. 23, No. 10.
B. pic'tus Pk. Pileus convex or nearly plane, at first covered with a
red fibrillose tomentum which seon divides into small scales revealing the
yellow color of the pileus beneath. Flesh yellow, often slowly changing
to dull pinkish or reddish tints where wounded. Tubes tenacious, at
first pale yellow, becoming darker or dingy ochraceous with age, some-
times changing to pinkish-brown where bruised, concealed in the young
plant by the copious whitish webby veil. Stem equal or nearly so,
solid, slightly and somewhat evanescently annulate, clothed and colored
like or a little paler than the pileus, yellowish at the top. Spores
ochraceous, 9— 11x4— 5/*.
Pileus 2-4 ia. broad. Stem i-5-3 m- l°ng> 3-6 lines thick.
Woods and mossy swamps. New York, Peck; New England, Frost;
North Carolina, Curtis. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
West Virginia mountains, 1882. Haddonfield, N. J., Angora, West
Philadelphia, Mt. Gretna, Pa. August and September. In mixed
woods, principally oak. Leominster, Mass. C '. F. Nixon, Ph. G.
It is sometimes found upon much decayed chestnut stumps.
The caps of some species are so cracked as to appear distinctly
areolate. The white webby veil is often persistent. The fungus is one
of the handsomest. Its rich variegated colors impress it upon eye-mem-
ory. It is one of the very best edible species.
400
B. palus'ter Pk. — Pileus thin,
broadly convex, plane or slightly
depressed, sometimes with a small
umbo, floccose-tomentose, bright red.
Tubes very large, slightly decurrent,
yellow, becoming ochraceous or dingy
ochraceous. Stem slender, solid, sub-
glabrous, red, yellowish at the top.
Spores pinkish-brown, 8-9x4^.
Pileus 1-2 in. broad. Stem 1-2 in.
long, 2-3 lines thick.
Wet places and sphagnous mossy
swamps. New York, Peck. Maine,
Harvey. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
Angora, West Philadelphia and Mt.
Gretna, Pa. September. Mcllvaine.
A few specimens found at Mt.
Gretna had stems slightly reticulated.
(Plate CXIIrt.)
Boletinus.
BOLETINUS PALUSTER.
Natural size. (After Peck.)
Its taste is sweet, smell mild,
and cooked it is of excellent body and flavor.
B. deci'piens (B. and C.) Pk. Pileus dry, minutely silky, whitish-
yellow or pale-buff, flesh buff, one-third in. thick; hymenium plane
or somewhat concave, yellow, consisting of large, unequal, flexuous
radiating tubes resembling multiseptate lamellae. Stem equal, solid but
spongy. Veil floccose, evanescent, adhering for a time to the margin
of the pileus. Spores rather minute, oblong, ochraceo- ferruginous (rusty
yellow), 8-10x3.5-4/01.
Pileus 2 in. broad. Stem 2-2.5 m- l°ng> 3-4 lmes thick.
Thin woods. North and South Carolina. M. A. Curtis.
Specimens of this species have not been seen by me. The authors
remark that its affinities are clearly with Boletinus flavidus and its allies,
from which it is distinguished by its large radiating pores. They also
say that when dry it is scarcely distinguishable from Paxillus porosus
Berk., except by its spores. This would imply that its stem is eccen-
tric or lateral, and I have been informed by Mr. Ravenel that it is some-
times so. But specimens of this kind, labeled Boletinus decipiens B.
and C., have been received, which show by their spores that they are
Paxillus porosus. Besides, Professor Farlow informs me that authentic
26 401
Polyporaceae
Boietinus. specimens of B. decipiens in the Curtisian Herbarium have only central
stems, from which things I suspect that the two species have been con-
fused. The spore dimensions here given are derived from a specimen
in the Curtis Herbarium, through the kindness of Professor Farlow.
Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
I have not recognized this Boietinus. Its affinities are with excellent
edible species.
B. poro'silS (Berk.) Pk. (Plate CXIII.) Pileus fleshy, viscid when
moist, shining, reddish-brown. Flesh 3-9 lines thick, the margin thin
and even ; hymenium porous, yellow, formed by radiating lamellae a line
to half a line distant, branching and connected by numerous irregular
veins of less prominence and forming large angular pores. Stem lateral,
tough, diffused into the pileus, reticulated at the top by the decurrent
walls of the tubes, colored like the pileus. Spores semi-ovate.
Pileus 2-5 in. broad. Stem 6-1 6 lines long, 4-6 lines thick.
Var. opa'cus (Paxillus porosus Berk., Bull. N. Y. State Mus. 2, p.
32). Pileus dry, glabrous or subtomentose, not shining, brown or
tawny-brown. Spores brownish-ochraceous, 9-nx6-8/A.
Damp ground in woods and open places. Ohio, Lea, Morgan; North
Carolina, Curtis; New England, Frost, Farlow ; Wisconsin, Bundy;
New York, Peck.
This species is remarkable for its lateral or eccentric stem. There
is often an emargination in the pileus on the side of the stem which
gives it a kidney shape. In the typical form it is described as viscid
when moist, and the Wisconsin plant is also described as viscid, but in
all the New York specimens that I have seen it is dry and sometimes
minutely tomentose. I have, therefore, separated these as a variety.
The color of the pileus varies from yellowish-brown to reddish-brown or
umber. A disagreeable odor is sometimes present. The tubes are
rather short and tough and do not easily separate from the hymeno-
phore and from each other. In the young plant they are not separable.
They sometimes become slightly blue where wounded. As in other
species they are pale yellow when young, but become darker or dingy-
ochraceous with age. The spores have been described as bright yel-
low, but I do not find them so in the New York plant. The plant is.
incongruous among the Paxilli by reason of its wholly porous hymenium,
402
PLATE CXIII.
DO
O
f-
m
H
z
c
CO
O
33
O
CO
C
CO
Polyporacese
but in this place it seems to be among its true allies. Peck, Boleti of Boiethms.
the U. S.
Fine specimens were sent to me by Mr. H.I. Miller, Terre Haute,
and Dr. J. R. Weist, Richmond, Ind. They were in condition to be
eaten and enjoyed. No disagreeable odor was perceptible.
B. borealis Pk. PileilS fleshy, convex, obtuse or subumbonate,
brownish-yellow, obscurely and somewhat reticulately streaked with
reddish-brown lines. Pores large, angular, unequal, slightly decur-
rent, brownish-yellow. Stem short, equal or slightly tapering upward,
brownish-yellow with a whitish myceloid tomentum at the base. Spores
oblong, IO-I2.5X4-5/A.
Pileus 1-2 in. broad. Stem about I in. long.
Sandy soil. Capstan Island, Labrador. October. Waghorne.
The markings of the pileus appear as if' due to the drying of a glutin-
ous substance. The radiating lamellae and the transverse partitions of
the interspaces are very plainly shown. Described from two dried speci-
mens. Peckt Bull. Torr. Bot. Club, Vol. 22, No. 5.
403
Polyporaceae
BOLE'TUS Dill.
Gr. — a clod.
Boletus. ^^•^jS^'HE name of a fungus considered a great delicacy
among the Romans, derived from bolos, a clod,
probably to denote the round figure of the plant.
Hymenium wholly composed of small tubes,
connected together in a stratum, the surface of
which is dotted with their poriform mouths, and
which is distinct from the hymenophore on ac-
count of the latter not descending into a trama. Tubes packed close
together, .easily separating from the hymenophore and from one another.
Pores or mouths of the tubes round or angular (in the subgenus Gyrodon
sinuous or gyroso-plicate). Spores normally fusiform, rarely oval or
somewhat round. Growing on the ground, fleshy, putrescent, with cen-
tral stems. Mostly edible, and of importance as articles of food; a few
poisonous. Fries.
No American species in Gyrodon. It is therefore omitted in synopsis
of tribes. C. M.
This genus abounds in species and is related to Boletinus on one hand
and to Polyporus on the other. From the latter it is distinguished by
the absence of a trama and from both by the tubes being easily separa-
ble from the hymenophore and from each other. Some of the species
are very variable, others are so closely allied that they appear to almost
run together.
The species are generally terrestrial, but B. hemichrysus is habitually
wood-growing, and others are occasionally so.
The spores vary so much in color in such closely related species that
this character is scarcely available for general classification, but it is val-
uable as a specific character and should always be noted.
SYNOPSIS OF THE TRIBES.
Pileus and stem yellow-pulverulent, stem not reticulated
with veins (p. 421.) Pulverulent!
Pileus and stem not yellow-pulverulent, or if so then
the stem reticulated with veins I
I. Tubes yellowish with reddish, or reddish-brown
mouths (p. 453.) Luridi
404
PLATE CXIV.
ig
05 ^°
•A O
03 >
PLATE CXXIXa.
Photograph by Huron H. Smith.
POLYPORUS SULPHUREUS.
Oregon.
Polyporaceae
I. Tubes of one color, or mouths not reddish 2 Boietns.
2. Stem lacunose-reticulated and lacerated. (p. 436.) Laceripedes
2. Stem reticulated with veins, not lacerated 3
2 . Stem not reticulated 5
3. Tubes white, becoming flesh-colored. . .(p. 466.) Hyporhodii
3. Tubes not becoming flesh-colored 4
4. Tubes free, or if adnate then stuffed when young, (p. 444.) Edules
4. Tubes adnate, not stuffed when young, (p. 438.) Calopodes
5. Pileus viscid or glutinous when moist 6
5 . Pileus dry 7
6. Tubes adnate (p. 406. ) Viscipelles
6. Tubes free or nearly so, yellowish (p. 444.) Edules
6. Tubes free or nearly so, whitish (p. 459.) Versipelles
7 . Stem solid 8
7. Stemspongy within, soon cavernous or hollow. . (p. 471-) Cariosi
8. Tubes becoming flesh-colored (p. 466. ) Hyporhodii
8. Tubes not becoming flesh-colored 9
9. Tubes adnate 10
9. Tubes free or nearly so 1 1
10. Pileus subtomentose (p. 430.) Subtomentosi
10. Pileus glabrous or pruinose (p. 423.) Subpruinosi
1 1. Tubes yellowish or stuffed when young (p. 444.) Edules
1 1 . Tubes whitish, not stuffed ( P- 459- ) Versipelles
Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
C. H. Peck, N. Y. State Botanist, has contributed to Mycological
literature his careful arrangement and analysis of species of this genus,
in his "Boleti of the United States." Species of the genus are found in
every state of the Union. Several species are common to all the states.
Comprehending, as do the states, all sorts of climates within their vast
range of latitude, differences in appearance and structure in the same
species must be expected, dependent largely, as they are in most fungi,
upon habitat and environment. These variations will frequently sug-
gest new species. Descriptions which are typical and which can be
recognized as standard are most desirable. Professor Peck's are ac-
cepted by the writer as such, that there may be uniformity, and are
quoted as fully as space will permit. Such variations as are attributa-
ble to locality will be noted.
405
Polyporaceee
Boletus. Since 1882 the writer has given great attention to the edible qualities
of the Boleti. He is convinced by many personal tests and those made
by his family and friends, that much, if not all, of the suspicion thrown
about Boleti is unjust and erroneous. He is able to state positively that
change of color when bruised or broken ; bitter and pepperiness have
nothing whatever to do with the edible qualities of species exhibiting
them, excepting in B. felleus, which exhibits an intense bitter, not lost
in cooking. It is not poisonous.
The writer has the courage of his convictions, and has taken interest
in eating species with a bad reputation whenever opportunity afforded,
that their just dues might be given them. He has never experienced
the slightest inconvenience.- But others may not be so fortunate.
Before cooking Boleti the stem, unless crisp and tender, should be
removed, as should the tubes unless young and fresh. They broil, fry,
stew, make good soups and dry well. See recipes.
It is believed that all species of Boleti up to this time found in
America are described in this volume. When no remarks of the writer
follow the descriptions, he has not had an opportunity to test the edible
quality of the species.
VlSClPELLES — viscum, bird lime; pellfc, a skin.
Pileus covered with a viscose pellicle. Stem solid, neither bulbous,
lacerated nor reticulated with veins. Tubes adnate, rarely sinuate, of
one color.
The first four and several of the final species here described recede
somewhat from the character of the central or typical species of the
group.
Stem with an annulus I
Stem without an annulus 9
I. Stem dotted boch above and below the annulus 2
I . Stem dotted above the annulus 3
I . Stem not dotted 4
2. Tubes salmon color B. salmonicolor
2. Tubes yellowish B. subluteus
3 . Annulus entirely viscose B. flavidus
3. Annulus membranous, fugacious B. elegans
3. Annulus membranous, persistent B. luteus
406
Polyporace®
4. Pileus squamose B. spectabilis Boletus.
4. Pileus not squamose „ 5
5 . Tubes whitish or grayish . 6
5 . Tubes yellow or yellowish 7
6. Flesh white, unchangeable B. Elbensis
6. Flesh white, changing to bluish B. serotinus
7. Spores globose or broadly elliptical B. sphaerosporus
7. Spores much longer than broad 8
8. Annulus fugacious B. flavus
8. Annulus persistent B. Clintonianus
9. Stem dotted with glandules 10
9. Stem not dotted , 16
10. Pileus some shade of yellow •. 1 1
10. Pileus some other color , 15
1 1 . Stem rhubarb color B. punctipes
1 1 . Stem some other color 1 2
12. Stem four lines or more thick 13
12. Stem less than four lines thick B. Americanus
13. Pileus adorned with tufts of hairs or fibrils B. hirtellus
1 3 . Pileus glabrous 14
14. Stem yellow within B. subaureus
14. Stem whitish or yellowish-white within B. granulatus
1 5 . Pileus white B. albus
15. Pileus not white B. granulatus
16. Stem squamulose. 17
1 6. Stem not squamulose , 18
17. Pileus dull red B. dichrous
17. Pileus some other color B. collinitus
18. Pileous yellow 19
1 8 . Pileus bay-red or chestnut 20
18. Pileus some other color 21
19. Flesh pale-yellow B. unicolor
19. Flesh white B. bovinus
20. Stem short, »one inch or less B. brevipes
20. Stem longer, two inches or more B. badius
21. Tubes olivaceous or golden-yellow B. mitis
2 1 . Tubes ferruginous 22
22. Taste mild B. rubinellus
407
Polyporaceae
Boletus. 22. Taste acrid or peppery. . . .
Peck, Boleti of the U. S., p. 83.
, B. piperatus
(Plate CXV.)
BOLETUS SPECTABILIS.
Natural size.
B. specta'bilis Pk. — spectabilis, distinguished. Pileus broadly con-
vex, at first covered with a red to-
mentum, then scaly, viscid when
moist, red, the tomentose scales be-
coming grayish-red, brownish or yel-
lowish. Flesh whitish or pale-yellow.
Tubes at first yellow and concealed
by a reddish glutinous membrane,
thenochraceous, convex, large, angu-
lar, adnate. Stem nearly equal, an-
nulate, yellow above the annulus, red
or red with yellow stains below.
Spores purplish-brown , 13—15 x6— 7/*.
Pileus 2-5 in. broad. Stem 3-5
in. long, 4-6 lines thick.
Thin woods in swamps. New York,
Peck; Wisconsin, Btmdy.
This is a rare and showy species
which inhabits the cold northern swamps of the country. It probably
extends into Canada. When cut, the flesh emits a strong, unpleasant
odor. Wounds of the flesh made by insects or other small animals have
a bright-yellow color! When young, the tomentose veil covers the
whole plant, but it soon parts into scales on the pileus and partly or
wholly disappears from the stem. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
London, Can., 7. Dearness ; Peck, Rep. 44, N. Y. State Bot.
B. Elben'sis Pk. Pileus convex, glabrous, viscid when moist, dingy
gray or pinkish-gray inclining to brownish, obscurely spotted or streaked
as if with patches of innate fibrils. Flesh white. Tubes at first whitish,
becoming dingy or brownish-ochraceous, nearly plane, adnate or slightly
decurrent, rather large, angular. Stem nearly equal, annulate- whitish
above the ring, colored like the pileus below, sometimes slightly reticu-
lated at the top. Spores ferruginous-brown, 10-12x4-5^.
Pileus 2-4 in. broad. Stem 3-5 in. long, 4-6 lines thick. Thin
woods of tamarack, spruce and balsam. New York. Peck.
408
Polyporaceae
Its locality is thus far limited to the Adirondack region of this state. Boletus.
Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
B. sero'tinus Frost. — late. Bulletin Buffalo Soc. Nat. Sci., 1874.
Pileus flat or convex, viscid, sordid brown, streaked with the remnants
of the veil, especially near the margin, which is white, very thin, and
when partly grown singularly pendent. Flesh white, changing to bluish.
Tubes large, angular, unequal, slightly decurrent, at first sordid white
or gray, sometimes tinged with green near the stem, afterward cinna-
mon-yellow. Stem reticulated above the ring which adheres partly to
it and partly to the margin of the pileus, white but stained by the
brownish spores and tinged with yellow at maturity. Spores iox6jK.
Shaded grassy ground. New England, Frost.
Probably this is only a variety of the preceding species. Peck, Boleti
of the U. S.
B. salmoni'eolor Frost. Bull. Buff. Soc. Nat. Sci., 1874. Pileus
convex, soft, very glutinous, brownish or tawny-white with a faint tinge
of red, wine-color when dry, the margin thin. Flesh tinged with red.
Tubes simple, even, angular, adnate, pale salmon color. Stem small,
dotted above with bright ferruginous red, sordid below, annulus dingy
salmon-color. Spores 8x2.5/4.
Borders of pine woods. New England. Frost.
Apparently a distinct species. No specimens seen. Peck, Boleti of
the U. S.
B. el'egans Schum. Pileus convex or plane, viscose, golden-yellow
or somewhat rust-color. Flesh pale-yellow. Tubes decurrent, golden
or sulphur-yellow, the mouths minute, simple. Stem unequal, firm,
golden or reddish, dotted above the fugacious white or pale-yellowisk
annulus.
Pileus 3-4-5 in. broad. Stem 2-4 in. long.
Woods, especially under or near larch trees. North Carolina, Curtis;
Wisconsin, Bundy; Minnesota, Johnson. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
Cordier and Gillet give the species as edible though not delicate.
West Philadelphia on lawns under larches, 1887-1891. Mcllvaine.
The caps are of good flavor and consistency. They are best fried or
broiled.
409
Polyporacese
Boletus. B. Clin'tonianus Pk. PileilS convex, very viscid or glutinous, glab-
rous, soft, shining, golden-yellow, reddish-yellow or chestnut color, the
margin thin. Flesh pale yellow, becoming less bright or dingy on ex-
posure to the air. Tubes nearly plane, adnate or subdecurrent, small,
angular or subrotund, pale-yellow, becoming dingy-ochraceous with
age, changing to brown or purplish-brown where bruised. Stem equal
or slightly thickened toward the base, straight or flexuous, yellow at the
top, reddish or reddish-brown below the annulus, sometimes varied with
yellow stains, the annulus white or yellow, persistent, forming a thick
band about the stem. Spores brownish-ochraceous , I 0-11x4-5^.
Pileus 2-5 in. broad. Stem 2-5 in. long, 4-9 lines thick.
Mossy or grassy ground in woods or open places, especially under or
near tamarack trees. New York, Peck; New England, Frost.
This is apparently closely related to B. elegans, from which it differs
in its thick persistent ring, in its stem which is not at all dotted and in
its longer and darker-colored spores. Its smaller tube's and persistent
ring separate it also from B. flavus. In the typical form the pileus is
bay-red or chestnut color, but plants growing in open places generally
have it yellowish or reddrsh-yellow. It is mild to the taste and I have
eaten it sparingly. It sometimes grows in tufts. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
B. inflex'us Pk. — curving. PileilS convex, glabrous, viscid, yellow,
often red or reddish on the disk, the margin thin, inflexed, concealing
the marginal tubes. Flesh whitish, not changing color where wounded.
Tubes rather long, adnate, yellowish, becoming dingy-yellow with age,
the mouths small, dotted with reddish glandules. Stem rather slender,
not ringed, solid, viscid, dotted with livid-yellow glandules. Spores
yellowish, 10— 12x4— 5/*.
Pileus about i in. broad. Stem about 2 in. long, 2-4 lines thick.
Open woods. Trexlertown. September. Herbst.
This Boletus belongs to the tribe Viscipelles. It is remarkable for and
easily recognized by the inflexed margin of the pileus, which imitates to
some extent the appendiculate veil of Boletus versipellis. It sometimes
grows in tufts. The paper in which fresh specimens were wrapped was
stained yellow. Boletus Braunii Bres. has an inflexed margin, but that
is a much larger plant with a yellowish-brown pileus, a fibrillose stem
and much smaller spores. Peek, Bull. Torr. Bot. Club, Vol. 22, No. 5.
410
B. fla'vilS With. Pileus convex, compact, covered with a brownish Boletus,
separating gluten, pale-yellow. Flesh pale-yellow. Tubes large, angu-
lar, adnate, yellow. Stem yellow, becoming brownish, reticulated
above the membranous fugacious dirty yellowish annulus. Spores 8—
IOX3-4/X.
Pileus 2-5 in. broad. Stem 2-3 in. long, 6-10 lines thick.
Woods. Minnesota, Johnson; Wisconsin, Bundy.
This is apparently a rare species in this country. I have not seen it.
It is said to resemble B. luteus, from which it is separated by the large
angular mouths of the tubes. In British Fungi the spores are described
as "spindle-shaped, yellowish-brown;" in Sylloge, as "ovoid-oblong,
acute at the base, granulose, pale ochraceous." Peck, Boleti of the
U. S.
B. fistulo'silS Pk. Pileus convex, viscid, glabrous, yellow, the
margin at first incurved or involute. Flesh yellow. Tubes plane or
subventricose, medium size, round with thin walls, adnate or sometimes
depressed around the stem, yellow. Stem rather slender, subequal,
viscid, glabrous, hollow, yellow, with a white mycelioid tomentum at
the base. Spores elliptical, 13x6^.
Pileus about i in. broad. Stem 2-'4 in. long, about 3 lines thick.
Grassy woods. Auburn, Ala. July. Underwood.
A small but pretty species of a yellow color throughout. It is re-
markable for its hollow stem, which is suggestive of the specific name.
It is referable to the tribe Viscipelles. Pefk, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club,
Vol. 24, No. 3.
B. sphseros'porus Pk. — globose-spored. (Bulletin Torrey Botanical
Club, Vol. XII.) Pileus at first hemispherical, then convex, glabrous,
viscid, creamy-yellow, becoming reddish-brown or chestnut color with
age. Flesh pale yellowish-brown. Tubes adnate or slightly decur-
rent, large, angular, pale-yellow, becoming brown, sometimes tinged
with green. Stem stout, equal, even or slightly reticulated at the top,
the membranous anmilus persistent, sometimes partly adhering to the
margin of the pileus. Spores globose or broadly elliptical, 8~9/* long.
PileilS 3-8 in. broad. Stem 1-3 in. long, 6-12 lines thick.
Low ravines and sandy places. Wisconsin, Trelease; Iowa, Me Bride.
The spores easily serve to distinguish this species from its allies. The
411
Polyporaceee
Boletus. European B. sphaerocephalus has ovoid spores, but its tube mouths are
minute and rotund and its stem is densely squamose. Peck, Boleti of
the U. S.
B. lu'teus L. — yellow. PileuS gibbous or convex, covered with a
brownish separating gluten, becoming yellowish-brown and virgate-
spotted. Flesh white. Tubes adnate, minute, simple, yellow, becom-
ing darker with age. Stem stout, yellowish and dotted above the large
membranous brownish-white annulus, brownish-white or yellowish below.
Spores fusiform, yellowish-brown, 6— 7x3— 4/x..
PileuS 2-5 in. broad. Stem 1-2 in. long, 6-10 lines thick.
Pine woods and groves. New York, Peck.
B. luteus has an international reputation for edibility. I have found it
at Waretown and Haddonfield, N. J. ; in Bartram's Garden, West Phila-
delphia, always under pines. At Waretown it was gregarious. Pine
needles, sand, anything through which it grows, adheres to the glutin-
ous cap. It must be carefully cleaned before cooking. It is then of
choice consistency and good flavor.
(Plate CXVa.)
B. Sllblu'teuS Pk. — luteus, yellow. PileuS convex or nearly plane,
viscid or glutinous when moist, often
obscurely virgate-spotted, dingy -yel-
lowish, inclining to rusty-brown.
Flesh whitish, varying to dull-yel-
lowish. Tubes plane or convex, ad-
nate, small, subrotund, yellow be-
coming ochraceous. Stem equal,
slender, pallid or yellowish, dotted
both above and below the ring with
reddish or brownish glandules ; ring
submembranous, glutinous > at first
concealing the tubes, then generally
collapsing and forming a narrow
whitish or brownish band around the
stem . Spores subf usiform , ochraceo-
Pileus 1.5-3 in- broad. Stem 1.5-2.5 in.
SECTION OF BOLETUS SUBLUTEUS.
ferruginous, 8-10x4-5^.
long, 2-4 lines thick.
412
Polyporaceae
Sandy soil in pine woods. New York, Peck, Clinton; New England,
Frost.
The species is closely related to B. luteus, from which it differs in its
smaller size, more slender stem and glutinous collapsing veil. Peck,
Boleti of the U. S.
Found at Waretown, N. J., 1887, under pines and in same locality
as B. luteus, for which it can be readily mistaken. It is usually covered
with adherent sand or pine needles. Its flesh is tender with a pleasant
glutinosity. Flavor good.
B. fla'vidllS Fr. — light yellowish. PiletlS thin, gibbous, then plane,
viscose, livid, yellowish. Flesh pallid. Tubes decurrent, with large
angular compound months, dirty yellowish. Stem slender, subequal,
pallid, sprinkled with fugacious glandules above the entirely viscose ring.
Spores oblong-ellipsoid, straight, subhyaline, 8-10x3-4^1.
PileilS 1-2 in. broad. Stem 2-3 in. long, 2-3 lines thick.
Pine woods and swamps. Pennsylvania, Schweinitz; North Carolina,
Curtis; New England, Frost; California, H. and M.; Rhode Island,
Bennett.
Fries says that this species is more slender than its allies, and differs
from them all in its merely glutinous veil. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
Dr. Curtis, of North Carolina, places it among edible species.
Many specimens were found by the writer near Waretown and Had-
donfield, N. J., and a few at Mt. Gretna, Pa. The stems are thin and
slightly spreading at the top. They are hard. The caps are excellent.
B. America'llUS Pk. Pileus thin, convex or nearly plane, sometimes
umbonate, soft, very viscid or glutinous when moist, slightly tomentose
on the margin when young, soon glabrous or the margin sometimes
remaining scaly, rarely scale-spotted from the drying of the gluten,
yellow, becoming dingy or less bright with age, sometimes vaguely
dotted or streaked with bright red. Flesh pale-yellow, less clear or
pinkish-gray on exposure to the air. Tubes plane or convex, adnate,
rather large, angular, pale-yellow, becoming sordid-ochraceous. Stem
slender, equal or slightly tapering upward, firm, not at all annulate,
yellow, often pallid or brownish toward the base, marked with numerous
brown or reddish-brown persistent glandular dots, yellow within. Spores
oblong or subfusiform, ochraceo-ferruginous, 9—1 1x4— 5^.
Polyporaceae
Boletus. Pileus 1-3 in. broad. Stem 1.5-2.5 in. long, 2-4 lines thick.
Woods, swamps and open places, especially under or near pine trees.
New York, Peck, Clinton; Minnesota, Arthur.
A slight subacid odor is sometimes perceptible in our plant. It
sometimes grows on much decayed wood. Its mycelium is white.
Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
The caps, only, are good.
B. Sllbau'reus Pk. — sub and aureus, golden. (Plate CXIV, fig. 2,
p. 414.) Pileus convex or nearly plane, viscose, pale-yellow, some-
times adorned with darker spots, the young margin slightly grayish-
tomentose. Flesh pale-yellow. Tubes small or medium', somewhat
angular, adnate or subdecurrent, pale-yellow becoming dingy-ochrace-
ous. Stem equal, stout, glandular-dotted, yellow without and within.
Spores oblong or subfusiform, ochraceo-ferruginous, 8—10x4/1..
Pileus 2-4 in. broad. Stem 1.5-2.5 in. long, 4-6 lines thick.
Thin woods and open places. New York, Peck; North Carolina, C.
J. Curtis; Massachusetts, Mississippi, G. Survey (Rep. 51).
This plant might almost be considered a stout variety of the preced-
ing, but in addition to its thicker pileus and stouter stem, it has smaller
tubes of a clearer yellow color, and the exuding drops are yellow, not
whitish, as in that species. In habit it appears more like B. granulatus,
from which it is distinct in color. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
From early October, through heavy frosts and until long after No-
vember snows I found this species at Mt. Gretna, Pa., in 1897—1898.
Specimens were sent to Professor Peck and identified as this species. It
grew in grass on borders of woods, or gravelly ground, sometimes
among pine needles. Large troops of it were frequent, and tufts con-
taining many individuals were common.
I regard B. subaureus as among the most valuable of our food species.
Its plentifulness, lateness, excellent quality will commend it to all My-
cophagists. It can be cooked in any way. The tubes need not be re-
moved.
B. hirtel'lus Pk. — slightly hairy. Pileus broadly convex, soft,
viscose, golden-yellow, adorned with small tufts of hairs or fibrils.
Flesh pale-yellow. Tubes adnate, medium size, angular, becoming
4H
Polyporaceee
dingy-ochraceous. Stem subcespitose, equal, stout, glandular dotted, Boletus,
yellow. Spores pale, ocJiraceous-brown, 9—10x4/4.
Pileus 2-4 in. broad. Stem 2-3 in. long, 4-6 lines thick.
Sandy soil under pine trees. New York, Peck.
This species is very rare and was formerly confused with the preced-
ing from which it is separated by the hairy adornment of the pileus and
the darker, more brown color of the spores. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
B. punc'tipes Pk. — punctum, a dot; pes, a foot. Pileus convex or
nearly plane, glutinous when moist, yellow, the thin margin at first
minutely grayish-pulverulent, becoming recurved with age. Tubes
short, nearly plane, adnate, small, subrotund, at first brownish, then
sordid-ochraceous. Stem rather long, tapering ifpward, grandular-
dotted, rhubarb-yellow. Spores 9— 10x4-5;*.
Pileus 2-3 in. broad. Stem 2-3 in. long, 3-5 lines thick. Mixed
woods. New York, Peck.
The rhubarb-colored stem and the brownish color of the young hy-
menium a»"e the distinguishing features of this species. The glandules
occur also on the tubes. The species is rare. Peck, Boleti of the
U. S.
Not seen by Professor Peck since its discovery in 1878.
Spores when first dropped are olive-green on white paper, but the
green hue soon changes to brownish-ochraceous. Peck, 44th Rep. N.
Y. State Bot.
Ontario, Prof. Dearness (Lloyd, R. 4).
B. al'btlS Pk. — v/hite. Pileus convex, viscid when moist, white,
Flesh white or yellowish. Tubes plane, small or medium, subrotund,
adnate, whitish, becoming yellow or ochraceous. Stem equal or slightly
tapering downward, both it and the tubes glandular-dotted, white,
sometimes tinged with pink toward the base. Spores ochraceous, sub-
fusiform, 8— 9x4^.
PileilS 1-5-3 in. broad. Stem 1.5-3 in. long, 3~5 lines thick.
Woods, especially of pine or hemlock. New York, Peck; New
England, Frost.
This species is easily known by its white pileus, but its color is lost
in drying. Sometimes the fresh plant emits a peculiar fetid odor.
Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
415
Polyporaceee
Boletus. B. granula'tllS — granula, a granule. PileuS convex or nearly
plane, very viscid or glutinous and rusty-brown when moist, yellowish
when dry. Flesh pale-yellowish. Tubes short, adnate, yellowish,
their mouths simple, granulated. Stem dotted with glandules above*
pale-yellowish. Spores spindle-shaped, yellowish-orange, /.5-IOX2-3/X,.
PileuS 1.5-4 m- broad. Stem 1-2 in. long, 4-6 lines thick.
Woods, especially of pine and in open places under or near pine
trees. Very common.
The plant is generally gregarious and sometimes grows in circles,
whence the name B. circinans Pers. Occasionally it is cespitose. The pi-
leus is very variable in color — pinkish-gray, reddish-brown, yellowish-
gray, tawny-ferruginous or brownish — and is sometimes obscurely spot-
ted by the drying gluten. The flesh is rather thick and often almost
white, except near the tubes, where it is tinged with yellow. The tubes
are small, at first almost white or very pale-yellow, but they become
dingy-ochraceous with age. The stem is generally short, stout and
firm, whitish-pallid or yellowish, and often dotted to the base, though
the glandules are more numerous and distinct on the upper part. Peck,
Boleti of the U. S.
B. granulatus is of frequent and general occurrence. I have found it
in the pine woods of New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and
West Virginia, and in West Virginia and Pennsylvania in mixed woods.
It is a late-growing species, appearing in September and continuing
until frost.
All authors, with one exception (Gillet), give the species as edible.
From frequent and copious testings, the writer vouches for its edibility
and excellence. It bears favorable comparison with any of the late
Boleti.
B, bre'vipes Pk. — brevis, short; pes, foot. Pfleus thick, convex,
covered with a thick, tough gluten when young or moist, dark chestnut
color, sometimes fading to dingy-tawny, the margin inflexed. Flesh
white or tinged with yellow. Tubes short, nearly plane, adnate or
slightly depressed around the stem, small, subrotund, at first whitish
becoming dingy-ochraceous. Stem whitish, not dotted or rarely with a
few very minute inconspicuous dots at the apex, very short. Spores sub-
fusiform, 7.5x3//..
PileuS 1.5-2.5 in. broad. Stem .5-1 in. long, 3-5 lines thick.
416
Polyporaceee
Sandy soil in pine groves and woods. New England, Frost; New Boletus.
York, Peck.
The species is closely related to B. granulatus, from which it differs
especially in its darker colored pileus, more copious gluten, shorter
stem and the almost entire absence of granules from the tube mouths
and stem. In the rare instances in which these are present they are ex-
tremely minute and inconspicuous. The plant occurs very late in the
season and the pileus appears as if enveloped in slime and resting stem-
less on the ground. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
Specimens found in pine woods of New Jersey, identified by Professor
Peck. Lambertville, N. J., C. S. Ridgway; Haddonfield, N. J., T.
J. Collins; Pleasantville, Isaac F. Shaner.
B. brevipes is a disreputable, dirty, tramp-looking fungus, from which
the collector would expect no good. Nevertheless, when it has had a
good scrubbing it becomes respectable and is sweet, tender, good eat-
ing. When other species abound, it does not pay for the cleansing.
B. COllilli'tllS Fr. — collino, to besmear. Pileus convex, even, becom-
ing pale when the brown gluten separates. Flesh white. Tubes adnate,
elongated, naked, the mouths two-parted, pallid, becoming yellow.
Stem firm, often tapering downward, somewhat reticulate with appressed
squamules, white, becoming brown.
Woods of pine or fir. North Carolina, Curtis/ New England, Frost.
I have seen no specimens of this apparently rare species. It is said
to be solitary in its mode of growth and to resemble B. luteus in size
and color, but to be distinct from it by its ringless, dotless stem. Dr*.
Curtis records it as edible. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
I found three specimens at Haddonfield, N. J., October, 1897, under
scrub pines. Cap 2;^ in. across, convex, gibbous; stem equal, 2% in.
long, K in. in diameter, slightly tapering at base. The two-parted
mouths to the tubes were very distinct. The stems were tough, but the
caps, washed and fried, were good.
B. di'chrous Ellis. Pileus convex, viscose, dull red. Flesh soft,
dull, yellowish-white, changing to greenish-blue where wounded, finally
yellow. Tubes subdepressed around the stem, large, unequal, straw-
colored, changing color like the flesh where wounded. Stem thickened
27 417
Polyporaceee
Boletus, below, solid, covered with a red scaly coat, except at the yellow apex,
yellow within. Spores elliptical, slightly bent at one end, 2/A long.
Pileus 2-3 in. broad. Stem 3 in. long, 6 lines thick.
Dry soil in oak and pine woods. New Jersey. Ellis.
I have seen no specimens of this species. From the description, its
affinities appear to be with B. bicolor, but it is placed here because of
its viscose pileus. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
B. ba'dius Fr. — bay-brown. Pileus convex, even, soft, viscose or
glutinous, shining when dry, tawny-chestnut. Flesh whitish, tinged
with yellow, bluish next the tubes. Tubes large, angular, long, adnate
or sinuate-depressed, whitish-yellow, becoming tinged with green.
Stem subequal, even, solid, paler, brown-pruinate . Spores fusoid-
oblong.
Pileus 2-3 in. broad. Stem 2-4 in. long, 3-5 lines thick.
Woods, especially of pine. New York, Peck; Minnesota, Johnson;
Wisconsin, Bundy; Nova Scotia, Somers.
In the American plant the spores are 10-1 2x4-5^.
Cordier classes it among the edible species. Peck, Boleti of the
United States.
B. mi'tis Krombh. — mild. Pileus convex, then plane or depressed,
firm, viscid, yellowish-flesh color, reddish-rust color when dry. Flesh
pale, grayish-yellow. Tubes short, olivaceous or golden-yellow, their
mouths compound, angular, unequal. Stem firm, short, even, narrbwed
toward the base, colored like the pileus. Spores 12—14x41*.
Pileus 2-2*. 5 in. broad. Stem 2-2.5 in. long.
Mixed woods. New England, Frost.
This species is unknown to me and is recorded by Mr. Frost only.
Peck, Bol.eti of the United States.
B. uni'color Frost MS. Pileus broadly convex or nearly plane, vis-
cid when moist, even, sometimes streaked as if with minute innate brown
fibrils, pale-yellow. Flesh pale-yellow. Tubes adnate or slightly de-
current, rather short, compound, lemon-yellow, becoming darker with
age. Stem even, equal or narrowed toward the base, colored like the
pileus. Spores reddish-yellow, 9-11x4^1.
Pileus 2-4 in. broad . Stem 2 in. long, 4-6 lines thick.
418
Polyporaceas
Pine woods and open sedgy places. New England, Frost. Boletus.
Specimens not seen. The species seems too near B. bovinus, of
which it may possibly be a variety, but its yellow flesh and the colors
ascribed to the tubes and spores require its separation. Rev. C. J.
Curtis sends notes of a species found by him in North Carolina, which
agree with this in its characters so far as noted. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
B. ignora'tus Pk. PileuS convex, viscid, bright lemon-color, marked
with wrinkled lines of orange color, which are distributed over the pi-
leus, giving it a streaked appearance. Flesh white, solid, does not
change color when cut or broken; taste slightly acid. Pores lemon-
color, moderately large, free, connected with the stem by web-like fila-
ments. Stem larger at the apex, somewhat tapering toward the base,
yellow, smooth, solid. Spores 4.5xn/>t.
This closely approaches Boletus unicolor Fr., from which it scarcely
differs except in its white flesh and free tubes. Fungi of Maryland,
Mary E. Banning. Peck, 44th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
B. bovi'nus — bos, an ox. PileuS nearly plane, glabrous, viscid, pale
yellow. Flesh white. Tubes very short, subdecurrent, their mouths
compound, pale yellow or grayish, becoming rust-colored. Stem equal,
even, colored like the pileus. Spores fusiform, dingy greenish-ocher,
7.5-10x3-4,*.
Pileus 2-3 in. broad. Stem 1.5-2 in. long, sometimes cespitose.
Pine woods. North Carolina, Schweinitz, Curtis; Pennsylvania,
Schweinitz; New England, Frost, Palmer, Bennett, Sprague, Farlow;
California, H ' . and M .
The shallow tubes, 2-3 lines long, are said to resemble the pores of
Merulius lacrymans. The species is recorded edible by Curtis, Gillet
and Palmer. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
West Virginia mountains under hemlocks, 1882-1885, and near Had-
donfield, N. J., under pines. Mcllvaine, 1892. Gregarious and in
clusters. The pore surface was in some specimens broadly wrinkled.
Smell and taste pleasant. Cooked, the quality is of the best in Boleti.
B. rubinel'lus Pk. — dim. of ruber, red. Pileus broadly conical or
convex, viscid when moist, subtomentose or slightly pubescent when
dry, red fading to yellow on the margin. Flesh whitish or yellowish,
419
Polyporaceee
Boletus, taste mild. Tubes adnate or slightly depressed around the stem, dingy-
reddish, becoming subferruginous. Stem equal, slender, even, colored
like the tubes, yeflow witJiin, sometimes yellow at the base. Spores
oblong-fusiform, ferruginous-brown, 12.5— 1 5x4^.
PileilS 1-2 in. broad. Stem 1-2 in. long, 1-3 lines thick.
Mixed woods or under or near coniferous trees in open places. New
York, Peck. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
B. pipera'tus Bull. — piper, pepper. PileilS convex or nearly plane,
glabrous, slightly viscid when moist, yellowish, cinnamon or siibferm-
ginous. Flesh white or yellowish, taste acrid, peppery . Tubes rather
long and large, angular, often unequal, plane or convex, adnate or sub-
decurrent, reddish-rust color. Stem slender, subequal, tawny-yellow,
bright yellow at the base. Spores subfusiform, ferruginous-brown,
9-1 IX4/M.
Pileus 1-3 in. broad. Stem 1.5-3 m- l°ng, 2~4 lmes thick.
Woods and open places. Common and variable.
This species may easily be recognized by its peppery flavor. The
pileus sometimes appears as if slightly tomentose, and both this and the
preceding species recede from the character of the tribe by the slight
viscidity of the pileus. This is sometimes cracked into areas and some-
times the margin is very obtuse by the elongation of the tubes. Peck,
Boleti of the U. S.
Haddonfield, N. J., 1892. Mcllvaine.
This fungus is reckoned poisonous by Stevenson. Massee gives its
taste as very hot. The taste of the American plant is peppery but not
offensively so. This pepperiness it loses in cooking. It has been eaten
by the writer and his friends with enjoyment and without any discom-
fort.
B. subsanguin'eus Pk. — sub and sangttineus, bloody. (Plate CXVI,
fig. 4, p. 420.) PileilS convex or slightly depressed in the center, gla-
brous, viscid, bright-red or scarlet. Flesh thick, firm but flexible, white,
slowly changing to a pale brownish-lilac on exposure to the air, taste
slightly bitter. Tubes very short, 2—4 mm. long, adnate, but often sep-
arating from the stem with the expansion of the pileus, reddish, the
mouths minute, stuffed at first, pinkish, then brownish-yellow, changing
to a light-brown where wounded. Stem short, thick, uneven, often
420
PLATE CXVI.
t! ''>:X;,v^
S>&^^: •
Grouped by F. I>. Briscoe — Studies by C. Mcllvaine.
New Species.
FIG.
1. BOLETUS ECCENTRICUS,
2. BOLETUS BADICEPS,
3. BoLtTus FUIATS.
PAGE. FIG.
470 4. BOLETUS SUBSANGUINEUS,
436 5. BOLETUS CHASSIPES,
465
PAGE.
420
452
Polyporacese
tapering downward, streaked with red, pale-yellow at the top, white at Boletus,
the base, marked at the top by the decurrent walls of the tubes.
PileuS 2.5-10 cm. broad. Stem 2.5-5 cm- l°ng> 2-4 cm. thick.
Solitary, gregarious or cespitose. Under beech trees. West Phila-
delphia, Pa. August. C. Mcllvaine.
This is a very showy species, easily recognized by its bright-red vis-
cid pileus and its short, thick and uneven or somewhat lacunose stem.
It is closely related to the European B. sanguineus With., from which
it is separated by its minute tubes, its uneven stem and the brownish
hues assumed where wounded.
The spore characters of this and the four succeeding species are un-
known, but the other characters are quite distinctive and apparently
sufficient for the recognition of the species. The descriptions have been
derived from colored figures and other data furnished by Mr. Mcllvaine,
who says all are edible. Peck, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, No. 27.
When slowly stewed for thirty minutes, there is no better Boletus.
PULVERULENTI.
Pileus clothed with a yellow dust or a yellow powdery down. Stem
more or less yellow powdered, neither bulbous nor distinctly reticulated.
The species which constitute this tribe are easily distinguished from
all others by the sulphur-colored pulverulence which coats the pileus
and stem like a universal veil. They appear thus far to be peculiar to
this country. Though strongly resembling each other in the tribal
character they are very diverse in other respects. One species, by its
viscidity, connects with the preceding tribe; another by its differently
colored tube mouths is related to the Luridi ; and the third is peculiar
in its ligneous habitat.
Plant growing on the ground I
Plant growing on wood B. hemichrysus
i . Tubes adnate, of one color B. Ravenelii
i . Tubes free, with red mouths B. auriflammeus
Peck, Boleti of the U. S., p. 103.
B. hemicliry'sus B. and C. — half-golden. Pileus convex, at length
plane or irregularly depressed, floccose-squamulose, covered with a yel-
low powder, sometimes cracked, bright golden-yellow. Flesh thick,
421
Polyporaceae
Boletus, yellow. Tubes adnate or decurrent, yellow, becoming reddish-brown,
the mouths large, angular. Stem short, irregular, narrowed below,
sprinkled with a yellow dust, yellowish tinged with red ; mycelium yel-
low. Spores oblong, minute, dingy-ochraceous.
Var. muta bills. Flesh slightly changing to blue where wounded.
Stem reddish, yellow within, sometimes eccentric. Spores oblong-
elliptical, 7.5— 9X3-4//..
Pileus 1.5-2.5 in. broad. Stem about I in. long, 3-6 lines thick.
Roots of pine, Pinus palustris. The variety on stumps of Pinus
strobus.
South Carolina, Ravenel; North Carolina, Curtis; New York, Peck.
The species is remarkable for its habitat, which is lignicolous. The
New York variety grew on a stump of white pine. By its eccentric
stem it connects this genus with Boletinus, through Boletinus porosus.
According to the authors of this species it resembles Boletus variegatus.
Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
B. Kavenel'ii B. and C. — after Ravenel. Pileus convex or nearly
plane, slightly viscid when young or moist, covered with a sulphur-yel-
low powdery down, becoming naked and dull-red on the disk. Flesh
whitish. Tubes at first plane, adnate, pale-yellow, becoming yellowish-
brown or umber, dingy-greenish where bruised, the mouths large or
medium size, subrotund. Stem nearly equal, clothed and colored like
the young pileus, yellow within, with a slight evanescent webby or
tomentose ring. Spores ochraceous-brown, io-i2x5-6/M.
Pileus 1-3 in. broad. Stem 1.5-4 in. long, 3-6 lines thick.
Woods and copses. South Carolina, Ravenel; North Carolina, Curtis;
New York, Peck; New England, Frost.
This is a very distinct and very beautiful species. Mr. Ravenel re-
marks in his notes that "this plant is not infested by larvae and preserves
more constant characters than any other Boletus with which I am ac-
quainted." The webby powdered filaments constitute a universal veil
which at first covers the whole plant and conceals the young tubes. As
the pileus expands this generally disappears from the disk, and, sep-
arating between the margin and the stem, a part adheres to each. The
flesh is sometimes stained with yellow. The tubes in some instances be-
come convex and slightly depressed around the stem. They are almost
white when young, and often exhibit brownish hues where wounded.
422
Polyporaceae
The plant is sometimes cespitose. I have observed a greenish tint to Boletus,
the freshly shed spores, but it soon disappears. Boletus subchromeus
Frost Ms. is this species. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
B. auriflam'meus B. and C. — flaming yellow. Pileus convex, dry,
powdered, bright golden-yellow. Flesh white, unchangeable. Tubes
plane or convex, free, yellow, their broad angular mouths scarlet. Stem
slightly tapering upward, powdered, colored like the pileus. Spores
10-12.5x5/4.
Pileus 8-12 lines broad. Stem 1-1.5 in. long.
Woods. North Carolina, Curtis; New York, Peck.
This is evidently a rare species and as beautiful as it is rare. The
whole plant is bright-yellow except the tube mouths, and is sprinkled
with yellow dust or minute yellow branny particles. In the New York
specimen the scarlet color is wanting in the marginal tube mouths and
the stem is marked with fine subreticulating elevated lines. In other
respects it agrees well with the diagnosis of the species. Peck, Boleti
of the U. S.
SUBPRUINOSI — sub, pruina, hoar frost.
Pileus glabrous, but more often pruinose. Tubes adnate, yellowish.
Stem equal, even, neither bulbous nor reticulated.
The species of this tribe have the pileus neither viscid nor distinctly
and permanently tomentose. Typically it is glabrous or merely pruinose,
but Fries has admitted into the group one species with a pulverulent,
and one with a silky pileus. The species are not sharply distinguished
from those of the following tribes, and possibly some have been admitted
here which might as well have been placed there. Some of the species
are variable in color and their characters are not sufficiently well known.
Tubes bright-yellow, golden or subochraceous i
i . Tubes pale or whitish-yellow 6
i . Tubes changing to blue where wounded 2
i . Tubes not changing to blue 3
2. Stem pallid, with a circumscribing red line at the top..B. glabellus
2. Stem yellow, sometimes with red stains. . . .B. miniato-olivaceus
2. Stem red, yellow at the top B. bicolor
3. Stem viscid or glutinous when moist B. auriporus
423
Polyporaceee
Boletus. 3 . Stem not viscid 4
4. Plant growing on Scleroderma B. parasiticus
4. Plant terrestrial 5
5. Tubes greenish-yellow B. alutaceus
5 . Tubes golden-yellow B. tenuiculus
6. Pileus reticulated with subcutaneous brown lines. .B. dictyocephalus
6. Pileus not reticulated 7
7. Tubes changing to blue where wounded B. pallidus
7. Tubes not changing to blue 8
8. Stem uniformly colored B. subglabripes
8. Stem yellowish, streaked with brown B. innixus
Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
B. minia'tO-oliva'ceilS Frost — olive-red. Pileus at first convex and
firm, then nearly plane, soft and spongy, glabrous, vermilion, becom-
ing olivaceous. Flesh pale-yellow, changing to blue where wounded.
Tubes bright lemon-yellow, adnate or subdecurrent. Stem glabrous,
enlarged at the top, pale-yellow, brighter within, sometimes lurid at the
base. Spores 12.5x6^.
Var. sensi'bilis (Boletus sensibilis Rep. 32, p. 33).
Pileus at first pruinose-tomentose, red, becoming glabrous and ochra-
ceous-red with age. Tubes bright-yellow tinged with green, becoming
sordid-yellow. Stem lemon-yellow with red or rhubarb stains at the
base, contracted at the top when young, subcespitose. Spores 10-12.5
x4-5^.
Pileus 2-6 in. broad. Stem 3-4 in. long, 3-6 lines thick.
Woods and their borders. New England, Frost ; New York, Peck.
Though the sensitive Boletus differs considerably in some respects
from the olive-red Boletus, it is probably only a variety, and as such I
have subjoined it here. In it every part of the plant quickly changes
to blue where wounded, and even the pressure of the fingers in handling
the fresh specimens is sufficient to induce this change of color. I have
not found the typical plant in New York, but specimens received from
Mr. Frost are not, in the dry state, distinguishable from the variety.
Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
Indiana, H. I. Miller \ West Virginia. Haddonfield, N. J. Chelten-
ham, Pa., Mcllvaine.
Years ago I marked it edible and excellent when young. My friends
424
PLATE CXVII.
tsa
c o
r r1
K a
H H
- M
f-1 M
II
Si
Z
O
•
go
H
Polyporaceae
have eaten it, and continue to do so. Yet Professor Peck (48th Rep., Boletus,
p. 202) reports a case brought to his notice of an entire family being
sickened by eating B. sensibilis. All recovered. It may, therefore, be
one of those species which, while disagreeing with some persons, can
be eaten by the majority. Clitocybe illudens, Lepiota Morgani and
others of the Agaricaceae are such species.
B. bi'color Pk. — two-color. (Plate CXVII, figs. I, 2, p. 424.) Pi-
leus convex, glabrous or merely pruinose-tomentose, dark-red, firm, be-
coming soft, paler and sometimes spotted or stained with yellow when
old. Flesh yellow, not at all or but slightly and slowly changing to
blue where wounded. Tubes nearly plane, adnate, bright-yellow, be-
coming ochraceous, slowly changing to blue where wounded, their
mouths small, angular or subrotund. Stem subequal, firm, solid, red,
generally yellow at the top,. Spores pale,- ochraceous-brown, 10—
12.5x4-5/4.
Pileus 2-4 in. broad. Stem 1-3 in. long, 4-6 lines thick.
Woods and open places. New York, Peck; Wisconsin, Bundy.
The color of this plant is somewhat variable. In the typical form the
pileus and stem are dark red, approaching Indian red, but when old the
color of the pileus fades and is often intermingled with yellow. The
surface sometimes cracks and becomes cracked in areas. From the
European B. Barlae this species is separated by its solid stem; from B.
versicolor by its small tube mouths and its red stem. Peck, Boleti of
the U. S.
Plentiful at Mt. Gretna, Pa., July, August, September, 1898, in
mixed woods. Very variable in shape and color. Identified by Pro-
fessor Peck from painting and description.
Fine eating, one of the very best.
B. glabel'lllS Pk. — smooth. PileilS fleshy, thick, broadly convex or
nearly plane, soft, dry, subglabrous, smoky-buff. Flesh white, both it
and the tubes changing to blue where wounded. Tubes nearly plane,
adnate, ochraceous, tinged with green, their mouths small, subrotund.
Stem subequal, glabrous, even, reddish toward the base, pallid above,
with a narrow reddish circumscribing zone or line at the top. Spores
oblong, brownish-ochraceous, tinged with green when fresh, 10-12. 5x4^.
PileilS 3-5 in. broad. Stem 1-3 in. long, 5-10 lines thick.
425
Polyporacese
Boletus. Grassy ground under oaks. New York, Peck.
The species is well marked by the reddish band or line on the stem
just below the tubes, but this disappears in drying. Peck, Boleti of
the U. S.
B. aluta'ceilS Morgan — yellowish. PileuS cushion-shaped, glabrous,
ahitaceous with a tinge of red. Flesh white, inclining to reddish. Tubes
semifree, medium in size, unequal, angular, greenish-yellow. Stem
nearly equal, striate, reticulate at the apex, colored like the pileus.
Spores fusiform, brownish-olive, 12.5x5^.
Pileus 3 in. broad.
Rocky woods of oak and chestnut. Kentucky, Morgan.
The general aspect of the figure of this species recalls some of the
forms of Boletus subtomentosus. The tubes are nearly equal in length
to the thickness of the flesh of the pileus. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
Quite frequent at Mt. Gretna, Pa., in mixed woods, principally oak
and chestnut.
Stem should be removed, and tubes when old. It cooks well and is
especially good.
B. tenui'culus Frost — thin. Pileus nearly plane, thin, lurid-red on
a yellow ground. Flesh unchangeable. Tubes short, adnate, small,
golden-yellow. Stem slender, equal, colored like the pileus. Spores
iox6ju..
Pileus 1-2 in. broad. Stem 4-6 in. long.
Woods. New England. Frost.
The thin pileus and long slender stem readily distinguish this species.
Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
B. auri'porus Pk. — golden-pore. Pileus convex or nearly plane,
glabrous or merely pruinose-tomentose, grayish-brown, yellowish-brown,
or reddish-brown. Flesh white, unchangeable. Tubes plane or slightly
depressed around the stem, adnate or subdecurrent, bright golden-yel-
low, retaining their color when dried. Stem equal or slightly thickened
at the base, viscid or glutinous when moist, especially toward the base,
colored like or a little paler than the pileus. Spores 7-5-IOX4~5/*-
Pileus 1-3 in. broad. Stem 1-3 in. long, 2-4 lines thick.
426
Polyporacese
Thin woods and shaded banks. New York, Peck; New England, Boletus.
Frost.
This species is remarkable for the rich yellow color of the tubes,
which is retained unchanged in the dried specimens, and for the viscid
stem. This character, however, is not noticeable in dry weather and
was overlooked in the original specimens.
Boletus glutinipes Frost Ms. is not distinct. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
Hopkins' Woods, Haddonfield, N. J. Grassy oak woods. 1891—
1894. Mcllvaine.
The caps are delicious.
B. innix'us Frost. Pileus convex or nearly plane, glabrous, yellow-
ish-brown, slightly cracked in areas when old, yellow in the interstices.
Flesh white. Tubes adnate, lemon-yellow, unchangeable. Stem slen-
der, short, much thickened at the base in large specimens, yellowish,
streaked with brown, brownish within. Spores iOx5/x,.
Grassy woods. New England. Frost.
The whole plant often reclines as if for support, Peck, Boleti of the
U. S.
B. parasi'ticus Bull. — a parasite. Pileus convex or nearly plane, dry,
silky, becoming glabrous, soon tessellately cracked, grayish or dingy-
yellow. Tubes decurrent, medium size, golden yellow. Stem equal,
rigid, incurved, yellow without and within. Spores oblong-fusiform,
pale-brown, 12.5-15x4^.
Pileus 1-2 in. broad. Stem 1-2 in. long, 2-4 lines thick.
Parasitic on species of Scleroderma. New York, Gerard; New Eng-
land, Sprague, Bennett.
This species is very rare in this country. It is remarkable for its
peculiar habitat. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
New York, Lydia M . Patchen; Westfield, on Scleroderma vulgare.
I found many specimens of this rare species during August, 1897,
growing on Scleroderma vulgare.
Professor Peck, to whom I sent specimens, identified them as B. par-
asiticus. The tubes were large, unequal, dissepiments thin, decurrent.
The Sclerodermas frequently appear to be parasitic upon the Boletus.
I have seen the host' plant thrown entirely free from the ground by the
Boletus.
427
Polyporaceae
Boletus. B. parasiticus is edible, but it is not of agreeable flavor.
B. dictyocepll'alus Pk. — reticulate. Pileus convex, glabrous, reticu-
late with brown lines beneatJi the thin separable cuticle , brownish-orange,
darker in the center and there tinged with pink. Flesh white, un-
changeable. Tubes nearly plane, slightly depressed around the stem,
grayish-yellow, becoming brown where bruised. Stem equal or slightly
tapering at the top, solid, rimose, dotted with scales, lemon-yellow,
darker toward the base. Spores 15— 2Ox6/u..
Pileus 2.5 in. broad. Stem 3-4 in. long, 5-6 lines thick.
Mixed woods. North Carolina. C. J. Curtis.
The description here given has been derived from a single dried speci-
men and from the notes kindly sent by Mr. Curtis. The species is
apparently well marked and very distinct by the peculiar reticulations of
the pileus. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
B. subgla'bripes Pk. — rather smooth. Pileus convex or nearly
plane, glabrous, reddish inclining to chestnut color. Flesh white, un-
changeable. Tubes adnate, nearly plane in the mass, pale yellow, be-
coming convex and darker or greenish-yellow with age, the mouths
small, subrotund. Stem equal, solid, scurfy, pale yellow. Spores
oblong-fusiform, 12.5-15x4-5^.
The smoothish-stemmed Boletus is well marked by its cylindric mi-
nutely scurfy stem which is colored like the tubes. Its cap is smooth
and nearly always some shade of red or L 'Specimens occur occa-
sionally in which it approaches grayish-bro\,,i or ,y oc, 1-brown . The
flesh is white and unchangeable when cut or bro! \,
The tubes at first have a nearly plane surface, but this becomes some-
what convex with age, and slightly depressed around the stem. The
tube mouths are small and nearly round. The color of the tubes is at
first a beautiful pale yellow, but it becomes darker or slightly greenish-
yellow with age.
The stem is colored very nearly like the tubes, but sometimes it has
a slight reddish tint toward the base. Its peculiar feature consists of
the minute, branny particles upon it. They are so small and pale that
they are easily overlooked.
There is a variety in which the cap is corrugated or irregularly pitted
and wrinkled. Its name is Boletus subglabripes corrugis Pk.
428
Polyporaceae
•
The cap is 1^-4 in. broad, the stem is 2-3 in. long and 4-8 lines Boletus,
thick. The plants are found in woods in July and August. Peck, 5ist
Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
B. pal'lidus Frost— pale. (Plate CXVII, fig. 4, p. 424.) Pileus
convex, becoming plane or centrally depressed, soft, glabrous, pallid or
brownish-white, sometimes tinged with red. Flesh white. Tubes
plane or slightly depressed around the stem, nearly adnate, very pale or
whitish-yellow, becoming darker with age, changing to blue where
wounded, the mouths small. Stem equal or slightly thickened toward
the base, rather long, glabrous, often flexuous, whitish, sometimes
streaked with brown, often tinged with red within. Spores pale ochra-
ceous-brown, io-i2x5-6/x.
PileilS 2-4 in. broad. Stem 3~5 lines long, 4-8 lines thick.
Woods. New England, Frost; New York, Peck.
The species is readily recognized by its dull pale color, rather long
stem, and tubes changing to blue where wounded. Peck, Boleti of the
U. S.
Common in West Virginia mountains, Angora, West Philadelphia,
Mt. Gretna, Pa. Solitary, on ground in mixed woods.
The caps are tender and delicately flavored.
B. rubropunc'tus Pk.— red-dotted. (Plate CXVII, fig. 3, p. 424.)
Pileus convex, glabrous, re 1 dish-brown. Flesh yellowish, unchange-
able. Tubes nearl" i ' , depressed about the stem, their mouths
small, round, LrigUt golden-yellow, not changing color where bruised.
Stem firm, solid, tapering upward, yellow, punctate with reddish dots
or squamules. Spores olive-green, 12.5x4-5^.
Pileus 1-2 in. broad. Stem 1-2 in. long, 3-6 lines thick.
Woods. Port Jefferson. July. Cold Spring Harbor, H. C. Beardslee.
This is a pretty Boletus, well marked by the red dots of the stem.
It is apparently a very rare species. B. radicans is said to have the
stem sprinkled with red particles, but that is a larger plant with the
margin of the pileus persistently involute or incurved and with a radi-
cating stem, characters which are not shown by our fungus. Peck, 5oth
Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
I found my specimens at Mt. Gretna, Pa., August-September, 1898.
429
Polyporacese
Boletus. Identified for the writer by Professor Peck from painting and descrip-
tion.
Taste and smell slight. Cooks well and is pleasant to the taste. The
tubes should be removed.
- SUBTOMENTO'SI — sub, tomentosus, downy.
PileilS when young villose or subtomentose, rarely becoming glabrous
with age, destitute of a viscid pellicle. Tubes of one color, adnate.
Stem at first extended, neither bulbous nor reticulated with veins,
wrinkled or striated in some species. Flesh in some changing color
where wounded.
The tubes are generally yellow or greenish-yellow. In some species
they are occasionally somewhat depressed around the stem, but they do
not form a rounded free stratum, nor, with the exception of B. rubeus,
are they stuffed when young as in most of the Edules. The species are
scarcely separable from those of the preceding tribe except by the more
evidently tomentose young pileus.
Tubes brown, becoming cinnamon B. variegatus
Tubes not having these colors I
I . Flesh or tubes changing to blue where wounded 2
I. Flesh or tubes not changing to blue 5
2 . Stem glabrous 3
2. Stem not glabrous 4
3. Flesh yellow under the cuticle B. rubeus
3. Flesh red under the cuticle B. chrysenteron
4. Stem velvety at the base *. B. striaepes
4. Stem with a reddish bloom or scurf B. radicans
4. Stem with brown dot-like scales B. mutabilis
5. Tubes whitish, becoming yellow B. Roxanae
5 . Tubes yellow 6
6. Tube mouths large and angular B. subtomentosus
6. Tube mouths minute B. spadiceus
Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
B. variega'tus Swartz. Pileus at first convex, then plane, obtuse,
moist, sprinkled with superficial bundled hairy squamules, dark-yellow,
the acute margin at first flocculose. Flesh yellow, here and there be-
430
Polyporaceae
coming blue. Tubes adnate, unequal, minute, brown then cinnamon. Boletus.
Stem firm, equal, even, dark-yellow, sometimes reddish. Spores ob-
long-ellipsoid, hyaline or very pale-yellowish, 7.5-iox3-4/x..
Pileus 2-5 in. broad. Stem 2-3 in. long, 6 lines thick.
Woods, especially of pine. North Carolina, Curtis, Scliweinitz; Cali-
fornia, Harkness, Moore; Rhode Island, Bennett. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
West Virginia mountains, 1882-1885. Haddonfield, N. J., Mcllvaine;
Doylestown, Pa., PascJiall. Quite common on flat benches where hem-
locks and spruces have grown.
When the caps are cooked they are sweet, nutty, excellent.
B. Roxa'nse Frost. Pileus broadly convex, at first subtomentose,
then covered with red hairs in bundles, yellowish-brown. Flesh yel-
lowish-white. Tubes at first whitish, then light-yellow, arcuate-adnate
or slightly depressed around the stem, the mouths small. Stem en-
larged toward the base, striate at the apex, yellowish or pale-cinnamon.
Spores IOX4/A.
Var. auricolor. Pileus and subequal stem bright-yellow, the to-
mentum of the pileus yellow.
Pileus 1.5-3 m- broad. Stem 1-2 in. long, 3-5 lines thick.
Borders of woods. New England, Frost; New York, Peck.
Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
B. strise'pes Seer. — striate stem. Pileus convex or plane, soft, silky,
olivaceous, the cuticle rust-color within. Flesh white, yellow next the
tubes, sparingly changing to blue. Tubes adnate, greenish, their
mouths minute, angular, yellow. Stem firm, curved, marked with
brownish-black striations, yellow, velvety and brownish-rufescent at the
base. Spores lo-i 3x4/4.
Pine and oak woods. Minnesota, Johnson.
I have seen no specimens of this species, which is recorded from but
one locality in our country. The character — flesh sparingly changing
to blue — is given on the authority of Rev. M.J.Berkeley. Peck, Boleti
of the U. S.
B. chrysen'teron Fr. — golden within. Pileus convex or plane, soft,
floccose-squamulose, often cracked in areas, brown or brick-red. Flesh
yellow, red beneath the ctiticle, often slightly changing to blue where
431
Polyporaceee
Boletus, wounded. Tubes subadnate; greenish-yellow," changing to blue where
wounded; their mouths rather large, angular, unequal. Stem subequal,
rigid, fibrous-striate, red or pale-yellow. Spores fusiform, pale-brown,
11-12.5x4-5^.
Pileus 1-3 in. broad. Stem 1-3 in. long, 3-6 lines thick.
Woods and mossy banks.
The species is common and very variable. The color of the pileus
may be yellowish-brown, reddish-brown, brick-red, tawny or olivaceous.
The subcutaneous reddish tint and the reddish chinks of the cracked
pileus are distinguishing features. Wounds of the tubes sometimes
become blue then greenish. Authors disagree concerning the edible
qualities of this Boletus. Stevenson gives it as edible, but Cordier and
Gillet say that it is regarded with suspicion. In one strongly marked
form the tubes are decidedly depressed around the stem, in another the
flesh is whitish tinged with red. It may be doubted whether these are
varieties or distinct species. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
I have found, and eaten plentifully of this species in West Virginia,
North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, from July until October.
I have no hesitancy in recommending it in all of its varieties. Excepting
from very young specimens the tubes and stems should be removed.
The flesh is sweet, delicate and toothsome.
B. fumo'sipes Pk. Pileus convex or nearly plane, minutely tomen-
tose, sometimes minutely rivulose, dark olive-brown. Flesh whitish.
Tubes at first nearly plane, becoming convex with age, their mouths
whitish when young, becoming yellowish-brown, changing to bluish-
black where bruised. Stem equal, solid, smoky-brown, minutely scurfy
under a lens. Spores purplish-brown, 12.5-15x5-6^.
Pileus 1-2 in. broad. Stem 1-2 in. long, 3-4 lines thick.
Woods. Port Jefferson. July.
This species resembles small dark-colored forms of B. chrysenteron,
and this resemblance is still more noticeable in those specimens in which
the pileus cracks in areas, for in these the chinks become red as in that
species. The different color of the stem and tubes will at once separate
these species. Peck, 5oth Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
B. ru'beus Frost — red. Pileus broadly convex, very finely appressed
subtomentose, bright brick-red when young, becoming mottled with red
432
and yellow, yellow under the cuticle, the thin margin at first inflexed, Boletus,
then horizontal, curved upward when old. Flesh pale-yellow, chang-
ing to blue where wounded. Tubes adnate or slightly depressed around
the stem, lemon-yellow and stiiffed when young, becoming yellow and
sometimes red at the mouths. Stem small, often flexuous, colored like
the pileus, reddish within, white-tomentose at the base. Spores 9-12.5
X4-5/*.
Pileus 2-4 in. broad. Stem 1-3 in. long, 3-5 lines thick.
Deep woods. Rare. New England, Frost.
This is apparently too closely related to B. chrysenteron, and it also
resembles B. bicolor. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
B. frater'nus Pk. Pileus convex, becoming plane or depressed,
slightly tomentose, deep red when young, becoming dull red with age.
Flesh yellow, slowly changing to greenish-blue where wounded. Tubes
rather long, becoming ventricose, slightly depressed about the stem,
their walls sometimes slightly decurrent, the mouths large, angular or
irregular, sometimes compound, bright yellow, quickly changing to blue
where wounded. Stem short, cespitose, often irregular, solid, sub-
tomentose, slightly velvety at the base, pale reddish-yellow, paler above
and below, yellow within, quickly changing to dark green where
wounded. Spores 1 2. 5x6/1*.
Pileus i-i-5 in. broad. Stem I-I-5 in. l°ng, 3-6 lines thick.
Shaded streets. Auburn, Alabama. July. Underwood.
The species is apparently allied to B. rubeus, but is very distinct by
its small size, cespitose habit, color of the flesh of the stem and by the
peculiar hues assumed where wounded. When the pileus cracks the
chinks become yellow as in B. subtomentosus. The species belongs to
the tribe Subtomentosi. Peck, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, Vol. 24, No. 3.
B. subtomento'sus L. — sub; tomentosus, downy. Pileus convex or
nearly plane, soft, dry, villoso-tomentose , subolivaceous , concolorous be-
neath the cuticle, often cracked in areas. Flesh white or pallid. Tubes
adnate or somewhat depressed around the stem, yellow, their mouths
large, angular. Stem stout, somewhat ribbed-sulcate, scabrous or
scurfy with minute dots. Spores 10—12.5x4-5^.
Pileus 1-4 in. broad. Stem 1-2.5 m- long, 2-5 lines thick.
Common and variable. The pileus is usually olivaceous or yellow-
28 433
Polyporaceae
Boletus, ish-brown, but it may be reddish-brown or taTvny-red. When it cracks
the chinks become yellow. The species, as I understand it, may be
distinguished from its near relative, B. chrysenteron, by its paler flesh,
the clearer yellow tubes not changing to blue where wounded, and by
the chinks of the pileus becoming yellow. The species is recorded
edible by Cordier, Curtis and Palmer. Gillet says it is only medium in
quality. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
Found and eaten in West Virginia, North Carolina, New Jersey, Penn-
sylvania. Specimens received from Indiana, Minnesota, Alabama.
I have not seen any change of color in flesh or tubes. It is common
in Woodland Cemetery and Fairmount Park, Philadelphia. If the
tubes are not removed the dish is slimy. The B. chrysenteron also
makes such a dish when stewed, but fried, and well done, both species
are decidedly good.
B. CSespito'sus Pk. — cespitose. Pileus broadly convex or nearly
plane, sometimes slightly concave by the elevation of the margin, even,
brown or blackish-brown, the margin often a little paler or reddish-
brown. Flesh slightly tinged with red. Tubes adnate or slightly de-
current, yellow, their mouths rather large, angular, concolorous. Stem
short, even, solid, glabrous, tapering upward, brown or reddish-brown.
Spores oblong-elliptic, lOft long, 5/* broad.
Pileus 1-2.5 cm- broad. Stem 2-2.5 cm. long, 4-6 mm. thick.
Cespitose. Virginia. August. R. S. Phifer.
A small species growing in tufts and referable to the tribe Subtomen-
tosi. The tubes retain their bright yellow color in the dried specimens.
Peck, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, January 27, 1900.
Edible qualities not stated.
B. spadi'ceus Schaeff. — nut brown. Pileus convex or plane, moder-
ately compact, dry, tomentose, opaque, date-brown, irregularly cracked.
Flesh white, unchangeable, brownish-red above. Tubes adnate, yellow,
their mouths minute, subrotund. Stem firm, clavate, even, woolly-scaled,
yellow or brownish, yellowish-white within. Spores 12x4/4.
Pileus 2-4 in. broad.
Woods. New England, Frost.
This species is admitted on the authority of Mr. Frost who alone has
recorded it in this country. But specimens received from him under
434
Polyporaceee
this name do not in my opinion belong to it, and its occurrence here is Boletus,
somewhat doubtful. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
In oak woods near Bartram's Garden, West Philadelphia, in 1887-
1888, I found several Boleti answering the description, exactly, of B.
spadiceus. They proved to be good eating.
B. radi'cans Pers. — radix, a root. Pileus convex, dry, subtomen-
tose, olivaceous-cinereus, becoming pale-yellowish, the margin thin, in-
volute. Flesh pale-yellow, instantly changing to dark blue, taste bit-
terish. Tubes adnate, their mouths large, unequal, lemon-yellow. Stem
even, tapering downward and radicating, flocculose with a reddish
bloom, pale-yellow, becoming naked and dark with a touch.
Pileus 2-3 in. broad. Stem 2 in. long, 6 lines thick.
Woods. Ohio, Morgan.
Of the American plant Mr. Morgan says that the pileus is quite firm
and dry, becomes reddish or brownish-yellow and nearly glabrous,
that the flesh is pale-yellow, but that he has not observed any bluish
tinge, and that the spores are olive, fusiform, 10— 12.5x5;*. Those of the
European plant have been described as very pale ocher, almost white,
6ju, long, 3/x broad. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
Near Bryn Mawr, Pa. W. C. Alderson, 1894.
Several specimens brought to me were eaten. The change in color
of flesh was instantaneous upon exposure to the air. Taste strong and
raw rather than bitterish. The caps alone were cooked, and dish marked
"fine."
B. muta'bilis Morg. — changeable. Jour. Cin. Soc. Nat. Sci., Vol.
VII. Pileus convex, then plane or depressed, compact, dry, sub-
tomentose, brown. Flesh bright-yellow, promptly changing to blue
where wounded. Tubes adnate or subdecurrent, their mouths large,
angular, unequal, some of them compound, yellow changing to green-
ish yellow and quickly becoming blue where wounded. Stem stout,
solid, flexuous, subsulcate, yellowish beneath the brown dot-like scales,
bright yellow within. Spores olive, fusiform, 12-13x5^.
Pileus 2.5-4 m- broad. Stem 2-3 in. long, 6 lines thick.
Thick woods. Ohio, Morgan.
A shade of yellow sometimes appears beneath the brown of the pileus,
and as the plants grow old the pileus becomes blackish, glabrous and
435
Polyporaceas
Boletus, shining. The stem increases in thickness above and downward. Peck,
Boleti of the U. S.
B. badi'ceps Pk. — badius, bay and head. (Plate CXVI, p. 420.)
Pileus firm, convex or somewhat centrally depressed when mature, dry,
velvety, obliquely truncate on the margin, bay-red or dark-maroon
color. Flesh white unchangeable, taste and odor mild, sweet, sug-
gestive of molasses. Tubes plane, adnate, white or whitish, becoming
dingy with age, the mouths minute. Stem equal or slightly swollen in
the middle, radicating, glabrous, solid, brownish.
Pileus 4-8 cm. broad. Stem 4-5 cm. long, 1.5-3 cm- thick.
Oak woods. West Philadelphia, Pa. August and September. Charles
Mcllvaine.
The truncate or beveled margin of the pileus is a striking feature in
this species. It is about 4 mm. broad and as even as if cut with a
knife. Sometimes the surface of the stem ruptures transversely just be-
low the top, the liberated shreds above curling upward against the tubes
and those below curving outward and downward. In mature plants
brownish spots appear in the flesh of the pileus. "When cooked it is
of high flavor and tender as kidney," C. Mcllvaine. Peck, Bull. Tor-
rey Bot. Club, January 27, 1900.
LACERI'PEDES — lacerated stem.
Stem elongated, coarsely pitted or deeply and lacunosely reticulated
in small hollows, the ridges somewhat intumescent in wet weather and
more or less lacerated, giving a rough or shaggy appearance to the stem.
The species of this tribe are few, very closely allied and so far as
known are peculiar to this country.
Pileus viscid I
Pileus dry B . Russelli
I. Stem red in the depressions, tubes tinged with green. . .B. Morgani
I . Stem pale-yellow, tubes not greenish B. Betula
Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
B. Rus'selli Frost — Russell's Boletus. (Plate CXVIII, fig. 2, p. 436.)
Pileus thick, hemispherical or convex, dry, covered with downy scales or
bundles of red hairs, yellowish beneath the tomentum, often cracked in
436
PLATE CXVIII.
Grouped by F. D. Brlecoe - Studies by C. Mcllvaine.
FIG.
1. BOLETUS SEPARANS,
2. BOLETUS RUSSELLI,
3. BOLETUS ILLULENS,
PAGE. FIG. PAGE
4. BOLETUS SCA HER AREOLATUS, 461-453 '
5. BOLETUS EUULJS, 445
Polyporaceae
areas. Flesh yellowish, unchangeable. Tubes subadnate, often de- Boletus,
pressed around the stem, rather large, dingy-yellow or yellowish-green.
Stem very long, equal or tapering upward, roughened by the lacerated
margins of the reticular depressions, red or brownisli-red. Spores olive-
brown, 18—22x8— i o/u,.
PileilS 1.5-4 m- broad. Stem 3-7 in. long, 3-6 lines thick.
This is distinguished from the other species by the dry squamulose
pileus and the color of the stem. The latter is sometimes curved at the
base. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
B. Russelli occurs in the West Virginia mountains, where I found
and ate it in August, 1883. Though solitary in its method of growth,
it is frequent in many parts of Pennsylvania, among leaves in mixed
woods. August to October.
Taste when raw, sweet, mild. Cooked it is rather soft, tasty. Tubes
and stem should be removed.
B. Mor'gani Pk. Pileus convex, soft, glabrous viscid, red or yel-
low, or red fading to yellow on the margin. Flesh whitish tinged with
red and yellow, unchangeable. Tubes convex, depressed around the
stem, rather long and large, bright-yellow becoming greenish-yellow.
Stem elongated, tapering upward, pitted with long, narrow depressions,
yellow, red in the depressions, colored within like the flesh of the pileus.
Spores olive-brown, 18-22/1. long, about half as broad.
PileilS 1.5-2.5 in. broad. Stem 3-5 in. long, 3-6 lines thick.
Rocky hillsides in woods of deciduous trees. Kentucky, Morgan.
In wet weather the anastomosing ridges of the stem swell and become
broadly winged, thereby giving the stem a peculiar lacerated appear-
ance. The glabrous viscid pileus and the coloration of the stem distin-
guish the species. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
B. Morgani is found in like localities with B. Russelli. Excepting in
its smooth, viscid cap and whitish flesh, it closely resembles the latter.
The ridges in the stems of both species swell when moist.
Its edible qualities are the same as B. Russelli.
B. Be'tula Schw. — birch. Pileus convex, viscose and shining in wet
weather, tessellately cracked and reticulated, orange-fawn color, rather
small. Flesh yellowish-white. Tubes separating, rather large, yellow,
almost like those of B. subtomentosus but not greenisli. Stem long,
Polyporacese
Boletus, attenuated downward, everywhere covered with a deciduous reticulated
bark two lines high and separating like the bark of birches, pale-yellow
without and within.
Pileus 1.5 in. broad. Stem 5-6 in. long.
Ligneous earth. North Carolina, ScJiweinitz, Curtis; Pennsylvania,
Schweinitz. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
During several seasons I found B. Betula in Woodland Cemetery,
Philadelphia.
Edible qualities good.
CALO'PODES. Gr. — beautiful; Gr. — feet.
Stem stout, at first bulbous, typically venose-reticulated with veins.
Tubes adnate, their mouths not reddish.
The reticulate stem and adnate tubes of one color distinguish the
species of this tribe. In the Luridi the mouths of the tubes are differ-
ently colored, and in the closely related Edules the tubes are more or
less depressed around the stem or sub-free, and their pores are com-
monly stuffed when young. Fries did not admit species with whitish
tubes into this tribe, but we have done so in those cases in which this
was the only character to exclude them.
Tubes yellow or yellowish I
Tubes white or whitish, at least when young 7
I . Tubes or flesh changing to blue where wounded 2
I . Tubes or flesh not changing to blue where wounded 5
2. Pileus red, at least when young 3
2. Pileus some other color 4
3. Stem red B. Peckii
3. Stem yellow or reddish only at the base B. speci'osus
4. Tubes angular, pileus olivaceous B. calopus
4. Tubes rotund, pileus not olivaceous B. pachypus
5 . Pileus viscid B. Curtisii
5. Pileus pulverulent, stems cespitose B. retipes
5. Pileus neither viscid nor pulverulent 6
6. Stem yellow B. ornatipes
6. Stem brown B. modestus
6. Stem yellowish-white B. rimosellus
7. Pil-eus some shade of red 8
438
Polyporaceae
7. Pileus some shade of brown or gray 9 Boletus.
8. Stem pallid or yellowish B. rubignosus
8. Stem dark-brown B. ferrugineus
9. Pileus pale-brown, stem flexuous B. flexuosipes
9. Pileus gray or grayish-black, stem straight B. griseus
Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
B. specio'sus Frost — handsome. Pileus at first very thick, subglo-
bose, compact, then softer, convex, glabrous or nearly so, red. Flesh
pale-yellow or bright lemon-yellow, changing to blue where wounded.
Tubes adnate, small, subrotund, plane or but slightly depressed around
the stem, bright lemon-yellow, becoming dingy-yellow with age, chang-
ing to blue where wounded. Stem stout, subequal or somewhat bul-
bous, reticulated, bright lemon-yellow without and within, sometimes
reddish at the base. Spores oblong-fusiform, pale ochraceous-brown,
10-1 2. 5x4-5/4.
Pileus 3-7 in. broad. Stem 2-4 in. long, 10-24 lines thick.
Thin woods. New England, Frost; New York, Peck.
This is a very beautiful Boletus. When young the whole plant ex-
cept the surface of the pileus is of a vivid lemon-yellow color. Wounds
quickly change to green, then to blue. The color of the pileus ap-
proaches closely to solferino. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
Caps of specimens found in mixed woods at Mt. Gretna, Pa., were
minutely areolate when old. Stems yellow at top and with purplish red
over the bright yellow toward the bulbous base, solid, bright yellow
within.
Stems and caps are edible and rank high in flavor and texture.
B. illu'dens Pk. — deceiving. (Plate CXVIII, fig. 3, p. 436.) Pileus
convex, dry, subglabrous, yellowish-brown or grayish-brown, sometimes
tinged with red, especially in the center. Flesh pallid or yellowish.
Tubes bright yellow, plane or somewhat convex when old, adnate, their
mouths angular or subrotund, often larger near the stem. Stem nearly
equal, sometimes abruptly pointed at the base, glabrous, pallid or yel-
lowish, coarsely reticulated either wholly or at the top only. Spores
oblong or subfusiform, yellowish-brown tinged with green, 1 1 — 12.5x4— 5/*.
Pileus 1-5-3 m- broad. Stem 1.5-2.5 in. long, 3-5 lines thick.
439
Polyporaceae
Boietns. Woods and copses. Port Jefferson. July. Peck, 5oth Rep. N. Y.
State Bot.
Found in plenty at Mt. Gretna, Pa., September, 1898. On ground
and old stumps in mixed woods. Identified by Professor Peck.
Taste and smell pleasant. Cooked as egg-plant it is one of the best.
Remove tubes.
B. Peck'ii Frost — after C. H. Peck. PileilS convex, firm, dry, sub-
glabrous, red, fading to yellowish-red or buff-brown with age, the margin
usually retaining its red color longer than the disk. Tubes adnate or
slightly decurrent, nearly plane, yellow, changing to blue where wounded.
Stem equal or subventricose, reticulated, red, yellow at the top. Spores
oblong, pale ochraceous-brown, 9-12x4-5^.
Var. Ice'vipes. Stem reticulated above, even below.
Pileus 2-3 in. broad. Stem 2-3 in. long, 3-6 lines thick.
Woods of frondose trees. New York, Peck. Peck, Boletiof theU. S.
B. cal'DpllS Fr. Gr. — beautiful ; Gr. — foot: Pileus globose, then
convex, unpolished, subtomentose , olivaceous. FlesJl pallid, slightly
changing to blue when wounded. Tubes adnate, their mouths minute,
angular, yellow. Stem firm, conical, then elongated and subequal,
reticulated, wJiolly scarlet or at the apex only, sometimes colored like
the pileus toward the base. Spores fusiform, yellowish-brown, /-8x
3-4P--
Pileus 2-3 in. broad. Stem longer than the diameter of the pileus,
Woods. North Carolina, Schweinitz, Curtis; Pennsylvania, Schwein-
itz; New England, Sprague, Bennett. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
B. oma'tipes Pk. — ornate-stem. (Boletus retipes, Rep. 23.) Pileus
convex, firm, dry, glabrous or very minutely tomentose, grayish-brown
or yellowish-brown. Flesh yellow or pale-yellow. Tubes adnate, plane,
or concave, rarely convex, the mouths small or medium size, clear-yel-
low. Stem firm, subequal, distinctly and beautifully reticulated, yellow
without and within. Spores oblong, ocliraceous-brown , 12-16x4-5/4.
PileilS 2-5 in. broad. Stem 2-4 in. long, 4-6 lines thick.
Thin woods and open places. New York, Peck.
The color of the tubes becomes darker with age, but it does not
change to blue where wounded. The species is related to the next fol*
440
Polyporaceae
lowing one with which it has sometimes been confused, but from which Boletus,
it is clearly distinct. The color of the spores is quite dark and ap-
proaches snuff-brown. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
Edible. Good.
B. re'tipes B. and C. — reticulate stem. PileilS convex, dry •, powdered
with yellow, sometimes rivulose or cracked in areas. Tubes adnate,
yellow. Stem subequal, cespitose, reticulate to the base, pulverulent
below. Spores grcenisJi-ocliraceous , 12-15x4-5^.
Pileus 1.5-2 in. broad. Stem 2 in. long, 3-6 lines thick.
The tufted mode of growth, pulverulent pileus and paler-colored
spores separate this species from the preceding one. Peck, Boleti
of the U. S.
West Virginia, 1882-1885. Mt. Gretna, Pa. ; New Jersey, Mcllvaine.
The caps, alone, of this species, are desirable, the stems not cooking
well. Its way of bunching itself gratifies the collector, as do its flavor
and quality.
B. pacliypus Fr. Gr. — thick-footed. Pileus convex, subtomentose,.
brownish or pale tan-color. Flesh thick, whitish, changing slightly to
blue. Tubes rather long, somewhat depressed around the stem, their
mouths round, pale-yellow, at length tinged with green. Stem thick,
firm, reticulated, at first ovate-bulbous, then elongated, equal, varie-
gated with red and pale-yellow. Spores large, ovate, pale yellowish-
ochraceous, 12.5-14x5-6^.
Pileus 4-8 in. broad. Stem 2-4 in. long.
Woods, either of pine or beech.
This species is noted for its thick, stout stem, which sometimes at-
tains a diameter of more than two inches. It approaches the Edules in
habit, but according to Gillet it is poisonous, or at least to be suspect-
ed, has a penetrating unpleasant odor and a somewhat nauseous flavor.
He also describes the pores as at first whitish. The stem is sometimes
intensely blood-red. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
A common species in West Virginia mountains, 1881—1885, in beech
groves. August to frost. It is rare in the pines of New Jersey, though
I have found it there. Like B. felleus, its size and attractiveness induce
the finder to over and over again try cooking it, hoping the discovery of
a successful way to rid it of its unpleasantness. I have never suc-
ceeded It is not poisonous.
441
Polyporacese
Boletus. B. rimosel'lus Pk. — cracked. PileilS broadly convex, flat or irregu-
lar, glabrous, tessellately cracked, dark-brown. Flesh whitish. Tubes
adnate or sinuately decurrent, somewhat depressed around the stem,
pale-yellow, becoming darker or brownish with age. Stem tapering up-
ward, broadly reticulated with brown veins, yellowish-white. Spores
fusiform, I5-I7.5X5-6/*.
Pileus 3-5 in. broad. Stem 3-4 in. long, 6-9 lines thick.
Mixed woods. North Carolina, C. J . Ciirtis.
I have described this species from the notes and a single dried speci-
men sent me by Mr. Curtis. More extended observation may require
some modification of the description. The color of the spores is de-
scribed as brown. They are remarkable for their size. Peck, Boleti
of the U. S.
B. modes'tllS Pk. — modest. Pileus convex or nearly plane, often
irregular, firm, dry, very minutely tomentose, yellowish-brown. Flesh
gray or pinkish-gray. Tubes nearly plane, adnate or subdecurrent,
the mouths angular, pale-ochraceous. Stem equal, reticulated, brown.
Spores elliptical, 10x5^.
Pileus 2-3 in. broad. Stem 1-2 in. long, 2-4 lines thick.
Grassy ground in thin woods. New York, Peck.
Miss Banning finds in Maryland what appears to be a form of this
species in which the part of the hymenium near the stem consists of
lamellae, the rest of tubes. The species needs further investigation.
Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
B. Cur'tisii Berk. — after Dr. Curtis. Pileus hemispherical or con-
vex, viscose, golden-yellow. Tubes depressed around the stem, nearly
free, their mouths umber, at length tawny. Stem slender, attenuated
upward, polished, reticulated, straw-colored. Spores ferruginous, sub-
elliptical, slightly attenuated at each end.
Pileus i in. or more broad. Stem 2 in. long, 2-3 lines thick.
Pine woods. North and South Carolina, Curtis.
In the original description the stem of this species is said to be hol-
low. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
B. gri'seus Frost — gray. Pileus broadly convex, firm, dry, sub-
glabrous, gray or grayish-black . Flesh whitish or gray. Tubes adnate
442
Polyporaceee
or slightly depressed around the stem, nearly plane, their mouths small, Boletus,
subrotund, white or whitish. Stem equal or slightly tapering upward,
distinctly reticulated, whitish or yellowish, sometimes reddish toward
the base. Spores ochraceous-brown, 1 0-14x4-5^.
Pileus 2-4 in. broad. Stem 2-4 in. long, 3-6 lines thick.
Thin woods and open places. New York, Peck.
Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
B. flexuos'ipes Pk. — flexuous stem. Pileus convex or plane, even,
subtomentose, pale-brown. Flesh white, unchangeable, the cuticle
separable. Tubes long, convex, decurrent, white or whitish, becoming
brownish with age. Stem flexuous, solid, reticulated, whitish or pallid,
changing to brown where bruised. Spores 7.5-10x4^1.
Pileus 3-4 in. broad. Stem 4-6 in. long, 8-15 lines thick.
Mixed woods. North Carolina, C. J. Curtis. Peck, Boleti of the
U. S.
B. ferrugi'neus Frost — rust color. Pileus convex, soft, subto-
mentose, dark reddish-brown. Flesh white, unchangeable. Tubes
generally adnate, dingy-white, their mouths stained brown by the spores.
Stem short, reticulated, dark-brown. Spores 10-13x6/4.
Pileus 3-6 in. broad.
Borders of woods. New England, Frost. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
Alabama, 1897.
B. rubigino'sus Fr. — rusty. Pileus convex, soft, pubescent, soon
bare, brownish-rust color. Flesh subspongy, white, unchangeable.
Tubes adnate, their mouths unequal, white. Stem firm, stout, reticu-
lated, at first whitish or pallid, then yellowish, subcinereous or yellow-
ish-olivaceous where touched.
Pileus 2-4 in. broad. Stem 2-3 in. long, I in. thick.
Woods. North Carolina, Curtis.
Although apparently distinct, this and the two preceding species are
not sufficiently well known. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
B. tabaci'nus Und. Pileus fleshy, convex or nearly plane, subgla-
brous, often cracked in areas, tawny-brown. Flesh at maturity soft and
similarly colored. Tubes concave or nearly plane, depressed around
443
Polyporaceae
Boletus, the stem, their mouths small, angular, colored like the pileus. Stem
subequal, solid, reticulated, concolorous. Spores oblong or sfibfusi-
form, I2.5-I4X5//,. Pileus 2.5-5 in. broad. Stem 1.5-3 m- l°ng, 6-10
lines thick.
Along road-sides. Alabama. May. Underwood.
•The species is referable to the section Calopodes, but the tubes are
more or less depressed about the stem. Peck, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club,
Vol. 23, No. 10.
EDU'LES — edulis, edible.
Tubes subfree, rounded-depressed around the stem, their mouths not
at first reddish, but commonly white-stuffed. Stem stout, bulbous as
in the Luridi but not, with a few exceptions, reticulate nor dotted with
pointed scales nor red. Flesh scarcely changeable. Taste pleasant.
This tribe is not sharply limited but partakes to some extent of the
characters of Calopodes and Luridi. From the former its nearly free
and at first white-stuffed tubes and its generally even stem separate it,
from the latter its tubes with concolorous mouths or at least with mouths
not red or reddish when young will distinguish it. The species are gen-
erally of large or medium size and noted for their esculent qualities.
Stem brownish-lilac or chocolate color i
Stem some other color 2
I . Stem reticulated B. separans
I. Stem not reticulated, furfuraceous B. eximius
2. Pileus viscid B. limatulus
2. Pileus not viscid 3
3. Tubes yellow with no tinge of green 4
3.. Tubes tinged with green or becoming green where bruised 6
4. Pileus whitish B. aestivalis
4. Pileus not whitish 5
5 . Stem glabrous B. affinis
5 . Stem pubescent B. impolitus
6. Pileus becoming white-spotted where bruised B. leprosus
6. Pileus not becoming spotted 7
7. Pileus glabrous B. edulis
7. Pileus not glabrous 8
8. Stem reticulated, whitish or pallid B. variipes
8. Stem even, brownish-red. . . . , B. decorus
Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
444
Polyporaceee
B. sep'arans Pk. (Plate CXVIII, fig. i, p. 436.) Pileus convex, Boletus,
thick, glabrous, subshining, often pitted, pitted or corrugated, brownish-
red or dull-lilac, sometimes fading to yellowish on the margin. Flesh
white, unchangeable. Tubes at first nearly plane, adnate, white and
stuffed, then convex, depressed around the stem, ochraceous-yellow or
brownish-yellow and sometimes separating from the stem by the expan-
sion of the pileus. Stem equal or slightly tapering upward, reticulated
either wholly or in the upper part only, colored like the pileus or a
little paler, sometimes slightly furfuraceous. Sporessubfusiform, brown-
ish-ochraceous, 12-1 5x5-6^.
Pileus 3-6 in. broad. Stem 2-4 in. long, 6-12 lines thick.
Thin grassy woods. New York, Peck. Peck, Boleti of the U.' S.
West Virginia. September, 1881. New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
October, 1887, Mcllvaine. Indiana, October, 1898. Dr.J.R. Weist,
H. I. Miller.
One of the handsomest of Boleti. It varies greatly in size and
color, but traces of purple or lilac are always detectable. The reticu-
lations upon the stem are often obscure, especially in young specimens.
It is pleasant when raw, and quite equal to any Boletus when cooked.
B. edu'lis Bull.— edulis, edible. (Plate CXVIII, fig. 5, p. 436.)
Pileus convex or nearly plane, gla-
. (Plate CXIX.)
brous, moist, at first compact, then
soft, variable in color, grayish-red,
brownish-red or tawny-brown, often
paler on the margin. Flesh white
or yellowish, reddish beneath the
cuticle. Tubes convex, nearly free,
long, minute, round, white, then y el-
low and greenish. Stem short or
. i , n u 1 i, BOLETUS EDULIS, VAR. CLAVIPES.
long, straight or flexuous, subequal 2> 3> BOLETUS EDULIS.
or bulbous, stout, more or less reticu-
late, especially above, whitish, pallid or brownish. Spores oblong-
fusiform, 12— i 5x4— 5/u..
Var. cla'vipes. Plate CXIX. Stem tapering upward from an en-
larged base, everywhere reticulated.
Pileus 4-6 in. broad. Stem 2-6 in. long, ^-18 lines thick.
Woods and open places. Not rare. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
445
Polyporaceae
•Boletus. Indiana, H. I. Miller, Dr. J. R. Weist; New Jersey, Pennsylvania,
West Virginia, Mcllvaine.
Some species of fungi appear to have that prize of Fairyland — the
Wishing Cap — and by its power be able to take on any form they please.
Boletus edulis is one of them. Its variableness is puzzling. It is eaten
everywhere where found and is a favorite. Carefully sliced, dried and
kept where safe from mold it may be prepared for the table at any
season.
TJ. edulis Bull. — Var. davipes Pk. (Plate CXIX, fig. i, p. 445.)
Pileus fleshy, convex, glabrous, grayish-red, bay-red or chestnut-color.
Flesh white, unchangeable. Tubes at first concave or nearly plane,
white and stuffed, then convex, slightly depressed around the stem,
ochraceous yellow. Stem mostly obclavate (inversely club-shaped)
and reticulate to the base. Spores oblong-fusiform, 12-15x4-5^.
The club-stemmed Boletus is so closely related to the edible Boletus
and so closely connected by the intermediate forms that it seems to be
only a variety of it, but one worthy of illustration. It differs in the
more uniform color of the cap, in having the tubes less depressed
around the stem and less tinted with green when mature, and in having
the stem more club-shape and commonly reticulated to the base. The
lower reticulations are usually coarser but less permanent than the up-
per. The cap is more highly colored when young and is apt to become
paler with age, but the margin does not become paler than the central
part, as it so often does in the edible Boletus. Individuals sometimes
occur in which the stem is nearly cylindric and reticulated only on the
upper part. These connect so closely with the edible Boletus that we
have considered this to be a mere variety of it. In size and in edible
qualities it is very similar to that species. Peck, 5Ist Rep. N. Y. State
Bot.
Same in quality as B. edulis.
B. vari'ipes Pk. — variable stem. Pileus convex or nearly plane,
thick, soft, dry, scaly, pointed scaly or minutely tomentose, grayish or
pale grayish-brown, sometimes tinged with yellow or ochraceous. Flesh
white, unchangeable. Tubes convex or nearly plane, slightly depressed
around the stem, at first white, then greenish-yellow, their mouths
small, subrotund, ochraceous, stuffed when young. Stem firm, reticu-
446
Polyporacese
lated, whitish or pallid. Spores oblong-fusiform, ochraceous-brown Boletus,
tinged with green, I2«-1 5x5/A. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
Mt. Gretna, Pa. August, 1898. Stem slightly reticulated at top,
indistinctly striate below. 'Smell and taste strong, like B. felleus, but
sweetish, not bitter. When tubes are removed and cap fried it is
excellent.
Var. al'bipes. Stem whitish, wholly reticulated, the reticulations
coarser near the base. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
Mt. Gretna, Pa. August, 1898. Taste slightly acrid, smell slight.
Excellent.
Var. pallid 'ipes. Stem pallid, slightly furfuraceous, even or obscurely
reticulated toward the base, distinctly reticulated above. Peck, Boleti
of the U. S.
Satiny, shining. Taste slightly acrid, smell slight. Excellent.
Var. tenu'ipes. Stem slender, elongated. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
Mt. Gretna, Pa. August, 1898, on decaying chestnut stump and on
ground. Excellent. Mcllvaine.
This species, with its varieties, grows in mixed woods, the density of
which has much to do with its general appearance. Individuals grow-
ing where the sun plays upon them, show the reticulations plainer than
those maturing in the shade. The tubes should be removed before
cooking. The caps are best fried.
B. exi'mius Pk. — select. PileuS at first very compact, subglobose
or hemispherical, subpruinose, purplish-brown or chocolate color, some-
times with a faint tinge of lilac, becoming convex, soft, smoky-red or
pale-chestnut. Flesh grayish or reddish-white. Tubes at first con-
cave or nearly plane, stuffed, colored nearly like the pileus, becoming
paler with age and depressed around the stem, their mouths minute,
rotund. Stem stout, generally short, equal or tapering upward, ab-
ruptly narrowed at the base, minutely branny, colored like or a little
paler than the pileus, purplish-gray within. Spores subferruginous,
1 2.5-15x5-6^.
Pileus 3-10 in. broad. Stem 2-4 in. long, 6-12 lines thick.
Woods and their borders. New England, Frost; New York, Peck.
Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
In mixed woods and in new clearings near Bartram's Garden, Phila-
delphia, Pa. Mcllvaine.
447
Polyporaceae
Boletus. A patch of it is treasure trove.
B. lepro'sus Pk. — leprous. PileilS very convex, glabrous, soft like
kid, cinereous-yellowish-drab or pale-brown, slowly changing to whit-
ish where bruised, the cuticle separable. Flesh white, changing to yel-
lowish. Tubes yellow or brownish-yellow, changing to greenish where
wounded, plane, depressed around the stem, short, small, stuffed when
young. Stem solid, enlarged at the top, lemon-yellow. Spores oblong-
fusiform, 12.5-15x5/4.
Pileus 4-6 in. broad. Stem 2 in. long, I in. thick.
Mixed woods. North Carolina, C. J. Curtis>.
This plant is remarkable for the whitish or leprous spots which the
pileus assumes, even from being handled, and for the change in the
color of the flesh and tubes. The stem is very thick at the top but
tapers downward. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
B. affi'nis Pk. — related. PileilS convex above or nearly plane,
subglabrous, reddish-brown or chest-
Piate CXX,)
to tawny or dingy-
ochraceous with age. Flesh white.
Tubes plane or convex, adnate or
slightly depressed around the stem,
at first white and stuffed, then glau-
cous-yellow or subochraceous, chang-
ing to rusty-ochraceous where wound-
ed. Stem subequal, even, glabrous,
colored like or paler than the pileus.
Spores rusty-ochraceous, 9-12x4-5^.
The Related boletus belongs to the
tribe of Boleti known as Edules be-
cause of their especially esculent character, but it differs from the gen-
eral character of the tribe in having its tubes not at all or but slightly
shortened around the stem and in its stem not being thickened or bulb-
ous at the base. The species is quite variable in the color of the cap,
which is generally darker in young plants, paler in old ones. It may
be brown, reddish-brown or btackish-brown when young, but is more or
less tinged with tawny or ochraceous when old. It is smooth and even
or minutely tomentose and sometimes slightly rugose. In wet weather
448
BOLETUS AFFINIS.
the margin of the cap sometimes curves upward, giving a very convex Boletus,
surface to the tubes. Sometimes the wounded flesh slowly assumes a
yellowish hue. The peculiar rusty-ochraceous hue of the spores is also
seen sometimes in the tubes of old specimens. As in many species, the
flesh of old plants is more soft than that of young ones. The stem is
quite variable and is often narrowed downward. It is sometimes very
obscurely reticulated at the top.
The cap is generally 2-4 in. broad, the stem 1.5-3 m- l°ng» 4-8 lines
thick. The plants are found in thin woods or in bushy places in July
and August.
Var. maculo ' sus Pk. differs from the type simply in having a few
yellowish spots scattered over the cap.
While not as high flavored as some Boleti this is, nevertheless, a
fairly good and perfectly safe one. Peck, 49th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Very open timber in Woodlands Cemetery, Philadelphia. August,
1898. Mcllvaine.
A solitary species which does not appear to be plentiful. The whole
fungus is edible, but the stems and tubes are of different texture from
the caps and do not cook well with them.
B. sestiva'lis Fr. — pertaining to summer. PileuS convex or nearly
plane, even, glabrous, whitish, granulose in dry weather. Flesh yel-
low below, white above. Tubes nearly free, the mouths minute, equal,
yellow. Stem very thick, bulbous, even, glabrous, pale yellow, red-
dish within at the base. Spores elongated-oval, greenish-brown, rather
dark, 1 1x4— 5/x,.
Pilens 4-6 in. broad. Stem 4-5 in. long.
Woods and woodland pastures. Minnesota, Johnson; California, H.
and M.
A large species, recorded as edible and said to be pleasant and deli-
cate in flavor. I have seen no specimens of this. Peck, Boleti of the
United States.
West Virginia mountains, 1882, Haddonfield, N. J., 1894, Mcllvaine,
on grassy margin of woods.
The flesh is sweet, nutty. Remove stems and tubes when old.
s
B. impoli'tllS Fr. — unpolished. PileuS convex, dilated, flocculose,
at length grained in lines, unpolished, tawny-brown. Flesh white or
29 449
Polyporaceee
•Boletus, whitish, unchangeable, yellowish under the cuticle. Tubes free, their
mouths minute, yellow. Stem stout, subbulbous, even, pubescent, pale-
yellow, sometimes with a reddish zone near the top. Spores oval or
fusiform, pale greenish-brown, 7.5-10x5^.
Pileus 4-6 in. broad. Stem 2 in. long.
Oak woods. California, Harkness and Moore.
This species is recorded as edible and said to be among the most de-
licious, It is evidently rare in this country. According to Quelet the
spores are ellipsoid, papillate, i5-i8/x long. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
Near Bartram's Garden, West Philadelphia, Pa., 1885. Thin mixed
woods. Mcllvaine.
That this species is edible and delicious is vouched for by many. I
can add my own pleasurable experience.
B.deco'rus Frost. — decorous. Pileus convex, rather firm, tomentose,
brownish tinged with red, the margin often darker colored. Flesh
white, unchangeable. Tubes becoming free, yellow, changing to green
where wounded. Stem bulbous, minutely branny, brownish-red', the
bulb sometimes white and attenuated at the base. Spores 13x5^.
Rich woods. New England, Frost. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
Leominster, Mass., C. F. Nixon, August, 1897; Woodland Ceme-
tery, Philadelphia, Pa., August, 1897, Mcllvaine.
Cap 2-3 in. broad. Stem 2-2 % in. high, but variable in size. Its
edible qualities are excellent.
B. lima'tulus Frost — polished. Pileus nearly flat, thin, glabrous,
viscid when moist, somewhat polished and shining when dry, rich yel-
lowish-brown. Flesh reddish in the pileus, darker in the stem. Tubes
depressed around the stem, greenish-yellow, their mouths yellowish-
brown. Stem small, subbulbous, colored like the pileus. Spores 12-
15x4-5*1.
Pileus 1-2.5 in. broad.
Woods. New England, Frost.
By the differently-colored tube mouths, this species approaches those
of the next following tribe, but it is placed here because these are not
red or reddish. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
B. au'ripes Pk. — yellow-stem. Pileus convex, subglabrous, yellow-
ish-brown, sometimes cracking in areas when old. Flesh yellow, fading
450
Polyporaceee
to whitish with age. Tubes nearly plane, their mouths small, subro- Boletus,
tund, at first stuffed, yellow. Stem nearly equal, solid, even or slightly
reticulated at the top, bright yellow, a little paler within. Spores
ochraceous-brown tinged with green, I2x5/u..
Pileus 3-6 in. broad. Stem 3-5 in. long, 8-12 lines thick.
Under mountain laurel, Kalmia latifolia. Port Jefferson. July.
The whole plant, except the upper surface of the pileus, is of a beau-
tiful yellow color. The stem is sometimes more highly colored than
the tubes. The species is referable to the tribe Edules. Peck, 5Oth
Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Mt. Gretna, Pa. August, September, 1898. Mcllvaine.
In mixed woods in which Kalmia latifolia is plentiful. The speci-
mens found were in its vicinity. The caps are excellent.
B. leptocepll'alus Pk. Gr. — thin; Gr. — head. Pileus thin, broadly
convex or nearly plane, dry, minutely cracked, especially near the
margin, light tawny-brown, sometimes tinged with reddish-brown.
Flesh yellowish-white, taste at first mild, then slightly acrid. Tubes
subventricose, depressed about the stem, nearly free, dingy olive-yellow,
the mouths small, subrotund. Stem nearly equal, enlarged at the top,
solid, glabrous or slightly pruinose-mealy, reticulated above, colored
like the pileus, white within, with a white mycelium at the base. Spores
greenish-olivaceous, fusiform, 12.5-17.5^ long, 5-61* broad.
Pileus 10-12.5 cm. broad. Stem 10-12.5 cm. long, 1.2-1.6 cm.
thick.
Dry, open woods. July. Earle.
The reticulation of the upper part of the stem appears to be formed
by the decurrent walls of the tubes. The species belongs to the tribe
Edules. Peck, Bull. Torr. Bot. Club, Vol. 25.
Edible.
B. fra'grans Vitt. — fragrant. Fasciculate or solitary. Pileus 1-4 in.
across, convex, dark-brown or umber-brown, often wavy, slightly to-
mentose, margin incurved. Flesh very thick, yellowish, sometimes un-
changeable, at others changing to green or blue, and finally becoming
reddish when broken. Tubes shortened around the stem and almost
free, % in. or more long, openings small, roundish, yellow then green-
ish. Stem at first stout, ovate, usually tapering at the base, then length-
451
Polyporaceae
Boletus., ening and becoming thinner upward, even, variegated with yellow and
red, solid. Spores pale-olive, elongato-fusiform, 10— 1 2x4/4.
In woods, under oaks, etc. Pileus bronze-brown, sometimes with
purple shades. Often grows in dense clusters, and in this particular
differing from any other British species. Very good for eating. Massee.
Haddonfield, N. J. Oak woods. August to September, 1894. Mt.
Gretna, Pa., 1898. Mcllvaine.
Solitary. A handsome valuable species which appears to be rare in
the United States. Shade a beautiful bronze. Cap 3-4 in. across. A
dozen or more individuals were found and eaten. Excellent.
B. frustulo'sus Pk. — frusttihim, a small bit. Pileus thick, convex
or nearly plane, subglabrous, cracked in areas, white or whitish. Flesh
whitish. Tubes equal to or a little longer than the thickness of the
flesh of the pileus, depressed about the stem, whitish, becoming pale
brown. -Stem equal, solid, whitish, reticulated above. Spores 15-
17x5-6;*.
Pileus 3-5 in. broad. Stem 1-2 in. long, 6-IO lines thick.
Open grounds and clay banks. Ocean Springs, Mississippi and
Akron, Alabama. May and June. Underwood.
The deeply cracked surface of the pileus is the most notable feature
of this species. This sometimes is seen even in quite young plants.
The cracked areas are quite unequal in size. The deep chinks with
sloping sides cause them to appear like frusta of polygonal pyramids.
In some specimens the reticulations of the stem extend nearly or quite
to its base, and make the place of the species ambiguous between the
Calopodes and Edules. Peck, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, Vol. 24, No. 3.
Mt. Gretna, Pa., September, 1898, on soil over red conglomerate
and on road-sides. Mcllvaine.
The deep cracks in the cap readily distinguish this species. After
rains the caps are frequently slightly dished and widely cracked at
margin. The exposed flesh dries with a fine silky gloss. The caps
are excellent. The tubes and stem should be removed.
B. cras'sipes Pk. — thick-footed. (Plate CXVI, fig. 5, p. 420.)
Pileus convex or centrally depressed, firm, dry, velvety, brown tinged
with yellow, the wavy or lobed involute margin extending beyond the
tubes. Flesh lemon-yellow, unchangeable, taste sweet, odor like that
452
Polyporaceae
of yeast. Tubes rather short, depressed around the stem, almost free, Boletus,
yellowish mottled with brown, the mouths minute, stuffed when young.
Stem stout, thick, sometimes swollen in the middle and sometimes bulb-
ous, beautifully reticulated but the reticulations sometimes disappear-
ing with age, orange-yellow tinged with brown. Flesh of a brighter
yellow than that of the pileus.
Pileus 5-10 cm. broad. Stem 6-8 cm. long, 2.5-3.5 cm. thick.
Oak woods. Mt. Gretna, Pa. August and September. Mcllvaine.
The thick, beautifully reticulated stem, the deep velvety brown color
of the pileus and the yellow color of the flesh serve to distinguish this
species. Peck, Bull. Torr. Bot. Club, Vol. 27, January, 1900.
It is one of the best edible mushrooms. I have also found it in New
Jersey.
LU'RIDI.
Stratum of tubes rounded toward the stem and free, their mouths at
first closed and red. Pileus compact, then soft, cushion-shaped, the
flesh juicy, changeable. Stem stout, at first short, bulbiform, then
elongated and subequal, subreticulated or dotted.
Growing especially in frondose woods. Very poisonous.
In this tribe the tubes and their mouths are differently colored, the
latter being red or some shade of red. By this character the species
are easily distinguished from those of other tribes.
Flesh distinctly changing color where wounded I
Flesh not at all or scarcely changing color where wounded 7
I . Flesh white or whitish 2
I . Flesh yellow or yellowish 5
2. Flesh changing to red or violet B. Satanus
2. Flesh changing to blue 3
3. Stem roughened B. alveolatus
3 . Stem even 4
4. Stem hairy at the base - B. subvelutipes
4. Stem not hairy at the base B. vermiculosus
5 . Stem red " B . luridus
5 . Stem yellow or reddish only at the base 6
6. Pileus purplish-red B. purpureus
6. Pileus gray B. firmus
6. Pileus yellow or yellowish B. magnisporus
453
Polyporacese
Boletus. 7 . Pileus blood-red „ , . „ . B. Frostii
7. Pileus reddish-tawny or brown B. Sullivantii
Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
All authors, up to this date, agree in stating that the species within
this series are poisonous. Experiments made by Smiedeberg and
Koppe with Boletus Satanus developed symptoms closely resembling
poisoning by Amanitae. Kobert, who made analysis of B. luridus,
shows that it contains muscarine, which is one of the most deadly poisons.
Such a mass of evidence commands respect. It is urged upon finders
of these species to either leave them alone or test them in minute
quantities until they have established their ability to eat them without
injury.
I have taken special pains to establish the edibility of B. Satanus and
B. luridus. For fifteen years I have eaten them in quantity when
opportunity afforded, in West Virginia, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
My family, and my friends in widely separated localities, have partaken
freely of them many times and without discomfort. They are remark-
ably fine eating. The same can be said of B. alveolatus, B. purpureus,
B. subvelutipes. I have not seen the other species of this tribe.
I have determined so many of the reputed poisonous species to be
edible, that unless positively authenticated, I do not accept repute as
truth, but carefully test suspicious species upon myself. When sure
there is no danger, I as carefully have them tested by my numerous
under-tasters — male and female.
B. Sa'tanus Lenz. — Satanic. Pileus convex, glabrous, somewhat
gluey, brownish-yellow or whitish. Flesh whitish, becoming reddish or
violaceous where wounded. Tubes free, yellow, their mouths bright
red becoming orange-colored with age. Stem thick, ovate- ventricose,
marked above with red reticulations. Spores I2x5/*.
Pileus 3-8 in. broad. Stem 2-3 in. long.
WToods. Rare. North Carolina, Curtis; New York, Peck; Califor-
nia, H. and M., 'N. 7. Ellis.
Though mild to the taste, this Boletus is said to be very poisonous,
a character suggestive of the specific name. Fries describes the color
of the spores as earthy-yellow; Smith as rich brown. Peck, Boleti of
the U. S.
454
Polyporaceee
West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Mcllvaine. Boletus.
Boletus Satanus is sometimes plentiful in spots. Where it luxuriates
it is a rich decoration to the ground, and earth upon upturned-roots
upon which it often grows. It does not live long after reaching ma-
turity, but decomposes into a putrescent mass.
Its reputation rivals that of the original possessor of its name. But
old proverb sayeth that even "The Devil is not as black as he is
painted." See remarks heading Luridi.
B. alveola'tllS B. and C. Pileus convex, glabrous, shining, bright
crimson or maroon-color, sometimes paler and varied with patches of
yellow. Flesh firm, white, changing to blue where wounded. Tubes
adnate, subdecurrent, yellow with maroon-colored mouths, the hymenial
surface uneven with irregular alveolar depressions. Stem very rough
with the margins of rather coarse subreticular depressions, the reticula-
tions bright-red above with yellow stains. Spores yellowish-brown,
1 2. 5^1 5x4-5/1.
Pileus 3-6 in. broad. Stem 3-4 in. long, 9 lines thick.
Damp woods. New England, Frost. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
West Virginia mountains, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, in mixed woods
and on banks of streams. Mcllvaine.
B. alveolatus appears to be more generally distributed than B. Satanus.
It is not as clannish, though occasionally three or four are found grow-
ing together. When growing from the banks of creeks, or between the
roots of beech and other trees in low places, it is often deformed in cap
and stem. The texture is firm, close and the taste is very pleasant. It
botanically takes its place in this suspected series. I consider it one of
the best Boleti. See remarks heading Luridi.
B. lu'ridus Schaeff. — lurid in color. Pileus convex, tomentose,
brown-olivaceous, then somewhat viscose, sooty. Flesh yellow, chang-
ing to blue where wounded. Tubes free, yellow, becoming greenish,
their mouths round, vermilion, becoming orange. Stem stout, vermilion,
somewhat orange at the top, reticulate or punctate. Spores greenish-
gray, 15x9.
Pileus 2-4 in. broad. Stem 2-3 in. long.
The lurid Boletus, though pleasant to the taste, is reputed very poison-
ous. Boletus rubeolarius Pers., having a short bulbous scarcely reticu-
455
Polyporaceae
Boletus, lated stem, is regarded as a variety of this species. The red-stemmed
Boletus, B. erythropus Pers., is also indicated as a variety of it by
Fries. It is smaller than B. luridus, has a brown or reddish-brown
pileus and a slender cylindrical stem, not reticulated, but dotted with
squamules. It has been reported from California by Harkness and
Moore. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
Var. erytliropus received from Dr. J. W. Harshberger, Philadelphia,
May, 1896.
Often shining as if varnished and very handsome. I frequently found
it in West Virginia, New Jersey and Pennsylvania in mixed woods
among leaves. Its reputation is bad. It is undoubtedly edible by
many, and is delicious. The caution heading Luridi should be carefully
observed.
B. purpu'reilS Fr. — purple. Pileus convex, opaque, dry, somewhat
velvety, purplish-red. Flesh in the young plant only becoming blue,
then dark-yellow. Tubes nearly free, yellow or greenish-yellow, their
mouths minute, purple-orange, changing to blue where wounded. Stem
stout, firm, adorned with purple veins or dots, sometimes reticulated at
the apex only, yellow, reddish within, especially at the base. Spores
greenish-brown, 10—12x5—6/1..
Pileus 2-4 in. broad. Stem 2-4 in. long, 6-8 lines thick.
Woods. North Carolina, Curtis; New York, Peck; Minnesota, Jolm-
son. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
West Virginia, Mt. Gretna, Pa., Mcllvaine.
At Mt. Gretna, Pa., 1897-1898, B. purpureus was common in oak
and chestnut woods. It is a showy species, easily distinguished by its
velvety cap. In young specimens the stem is robust, then tapering
upward. When old the cap loses its rich color toward the margin,
becoming yellowish. The flesh is thick, firm and of excellent flavor.
It undoubtedly proved itself delicious and harmless to many eating it.
B. vermiculo'sus Pk. — wormy. Pileus broadly convex, thick, firm,
dry, glabrous, or very minutely tomentose, brown, yellowish-brown or
grayish-brown, sometimes tinged with red. Flesh white or whitish,
quickly changing to blue where wounded. Tubes plane or slightly
convex, nearly free, yellow, their mouths small, round, brownish-orange,
becoming darker or blackish with age, changing promptly to blue
456
Polyporaceee
where wounded. Stem subequal, firm, even, paler than the pileus. Boletus.
Spores ochraceous-brown, 10-1 2x4-5^.
Var. Spraguei. (Boletus Spraguei Frost, Bull. Buff. Soc., p. IO2.)
Stem yellow above, minutely velvety below.
PiletlS 3-5 in. broad. Stem 2-4 in. long, 4-10 lines thick.
Woods. New York, Peck; Ohio, Morgan; New England, Frost.
The species is separated from B. luridus by its dry pileus, white
flesh, even stem, which is neither reticulated nor dotted, and by its
smaller spores. I can not distinguish specimens of B. Spraguei received
from Mr. Frost, from this species. The name is scarcely appropriate,
for specimens are not always infested by larvae. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
I have not seen this species, therefore, have not tested it. CAUTION .
B. subvelu'tipes Pk. — velvety-stem. Pileus convex, firm, subgla-
brous, yellowish-brown or reddish-brown. Flesh whitish, both it and
the tubes changing to blue where wounded. Tubes plane or slightly
convex, nearly free, yellowish, their mouths small, brownish-red. Stem
equal or slightly tapering upward, firm, even, somewhat pruinose above,
velvety with a hairy tomentum toward the base, yellow at the top, red-
dish-brown below, varied with red and yellow within. Spores I5~i8x
5-6/*.
Pileus 2-3 in. broad. Stem 2-3 in. long, 4-6 lines thick.
Woods. New York, Peck.
This species resembles the preceding one in general appearance, but
it is very distinct by its much longer spores and by the velvety hairiness
toward the base of the stem. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
Boletus subvelutipes is common in some localities in Pennsylvania,
especially on the Springton Hills, in chestnut and oak woods. I have
frequently eaten it and found it excellent. Others should carefully
test it.
B. fir'mus Frost — firm. Pileus convex, very firm, slightly tomen-
tose, gray, often pitted. Flesh yellowish or deep-yellow, changing to
blue where wounded. Tubes adnate, deeply arcuate, unequal, yellow,
their mouths tinged with red. Stem solid, hard, very finely reticulated,
yellowish, reddish at the base. Spores 13x3^.
Pileus 2.5-4 in. broad. Stem 2-4 in. long.
Rich moist wood. New England, Frost.
457
Polyporaceae
Boletus. Apparently a well-marked and very distinct species. According to
the author, it is readily distinguished by its tenacity and generally dis-
torted growth. I have not seen it nor the next. Peck, Boleti of the
U. S.
Professor Peck's measurement of spores, 5oth Report, New York State
Botanist, is 13/x. long, 6/* wide.
B. magnis'porus Frost. PileilS convex, firm, tomentose, golden-
yellow; tubes scarcely adnate, even, greenish-yellow, their mouths light
cinnabar-red. Stem long, slender, yellow above, red below. Spores
15-18x6^.
Pileus 2.5 to 3.5 in. broad.
Woods and thickets. New England, Frost; Ohio, Morgan. Peck,
Boleti of the U. S.
I have not recognized it. CAUTION.
B. Fros'tii Russell. Pileus convex, polished, shining, blood-red, the
margin thin. Flesh scarcely changing to blue. Tubes nearly free,
greenish-yellow, becoming yellowish-brown with age, their mouths
blood-red or cinnabar. Stem equal or tapering upward, distinctly
reticulated, firm, blood-red. Spores 12.5-15x5^.
Pileus 3-4 in. broad. Stem 2-4 in. long, 3-6 lines thick.
Grassy places under trees or in thin woods. New England, Frost;
New York, Peck; New Jersey, Ellis.
This is a highly colored, beautiful Boletus, but it is not common.
The stem sometimes fades with age, and both it and the tubes are apt to
lose their color in drying. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
I have not recognized it. CAUTION.
B. Sullivan' tii B. and M. Pileus hemispherical, glabrous, reddish-
tawny or brown, brownish when dry, cracked in squares. Tubes free,
convex, medium size, angular, longer toward the margin, their mouths
reddish. Stem solid, violaceous at the thickened base, red-reticulated
at the apex, expanded into the pileus. Spores pallid ochraceous,
oblong-fusiform, io-2O/u- long.
Pileus 3-4 in- broad. Stem i.5~3 in- lonS-
Compact soil. Ohio. Sttllivant.
The species is said to be intermediate between Boletus scaber and B.
458
Polyporaceee
edulis. From the former it differs in its reticulated stem, from the Boletus,
latter, in its larger tubes and from both in its stratum of tubes being
remote from the stem. I have not seen it. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
B. Un'dei'WOOdii Pk. PileilS rather thin, convex, becoming nearly
plane, slightly velvety, bright brownish-red, becoming paler with age.
Flesh yellow, changing to greenish-blue where wounded. Tubes ad-
nate or slightly decurrent, greenish-yellow, becoming bluish where
wounded, their mouths very small, round, cinnabar red, becoming
brownish-orange. Stem equal or slightly tapering upward, somewhat
irregular, solid, yellow without and within. Spores io-i2x5/x,.
PileuS 2-3 in. broad. Stem 3-4 in. long, 4-6 lines thick.
Grassy woods. Auburn, Alabama. July. Underwood.
This species is remarkable for its adnate or subdecurrent tubes, in
which it departs from the character of the tribe to which it belongs ac-
cording to the colors of the tubes. Peck, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club,
Vol. 24, No. 3.
B. par'vilS Pk. — parvus, small. PileuS convex, becoming plane,
often slightly umbonate, subtomentose, reddish. Flesh yellowish- white,
slowly changing to pinkish where wounded. Tubes nearly plane, ad-
nate, their mouths rather large, angular, at first bright red, becoming
reddish-brown. Stem equal or slightly thickened below, red. Spores
oblong, I2.5X4/A. PileuS 1—2 in. broad. Stem 1-2 in. long, 2-3 lines
thick.
Grassy woods. Auburn, Ala. July. Underwood. Peck, Bull.
Torrey Bot. Club, Vol. 24, No. 3.
VERSIPEL'LES — verto, to change ; pellis, a skin.
Tubes at first white or whitish, minute, round, equal, forming a con-
vex stratum free from the stem.
Stem black B. alboater
Stem some other color I
I . Stem yellow at the base B. chromapes
I . Stem not yellow at the base „ 2
2. Margin of the pileus appendiculate B. versipellis
2 . Margin not appendiculate 3
459
Polyporacese
Boletus. 3. Stem scabrous or punctate-squamulose B. scaber
3 . Stem even 4
4. Pileus white or whitish B. albellus
4. Pileus dark-brown B. sordidus
Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
B. alboa'ter Schw. — black and white. Pileus convex, subtomentose-
velvety, black. Tubes free, their mouths rather small, white. Stem
black.
Pileus 3 in. broad. Stem 2 in. long.
Moist woods. Frequent. North Carolina and Pennsylvania, Schwei'
nits,
In Epicrisis, p. 424, Fries adds to the description here quoted, that
the stem is flocculose-veiled. He subjoins to this as a subspecies,
Boletus floccosus Schw.; but in Syn. N. A. Fung., Schweinitz makes
this a synonym of Boletus floccopus. The species does not appear to
have been recognized by recent collectors, which seems strange unless
there is some error concerning it. Can it be a black variety of Boletus
scaber? Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
Mt. Gretna, Pa. Gravelly woods. Mcllvaine.
Cap 1/^—4 in. across, convex, slightly depressed, margin involute
when young, black, densely velvety in youth and age — beautifully so.
Flesh firm, thick, solid, white changing to grayish. Tubes white,
stuffed, sometimes blackish when young, excepting a grayish-white
circle around stem, becoming yellowish-white when matured, rotund,
minute, up to % in. long, plane when young; when caps expand tubes
draw away from stem leaving a deep white depression. This drawing
away apparently elongates many dissepiments, creating a gill-like effect,
decurrent upon stem. Stem 2-3 in. long, swollen toward base when
young, equal, expanding into cap and tapering to a point at base; % —
I in. thick, slightly compressible, hard, sooty-black, velvety near base,
satiny and glossy upward, has the appearance of having been blackened
with burnt cork, usually with narrow white band next to the tubes, no
trace of veil, composed of rather hard waved fibers, white when split,
but changing to sooty black toward base, lighter upward.
Smell like common mushroom ; taste nutty.
Gregarious in sandy-conglomerate soil in mixed woods, among moss
and leaves. Mt. Gretna, Pa.
460
Polyporaceee
Differs from B. alboater Schw., in having densely tomentose cap, Boletus,
tubes widely separated from stem in age.
A young specimen of apparently same species in same patch had
very short, decurrent tubes (not over I line) which were sooty-black.
Delicious.
B. SOr'didllS Frost — sordid. PileuS convex, subtomentose, dirty
dark-brown. Flesh white, slightly tinged with green. Tubes long,
nearly free, at first white, changing to bluish-green. Stem smaller at
the top, brownish, marked with darker streaks, generally greenish
above. Spores 10-13x5*1.
PileuS about 2 in. broad.
Recent excavations in woods. New England, Frost; Ohio, Morgan.
The Ohio plant occurs in damp woods, has the flesh sometimes tinged
with red and green, the tubes white, then sordid, but changing to bluish-
green when bruised, their mouths large and angular, the stem somewhat
flexuous and striate and the spores fusiform and dirty-brown Peck,
Boleti of the U. S.
B. versipel'lis Fr. PileuS convex, dry, at first compact and mi-
nutely tomentose, then squamose or smooth, reddish or orange-red, the
margin appendiculate with the inflexed remains of the membranous veil.
Flesh white or grayish. Tubes at first concave or nearly plane, almost
or quite free, minute, sordid-white, their mouths gray. Stem equal
or tapering upward, solid, wrinkled-scaly, whitish or pallid. Spores
oblong-fusiform, 14—18x4—6/1,.
PileuS 2-6 in. broad. Stem 3~5 in. long, 4-10 lines thick.
Woods and open places, especially in sandy soil. North Carolina,
Curtis; New England, Frost; New York, Peck; California, H. and M.
Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. Mcllvaine.
The caps are good cooked in any way.
B. SCa'ber Fr. — scaber, rough. (Plate CXVIII, fig. 4, p. 436.)
PileuS convex, glabrous, viscid when moist, at length wrinkled or lined.
Tubes free, convex, white, then sordid, their mouths minute, rotund.
Stem solid, attenuated above, roughened with fibrous scales. Spores
oblong-fusiform, snuff-brown, 14— 18x4— 6//..
461
Polyporacese
Boletus. Pileus 1-5 in. broad. Stem 3-5 in- long. 3-8 lines thick.
Woods, swamps and open places.
(Plate CXXI.) .
Very common and appearing through
summer and autumn.
This may fairly be called our most
common and variable species. It is
recorded in nearly every local list of
fungi. The pileus is convex, hemis-
pherical or even subconical. It may be
glabrous, minutely tomentose, subvel-
vety or squamulose. The flesh is white
or whitish and sometimes slightly change-
able where wounded. The tubes are gen-
erally rather long and with a rounded or
convex surface. The stem is distinctly
scabrous or roughened with small black-
ish-brown or reddish dots or scales, the
ground color generally being whitish,
grayish or pallid. The spores have
been described as pale-brown and light-
yellowish. When caught in a mass on white paper they appear
to me to approach snuff-brown. The viscidity of the pileus is not
always clearly discernible. Indeed the pileus is often quite as dry as in
B. versipellis. When moistened by heavy rains it sometimes is smooth
and clammy to the touch but scarcely viscid. Several varieties have
been indicated which are expressive of the variations in the color of the
pileus.
Var. testa ceus. Pileus brick-red.
Var. auranti'acus. Pileus orange or orange-red.
These appear to connect this species and B. versipellis.
Var. aluta'ceus. Pileus yellowish-tan color.
Var. fuligin'eus. Pileus fuliginous or cinereous-fuliginous.
Var. ftis'cus. Pileus brown or dark-brown.
Var. oliva'ceus. Pileus olivaceous.
Var. ni'veus. Pileus white, when old sometimes stained with blue or
livid-blue.
To these might be added :
BOLETUS SCABER.
One-half natural size.
462
Polyporaceae
Var. areoldtus. Pileus rimose-areolate. (Plate CXVIII, fig. 4, Boletus.
P- 436.)
Var. mtitab'ilis. Flesh changing slightly to brown or pinkish where
wounded.
Var. graci'lipes. Stem very slender, 2-3 in. long, 2-3 lines thick.
Pileus thin, translucent when held toward the light.
This Boletus is classed among the edible species, but it is said to be
less agreeable than B. edulis. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
West Virginia, North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Mcllvaine.
The numerous varieties with their peculiarities here given by Professor
Peck will enable the finder of a Boletus with a distinctly scabrous stern
— roughened with scales, not reticulate — to select its name. For the
mycophagist it is enough to know that he has Boletus scaber. In all of
its varieties it is edible. The stems, often the tubes, unless young,
should be discarded, as they do not cook in the same time as the caps.
The comparative excellence of the species rests with the devourer. It
deserves a high place.
B. scaber, var. areolatus, Plate CXVIII, fig. 4, has slight flavor,
but is of pleasing consistency.
B. -durius'culus Schulz — somewhat hard. Pileus 2-5 in. across,
hemispherical, minutely velvety, viscid when moist, varying in color
from pale-brown, through dingy-chestnut, to umber-brown, often be-
coming cracked in areas when dry, interstices paler. Flesh thick, white
or tinged yellow, when cut becoming reddish copper-color. Tubes % —
% in. long, shortened round the stem and free, openings about %mm.
across, often compound, irregularly angular, bright-yellow. Stem 4-7
in. long, fusiform, thickest part 1)2—2 in. across, situated below the
middle, yellowish, rough with blackish points, which are sometimes ar-
ranged in a subreticulate manner, apex sometimes more or less grooved,
solid, flesh of upper part becoming coppery like the pileus. Spores
elongate-cylindrical, pale-umber, i4-:6x5-6/x.
In woods. Esculent and very delicious. Allied to Boletus scaber,
but distinguished by the bright-yellow tubes and the very firm flesh,
which turns coppery-red when exposed to the air ; this color eventually
changes to a dingy grayish-violet. Also allied to Boletus porphyro-
sporus. Massee.
463
Polyporaceae
Boletus. Snow Hill, N. J. Gravelly soil, mixed woods, 1892. Mcllvaine.
The stem and tubes should be removed. The caps are very fine.
B. albel'lllS Pk. — whitish. PileilS convex or gibbous, soft, glabrous,
whitish. Flesh white, unchangeable. Tubes convex, free, or nearly
so, small, subrotund, whitish, unchangeable. Stem glabrous or minutely
branny, substriate, bulbous or thickened at the base, whitish. Spores
brownish-ochraceous, 1 4-16x5-6^.
Pileus 1-2 in. broad. Stem 1-2 in. long, 3-6 lines thick.
Woods. New York, Peck.
This is closely related to B. scaber, of which it may possibly prove
to be a dwarf form ; but it is easily distinguished by its smooth or only
slightly scurfy and subbulbous stem. It presents no appearance of the
colored dot-like squamules which are a constant and characteristic
feature of that species. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
West Virginia. Woodland Cemetery, Philadelphia. Mcllvaine.
Specimens found at Mt. Gretna, Pa., had a satiny, glossy stem,
beautifully furfuraceous, and stem not thickened at base. Professor
Peck, to whom specimens were sent, writes: "Stem is a little more
furfuraceous, and not thickened at the base, otherwise the agreement is
very good." It is good fried.
B. chro'mapes Frost. Pileus convex or nearly plane, slightly and
sometimes fasciculately tomentose, pale-red. Flesh white, unchangeable.
Tubes subadnate, more or less depressed around the stem, white or
whitish, becoming brown. Stem equal or slightly tapering upward,
rough-spotted, whitish or pallid, chrome-yellow at the base both without
and within, sometimes reddish above. Spores oblong, 12-14x4-5.
PileilS 2-4 in. broad. Stem 2-4 in. long, 4-6 lines thick.
Woods. New England, Frost; New York, Peck.
The yellow base of the stem appears to be a peculiar and constant
character by which the species may easily be recognized. It imitates
Boletus piperatus in this respect, but in everything els.e it is very dis-
tinct from that plant. Sometimes the stem' is so badly infested by
larvae that it is difficult to procure a sound specimen. The spores have
a subferruginous color with a slight incarnate tint, but the rough-dotted
stem indicates a relationship with B. scaber. Through this species, Bo-
letus conicus and B. gracilis, the Versipelles and the Hyporhodii ap-
464
Polyporaceas
pear to run together. In the Catalogue of Plants of Amherst the spe- Boletus,
cific name is " chromapus." It would be more in accordance with
present custom to write it "chromopus." Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
A dozen or more specimens referable to this species were found by
me at Mt. Gretna, Pa., August, 1897, in mixed woods. The caps were
eaten and were excellent.
B. neblllo'sus Pk. PileilS convex, dry, snuff-brown or smoky-brown.
Flesh white, unchangeable. Tubes convex, depressed around the stem,
pallid or brownish, becoming purplish-brown where wounded, the
mouths small, rotund. Stem enlarged toward the base, solid, scurfy,
colored like the pileus. Spores 12.5-15x6;*.
PileilS 2-4 in= broad. Stem 3-4 in. long, 4-6 lines thick.
Shaded banks by road-side. Raybrook. August.
No young or immature specimens were seen, and the description is
to that extent incomplete. Peck, 5ist Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
By a painting made by the writer September, 1885, Professor Peck
identified the species of which it is a picture as B. nebulosus Pk. The
following notes accompany it, which have been verified many times
since their writing :
Oak woods. West Philadelphia, Pa., September. Mt. Gretna, Pa.,
September.
Pileus chestnut-brown and darker, covered with small, low, black
spots; convex, often depressed in center, sharp on margin. Flesh
white, thick, solid, unchangeable. Tubes very small, and light pink-
ish-brown. When touched they change to a deeper hue. Stem same
color as pileus, but a shade lighter, solid, scurfy, having a striate ap-
pearance, enlarging toward base.
Taste sweet and pleasant. Cooked it is juicy, meaty and very fine.
B. ful'vus Pk. — brownish-yellow. (Plate CXVI, fig. 3, p. 420.)
Pileus thick, convex or subcampanulate, dry, glabrous, rimose-areolate,
tawny-yellow, the extreme margin dark-brown. Flesh spongy, tough,
white, slowly assuming a reddish tint upon exposure to the air. Tubes
rather long, ventricose, depressed around the stem and free or nearly
so, greenish-yellow, the mouths small, tawny-yellow. Stem rather long,
often narrowed and striate at the top, dotted with brownish-orange gran-
30 465
Polyporaceee
Boletus, ules or points, radicating, tough, stuffed with greenish-yellow fiDe v
colored like the pileus. Spores unknown.
Pileus 2-3 in. broad. Stem 4-5 in. long, 4-8 lines thick.
Cespitose on decaying stumps. West Philadelphia, Pa. August.
Mcllvaine,
Mr. Mcllvaine says that there were between twenty and thirty speci-
mens on and about an old stump and that they were as attractive to the
eye as a cluster of Clitocybe illudens. Peck, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, Vol.
27, January, 1900.
Excellent in flavor, rather spongy, but fine.
HYPORHO'DII. Gr. — somewhat rose-colored.
Tubes adnate to the stem, whitish, then white-incarnate from the
rosy spores.
In this tribe the tubes are at first whitish, but with the development
of the spores they usually assume a pinkish or flesh-colored hue.
Wounds of the tubes in some species cause a change in color but not to
blue, nor are the tube mouths differently colored as in the Luridi. The
stem in some is more or less reticulated but this is scarcely a constant
or reliable character in these species. Typically the spores are rosy or
flesh-colored, but I have admitted species in which they incline to rust-
colored, giving more weight to the color of the tubes than to that of
the spores.
Pileus black or blackish .B. nigrellus
Pileus some other color , .... „ ......... i
I . Stem more than four lines thick , 2
I. Stem slender, generally less than four lines thick , .B. gracilis
2 . Stem not reticulated 3
2 . Stem more or less reticulated. . . . . , 4
3 . Tubes angular, flesh-colored B. conicus
3. Tubes round, white .B. alutarius
4. Taste mild B. indecisus
4. Taste bitter B. felleus
Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
B. COIUCUS Rav. — conical. Pileus convex or sttbconical, clothed
with bundled appressed yellowish flocci. Flesh white, unchangeable,
466
Folyporaceae
tasteless. Tubes ventricose, flesh-colored, becoming darker from the Boletus,
spores, the mouths small, angular, slightly fringed. Stem glabrous,
tapering upward, pale-yellow. Spores fusiform, subferruginous.
Pileus 1-2 in. broad. Stem 2 in. long, 6 lines thick.
Damp pine woods. South Carolina, Ravenel,
The species is compared to Boletus scaber, from which it differs in its
smaller tubes and smooth stem, and from both this and B. albellus it
differs in the color of the tubes and in the yellowish flocci of the pileus.
I have seen no specimens, but on account of the color of the tubes I
have placed the species with the Hyporhodii. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
B. gracilis Pk.— slender. (Plate CXIV, fig. i, p. 414.) Pileus
convex, glabrous or minutely tomentose, rarely squamulose, ochraceous-
brown, tawny-brown or reddish-brown. Flesh white. Tubes plane or
convex, depressed around the stem, nearly free, whitish, becoming pale
flesh-colored, their mouths subrotund. Stem long, slender, equal or
slightly tapering upward, pruinose or minutely branny, even or marked
by slender elevated anastomosing lines which form long narrow reticu-
lations. Spores subferruginous, 12.5-17.5x5-6/4.
Var. Ice'vipes. Stem even.
Pileus 1-2 in= broad. Stem 3-5 in. long, 2-4 lines thick.
Woods. New York, Peck; New England, Frost; Ohio, Morgan.
The slender habit separates this species from all the others here in-
cluded in this tribe. Its spores are not a clear incarnate in color, but
incline to dull-ferruginous, and by this character this and the preceding
species connect this tribe with Versipelles. In color B. gracilis resem-
bles some forms of B. felleus, but in size, habit and color of spores it
is easily distinct. The tomentum of the pileus sometimes breaks into
tufts or squamules. This is Boletus vinaceus, Frost MS. Peck, Boleti
of the U. S.
B. gracilis, var. laevipes, was found by the writer in Woodland Ceme-
tery, West Philadelphia, August, 1897, and at Mt. Gretna, Pa., Sep-
tember, 1898. The stem of some specimens spreads at the top. The
pileus is often cracked on the margin, and the upturning of the margin
often exposes the tubes. Painting, as of this species, identified by
Professor Peck.
The taste is at first sweet, then bitter. The bitterness is lost in cook-
ing. Edible, good.
467
Polyporaceae
Boletus. B. indeci'sus Pk.— undecided. (Plate CXXII, fig. i, p. 468.) Pi-
leus convex or nearly plane, dry, slightly tomentose, ochraceous-brown,
often wavy or irregular on the margin. Flesh white, unchangeable;
taste mild. Tubes nearly plane or convex, adnate, grayish becoming
tinged with flesh color when mature, changing to brownish where
wounded, their mouths small, subrotund. Stem minutely f urf uraceous,
straight, or flexuous, reticulated above, pallid without and within.
Spores oblong, brownish flesh color, 12.5— I5x4/x.
Pileus 3-4 in. broad. Stem 2-4 in. long, 4-6 lines thick.
Thin oak wt>ods. New York, Peck.
The mild taste and darker colored spores will separate this Boletus
from any form of B. felleus. Its stem reticulated above distinguishes it
from B. alutarius. It resembles B. modestus in some respects, but its
tubes are not at all yellow. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
Kentucky, Lloyd, Rep. 4.
Woodland Cemetery, Philadelphia, July, 1897, Mcllvaine; Trenton,
N. J., August, 1897, Sterling. In open mixed woods.
Boletus indecisus so closely resembles B. felleus in some of its forms
that until the color of the spores is ascertained, the sweet taste, without
trace of bitter, is the only thing that will enable the finder to discrimi-
nate between them. Young B. felleus are at first pleasant to the taste
and do not, at once, develop their intense bitter in the mouth. They
m*ay readily be taken for B. indecisus. If, by mistake, a single B. fel-
leus is cooked with mild species, the dish will be spoiled. Specimens be-
lieved to be B. indecisus should be tested. A minute will perfectly sat-
isfy anyone.
The B. indecisus is delicious.
B. aluta'rius Fr. — aluta, tanned leather. Pileus convex, then nearly
plane, soft, velvety, becoming glabrous, brownish tan color. Flesh al-
most unchangeable, taste mild, watery. Tubes depressed around the
stem, plane, short, round, white, becoming brownish where wounded.
8tem solid, bulbous, nearly even, small, irregular prominences at the
top. Spores 1 4x4/4.
Pileus 3-4 in- broad. Stem 4-5 in. long.
Grassy woods. Minnesota, Johnson. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
West Virginia mountains, 1882-1885. Margins of woods. Chelten-
468
PLATE CXXII.
*j «4
'Q o
>
go
Polyporacese
ham, Pa. Margins of woods, 1888-1889, grassy woods and margins. Boletus.
Mcllvaine.
Common in West Virginia mountains where it grows with B. felleus,
from which it is impossible to distinguish it without tasting. It is de-
licious when cooked. But I long ago ceased collecting for the table
any Boletus questionable for B. felleus. I have been deceived so many
times — taken the bitter for the sweet — that, preferring the sweet, I take
no chances for the bitter.
B. felleus Bull.—/*/, gall. Bitter. (Plate CXXII, fig. 2, 3, 4,
p. 468.) Pileus convex or nearly plane, firm, becoming soft, glabrous,
even, variable in color, pale-yellowish, grayish-brown, yellowish-brown,
reddish-brown or chestnut. Flesh white, often changing to flesh color
where wounded, taste bitter. Tubes adnate, long, convex, depressed
around the stem, their mouths angular, white, becoming tinged with
flesh-color. Stem variable, equal or tapering upward, short or long,
sometimes bulbous or enlarged at the base, subglabrous, generally
reticulated above, colored like or a little paler than the pileus. Spores
oblong-fusiform, flesh-colored, 12.5—17.5x4—5/4.
Var. obe'sus. Pileus large. Stem thick, coarsely and distinctly
reticulated nearly or quite to the base.
Pileus 3-8 in. broad. Stem 2-4 in. long, 6-12 lines thick.
The variety is large and solitary in its mode of growth. It is remark-
able for the coarse reticulations of the stem which extend nearly or quite
to the base. After heavy rains the pileus is viscid. It may prove to
be a distinct species.
The flesh in the American plant does not always assume incarnate
hues where wounded. The color of the fresh tubes often changes to a
deeper tint where wounded. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina, Mcllvaine;
Indiana, H. I. Miller.
A very common species in woods and on thin margins, on open
grassy places, and about decayed stumps. I saw hundreds of plants,
var. obesus, some a foot in diameter, in a wheat stubble near oak
woods.
One of the most attractive of Boleti. Its cap resembles a handsomely
browned cake. Its solidity is inviting; its flesh, generous in quantity,
excites appetite. Until one experiences its intense lasting bitter, one
469
Polyporaceae
Boletus, clings to it with hope. Even after tasting, it is thrown away with
regret. It is not poisonous, but a small piece of one will embitter a
whole dish. Mcllvaine, Bull. Phila. Myc. Center. July,
B. nigrel'lus Pk. — blackish. PileilS broadly convex or nearly plane,
dry, subglabrous, blackish. Flesh soft, white, unchangeable. Tubes
plane or convex, adnate, sometimes slightly depressed around the stem,
their mouths small, subrotund, whitish becoming flesh-colored, slowly
changing to brown or blackish where wounded. Stem equal, shert,
even, colored like or a little paler than the pileus. Spores dull flesh-
colored, IO— I2X5-6/A.
Pileus 3-6 in. broad. Stem 1.5-2.5 in. long, 6-12 lines thick.
Woods and copses. New York, Peck.
The blackish color of the pileus and stem distinguishes this species.
From Boletus alboater Schw., the adnate, flesh-colored tubes will sepa-
rate it. The surface of the pileus sometimes becomes cracked in areas,
Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
Mt. Gretna, Pa., August, 1898. Mcllvaine.
Another distinguishing mark from B. alboater is the velvety pileus of
the latter. B. nigrellus is mild in taste and smell and an excellent
species for the table.
B. eccen'triaus Pk. — eccentric. (Plate CXVI, fig. I, p. 420.)
Pileus thick, firm, convex, irregular, glabrous, more or less lobed or
wavy on the involute margin, gray or yellowish-gray. Flesh white,
close-grained, elastic, unchangeable, taste and odor farinaceous. Tubes
convex, depressed around the stem, not reaching the margin of the pi-
leus, somewhat uneven and pitted on the surface, yellowish-brown, the
mouths subangular, at first concolorous, becoming reddish or reddish-
purple. Stem eccentric, tapering downward, solid, uneven with short
irregular shallow grooves or obscure reticulations, tinged with red at the
top, grayish below, tinged with red or purple within at the base.
Pileus 5-10 cm. broad. Stem 4-5 cm, long, 3-4 cm. thick at the top.
Sandy soil in grassy places in woods. Mt. Gretna, Pa. August and
September.
The species is well marked by its eccentric stem, thick irregular pileus
and the reddish or reddish-purple mouths of the mature tubes. Mr.
470
Polyporacese
Mcllvaine remarks that when it is cooked it is delicate and savory. Boletus.
Peck, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, No. 27.
In commenting upon this new species to the writer, Professor Peck
says: "I suspect that the spores of this (B. eccentricus) are pinkish
or rosy. If so, it belongs here (in Hyporhodii). If not, it may have
to go in the Luridi, or possibly may be made the type of a new tribe.
CARIO'SI — caries, rottenness.
Stem never reticulated, stuffed with a spongy pith, at length com-
monly excavated. Tubes at first white, then often yellowish, their
mouths minute, round.
Fries adds to these characters, "spores white." But in our species
the spores are pale-yellow when shed in a mass on white paper. They
are more elliptical in outline than the spores of most Boleti. The
character of the stem is peculiar and easily distinguishes the tribe. The
exterior is firm, the interior soft and spongy, becoming irregularly
hollow or cavernous in the typical species.
Flesh unchangeable I
Flesh quickly changing to blue where wounded B. cyanescens
I . Pileus minutely velvety-tomentose B. castaneus
i . Pileus granulated B. Murrayi
Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
B. cyanes'cens Bull. — cyaneus, deep-blue. Pileus convex or nearly
plane, opaque, floccose-scaly or covered with an appressed tomentum,
pale-buff, grayish-yellow, yellowish or somewhat brown. Flesh rigid,
white, quickly changing to blue where wounded. Tubes free, white,
becoming yellowish, the mouths minute, round, changing color like the
flesh. Stem ventricose, hoary with fine hairs, stuffed, becoming cav-
ernous, contracted and even at the top, colored like the pileus. Spores
subelliptical, 10-12.5x6-7.5^.
Pileus 2-5 in. broad. Stem 2-4 in. long, 8-18 lines thick.
Woods and open places. New York, Peck; New England, Frost,
Bennett; Minnesota, Johnson; Wisconsin, Bundy. Peck, Boleti of the
U. S.
High ground in woods. Solitary. West Virginia mountains, Spring-
ton Hills, Pa., Kingsessing, Philadelphia, Mt. Gretna, Pa., Mcllvaine.
471
Polyporaceee
Boletus. Boletus cyanescens is a sparse grower. The quality of the juice va-
ries. That of young specimens stains the fingers blue, that of old, brown.
The caps are firm and make an excellent dish cooked in any way.
B. casta'neus Bull. — chestnut. (Plate CXIV, fig. 3, p. 414. ) Pileus
convex, nearly plane or depressed, firm, even, dry, minutely velvcty-
tomentose, cinnamon or reddish-brown. Flesh white, unchangeable
Tubes free, short, small, white becoming yellow. Stem equal or
tapering upward, even, stuffed or hollow, clothed and colored like the
pileus. Spores 10-12.5x6-7.5/4.
Pileus 1.5-3 m- broad. Stem 1-2.5 m- l°ng, 3-5 lmes thick.
Woods and open places. Rather common and wide spread. Peck,
Boleti of the U. S.
Boletus castaneus is one of the neatest looking of fungi. The pre-
vailing color is cinnamon, that of the tubes white or very light yellow, '
spotted with brown wherever insects have touched them. The pore
surface of mature specimens is usually irregular. Whoever has seen
the stalagmites of Luray Cave will recognize their color on the stems of
B. castaneus. These are brittle, snapping like pipe stems, with a small
tube in center.
The fungus is common from June until September. It is gregarious,
occasionally three or four individuals form a group. Either raw or
cooked the caps are edible and will become favorites.
B. Mur'rayi B. and C. Pileus hemispherical, granulated, vivid red.
Flesh yellow. Tubes decurrent, about I line deep, yellow. Stem
clavate, even, pale-yellow. Spores pale-yellow.
Pileus 2-3 in. broad, nearly 1.5 thick.
New England, Murray.
On account of the color of the spores this species has been placed
with the Cariosi. The description does not mention the character of
the interior of the stem, and the decurrent tubes depart from the char-
acter of the typical species so that its true position is uncertain. The
species seems well marked by the character of the pileus. Peck, Boleti
of the U. S.
B. isabelli'nus Pk. Pileus convex, firm, minutely tomentose,
whitish, becoming darker and smoother with age. Flesh isabelline.
472
Polyporacese
Tubes adnate, minute, sometimes larger near the stem, nearly round, Boletus,
whitish. Stem nearly equal, subglabrous, hollow, whitish. Spores
subelliptical, 7.5-9x5-6^. Pileus 2-3 in. broad. Stem 1-2 in. long,
4-6 lines thick.
Woods. Ocean Springs, Miss. June. Underwood.
The species belongs to the Cariosi. Peck, in Bull. Torrey Bot. Club,
VoL 24, No. 3.
APPENDIX (Boletus).
The descriptions of the following species are scarcely sufficient to
permit of the satisfactory reference of the species to their places in the
tribes. It is to be hoped that these plants may again be found and
their proper relations be ascertained.
B. Ana'nas Curt. Pileus pulvinate, thickly and rigidly floccose-ver-
rucose, yellow, flocci white above, flesh-colored beneath, the margin
thin, membranous, lacerated; hymenium plane, depressed around the
stem, yellow or tawny-yellow, becoming greenish where wounded, their
mouths medium size, obtusely angular. Stem even, solid, somewhat
enlarged at the base, white. Spores ferruginous.
Pileus 3-4 in. broad. Stem 3-4 in. long, 6-9 lines thick.
Under prostrate trunks of pine trees.
South Carolina, Ravenel; North Carolina, Curtis.
This is said to approach S. strobilaceus in habitat, but to be other-
wise very different. It is placed among the Subtomentosi in Sylloge,
but from these it recedes by its floccose wart-like scales. Peck, Boleti
of the U. S.
B. radico'sus Bundy. Pileus thin, wide, recurved, yellow tinged
with brown, the cuticle easily removed. Flesh pale-yellowish tinged
with pink, not changing color when bruised. Tubes decurrent, large,
uneven-mouthed, compound, angular, tinged with brown. Stem flexu-
ous, yellow above, whitish below, rough with dark appressed scales,
fibrous-rooted.
Pileus 4 in- broad. Stem 3-4 in. long, 5 lines thick.
Wisconsin, Bimdy.
The pileus is not described as viscid, but in other respects the spe-
473
Polyporaceae
Boletus, cies appears to belong to the Viscipelles and to be related to Boletus
collinitus. Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
B. Po'cono Schw. Pileus pulvinate, cervine (dun color), minutely
covered with bundles of tomentum on the closely-inflexed margin.
Tubes rather large, somewhat prominently angular, concolorous. Stem
subattenuated, thickened toward the base, pallid-striate at the apex,
elsewhere spadiceous, subfurfuraceous.
Pileus i in. broad. Stem 2-3 in. long.
Beech woods. Pennsylvania, Schweinitz.
474
Polyporaceee
STKOBILO'MYCES Berk.
Gr. — a pine cone ; a fungus.
(Plate CXXIV.)
Strobilomyces
STROBILOMYCES STROBILACEUS.
Two-thirds natural size.
, S. strobilaceus
, . .S. floccopus
Hymenophore even. Tubes not
easily separable from it, large,
equal. Pileus and stem distinctly
rough-scaled, the flesh tough. Syl.
Fung., Vol. VI, p. 49.
I have given Professor Saccardo's
emended diagnosis of this genus,
because it expresses what appears
to me to be the most important
generic character, that is, tubes not
easily separable from the hymeno-
phore. By this character and by
the tough substance the transition
between Boletus and Polyporus is
made.
Tubes nearly equal in length
Tubes shortened around the stem. . .
Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
S. strobila'ceus Berk. Gr.— cone-like. (Plate CXXIV.) Pileus
hemispherical or convex, dry, covered with thick floccose projecting
blackish or blackish-brown scales, the margin somewhat appendiculate
with scales and fragments of the veil. Flesh whitish, changing to
reddish and then to blackish where wounded. Tubes adnate, whitish,
becoming brown or blackish with age; their mouths large, angular,
changing color like the flesh. Stem equal or tapering upward, sulcate
at the top, floccose-tomentose, colored like the pileus. Spores sub-
globose, rough, blackish-brown, 10-12.5^.
Pileus 2-4 in. broad. Stem 3-5 in. long, 4-10 lines thick. Peck,
Boleti of the U. S.
West Virginia mountains, Pennsylvania, Mcllvaine; Indiana, H. I.
Miller.
Common in woods and their margins, under the overhanging sods of
washes and road-cuts. Often in troops, occasionally cespitose. The
475
Folyporacese
Strobilomyces. rough fuzzy cap reminds of short fur that has been wet and dried. Its
appearance is unique among Boleti. Before cooking the stem and tubes
should be removed, unless the latter are very firm and fresh. The
squamules must be cut away or the dish will be rough.
With many this Boletus is a prime favorite. It has a strong woody
taste, sometimes musky, sometimes faintly of anisette. It cooks well
by any method.
S. floc'copus Vahl. — floccose-stemmed. Pileus convex, soft, cov-
ered with areas of bunched rough, scaly tomentum, cinereous, at
length blackish, appendiculate with the silky, thick annular veil. Tubes
shortened behind, their mouths large, whitish-gray. Stem stout, pitted
above, umber-tomentose below. Spores perfectly globose, brown, 9/1
broad.
PileilS 4-5 in. broad. Stem 4-5 in. long, I in. thick.
Woods. North Carolina and Pennsylvania, Schweinitz; Ohio, Mor-
gan; New York, Peck.
According to Fries this is a larger and firmer species than S. stro-
bilaceus but manifestly related to it. The New York specimens which
I have referred to it differ from S. strobilaceus in no respect, except in
the tubes being depressed around the stem. Unless there are other
differences in the European plant, it scarcely seems to me to be worthy
of specific distinction. Boletus floccopus, Rost. tab. 40, is referred to
Boletus scaber, as is B. holopus, Rost. tab. 48. Peck, Boleti of the
U. S.
I agree with Professor Peck that this species is not worthy of specific
distinction. During 1898 I found a bunch containing eight individuals
which varied through all botanic characteristics given to both species.
The largest individual was 4)^ in. across cap, the smallest i/£ in. On
some the tubes were adnate, on others shortened behind. There was
no difference in flavor excepting that due to age.
476
PLATE CXXV.
Polyporaceae
FISTULI'NA Bull.
Fistula, a pipe.
Hymenium formed on the under surface of a fleshy hymenophore, at Fistulina.
first warted, the warts developing into cylindrical tubes that remain dis-
tinct and free from each other, producing in their interior cellular pro-
cesses each bearing four spores. Conidia are produced in cavities of the
old hymenophore.
With the outward appearance of a Polyporus, but separated by the
tubes being free from each other.
A small genus of which F. hepatica is the principal species. This is
known and valued in Europe and wherever found in this country. Un-
fortunately it is rare or unknown in many localities. A new species has
recently been found in the United States — Fistulina firma, by Mrs. A.
M. Hadley, Manchester, N. H. — a white-flesh species whose edibility
is not reported. Torrey Bull., 1899. F- pallida B. and Rav. ; F.
radicata, Schw. ; F. spathulata B. and C., are reported from Alabama.
Edible qualities not stated. The writer has not seen them or he surely
would have tested them. The spread and cultivation of F. hepatica is
possible. Experiments in this line are desirable.
F. hepat'ica(Huds.)Fr. Gr. — resembling the liver. (Plate CXXV,
fig. i, p. 476.) Juicy-fleshy, not rooting. PileilS entire, blood-red.
Flesh thick, soft, viscid above, transversed with tenacious fibers, hence
variegated-red. Tubes at first pallid.
Changeable in form, sessile or extended into a lateral stem. Fries.
Spores salmon-color, nearly round with an oblique apiculus, 3/4 W.
G.S.; broadly elliptical, 5-6x3-4/4; conidia, 6-10x5/1, Massee; yellow-
ish, elliptical, 5-6. 5/u. long Peck.
West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. August to frost. Mcll-
vaine.
Small specimens may be confounded with F. pallida, which follows.
Fistulina hepatica is celebrated in most countries, and known usually
as the Beefsteak fungus. It grows from decaying crevices in oak, chest-
nut and other trees and stumps, but those named are its favorites. July,
August, September are its months, and after rains. In some localities'
and years it is rare. At Mt. Gretna, in 1898, a hundred pounds of it
could be gathered almost any day.
477
Polyporacese
Fistulina. August, 1899, at Mt. Gretna, Pa., I found several specimens in vi-
cinity which, though evidently F. hepatica, were remarkable for their
structure — 2-4 in. across, irregularly cylindrical, with spore surface
covering the entire fungus. Stem curt, eccentric, almost central.
Specimens were sent Professor Peck, who writes:
"The sample of Fistulina which you send is a singular thing. Sac-
cardo has noted a somewhat similar form but without pore surface.
Yours has pore surface, but I do not find spores developed in it. I am
inclined to think it a monstrosity, as you do, but as you say you have
found several of them I think it would be well to put it on record and I
will enter it in my record as Fistulina hepatica monstrosa n. var. and
indicate its characters." Letter from Professor Peck, August 28, 1899.
I have partially succeeded in transplanting the mycelium of F.
hepatica. Experiments in this direction, I feel confident, will introduce
this valuable fungus to localities where it is not now found, or is rare.
Experiments with the spores have not been as yet successful.
F. hepatica monstrosa n. var. Pk. Subglobose, supported on a short
stem or stem-like base, the external surface entirely covered with tubules
2—4 mm. long.
Pennsylvania. C. Mcllvaine. In color and texture resembling the
common form, but Mr. Mcllvaine informs me that there is nothing in
the position or place of growth of the specimens to account for their
peculiar character. They are 2-4 in. in diameter. Peck, Bull. Torrey
Bot. Club, 27, January, 1900.
Excellent.
F. pal'lida B. and Rav. — pallidus, pale. Pileus kidney-shaped,
pallid-red, pulverulent, 1-2 in. broad, about I in. long, margin inflexed.
Tubes more or less decurrent. Stem lateral, striate, when dry, I K in.
long, K in. thick.
Mountains of South Carolina on the ground. Ravenel. Alabama,
base of stumps of white oak. Peters. Grev., Vol. I, No. 5. New Jersey,
Ellis.
478
PLATE CXXV1.
No. I. POLYPOEIJS FUMOSUS.
2. POLTSTICTUS VEBSICOLOE.
3. MEEULIUS COBIUM. f About natural size.
4. POLYPORUS PEEENNI8 AND SECTION.j
5. D.EDALEA QUEECINA. I
6. FOMES IGNIABIUS. [• Reduced in size.
7. TEAMETES GIBBOSA. )
Polyporaceee
POLY'PORFS Fr.
Gr. — many ; a passage, pore.
Pileus fleshy, moist, tough, becoming harder in age, internally com- Polypoms.
posed of radiating fibers ; the spore-bearing surface is within passages
or pores which are made by the descending substance of the pileus form-
ing the dissepiments or separating walls, hence they are not easily
separable from the pileus or from one another. The pores not appear-
ing at first, then becoming rounded, angular or torn. They form a dis-
tinct strata. Stem central, eccentric, lateral or absent.
With few exceptions growing from wood. Section Merisma contains
species which are conspicuous among fungi for their size and beauty.
The majority of this genus are unedible, because of their being woody,
tough or bitter. Few of the edible species are of the first class.
Excellent dishes are made by stewing the species well, serving them
in patties or in croquettes. The cooking of P. intybaceus is a guide to
all.
ANALYSIS OF TRIBES.
I. — MESOPUS. (Gr. — middle; afoot.) Page 479.
Stem single, distinct, central or eccentric ; not black at the base.
II. — PLEUROPUS. (Gr. — fheside; afoot.) Page 480.
Stem single, lateral or eccentric; base black.
III. — MERISMA. (Gr. — to divide.) Page 482.
Divided into numerous pileoli, borne on a simple or much-branched
stem, or a short, thick tubercle.
IV. — APUS. (Gr. — without; afoot.) Page 488.
Stem wanting; pileus attached by the side or spread on the matrix.
V. — RESUPINATI. (Lying on the back. ) Page 489.
The pores being placed directly upon the wood or on the mycelium,
the pileus proper is absent.
I. — ME'SOPUS.
P. ovi'nus Schaeff. — relating to sheep. Pileus 2-4 in. broad, fleshy,
thick, fragile, irregular in shape, becoming scaly, whitish. Stem short,.
479
Polyporaceae
Poiyporus. thick, i in. or more in length, white. Pores minute, equal, round,
white then citron-color.
On the ground. Autumn.
North Carolina, Curtis; Massachusetts, Frost; Ohio, Morgan; New
York, ground in pine woods. Bethlehem. September, Peck, 22d Rep.
Cordier says it possesses an agreeable odor of almonds and that Fries
and his companions ate it raw in their mycological excursions.
Edible. Peck, Curtis.
P. leuco'melas (Pers.) Fr. — teucos, -white; melas, black. Pileus
2—4 in. broad, fleshy, somewhat fragile, irregularly-shaped, silky, sooty-
black. Flesh soft, reddish when broken. Stem 1-3 in. in length,
stout, unequal, somewhat tomentose, sooty-black, becoming black
internally. Pileus and stem becoming black in places. Pores rather
large, unequal, ashy or whitish, becoming black in drying.
Spores pale brown, io-i2x.4-$f*~Massee.
North Carolina, edible, Curtis; Ohio, a curious esculent. Morgan.
P. circina'tus Fr. — round. Pileus 3-4 in. broad, compact, thick
round, plane, zoneless, velvety, reddish-brown. Flesh the same color.
It forms duplicate strata of pilei, the inferior contiguous with the stem
and corky; the superior compact, soft, floccose. Stem I in. thick
and high, bearing a reddish-brown tomentum. Pores decurrent, entire,
dusky-gray.
In fir woods.
A noble species, memorable for the stratified duplicate pilei.
Var. proliferus. Like the typical form but having one or more pilei
developed from the upper surface of the first one. Fulton Chain
August. Peck, 46th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
New York. On ground in borders of woods. September. Peck,
32d, 46th Rep.
On ground in oak woods, West Philadelphia. Mcllvaine.
When young the soft pilei are good.
II. — PLEUROPUS.
P. squamo'sus Fr. — squama, a scale. (Plate CXXVII, p. 480.) Pi-
leus 3 in.— i)^ ft. broad, somewhat ochraceous, variegated with abroad^
480
PLATE CXXVII.
TJ
O
r-
O
?0
c
(/)
t/)
(O
c
>
O
C/)
C
C/J
Polyporaceae
adpressed, spot-like, centrifugal, darker scales, fleshy-pliant, fan-shaped, Poiypoms.
flattened. Stem excentric and lateral, obese, reticulated at the apex,
blackish at the base. Pores thin, variable (at first minute), then large,
angular and torn, pallid. Fries.
Handsome, commonly very large, somewhat central and umbilicate
when young, at length lateral, very variable in shape.
On trunks and stumps, chiefly ash. Common. May to November.
Stevenson.
Spores oval, white, 14x6/1 W.G.S.; elliptical, colorless, 12x5/1
Mas see.
Massachusetts, Sprague; Iowa, Macbride; New York. Trunk of elm.
May. Peck, 2/th Rep. ; West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania.
On fallen trunks and on stumps. May to November. Mcllvaine.
This species does not seem to be common in America, but is found
throughout Europe. It varies in size from 3 in. to over 3 feet. It
has been known to attain the circumference of 7 ft. 5 in., and the weight
of 40 Ibs. Dr. Badham says that it can not be masticated and that its
expressed juice is very disagreeable. The fact, however, remains that
it is eaten, and is recorded as edible by most authors. It is undoubt-
edly tough, but cut fine and stewed slowly for half an hour it is quite as
tender as the muscle of an oyster and has a pleasant flavor.
P. pi'cipes Fr. — pix, pitch ; pes, a foot. Pallid then chestnut, com-
monly pale yellowish-livid, with the disk chestnut. PileilS fleshy-
coriaceous, then rigid, tough, even, smooth, depressed at the disk or
behind. Flesh white. Stem excentric and lateral, equal, firm, at first
velvety, then naked, dotted, black up to the pores. Pores decurrent,
round, very small, rather slender, white, then slightly pale yellowish.
Fries.
Imbricated, odor somewhat sweet. The pileus is depressed behind,
commonly emarginate, funnel-shaped with lobes all round.
On trunks, especially willow. Frequent. July to December. Steven-
son.
Many young plants, in tufts upon a decaying oak log, were found by
me at Mt. Gretna, August, 1899. They were oyster-color, the very
thin caps translucent, 2-6 in. across, -fa in. thick; pores not visible to
the naked eye. The black dots upon the stems developed some time
after gathering.
31 481
Polyporaceae
Poiyporus. They were pleasantly crisp when stewed and of fine flavor. Older
specimens were bitter and tough.
III. — MERISMA.
P. umbella'tus Fr. — umbella, a sun-shade. Very much branched,
fibrous-fleshy, toughish. Pileoli very numerous, % — \% in. broad,
sooty, dull-red or pallid light-yellow, entire, umbilicate. Stems elon-
gated, separate, united at the base, white. Pores minute, white.
The pileoli have occurred white. Fries.
Edible. Fries.
New York, Peck, Rep. 51; Richmond, Ind., Dr. J. R. Weist; Gou-
verneur, N. Y., Mrs. E. C. Ant/tony; West Virginia, New Jersey, Penn-
sylvania. On decaying roots in ground and on stumps. May to
November. Mcllvaine.
Tufts dense, branches spreading from a center. The pilei up to 2 in.
across, connected at base. The dense spreading tufts, up to a foot
across and half as high, are very noticeable. The flesh is soft and of
good flavor. Cook like P. intybaceus.
P. a'nax Berk. Fleshy, fibrous, rather tough, dusky-gray, branch-
ing out from a thick, single stem at the base and forming a large head
of branches and pileoli 10-20 lines in diameter; the branches terminate
in numerous large pileoli of various forms and size, imbricating, con-
fluent and recurved. Flesh and pores white. Stems thick, growing
together, white. Pores large, unequal, angular, white. Spores white,
subelliptic, 7-8/u, long.
Ohio, at the base of oak trees and stumps. Autumn. Morgan.
This species has apparently been confused by some American my-
cologists with P. intybaceus. I have received specimens of it bearing
that name. The spores of that species are described as elliptic or ovoid.
The spores of Poiyporus anax, as shown by our specimens, are globose.
Peck, 5 ist Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Ohio, Morgan; New York, Peck, 5ist Rep.; New Jersey, Sterling;
Angora, West Philadelphia, growing on rotting stump. September,
1897, Mcllvaine.
Edible when young and fresh.
482
FLATH CXXVIII.
-o
O
r
•<
"0
O
TO
c
CO
Tl
/C
O
z
D
O
CO
C
CO
Polyporaceee
P. frondo'silS Fr. — frons, a leafy branch. (Plate CXXVIII, p. 482.)
Tuft /4 — i ft. broad, very much branched, fibrous-fleshy, toughish.
Pileoli very numerous, *£— 2 in., sooty-gray, dimidiate, wrinkled, lobed,
intricately recurved. Flesh white. Stems growing into each other,
white. Pores rather tender, very small, acute, white.
Pores commonly round, but in an oblique position, gaping open and
torn. Fries.
North Carolina, Curtis; Iowa, Macbride; New York, Peck, 24th
Rep.; West Virginia, 1881-1885, Chester county, Angora, Philadel-
phia, Pa. On stumps, roots, etc. Rare. September to frost, Mcllvaine.
Edible. Curtis. Sold in the Roman market.
Tufts up to 12 in. across; the branches very numerous, up to 2 in.
wide. The plant is tender when young and grows tough as it matures.
When young it is of good flavor and edible — older it makes a well-
flavored gravy, or is edible if chopped fine and very well cooked.
(Plate CXXIX.)
P. intyba'ceus Fr. — succory-like. Very much branched, fleshy,
somewhat fragile. Pileoli very nu-
merous, pale-yellowish inclining to
fuscous, dimidiate, stretched out, sin-
uate, at length spathulate. Stems
connate in a very short trunk. Pores
firm, obtuse, white, inclining to dingy-
brown. Fries.
About same size as P. frondosus
and larger. Stevenson.
Spores colorless, elliptical, 7x3.5^
Massee; 6x3/u, W.G.S.
Tndiana, H. I. Miller. Base of
living trees. Woodland Cemetery, West Philadelphia, Pa., Mt. Gretna,
Pa., West Virginia, New Jersey. Large tufts growing from oak roots
in ground and at base of oak trees. Mcllvaine.
Edible. Stevenson. Paulet says; In place of its being heavy upon
the stomach, he will feel all the lighter who sups upon it.
The people of the Vosges call it the Hen-of- the- Woods.
The words of the old song —
"So very much depends upon
The way in which it's done,"
483
POLYPORUS IXTYBACEUS.
Polyporacese
Poiyporus. apply with exceptional force to the cooking of P. intybaceus. If it is
cut in thin slices across the grain and slowly stewed for half an hour it
will be tender and of good flavor. It can then be served in that way,
or made into patties or croquettes.
P. crista'tus Fr. — crista, a crest. Branched, firmly fleshy, fragile.
Pileoli about 3 in. broad, reddish-green, entire and dimidiate, imbri-
cated, depressed, somewhat pulverulent-villous, then cracked into scales.
Stems connate, irregularly shaped, white. Pores minute, angular and
torn, whitish. Fries.
Very changeable in form, sometimes simple with an undulato-lobed,
central pileus.
Edible. Curtis.
Mt. Gretna, Pa., Woodland Cemetery, Philadephia, West Virginia.
On ground over roots, open woods and grassy places. September,
October. Mcllvaine.
Variable in form, but usually in rose-shaped clusters, which are
slightly greenish at times ; oftener shades of yellow. The substance is
the same in texture as P. intybaceus. Cook in same manner.
P. COn'fluens Fr. — stems confluent; adherent. Pile! branched, fleshy,
fragile, thick, dimidiate, imbricated, confluent, smooth, fleshy-yellow
becoming obscure, slightly scaly. Stem short. Pores short, minute,
pallid-white.
Eaten about Nice; savor a little sharp. Cordier; North Carolina,
superior eating. Curtis. Pine woods. New Scotland. September.
Our specimens are not at all squamulose, and this character is not
attributed to the species by all authors. It is probable that it is not
uniform in this respect. Peck, 39th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
P. Berk'eleyi Fr. Very much branched. Pileoli very large, subzon-
ate, finally tomentose, yellowish, fleshy, tough becoming corky and
hard. Stem short or none, arising from a long and thick common base
growing out of the ground usually near trees or stumps. Pores rather
large, irregular, angular, pale yellowish.
A magnificent specimen found near Boston a dozen years ago and
exhibited in the window of Doyle, the florist, was fully four feet high
and from two to three feet broad, containing very many pileoli.
484
Polyporace®
North Carolina, edible, Curtis; Iowa, Bessey; Ohio, Morgan; Mt. Poiypoms.
Gretna, Pa., very large specimens, 20 in. across. Mcllvaine.
Edible when young.
P. gigante US Fr. — gigas, a giant. Tuft 1—2 ft. and more broad, in
many imbricated layers, fleshy-pliant then somewhat coriaceous. Pile!
date-brown, dimidiate, very broad, flaccid, somewhat zoned, rivulose,
depressed behind. Stems connato-branched from a common tuber.
Pores minute, somewhat round, pallid, at length torn.
The rigid cuticle separates into granules or fibrillose squamules.
Pores becoming dark when touched. Fries.
Edible, Curtis. Esculent when young. On the continent its esculent
qualities are known and appreciated. Cooke.
West Virginia, Chester county, Pa., Eagle's Mere, Pa. On decay-
ing stumps and roots. Mcllvaine.
It is well marked by its spore-surface becoming black to the touch.
When young and fresh it stews to a pleasant, edible consistency, but is
tough if not well cooked or too old. The flavor of a gravy from it is
at all times good.
P. SUlpllll'reilS Fr. — sulphur, brimstone. (Plate CXXV, fig. 2,
p. 476.) In many cespitose layers, 1-2 ft. and more, juicy-cheesy.
Pile! 8 in. or more broad, reddish-yellow, imbricated, undulated, rather
smooth. Flesh light yellowish, then white, splitting open and not
hardened when old. Pores minute, plane, sulphur-yellow. Fries.
Soon becoming pale. Commonly sessile, but varying with a stem,
lateral on standing trees, but expanded on all sides on fallen ones; also
club-shaped, porous throughout. Sow. In its fullest vigor it is filled
with sulphur-yellow milk.
On living trees and stumps. Frequent. August to October. Stev-
enson. (Plate CXXIXa.)
Spores oval, white, minutely papillose, 8x5ju. W.G.S.; elliptical,
hyaline, slightly papillose, 7—8x4—5^ Massee.
Edible. Stevenson, Curtis.
Maryland, Miss Banning; Indiana, H. I. Miller; West Virginia,
New Jersey, Pennsylvania. On willow, apple, cherry, maple, hickory,
etc. Frequent. August to November. Mcllvaine.
Frequently in large masses. Commonly broadly attached, but some-
485
Polyporaceae
Poiypoms. times with a short stem. Very occasionally a single pileus will protrude
from a tree like a giant yellow tongue shaded with reddish-orange.
Usually the pilei are in clusters united in a solid base, white-fleshed and
rich in color. I have seen clusters two feet across. On an old willow
at Mt. Gretna, a cluster 18 in. across afforded a dozen meals. When-
ever a meal was wanted a pound or two was broken off. It lasted until
January. If P. sulphureus is cooked properly it is a delicious fungus.
Cut fine, stew slowly and well, season, add butter, milk with a little
thickening.
P. macula'tllS Pk. — having macttfa-spots. Pileus of a cheesy con-
sistence, broad, flattened, sometimes confluent, sessile or narrowed into
a short stem, slightly uneven, white or yellowish-white, marked with
darker zones and watery spots. Pores minute, subangular, short,
whitish, sometimes tinged with brown. Flesh white.
Pileus 4-6 in. broad, 6-8 lines thick.
Prostrate trunks of trees in woods. Worcester. July.
In texture and shape this species is related to P. sulphureus, but the
pores are smaller than in that species. The plants are sometimes cespi-
tose, sometimes single. The spots in the dried specimens have a
smooth depressed appearance. Peck, 26th Rep.
Angora, West Philadelphia. September, 1896. Mt. Gretna, Pa.,
September, 1897-1898. On white oak trunks. Mcllvaine.
Several specimens of different ages proved good eating. Like P.
sulphureus it must be well cooked.
P. hetero'clitus Fr. Gr. — one of two; Gr. , to lean. In many ces-
pitose layers, coriaceous. Pilei 2% in. broad, orange, sessile, ex-
panded on all sides from a radical tubercle, lobed, villous, zoneless.
Pores irregularly shaped and elongated, golden-yellow. Fries.
On the ground under oak. Rare.
The flat pilei extend horizontally from the tubercle. Irregular, ec-
centric. Stevenson.
Minnesota, Johnson.
Haddonfield, N. J., Hopkin's woods. June to July, 1890-1896.
Mcllvaine.
Of all fungoid growth this is the most showy. Its clusters, often a
foot and a half in diameter and spread like mammoth dahlias, are gor-
486
Polyporacese
geous in color and conspicuous in design. Resting upon the ground or Poiyporus.
reared against the base of tree or stump, they deceive by their likeness
to gaudy bouquets, left by foreign picnickers. In quality it is the same
as P. sulphureus. It does not, however, retain its edibility. As it ages
it becomes offensive.
P. por'ipes Fr. — porous-stemmed. Pileus i-S-3 in. broad, rather
fleshy, sinuately repand, smooth, grayish-brown. Stem central or ex-
centric, firm, smooth, 1.5-3 m- l°ng» 4-6 lines thick, punctuated by
the whitish decurrent pores.
On earth in hilly regions.
Cap 2 in. across, light drab, smooth, slightly furfuraceous toward
center, broken into minute appressed squamules, zoned. Flesh fibrous,
white-pliable. Tubes very shallow, round mouths with obtuse divisions,
china-white, running down to base of stem. Stem eccentric, almost
lateral, entirely surrounded by pores, connate at base, % in. thick.
•Smell pleasant.
New York. Ground. August, Peck, Rep. 24; Mt. Gretna, Pa.,
August to November, Mcllvaine. A large tufted species growing on
the ground in woods, August to November, Mcllvaine.
When raw tastes like the best chestnuts or filberts, but rather too dry
cooked. Curtis.
It must be chopped fine and slowly cooked.
P. immi'tis Pk. — wide, rude. Pilei cespitose-imbricated, broad,
slightly convex or flattened, more or less rough or uneven, radiately-
wrinkled, tuberculose or fibrous-bristled, zoneless, white, becoming
tinged with yellow or alutaceous in drying. Flesh white, slightly fibrous,
soft and moist when fresh, cheesy when dry, with a subacid odor. Pores
minute, angular or even subflexuous, about equal in length to the thick-
ness of the pileus, the dissepiments thin, white, often at length dentate
or lacerate on the edge. Spores minute, white, elliptical, 3-4x18-20/4.
Pile! 2-4 in. broad, the flesh commonly 3-4 lines thick.
Decaying ash trunks. East Berne. August.
The species is apparently related to P. caesareus, but the character of
the pores is quite different in the two species. Peck, 35th Rep. N. Y.
State Bot.
Mt. Gretna, Pa. On dead black oak. August to November, il
487
Polyporacese
Poiyporus. Several clusters grew on dead black oaks. The pilei overlap and
the wrinkled corrugated margins curve downward, giving them the
semblance of shells. From a distance a group looks like Pleurotus
ostreatus. The substance is juicy ; while cooking it is at first bitter, but
this disappears. It becomes tender and well flavored.
P. alliga'tus Fr. — alligo, to bind to. In many cespitose layers,
fibrous-fleshy, rigid-fragile. Pile! tan-isabelline, imbricated, unequal,
zoneless, villous. Pores minute, soft, white, readily becoming stopped
up with flocci.
Often clavate when young. Commonly wrapping round stipules and
grasses. Fries.
Spores elliptical, pale, 6x//i Massee.
Woodland Cemetery, Philadelphia. Among oak trees on grassy
ground. July, August, September. Mcllvaine.
Tufts frequently weigh two pounds. When young the plant cooks
well, is tender and of sweet, pleasant flavor. When old it has a sour
unpleasant odor.
IV. — APUS.
P. chio'neus Fr. Gr. — snow. White pileus I in. and more broad,
fleshy, soft, becoming even, smooth, zoneless, often extended behind,
margin inflexed. Pores curt, very small, round, equal, quite entire.
Fries.
Always soft, fragile, hyaline-white when moist, shining white when
dry. Odor acid. Without a cuticle. Stevenson.
Spores white, oval, 21x3/1, W.G.S.
New York. Decaying wood of frondose trees. Peck, 33d Rep.
Angora, Philadelphia, Mt. Gretna, Pa. On standing and fallen
timber. June to September. Mcllvaine.
This snow-white Poiyporus is too conspicuous to be passed unseen.
One does not expect to find snow-balls stuck against trees in August.
At a distance it resembles one. When young and fresh it is good.
P. betuli'nus Fr. — betula, birch. PileilS fleshy, then corky, hoof-
shaped, obtuse, zoneless, smooth, the oblique vertex in the form of an
umbo, pellicle thin, separating. Pores late of being developed, curt,
minute, unequal, at length separating. Fries.
488
Polyporaceee
On living and dead birch. Common. May to December. Poiypoms.
Pileus 3-6 in. broad. The pileus is at first pale, then acquiring a
brownish tinge. The edge is always very obtuse. Stevenson.
The lower surface or hymenium is frequently rough with numerous
acicular projections, making the plant look like a Hydnum when viewed
horizontally. Peck, 24th Rep. N. Y.. State Bot.
Massachusetts, Kansas, New York. Peck, Rep. 24.
Wherever the birch grows this neat, white-fleshed Polyporus abounds.
When young it is eaten by deer. Dried it burns with a white flame,
or holds fire as well as the best punk. It is a valuable fuel, already
prepared for the stove. In the birch forests near Eagle's Mere, Pa.,
tons of it can be seen protruding from tree and log.
When very young it is fair. Unpleasant when old.
V. — RESUPINATI.
P. sinuo'sus Fr. — full of folds. Broadly effused, adnate, dry, the
evanescent mycelium somewhat rooting, white then yellowish. Pores
large, surface flexuous, acute, lacerated. Odor of licorice.
New York. Decaying wood of maple. Peck, 4Oth Rep.
Mt. Gretna, Pa. Mcllvaine.
Of but little food value. Collected carefully and boiled, it yields a
pleasantly flavored liquor.
489
Folyporaceee
MERU'LIUS Hall.
(Plate CXXVI, fig. 3, p. 478.)
Merulius. Hymenophore resting on a loose mold-like mycelium, covered with
the soft, waxy, continuous hymenium, having its surface variously
plicate or wrinkled, the folds forming irregular pores, sometimes obso-
letely toothed.
Generally on wood.
I have tasted, raw, every species I have found. They are all more
or less woody in flavor, and I believe them to be edible. At the best
Merulius would be an emergency genus. M. tremellosus is substantial,
as is M. rubellus Pk.
•M. tremello'silS Schrad. — tremellosus, trembling. Resupinate; mar-
gin becoming free and more or less reflexed, usually radiately-toothed,
gelatinoso-cartilaginous ; hymenium variously wrinkled and porous; whit-
ish and subtranslucent looking, becoming tinged brown in the center.
Spores cylindrical, curved, about 4x1/1.
On wood. From 1-3 in. across, remaining pale when growing in
dark places. Margin sometimes tinged rose, radiating when well de-
veloped. Mas see.
Spores cylindrical, curved, hyaline, 4x1 ju, K.
New York. Old logs, stumps, Catskill mountains. Peck, 22d Rep.
N. Y. State Bot.
Mt. Gretna, Pa. Common, both rose-colored and translucent brown
species, numerous on decaying wood. October to November, 1898—
1 899 . Mcllvaine .
M. tremellosus is a common species and rather attractive looking.
In substance it approaches Tremella and Peziza. The spore-bearing sur-
face is superior (turned upward) and then sometimes turned in at the
margin which frequently is bright rose color, sometimes yellowish-rose.
It is rather tasteless — slightly woody in flavor, rather tough. An emer-
gency species.
M. rubellus Pk. — rubelhis, dim. of ruber, reddish. Generally cespi-
tose, imbricated, sessile, dimidiate, soft, tenacious, tomentose, evenly
red, pale when dry; margin mostly undulately inflexed; hymenium
490
Polyporaceae
white or flesh-color; folds branching, forming anastomosing pores.
Spores elliptical, hyaline, minute, 4-5x2.5-3^.
Pileus 2-3 in. long, 1.5 in. broad.
Somewhat related to M. tremellosus.
On trunks of beech in woods.
Ohio, Morgan; Indiana, Dr. f. R. Weist; Mt. Gretna, Pa., Novem-
ber. Mcllvaine. Specimens identified by Professor Peck.
Tough, but edible.
491
Hydnaceae
FAMILY III.— HYDNA'CE^E.
Hymenium inferior or amphigenous (not confined to one surface),
from the first definitely protuberant, spread over persistent spines,
bristles, teeth, tubercles or papillae. Fries.
While the highest members of this family possess the general form of
the mushroom, others, lacking a stem, recline on the back (resupi-
nate) ; the lowest, without even the appearance of a distinct pileus,
seem to be simply spread over the supporting body (effused). In the
highest class the spines or other spore-bearing surface are inferior, i. e.,
below the pileus; in the others they are of course superior, i. e., above
the pileus.
Of the eleven genera but two contain species of food value. Hyd-
num, characterized by its acute spines, embraces species which are
eaten as delicacies, and Irpex, distinguished by its somewhat acute
teeth growing from a ridgy hymenium, contains those which may furnish
sustenance in time of need. In Caldesia, bearing spines, the texture is
floccose not fleshy. Sistotrema has a pileus and a central stem, but in-
stead of spines bears irregular flattened teeth. The remaining genera
are separated by the tubercles, granules, folds, etc., which take the
place of spines or teeth.
Several species of Hydnum are common to earth and wood, others
are distinct in their habitats.
SYNOPSIS OF THE GENERA.
HYDNUM. Page 494.
Sporophore fleshy, with a central stem or entirely resupinate, texture
compact, spines acute, distinct at the base.
CALDESIELLA.
Resupinate; texture floccose, spines acute; spores muriculate. (No
edible species reported.)
492
Hydnaceee
SlSTOTREMA.
Pileate; fleshy, central-stemmed, teeth flattened, irregular, inferior.
(No edible species reported.)
IRPEX. Page 504.
Resupinate; teeth rather acute, springing from folds or ridges that
often anastomose irregularly.
RADULUM.
Resupinate; tubercles coarse, deformed, subcylindrical, obtuse. (No
edible species reported.)
PHLEBIA.
Resupinate ; hymenium covered with folds or wrinkles, having the
edge entire or corrugated. (No edible species reported.)
GRANDINIA.
Resupinate; hymenium with crowded, globose, persistent, hemi
spherical, minute granules, having their apices more or less excavated.
(No edible species reported.)
POROTHELIUM.
Resupinate ; hymenium with scattered wart-like granules, which be-
come more or less elongated and excavated at the apices. (No edible
species reported.)
ODONTIA.
Resupinate ; hymenium densely covered with small granules that are
divided at the apices in a penicillate manner. (No edible species re-
ported.)
KNEIFFIA.
Resupinate; hymenium covered with very minute, barren, acute
spinules. (No edible species reported. )
MUCRONELLA.
Spines slender, elongated, acute, not springing from a sporophore or
subiculum. (No edible species reported.)
493
Hydnacese
Hydnunu
HYD'NUM.
Gr. — name for some edible fungus.
YMENIUM inferior, bearing awl-shaped Spines,
distinct at the base. Fries.
In this genus the spines proceed from an even
surface, not folded or wrinkled, and are covered
with the spore-bearing surface.
The forms are extremely variable, the type of
the first section, H. repandum, being easily mis-
taken for one of the Agaricaceae until examined,
the stem being nearly central and upright, while in other forms it is
lateral or absent. Some are dimidiate (as if part of the pileus had
been removed and the plant attached by the remaining portion) ; the
lower forms are resupinate.
ANALYSIS OF TRIBES.
MESOPUS (Gr. — middle, a foot). Page 495.
Entire, simple, stem central.
On the ground, mostly in pine woods.
PLEUROPUS (Gr. — the side; a foot).
Stem lateral.
None known to be edible.
MERISMA (Gr. — to divide). Page 501.
Very much branched or of an irregular form without a distinct mar-
gin.
APUS (Gr. — without; a foot). Page 503.
Stemless, dimidiate, margin distinct.
RESUPINATI (resupino, to throw on the back).
Without stem or distinct pileus.
None known to be edible.
494
Hydnaceae
MES'OPUS. Gr. — middle; a foot.
(Entire, simple, stem central. On the ground, mostly in pine woods.)
H. imbrica'tum L. — imbrex, a tile. Pileus about 2-5 in. broad, Hydnum.
umber, zoneless, fleshy, rather plane, somewhat umbilicate, fioccose,
tessulato-scaly. Flesh dingy whitish. Stem curt, 1-3 in. long, 1-2 in.
thick, even. Spines 4-6 lines long, decurrent, ashy-white.
There are two forms ; one with the pileus plane and with thick per-
sistent scales, another with the pileus somewhat infundibuliform, and
with thinner, at length separating scales. Stevenson.
Spores pale yellow brown, rough, 6-7x5;* Massee; 6x5/«, W.G.S.
Fleshy. The numerous scales over lapping toward the center. The
surface of the cap often cracks in a tesselated manner. Flesh dingy,
buffish or reddish. Spines short, blunt, grayish-white and mostly of
equal length.
In pine and mixed woods. Autumn.
Of delicate taste. Cordier. Edible. Curtis.
Fine specimens grew at Mt. Gretna, Pa., from September to Novem-
ber. Until closely examined the cap may be mistaken for that of H.
zonatum. The zones of the latter and the pervading rust-color will
distinguish it. Both are edible, though H. zonatum is much tougher.
H. imbricatum is slightly bitter, raw. It must be sliced thin and well
cooked.
H. Iseviga'tum Swartz — lavis, smooth. Pileus 4-6 in. broad, um-
ber, fleshy, compact, firm, regular, plane, even, very smooth, margin
circinate (not repand). Flesh whitish, compact, but by no means
fibrous, soft when fresh, pliant when dry. Stem short, thick, even,
pallid-brown. Spines thin, pallid-brown.
Its size is that of H. imbricatum, but it occurs twice as large, with
the pileus minutely rimuloso-rivulose, by no means scaly. The stem
varies curt and unequal or longer and equal. Quite distinct from H.
fragile. Stevenson.
Spores io-15/x, long, Massee; globose, waited, pale lemon-yellow,
7*Q>
In pine woods. August to October.
Edible, Curtis; edible, Leuba. "Eaten in Alpine districts." Barla.
495
Hydnaceae
Hydnnm. H. SCabro'SUm Fr.-
(Plate CXXXI.)
HYDNUM SCABROSUM.
Natural size.
scabrosus, rough. Pilens about 1^2-4 in. broad.
brownish-yellow, compactly fleshy,
at first top-shaped, then plane above,
very convex beneath, at first tomen-
tose, then rough with flocci which
are fasciculate in the form of minute
crowded squamules, slightly repand
at the margin. Flesh very thick,
white, descending into the stem.
Stem very curt, I in. long, and
equally thick, round or compressed,
dotted with the rudiments of spines
decurrent upon it, ash-color, attenu-
ated downward, roundish and black-
ish at the base. Spines 4 lines long,
equal, awl-shaped, dingy-rust color, whitish at the apex, at first sight
grayish-brown . Fries .
Spores 4-5/* diameter. Massee.
Hydnum scabrosum is frequently found in Pennsylvania, among pines
and in mixed woods where pines grow. It occurs at Mt. Gretna, Pa.,
and on Springton Hills under hemlocks.
The caps are soft, fleshy, and equal to H. repandum in quality.
H. squamo'sum Schaeff. — squama, a scale. Pileus 1-^-3 in. across,
reddish-brown, fleshy, irregular, depressed, smooth, breaking up into
irregular scales. Flesh whitish. Stem curt, attenuated downward,
white. Spines grayish-brown, whitish at the apex. Stevenson.
Spores subglobose, 5— 6ft diameter. Massee.
Pileus smooth and even when young. Flesh whitish. Spores gray-
ish-brown. Spines whitish, giving the lower surface a much lighter ap-
pearance than the upper.
Under hemlock and spruce in West Virginia, 1884. Mcllvaine.
Caps are good when sliced thin and well cooked.
H. subsquamo'sum Batsch. Pileus fleshy, somewhat convex, sub-
umbilicate, brownish-rust color, superficial scales soon dropping off;
spotted with brown. Stem stout, unequal, smooth. Spines whitish,
becoming brown, apex remaining whitish.
496
HYDNUM REPANDUM.
Hydnacese
North Carolina, Curtis; Alabama, Peters; Massachusetts, Sprague. Hydnum.
Edible. ' Curtis. Edible. Cordier.
H. repan'dum L, — repandus, bent backward (of the cap, upward).
Pileus 2-6 in. broad, pallid, etc.,
fleshy, fragile, somewhat repand,
rather smooth. Stem 2-5 in. long,
%— I % in. thick, irregularly shaped,
pallid. Spines 4 lines long, un-
equal, of the same color. Stevenson.
Spores pointed, 5-8/x. Massee,
Pileus sometimes depressed, often
turned upward at margin, often
waved, sometimes tomentose. Color
variable — light-buff, brown, pinkish,
reddish, Flesh- whitish, compact,
fragile. Spines conical, up to K in.
in length, whitish but rich creamy shades, mostly pointed, but some-
times appearing to be hollow. Stem central or eccentric, sometimes
covered with white down, thick, uneven, usually crooked, solid, fleshy,
light in color.
July to November.
Edible. Curtis.
Common to most countries, and, although given as a ground-growing
species, it is rather indiscriminate in its habitats. Woods, fields, leaf-
covered or bare places, much decayed wood and stumps are its living
places. Dr. Cooke thinks it irreproachable. Popularly it goes by the
name of the Hedgehog mushroom.
H. repandum varies greatly in shape, color and texture. In the open
it is usually symmetrical and tough ; when clustered it is irregular, often
fanciful and quite brittle — tender.
When sliced thin an hour's slow cooking is sufficient. All writers
commend it, and properly.
H. rufes'cens Pers. — ntfus, red. Pileus 2-3 in. across, thin, fragile,
usually regular, pubescent, reddish. Spines 1-3 lines long, regular.
Stem 1-3 in. long, commonly thin, nearly equal, reddish.
497
Hydnacese
Hydnum. The whole plant is reddish. In all other respects it resembles H.
repandum. Usually more regular.
Commonly found in woods. New York, Peck; North Carolina,
Curtis, Schweinitz.
Edible, Curtis. Edible, Leuba.
Fries considered H. rufescens a variety of H. repandum, and the
writer agrees with him. It is given distinct place here because Massee
and Stevenson — books in the hands of many students of fungi — give it
importance.
It is quite as good as H. repandum.
H. ferrugi'neum Fr. Pileus 1-4 in- across, cor^y, soft, convex,
then plane or depressed, irregularly pitted, ferruginous, at first with
whitish tomentum. Flesh ferruginous. Spines thin, acute, about 2
lines long, rusty-brown. Stem firm, 2-3 in. long, unequal, rusty-
brown. Spores subglobose, 4/1, diameter.
In fir woods. Often gregarious; soft when young, corky and dry at
maturity. Massee.
Mt. Gretna, Pa. November to December, 1898. Among pine
leaves.
Taste mild, mealy. Tough, but when young it cooks tender.
H. zona'tum Batsch. Ferruginous. Pileus 1-2 in. broad, equally
coriaceous, thin, expanded, somewhat infundibuliform, zoned, becoming
smooth, radiately-wrinkled , the paler margin sterile beneath. Stem
K— % in. long, 2—3 lines thick, slender, somewhat equal, floccose, base
tuberous. Spines I— i^ lines long, slender, pallid, then rust-color.
Stevenson.
Spores rough, globose, pale watery brown, 4^ diameter Massee.
New York, Peck, 24th Rep. Mt. Gretna, Pa. Abundant among
hemlocks; West Virginia. Mcllvaine.
Coriaceous. Edible. It will not cook tender, but yields a pleasant
flavor to a gravy made of its juices.
H. albo'nigrum Pk. Pileus convex or nearly plane, broadly ob-
conical, tough but soft and densely tomentose on the upper surface,
buff-brown or smoky brown, often wholly covered with a whitish downy
tomentum, sometimes on the margin only, substance within soft tomen-
498
Hydnacese
tose and buff-brown in the upper stratum, the lower half hard and black. Hydnum.
Spines short, at first white, then whitish or grayish. Stem short, often
irregular, compressed or growing together, blackish when moist, buff-
brown when dry, covered with a thick dense tomentum, which is fre-
quently more abundant toward the base, hard and black within. Spores
white, globose, 4~5/*.
Pileus 1-3 in. broad, sometimes 2 or 3 confluent. Stem 1—2 in. long.
Ground in mixed woods. Gansevoort. August. Peck, 5<Dth Rep.
N. Y. State Bot.
Specimens from pine woods New Jersey, T. J. Collins, September,
1897. i% in. across. Frequent at Mt. Gretna, Pa.
Edible. Good flavor, but tough.
H. velle'reum Pk. This species appears to be very much like the
preceding one (H. albonigrum Pk.) from which it is separated by its
smaller size and the paler brownish or rusty-brown substance of its
pileus and stem. Peck, 5oth Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
At Mt. Gretna, Pa., the species grows with H.. albonigrum. In
quality it is the same.
(Plate CXXXIII.)
H. al'bidum Pk. Pileus fleshy, thin, broadly convex or nearly
plane, subpruinose, white. Flesh
white. Spines short, white. Stem
short, solid, central or eccentric, white.
Spores subglobose, 4-5/4 broad.
The whitish Hydnum is uniformly
colored in all parts. It grows in
groups or in clusters. In the latter
case the caps are sometimes irregular
because of the crowded mode of
growth and the stems are occasionally
eccentric. It is a small species not
liable to be mistaken for any other
except possibly for very small pale
forms of the spreading Hydnum. But wholly white examples of this
species have never been seen by me.
The caps are 1-2 in. broad and the stems are generally about I in.
long and 3-5 lines thick.
499
HYDNUM ALBIDUM.
Hyduaceae
Hydnum. The plants grow in thin woods or in open bushy places and appear in
June and July. It is not a common species, and though well flavored
it is not of very great importance as an edible mushroom, because of its
scarcity and small size. Peck, 5ist Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Port Jefferson. July. This fungus has been tested and found to be
edible. Peck, 5oth Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Mt. Gretna, Pa., 1897. Specimens identified by Professor Peck.
Mcllvaine.
The caps are edible and superior to H. repandum.
H. fen'nicum Karst. Cap fleshy, fragile, unequal, at first scaly, at
length breaking up, reddish-brick color becoming darker, margin
undulately lobed, 2-4 in. broad. Flesh white. Stem sufficiently
stout, unequal below, attenuated, flexuous or curved, smooth, of the
same color as the cap, base acute, light white tomentum outside, inside
light pale-blue or dark-gray (wood-ash), 1-3 in. long1, .4-1 in. thick.
Teeth decurrent, equal, pointed, from white dusky, about 4 mm. long.
Spores ellipso-spheroidical or sub-spheroidical, rough, dusky, 4-6)". long,
3-5/u, broad.
Found in gravelly or sandy soil in woods.
Found at Angora near Philadelphia. Top cracked. Identified by
Professor Peck.
Occurs frequently at Mt. Gretna, Pa., ground in mixed woods.
August to September. The taste and smell are at first inviting, but
the extreme bitter which develops destroys all desire to eat it.
H. spongio'sipes Pk. Pileus convex, soft, spongy-tomentose, but
tough in texture, rusty-brown, the lower stratum more firm and fibrous,
but concolorous. Spines slender, 1-2 lines long, rusty-brown, becom-
ing darker with age. Stem hard and corky within, externally spongy-
tomentose, colored like the pileus, the central substance often trans-
versely zoned especially near the top. Spores subglobose, nodulose,
purplish-brown, 4-6/4 broad.
Pileus 1.5-4 in. broad. Stem 1.5-3 in. long, 4-8 lines thick.
Woods. Rensselaer and Saratoga counties. August.
This plant was formerly referred to Hydnum ferrugineum Fr. Peck,
5oth Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Found in pine woods, near Haddonfield, N. J., by T. J. Col-
500
PLATE CXXXIV.
O
z
c
O
O
D
m
D
z
c
£
n
>
"0
c
H
i
C
70
(S)
Hydnaceee
lins, September, 1897. Cap and stem dark brown. Spines darker. Hydnnnu
Stem swelling toward base, which then tapers in a long rooting way.
Cap umbilicate. Specimens identified by Professor Peck.
Edible but tough and uninviting. Yields a good fungoid flavor to
the water in which it is boiled.
H. gelatinosum Scop. Transferred to Tremelledon as T. gelatino-
sum, under which heading it is described and its edible qualities noted.
MERIS'MA. Gr. — a division.
(Very much branched or of an irregular form without a distinct margin.)
H. coralloi'des Scop. (Plate CXXXIV.) 6-18 in. across. Tufts
on wood. Pure shining white growing yellow with age, composed
wholly of attenuated interlacing branches % in. at base, tapering to a
point. Spines growing from one side of the branches, 3-4 lines in
length, awl-shaped.
Spores globose, 4-6/u. diameter Massee.
Peck, Rep. 22 ; Indiana, H. I. Miller; Massachusetts, Sprague; Cali-
fornia; West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Mcllvaine.
Edible. Curtis.
Grows upon standing and fallen timber which is attacked by decay.
Fir, oak, beech, ash, birch, hickory and other trees are inhabited by it.
August to frost.
This beautiful species can not be mistaken for any other. Its name
is the best guide to its identification. Dame Nature has made many
exquisite decorations for herself and this is one of them.
It is generally eaten, but is rare. Professor Peck speaks affectionately
of it as a gratuitous adjunct to his bill of fare when on botanical tramps
in the Adirondacks.
H. capnt-ur'si Fr. — bear-head. 6-8 in. high, 6-8 in. across. Tufts
usually pendulous, compact, white, becoming yellow and brownish.
Spines up to I in. long, round, pointed. Branches in every direction,
short. (Plate CXXXIVa.)
Closely resembling H. coralloides and in small forms with shorter
spines easily mistaken for it. Position of growth has much to do with
501
Hydnaceee
Hydnum. its shape and appearance. On fallen timber the branchlets and spines
may be erect.
New York, Peck, 44th Rep. ; North Carolina, Curtis; West Virginia,
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Mcllvaine.
Edible. Curtis. Edible. Peck.
Hydnum caput-ursi is common in West Virginia forests. It is con-
spicuous on standing oaks, and at a distance a puzzling object to one
not familiar with such excrescences. It grows on standing oaks near
Haddonfield, N. J., and sparsely at Mt. Gretna, Pa.
It is more compact, and is tougher than H. coralloides and H. Me-
dusae, but cooks tender and is very good.
H. caput-Medll'sse Bull.— head of Medusae. (Plate CXXXV.)
3—18 in. across, 2—8 in. high. Tufts pendulous. White then grayish.
Body compact, tapering to a solid base, more or less stem-like. Spines
covering entire surface. Those upon top are long, thin, straight or
distorted, growing shorter around and to the under side where they
are short and straight. The wavy appearance of the slender spines re-
mind of the snaky locks of Medusa, hence the name.
Edible. Curtis. Edible. Leuba.
On elms at Haddonfield, N. J. ; on oaks at Mt. Gretna, Pa., and in
Woodland Cemetery, and on elms in Washington Square, Philadelphia,
Pa. Mcllvaine.
Commonly eaten in Italy and parts of Austria ; rare elsewhere in
Europe. Occurring over the United States. Specimens eighteen
inches across were seen by the writer in the West Virginia mountains.
Mr. H. I. Miller, Terre Haute, Ind., sent me a fine specimen weigh-
ing loK pounds.
The American species, as far as seen by the writer, changes to a light
yellow when ageing. The entire fungus is edible and excellent, but the
tender spines and more delicate parts make a dish equaled by few fungi.
H. erina'ceum Bull. — erinaceus, a hedgehog. 2-8 in. and more
across. Tufts pendulous. White and yellowish-white becoming yel-
low-brownish, fleshy, elastic, tough, sometimes emarginate (broadly
attached as if tuft was cut in two, sliced off where attached), a mass of
latticed branches and fibrils. Spines i ^-4 in. long, crowded, straight,
equal, pendulous. Stem sometimes rudimentary.
502
PLATE CXXXV.
Photographed by Dr. J. R. Weist.
HYDNUM CAPUT-MEDUS^E.
Hydnacese
.
On trunks of oak, beech, etc. July to October. Hydnum.
Spores subglobose, 5-6ft diameter Massee; white, plain, 5x6/* W. G.S.
Alabama, Miss K. SkeJian; Pennsylvania, Mcllvaine; Massachusetts,
Sprague; New York, Peck, Rep. 22.
Eaten in Germany and France. Cooke.
A dead beech trunk at Eagle's Mere, Pa., in August, 1898, bore at
least fifty pounds of it. It draped one side of the tree from root to top
with yellowish, pendulous tufts, with spines up to 3 in. long, which
waved in the wind. The spines and tender parts were stewed, and en-
joyed by many. It shrinks very much in drying, becoming sour.
A'PUS. Gr. — without ; a foot.
(Stemless, dimidiate, margin distinct.)
H. septentriona'le Fr. — Northern. Fleshy-fibrous, becoming pale,
imbricated. Pilei not numerous, growing one above the other, plane,
behind thick, consolidated, margin straight, whole. Spines very
crowded, slender, equal.
The largest known Hydnum.
Received from E. B. Sterling, Trenton, N. J., September, 1897.
The specimens formed part of a dense fasciculate mass weighing over
20 pounds, growing on a beech stump. Edges of the young plant are
edible, but have little taste.
503
Hydnaceae
IRTEX Fr.
A harrow.
Irpex. Hymenium inferior, toothed from the first. Teeth firm, somewhat
coriaceous, acute, concrete with the pileus, arranged in rows or like
network, connected at the base by folds, which are gill-like (in sessile
species) or resemble honeycomb (in resupinate ones). Sporophores
4-spored. Growing on wood, somewhat growing from the side or upon
the back, approaching Lenzites and Daedaleae.
Irpex differs from Hydnum in having the spines connected at the
base, and in their being less awl-shaped and pointed.
It is reported as found well up in the northern States, but its species
prefer warm climates. Irpex contains no choice species, but all I have
tested can be eaten.
I. obli'qilUS Fr. — oblique. White, inclining to pale, effused (spread),
forming an adnate crust, circumference flaxy. Teeth extended from a
base resembling honeycomb, compressed, unequal ', incised, oblique, 2—3
lines long.
At first abundantly porous, but toothed from the first, at length quite
as in Hydna.
On stumps and dead branches. November to February. Stevenson.
This spreads in irregular patches on the surface of decaying wood.
The pores for a small space round the margin are round and distinct,
but toward the center are greatly lengthened out, lying one upon an-
other in an imbricated manner. The color is white at first, when old it
changes to a yellow-brown, and at last to a dirty fuscous black. Bolton.
At first it looks more like a small white orbicular resupinate Poly-
porus than an Irpex. Peck.
The species is common and can be collected at most times of the
year. When fresh and moist it can be shaved from its host plant.
Goodly quantities can thus be obtained. It stews to a firm gelatinous
mass of pleasant flavor. The lost hunter need not die of starvation in
any woods if he will but study the tree-growing fungi, and especially
the small species, hitherto insignificant in food circles.
I. car'neus Fr. — resembling the color of flesh. Reddish, effused, I-
504
Hydnaceae
3 in. long, cartilaginous-gelatinous, membranaceous, adnate. Teeth
obtuse and awl-shaped, entire, united at the base.
It inclines to Radula and Phlebia. Stevenson.
On tulip poplar, Haddonfield, N. J., September, 1892; on hickory,
Angora, Philadelphia, September, 1897. Mel lvalue.
The entire fungus is good, cooking like a Hydnum.
L defor'mis Fr. — deformed. White, effused, crustaceous, thin, cir
cumference pubescent, somewhat flaxy. Teeth extended in awl-shape
from a minutely porous base, thin, somewhat digitato-incised (cut in
finger-shape), 1-2 lines long. Fries.
It approaches the Polypori. Grows on wood. Stevenson.
North Carolina, Schweinitz, Curtis; Massachusetts, Frost.
Common on stumps and trees. The awl-shaped teeth, which have
the appearance of shreds, can be scraped from the fresh plant, or if
dried plants are moistened, the teeth are detachable, and are food-giving.
I. flLSCO-viola'ceus Fr. — fuscus, brown; violaceoiis, violet. Pileus
2 in. long, more than I in. broad, white inclining to hoary, effuso-
reflexed, coriaceous, silky, zoned. Teeth in rows in the form of plates,
brownish-violet, incised at the apex. Fries.
On pine trunks. Stevenson.
Decaying trunks of spruce, abies nigra. Adirondack mountains.
July.
Our specimens are not "silky," as required by the description, but
villose or tomentose-villose as in Polyporus hirsutus and P. abietinus,
the latter of which this species closely resembles. The hymenium,
however, is coarser, more highly colored and lamellated to such an
extent that young specimens might easily be taken for a Lenzites.
Peck, 30th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Found in West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere.
Mcllvaine.
Very common on logs of coniferous trees. It is difficult to collect it
entirely free from resin, which as a seasoning is not recommended.
505
Thelephoraceee
FAMILY IV.— THELEPHORA'CE-ffi Fr.
Gr. — a teat; Gr. — to bear.
Sporophore erect and stipitate, with a central stem, effused, with the
upper portion free and bent backward, or entirely resupinate. Hyme-
nilllll perfectly even or radiately wrinkled, glabrous or minutely bristled
with projecting cystidia; basidia normally 4-spored. Spores without
a division, colorless or colored. Massee.
In Thelephoraceae are shapes closely resembling those found in Hyd-
naceae, Polyporaceae and Agaricaceae. The genus Craterellus is closely
allied to Cantharellus, and, though the spore surface is much less
wrinkled or veined, resembles it in several of its species. Other types
show likeness to Merulius in Polyporaceae ; others to Tremellineae and
Clavariaceae. Many puzzles are presented by its species, but the solv-
ing is interesting.
Though populous it contains but few edibles. The best of them is
Craterellus cornucopoides.
SYNOPSIS OF GENERA.
A. SPORES COLORED.
Spores smooth.
CONIOPHORA.
Resupinate, dry and pulverulent. (No edible species reported.)
ALDRIDGEA.
Resupinate, soft and subgelatinous. (No edible species reported. )
Spores warted or echinulate. .
THELEPHORA.
Dry and fibrous, hymenium rugulose. (No edible species reported.)
SOPPITTIELLA.
Subgelatinous, effused or variously incrusting, hymenium even. (No
edible species reported.)
506
Theleph.orace8B
/
B. SPORES COLORLESS.
Parasitic on living leaves or stems.
EXOBASIDIUM.
Saprophytes growing on dead wood, branches, etc. Hymenium
minutely setulose with projecting cystidia.
PENIOPHORA.
Cystidia colorless, rough at the tip with particles of lime. (No
edible species reported.)
HYMENOCH^TE.
Cystidia brown, smooth. (No edible species reported.)
Hymenium glabrous.
CORTICIUM.
Entirely resupinate, hymenium usually cracked when dry. (No
edible species reported.)
STEREUM.
Effuso-reflexed, pileus silky or strigose, hymenium even. (No
edible species reported.)
CLADODERRIS.
Horizontal and attached by a narrow point behind, hymenium radiato-
rugulose. (No edible species reported.)
CRATERELLUS . Page 5 08 .
Large, erect, funnel-shaped.
CYPHELLA.
Minute, cup-shaped, mouth open. (No edible species reported.)
SOLENIA.
Minute, cylindrical, gregarious or crowded, tubular, mouth con-
tracted. (No edible species reported.)
507
Thelephoracesa
CRATEREL'LUS Fr.
Crater, a bowl.
Cratereiius. Hymenium waxy-membranaceous, distinct but adnate to the hymeno-
phore, inferior, continuous, smooth, even or wrinkled. Spores white.
Fries.
This, the only genus of Thelephoracese containing edible fungi, has
the form and general appearance of Cantharellus to which it is allied,
but it is distinguished by its nearly even hymenium, which in Canthar-
ellus has the form of gills, fold-like and thick but still distinctly gills.
The species vary from fleshy to membranaceous, all having a funnel-
shaped pileus and stem merging into it. On the ground. Autumn.
The slightly veined surface where the spores are borne, and the spores
themselves, when a microscope is brought to bear upon them, distin-
guish this genus from Cantharellus; and its thin flesh and funnel-shape
from the large forms of Pistillaria. Several of the species are edible.
It is probable that all are.
Toadstools, despite their name, are more popularly associated with
fairies than with toads. "Fairy rings," "Fairy Bread" and "Fairy
Clubs" are titles belonging to them, and these link us to the pretty be-
lief of childhood — a belief we often do not outgrow. A group of C.
lutescens or C. cornucopoides may well be likened to fairy trumpets,
or to a tiny orchestrion thrusting its horns through wood earth where
roots of stumps abound.
C. Cantharellus Schw. (Plate XLVI, fig. 3.) Cap 1-3 in.
across, convex, often becoming depressed and funnel-shaped, glabrous,
yellowish or pinkish-yellow. Flesh white, tough, elastic. Hymenium
slightly wrinkled, yellow or faint salmon color. Stem 1-3 in. high,
3—5 lines thick, glabrous, solid, yellow. Spores on white paper yel-
lowish or pale salmon.
Spores 7.5-10x5-6^ Peck.
West Virginia, Mcllvaine.
No one not looking for minute botanic details would separate this
species from Cantharellus cibarius, especially if found growing near or
with it. The pinkish tinge sometimes present in C. Cantharellus I have
never observed in C. cibarius. The present species is of equal excel-
lence.
508
PLATE CXXXVI.
Thelephoraceae
C. COrmiCOpoi'des Pers. — cornu and copies, horn of plenty. (Plate Cratereiius.
CXXXVI, fig. 8, p. 508.) Cap dark sooty shades of gray or brown
— shades of well-worn velveteen — 1-2 in. across, whole plant from 2-4
in. high, trumpet-shaped, or like a funnel with its open mouth, plane,
wavy, split or in folds. Substance very thin and either brittle or tough.
The inside is sometimes minutely scaly, the opening extending to the
base; outside, where the spores are borne, it has neither gills, pores nor
protuberances, but a slightly uneven surface varying little in color.
Stem obsolete or seldom noticeable. Odor slight.
Spores pointed, 1 1-12x7-8/4 Massee.
Grows single, clustered or in troops along shaded roads, or from leaf
mold and ground in woods. July to frost.
Large patches, clustered, grow near stumps in moist places on Bo-
tanic Creek, West Philadelphia. It is plentiful near Haddonfield, N.
J., at Mt. Gretna, Pa., and many other places in the United States.
It is not pleasant to look upon, because of its peculiar color, but
when one gets used to it it has an attractiveness of its own. Its graceful
shape, even its funereal hue and name — Trompet du Morte — are alluring.
It dries well, and when moistened expands to its normal size. It is
a first-class edible fungus. It should be stewed slowly until tender.
C. clava'tus Fr. — clava, a club. Pileus 2 in. broad, somewhat light-
yellowish, fleshy, top-shape, truncate or depressed, flexuous, unpolished,
attenuated into the solid stem. Flesh thick, white. Hymenium even,
then corrugated, purplish then changing color. Fries.
Spores elliptical, pale-yellow, 10- 12x4-5^ Massee.
Professor Peck notes that the species so closely resembles Cantharellus
cibarius that it might easily be mistaken for a deformed condition of it.
The resemblance to the yellow forms of Clavaria pistillaria is marked.
Massachusetts, Sprague, Farlow ; New York, Peck, Rep. 32; West
Virginia, Pennsylvania, Mcllvaine.
An excellent species. Its scarcity is regrettable.
C. du'bius Pk. Pileus infundibuliform, subfibrillose, lurid-brown,
pervious to the base, the margin generally wavy and lobed. Hymenium
dark cinereous, rugose when moist, the minute crowded irregular folds
abundantly anastomosing, nearly even when dry. Stem short. Spores
broadly elliptical or subglobose, 6-7.5/4 long.
509
Thelephoraceae
Cratereiius. Plant simple or cespitose, 2~3 in. high. PileilS 1-2 in. broad.
Ground under spruce trees. Adirondack mountains. August.
In color this species bears some resemblance to Cantharellus cinereus.
From Cratereiius sinuosus it is separated by its pervious stem, and from
C. cornucopoides by its more cespitose habit, paler color and smaller
spores. Peck, 3ist Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Mcllvaine.
Its edible qualities are in every way equal to those of C. cornuco-
poides.
C. Sinuo'sus Fr. — sinus, a curve. Strong scented. Pileus funnel-
shaped, downy, grayish-brown, margin undulated. Stem pale yellow,
elongated, stuffed. Hymenium with anastomosing ribs, grayish.
Spores elliptical, pale yellow, 8-9x5/4.
In woods, Pileus K — i in. high and broad. Stem about I in. high,
sometimes very short. Smell strong, musky. Hymenium becoming
tan-color when dry. Pileus more or less villose. Massee.
The above description is given so that Var. crispus which follows
may be compared with it. Fries considered var. crispus a good species.
Var. crispus — crispus, curled. (Plate CXXXVI, fig. 7, p. 508.)
Margin of hymenium sinuous and crisped. Pileus pervious. Stem
stuffed at base only. Hymenium almost even. Massee.
Solitary and cespitose in mixed woods.
Found by Dr. S. C. Schmucker near West Chester, Pa., 1896; Wm.
H. Rarer, Mt. Gretna, Pa., August, 1897.
Cap varies in color from dark to light brownish-gray. Gills brown-
ish-gray, almost even. Stem hollow, dark yellow. Smell strong,
musky, much like A. silvicola.
Substance tender and of markedly high and pleasant flavor.
Clavariaceee
FAMILY V.— CLAVARIA'CEJE.
Hymenium not distinct from the hymenophore, covering entire outer
surface. Somewhat fleshy, not coriaceous, vertical, simple or branched.
Fries.
For the most part growing upon the ground.
In this family there is no separation into stem and pileus, with the
spore-bearing surface restricted to gills or tubes, but the substance of
the plant is continuous, and the spores are produced on the clubs or
branches.
But three genera — Clavaria, Sparassis and Pistillaria — include species
of food value. They are easily recognized.
The genus Calcocera resembles Clavaria in form, but is very different
in material, being a jelly-like viscid, cartilaginous substance, horny
when dry, resembling that of Tremella.
SYNOPSIS OF GENERA.
SPARASSIS. Page 5 12.
Very much branched, branches compressed, plate-like, crisped.
TYPHULA.
Simple or club-shaped, with a thread-like stem.
CLAVARIA . Page 513.
Fleshy, simple or branched, branches typically round, some forms
club-shaped.
PISTILLARIA.
Club-shaped, simple, rigid when dry; usually minute.
PTERULA.
Branches numerous, slender, forming a tuft, or single, leathery, round
or compressed.
'Clavariace®
SPARAS'SIS Fr.
Gr. — to tear in pieces.
Sparassis. Fleshy, branched, with flat leaf-like branches, composed of two plates,
fertile on both sides, with four-spored sporophores. Fries.
Very beautiful plants of striking appearance.
Unfortunately they are not common, although they generally occur
yearly in the same locality.
S. Herb'stii Pk. Plants much branched, forming tufts 4-5 in. high
and 5—6 in. broad, whitish, inclining to creamy-yellow, tough, moist,
the branches numerous, thin, flattened, concrescent, dilated above and
spatulate or fan-shaped, often somewhat longitudinally curved or wavy,
mostly uniformly colored, rarely with a few indistinct, nearly concolor-
ous, transverse zones near the broad, entire apices.
Spores subglobose or broadly elliptical, 5-6x4-5^1.
Trexlertown. August.
Closely allied to S. spathulata Schw., but differs in its paler color
with no rufescent hues, more branching habit and absence of any dis-
tinct zones.
Four specimens were found at Mt. Gretna, Pa., during August, 1898.
These were not as symmetrical as S. crispa, which they closely resem-
bled in fold and texture. They were of equal excellence cooked.
S. lamino'sa Fr. — a thin plate. Base branching, straw-color.
Branches erect, crowded, growing together, straight at the top, zone-
less, entire.
North Carolina, Curtis. On oak log.
Edible, Curtis. "Deliciosa," Fries.
S. cris'pa ^r.—crispus, curly. (Plate CXXXVII.) Height 3-12
in., width 4-24 in. Tufts very handsome, whitish, oyster color or pale-
yellow, very much branched. Branches flat, leaf-like. Spore surface
on both sides, sometimes crimped on edges. Compacted into a round
mass, ending below in a solid rooting base.
Spores pale-ochraceous, 5-6x3-4/4 Massee.
Very variable in size. On ground in woods and grassy places in
open woods. Summer, autumn.
512
PLATE CXXXVII.
00
-o
>
JO
>
00
00
00
O
52
00
-o
Clavariaceae
North Carolina, Curtis; West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania,
Mcllvaine.
Have seen it 2 ft. across. " Delicosissima." Fries.
A perfect specimen of S. crispa resembles a huge rosette, round and
many-folded in tortuous design. The folds are wide, flattened branches
springing from a common base, thin, semi-transparent, not unlike damp
sheets of gelatine although thicker. Surfaces of the leaves are dull, like
the flattened seaweeds and the light-colored sea-rock mosses. S. crispa
may be easily dried, and though shrinking much in size, retains its
shape, forming a very pretty ornament for the desk of the mycologist.
It is not common. Where it has chosen a habitat several tufts may be
found during the moderate season. The writer found three specimens
ranging from 6-12 in. in diameter near Haddonfield, N. J., others, not
as large, in West Virginia and in Chester county, Pa.
It has long been known as edible. It makes an ever-to-be-remem-
bered dish.
CLAVA'RIA L.
Clava, a club.
Fleshy, branched or simple, somewhat round, without a distinct stem, ciavaria.
Hymenium continuous, dry, homogeneous. For the, most part growing
mi ground. Fries.
The members of this genus vary greatly in form, which in some is
that of a club growing singly or cespitose, while others present a more
or less bush-like appearance, being slightly or excessively branched.
The color of the plant covers a wide range, as it may be white, red,
yellow, violet or their various shades, and to be in harmony the spores
do not confine themselves to one color, but are white, ochraceous or
cinnamon. In cases where the plant is not otherwise well defined the
spore colors will be found a valuable aid in placing it.
ANALYSIS OF TRIBES.
RAMARIA (ramus, a branch). Page 514.
Branched, branches attenuated upward.
A. SPORES WHITE OR PALLID.
* Plant, color bright, red, yellow or violet.
** Plant white, gray or yellowish.
33 513
Clavariaceee
B. SPORES OCHRACEOUS OR CINNAMON.
Clavaria. * Plant yellow or dingy ochraceous.
** Growing on wood.
SYNCORYNE ( Gr. — together; a club). Page 523.
Clubs almost simple, tufted at the base.
HOLOCORYNE (Gr. — entire; a club). Page 524.
Clubs almost simple, distinct at the base.
. Excepting to toadstool hunters the Clavaria, though numerous, are
not known to those who "Know a toadstool when they see it." They
bear no semblance to the stereotyped toadstool. They seem to possess
an imitative faculty. Those growing among grasses harmonize with
the faded stalks under debris or the bleached surfaces of blades famish-
ing for sunlight ; those of the woods take on the color of the leaf mat or
of the lichens, and shapes of club and deer-horn mosses, or assemble in
groves as pigmy trees, boled and sturdy-branched in mimicry of their
giant protectors towering above them. In their forms many are deli-
cate, graceful, beautiful, others are intricate. There is fascination for
eye and brain in looking through the vistas and labyrinths of their
branches.
A few species are tough as shoe-strings; a few bitter; one, C. dicho-
toma, on the authority of Leuba, contains a minor poison. The genus
is plentiful and reliable. Many individuals are of marked excellence.
In soups, stews, patties, they remind one of noodles; sometimes of
macaroni. The hard parts of the stem should be removed, the branches
broken or cut in % in. lengths. If stewed, they require time and slow
cooking; if fried in butter they are crisp, choice bits.
RAMA'RIA — ramus, a branch.
Branched, branches attenuated upward.
A. SPORES WHITE OR PALLID.
* Plant, color bright, red, yellow or violet.
C. fla'va Schaeff. — yellow. Fragile, trunk thick, fleshy, white, very
much branched. Branches even, round, fastigiate, obtuse, yellow.
Fries.
5H
PLATE CXXXVIII.
Grouped by F. D. Briscoe — Studies by C. Mcllvaine.
Fro. PAGE. FIG. PAGE
1. CLAVARIA FUSIFORMIS, 523 3. CLAVARIA PISTILLARIS (DARK VAR.), 524
2. CLAVAHIA PISTILLARIS (YELLOW VAR.). 524
Clavariaceee
Height 2-4 in., 2-4 in. across; pale-yellow, dingy-yellow. Stem ciavana.
or trunk short, robust, whitish. Branches very numerous, dense,
fragile, erect, straight, lighter than the yellow tips (fading with age)
which are toothed. Flesh white. Spores white. Taste and odor
pleasant.
Woods and open places. June to frost.
Indiana, H, I. Miller; West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania,
Mcllvaine.
The C. fiava and C. botrytes have long been noted edible species,
liberally commended abroad and in the United States. Variations in
their structure are interchangeable ; variations in their quality are due
to environment. There is a slight difference in the measurement of
their spores, but the difference is not so great as between spores of the
same specimen. Specific differences may exhibit themselves in young
plants, yet disappear with age.
Plants for the table should be young and fresh. When aged or when
the ravages of insects appear, they should not be used, as they then
have an unpleasant taste which will effect a whole dish.
They should be cut into small pieces and stewed slowly for fully thirty
minutes. They can be seasoned and eaten as a stew or made into
patties.
C. botry'tes Pers. Gr. — a cluster of grapes (from shape). Height
3—4 in., 3—6 in. across, white, yellow, pinkish, dingy in shades of these
colors. Base thick, short, fleshy, unequal. Branches many, swollen,
thick, crowded, unequal, enlarged at the ends and divided into several
small branchlets which are sometimes reddish at tips. Flesh white.
Spores ellipsoid, sub-transparent, white, 8x5/4 Massee,
On wood earth. Common.
New York, Peck, Rep. 24; West Virginia, New Jersey, Mcllvaine.
A general favorite and highly esteemed in Europe. Edible. Curtis.
"When old the branches both of this species and of C. flava become
elongated, obtuse, very fragile, and of a uniform color. The yellow
tips of the latter and the red ones of the former species wholly dis-
appear." Peck, 32d Rep.
Excepting when young (not always then) the red tips to the branch-
lets can not be relied upon as distinctive features of this species. The
place of its growth and the character of the soil have very much to do
515
Clavariacese
ciavaria. with its size, and the color and quality of its flesh. A well-shaded thin-
soiled spot will, after a rain, grow pale, spindling, tender bunches,
having but a tinge of red upon the points; perhaps not any. A rich,
better lighted spot will produce more robust and highly colored plants.
The same can be said of C. flava. C. botrytes is plentiful in Pennsyl-
vania, New Jersey, West Virginia and like latitudes. It must be well
cooked.
C. amethys'tina Bull. — amethyst in color. (Plate CXXXIX, fig. i,
p. 516.) Height ^—3 in. Color violet, very much branched or al-
most simple. Branches round, even, fragile, smooth, obtuse, known
by its color.
Spores elliptical, pale ochraceous, sub- transparent, 10-12x6-7/1,
Massee.
Common in open woods and grassy places.
New York, Peck 3Oth Rep. ; West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jer-
sey, Mcllvaine. August, September.
Eaten in Europe, and by some preferred to any other.
A handsome species, very brittle, and though large, delicate.
C. fastigia'ta — fastigium, the top. Height 1-2 in., tufted, yellow.
Branches numerous, flexible, tough, equal, fastigiate (branches point-
ing upward), sometimes short and simple, when higher very much
branched.
Spores white, irregularly globose, 4-6/4 Massee.
In pastures and grassy places, during warm months.
North Carolina, Curtis; California, West Virginia, New Jersey, Penn-
sylvania, Mcllvaine.
Commonly eaten throughout Europe. In Germany they call it
Ziegenbart — goat's beard.
This is one of the species that has to be looked for. Grass tufts hide
it. Its yellowish stools are not unlike them in color. It is freely found,
and, though not of the best, well rewards the seeker.
C. niUSCOi'des — muscus, moss. Height i-iK in., slightly tufted,
yellow. Stem slender, tomentose at base, becoming two or three times
forked. Branchlets thin, tapering, crescent-shaped, acute.
Spores white, subglobose, 5-6/n Massee.
In pastures.
516
PI,ATI<: ( XXX IX
»
o 3; r.
Clavariaceee
.
North Carolina, Schweinitz, Curtis; Ohio; New York, Peck, 4/th ciavaria.
Rep.
Edible. Curtis.
C. Her'veyi Pk. Gregarious or subcespitose, simple or with a few
branches, often compressed or irregular, scarcely i in. high, golden-
yellow, sometimes brownish at the apex. Flesh white. Branches
when present, short, simple or terminating in few or many more or less
acute denticles. Spores globose, 7-5/A broad, minutely roughened;
mycelium white.
Ground under hemlock trees. Orono, Me. September. F. L.
Hcrvey.
Allied to C. fastigiata and C. muscoides, but distinct from both by
its more irregular and less branching character and by its larger spores.
Peck, 45th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Near Haddonfield, N. J., August, 1890, among scrub pines and
spruce. A pretty species of medium flavor.
* Plant white, gray or yellowish.
C. COralloi'des Linn. Height 2—4 in., usually tufted, growing into
each other, white. Trunk thick, short, much branched. Branches
repeatedly forked, compressed, hollow within, fragile, dilated upward,
tips crowded acute.
Occasionally the branches do not develop entirely and are obtuse ;
they then somewhat resemble in shape C. rugosa, but are not wrinkled.
Spores pale-ochraceous, pointed, iox8/* Massee.
Indiana, H. I. Miller ; West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania,
Mcllvaine.
A common edible species in Europe. Common in United States.
The writer has eaten it for many years. It is not always tender. It
should be young, fresh, and the branches alone cooked. It requires
slow, patient cooking if at all old. It does dry well, as stated by some
writers, but it does not wet well again.
C. cine'rea Bull. — cinis, ashes. (Plate CXL.) Height 1-3 in.,
gregarious or tufted, sometimes in rows. Gray. Stem either thin or
thick, short, lighter than branches. Branches very numerous com-
517
Clavariaceae
CLAVARIA CINEREA.
Two-thirds natural size.
Clavaria. (Plate CXL.) pressed, wrinkled, irregular, some-
what obtuse or flattened and divided
into slender points.
Its gray color easily distinguishes
it from others. It is variable in its
mode of growth and in its shape.
On ground in woods. Common.
June to frost.
Eatable, but injurious in quantities.
Cordier. Edible, but provokes in-
digestion in delicate stomachs.
Leuba.
Eaten generally in Europe. In
France it is called pied de cog.
Plentiful in United States, in mixed woods. June to frost.
The writer and his friends have eaten it for fifteen years, and know
of no Clavaria equalling it.
C. tetrago'na Schw. — Four-angled. Very fragile, deep orange-yel-
low, twice forked. Stem and branches quadrangular, 1-1^2 in. tall.
Moist shady places.
New York. Ground in shaded places. August and September.
Poughkeepsie, Gerard, Peck, 24th Rep. ; North Carolina, Schweinitz,
Curtis; Pennsylvania, Schweinits.
Edible. Curtis.
C. crista'ta Pers. — crista, a crest. (Plate CXLI, p. 518.) Height
1-5 in., whitish, tufts of broad flattened branches cut on margins or
crested. Base short, stout. Branches numerous, irregular, flattened
upward and divided like moose horns, tough, stuffed, dingy. This pe-
culiarity distinguishes it and separates it from C. coralloides.
Spores pale ochraceous, pointed, iox8/>i Massee.
Woods. Common. Summer and autumn. Indiana, H. I. Miller;
West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Mcllvaine.
Edible. Curtis.
After a summer rain the crested Clavaria is usually abundant where
there is good encouragement of mossy beds or mats of rich wood-soil
in woods where leaves and mold accumulate. It is not as tender as
518
PLATE CXLI.
Clavariaceee
many other species, but chopped fine and stewed slowly for an hour it
will be eaten with enjoyment.
C. rugo'sa Bull. — ruga, a wrinkle. White or dingy, simple or tufted,
2-4 in. high, branched from the base with irregular blunt branches
wrinkled lengthwise, sometimes thickened upward.
Distinguished by the distinct, irregular, longitudinal wrinkles.
Spores white, irregularly globose, 8— IO/M Massee,
In woods, solitary or gregarious. August to November.
North Carolina, Schweinitz, Curtis. Pennsylvania, Ohio.
It is reported edible by Dr. Curtis, M. C. Cooke and Dr. Badham.
C. pyxida'ta Pers. — pyxis, a small box. Tufted, light tan-color,
shaded with red, 1—3 in. high. Stem or trunk thin, smooth, variable
in length, dividing into many erect forked branches, which are cup-
shaped at the tips. The margins of these tips have slender branchlets
issuing from them (proliforme).
Distinguished by the cup-like tips. Spores white, 4x3/4 Massee.
On rotten wood, on rotten roots in ground. June and into the
autumn.
North Carolina, Schweinitz, Curtis; Pennsylvania, Mcllvaine.
Specimen sent by writer to Prof. Peck, June, 1897, and identified by
him. Not tested by writer, but is in Dr. Curtis' list of edible species.
C. subtil'is Pers. Scattered, slender, subtenaceous, pallid-white,
bases smooth and of equal thickness, branches few, forked, subfastigi-
ate.
North Carolina, Schweinitz, Curtis; Pennsylvania.
Edible. Curtis.
C. den'sa Pk. Tufts 2-4 in. high, nearly as broad, whitish or
creamy-yellow, branching from the base. Branches very numerous,
nearly parallel, crowded, terete, somewhat wrinkled when dry, the tips
dentate, concolorous. Spores slightly colored, elliptical, 7.5-10x5-8.5^.
Ground in woods. Selkirk. August.
Apparently closely allied to C. condensata, but differing decidedly in
color. Peck, 4ist Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Specimens identified by Professor Peck.
519
Clavariacese
Ciavaria. Large masses of it grew at Mt. Gretna, Pa., July, August and Sep-
tember, 1898, in mixed woods.
Brittle ; when young it is very compact. It is without much flavor,
but stews tender and makes a good dish.
B. SPORES OCHRACEOUS OR CINNAMON.
* Plant yellow or dingy ochraceous.
C. au'rea Schaeff. — aurum, gold. (Plate CXXXIX, fig. 2, p. 516.)
Trunk thick, elastic, pallid. Flesh white, dividing into numerous thick
branches that become repeatedly divided in a dichotomous manner
upward, and terminate in slender, erect, round, yellow branchlets.
Spores pale ochraceous, elliptical, io-iix5-6u.
In woods. Forming large tufts 2-3 in. high, colorless or almost so
below, tips yellow. Massee.
North Carolina, Curtis; Ohio, Alabama. Found in West Virginia,
1882; Devon, Angora, Eagle's Mere, Mt. Gretna, Pa.; Haddonfield,
N. J. August and September. Mcllvaine.
Eaten in Europe. Edible. Curtis.
In structure it reminds one of a miniature cropped Lombardy poplar.
The color is not bright, but dingy-yellow. Resembles C. flava; dis-
tinguished by different color of spores. The branches (not stem) are
tender and good.
Var. rufes'cens Schaeff.
This plant occurs after heavy rains. It sometimes grows in continu-
ous rows several feet in extent. The pinkish-red tips of the branches
fade with age. The axils are rounded and the plant is quite fragile.
Fries considers it a variety of C. aurea. Peck, 2 5th Rep. N. Y. State
Bot.
Found at Springton, Chester county, Pa., August, 1887. It is
edible and good. The plant is tender and easily cooked.
C. formo'sa Pers. — formosus, finely formed. (Plate CXXXIX, fig.
3, p. 416.) Height 2-4 in. Trunk I in. and more thick, whitish or
yellowish, elastic. Branches numerous, crowded, elongated, divided
at ends into yellow branchlets which are thin, straight, obtuse or
toothed.
Spores ochraceous 9x3-4^ Massee; elongated, oval, rough, i6x8/x
W.G.&
520
Clavariacese
On ground in woods, in large tufts, frequently in rows several feet ciavana.
long.
North Carolina, Schweinitz, Ctirtis; Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Mc-
ILvaine.
Esteemed in Europe. Edible. Dr. Curtis.
Common in the United States in woods. Variable. An orange-rose
color is sometimes prominent on the tips. The tenderer portions of the
plant are excellent, but must be well cooked.
C. spinulo'sa Pers. — spined. Height 2-3 in. high. Stem >6-i in.
thick. Trunk stout, short, whitish. Branches numerous, crowded,
erect, tense, elongated, tapering upward. Color cinnamon-brown or
darker.
Spores ochraceous, elliptical, I i-i 3x5-6^ Massee.
On ground in pine woods. August to October.
New York, Peck, 24th Rep. ; New Jersey, Sterling; Pennsylvania,
Mcllvaine.
Of same edible quality as C. aurea, which it resembles, excepting
that it is darker and less abrupt in the ending of its clusters.
C. flac'cida Fr. — flaccidus, flaccid. Height 1-3 in., bright ochrace-
ous, slender. Stem short, smooth, sometimes wanting, thin, 1—2 lines
thick, repeatedly branched. Branches crowded, unequal, flaccid,
upper ones forcep-shaped, pointed. Does not turn green when bruised
like C. abietina. The whitish mycelium creeps over the leaves on
which it grows. Brittle, tender, flesh white.
Spores ochraceous, broadly elliptical 4-5x3^ K.
Received from E. B. Sterling, Trenton, N. J.
Two specimens eaten. These were quite dry. After soaking they
were tender and had good flavor.
C. cir'cinans Pk. — circino, to make round. (Plate CXLII.) Stem
short, solid, dichotomously or subverticillately branched. Branches
slightly diverging or nearly parallel, nearly equal in length, the ultimate
ones terminating in two or more short acute concolorous ramuli.
Spores ochraceous.
Plant 1-2 in. high, obconic in outline, flat-topped, appearing almost
521
Clavariaceee
Havana. (Plate CXLII.)
as if truncated, pallid or almost whitish in color,
generally growing in imperfect circles or curved
lines.
Under spruce and balsam trees. Adirondack
mountains. August. Peck, 39th Rep. N. Y.
State Bot.
Where pines have grown, but where now oak
and chestnut trees make rather open woods, it
grows at Mt. Gretna, Pa. A stumpy fungus im-
pressing one as stunted. Its texture is solid.
It does not cook tender, but yields a fungus
flavor to the cooking medium.
** Growing on wood.
CLAVARIA CIRCINANS.
(After Peck.)
C. stric'ta Pers. — stringo, to draw tight.
Height 2-3 in. Color pale dull-yellow becom-
ing brown when bruised. Stem distinct, thick, short. Branches numer-
ous, repeatedly forked, straight, closely pressed, tips pointed.
Spores dark cinnamon, Fries; creamy yellow 4x6/4 W.G.S.
Var. fumida. The whole plant is a dingy, smoky-brownish hue,
otherwise of the typical form. Catskill mountains. September. In
the fresh state the specimens appear very unlike the ordinary form, but
in the dried state they are scarcely to be distinguished. Peck, 4ist
Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Eaten in Germany.
This form occurs in West Virginia mountains and at Mt. Gretna, Pa.,
Trenton, N. J., in August and September, among leaves in mixed
woods. It compares favorably with the ordinary run of Clavaria.
C. dicho'toma God. — dividing by pairs. Cespitose, white; branches
regularly dividing by pairs, elongated, flexuous, diverging, somewhat
compressed, extremities obtuse, rounded at or just below the apex
broadly compressed.
On the ground, under beeches.
"Notwithstanding its beauty this is dangerous. In 1883, when it
was very plentiful, I saw entire families sick from it and in 1888 there
was a repetition with new victims.
522
Clavariaceae
"It produces nausea, vertigo and violent diarrhea." Leuba. ciavaria.
I have not seen the plant.
SYNCO'RYNE. Gr. — together, a club.
Clubs almost simple, tufted at the base.
C. fusifor'mis Sow. — fusus, a spindle. (Plate CXXXVIII, fig. i,
p. 514.) Yellow, cespitoso-connate, slightly firm, soon hollow. Clubs
somewhat fusiform, simple and toothed, even, attenuated to the base
which is of the same color. Stevenson.
Spores pale yellow, globose, 4~5/* Massee.
Closely resembles C. inaequalis Fl. Dan.
Woods and pastures. August to November.
Received from E. B. Sterling, Trenton, N. J., August, 1897.
The clubs are -^g- in. through, 4 in. high, light clear yellow, trans-
lucent, clustered in groups of four or five united at the base.
Tender, well flavored, cooks easily.
C. auran'tio-cinnabari'no Schw. — aurantius, orange; cinnabaris,
vermilion. Orange-red; base white with a sub-hairy powder; clubs
simple, flexuous, fleshy, somewhat tenacious, fasciculate, thickened in
the middle and attenuated toward either end, at first cylindrical then
compressed, 6—7 mm. thick, 2-4 in. high.
Pennsylvania. On the ground among rhododendrons.
Received from E. B. Sterling, Trenton, N. J.
The plant when fresh is a beautiful rose color, inclining to orange at
the tips. It reminds one of the peach-blow vase color in some of its
shades. The single clubs, growing in cluster, to the height of four
inches, graceful in outline, exquisitely shaded, are a sight one lingers
over. While they invite the mycophagist to eat them, his voracity is
checked by their beauty. They are tender and delicious. It is regret-
table that thus far it has not been reported in quantity.
C. insequal'is Fl. Dan. — unequal. Height 2-3 in. club-shaped,
yellow, gregarious, single or in loose tufts, fragile, stuffed. Clubs club-
shaped or almost equal, simple, sometimes forked or variously cut at
tip, one color.
Spores colorless, elliptical, 9-10x5/4 Massee.
523
Clavariaceee
ciavaria. Woods and pastures. August to October.
Distinguished from C. fusiformis by the tips not being sharp-pointed
and colored.
North Carolina, Schweinitz; New Jersey, Sterling.
This Ciavaria is quite common in New Jersey. Its clusters are clear
bright yellow and conspicuously pretty. The clubs are translucent and
smooth. Excepting in color it resembles C. aurantio-cinnabarino. In
the many specimens seen there was nothing to suggest the propriety of
the name, excepting height of clubs.
A dish of it is a delicacy.
C. vermicula'ris Scop. — vermis, a worm. Height 1-2 K in., white,
tufted. Clubs simple, quill-shaped, stuffed, awl-shaped, brittle, pointed.
Spores white, elliptical, 4x3/4 Massee.
New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio. Thin grassy woods
and among grass. July to October.
Edible. Cordier.
Common in southern New Jersey, and in warm soils from June to
frost. When growing among grass it is not conspicuous and is often
missed unless specially sought for. Its purity, its choice of refreshing
abode, its excellent qualities, make it select among Ciavaria.
HOLOCO'RYNE. Gr. — entire; Gr. — a club.
Clubs almost simple, distinct at the base.
C. pistillar'is L.—pistilhim, a pestle. (Plate CXXXVIII, figs. 2,
3, p. 514.) Height 2-12 in., up to I in. and more thick, color light
yellow, ochraceous, brownish, chocolate. Clubs Indian-club shape,
ovate-rounded, puckered at top, simple, fleshy, white within, spongy,
exterior smooth or more or less wrinkled, usually with smooth base.
Spores white, 10x5/1 W.G.S.; 9-1 1x5-6/4 Massee.
Mixed woods, moss and grassy places. August until November.
North Carolina, Pennsylvania, California, Alabama.
Eaten in Poland, Russia and Germany.
The writer first found this truly club-like species in West Virginia in
1882, and ate it. But few specimens were found, and those of a dark
chocolate color. At Mount Gretna in 1897 an<3 1898 the yellow va-
524
Clavariaceae
riety grew in considerable quantity from July until after frost. The ciavaria.
largest specimen found measured 5)^ in. and was I in. in diameter at
its thickest part. The average height is 2% in. Both varieties grew
in mixed woods from the leaf-covered ground. They are often clus-
tered, four or five together, and of different sizes. The surface, especi-
ally of the dark variety, is regularly, vertically wrinkled, truncated in
few places, very much resembling that of the Craterellus cantharellus.
The stems of both are white. The apex of the clubs is folded inward
as though pulled by drawing-strings.
The flesh is soft, white, fine grained. A slight bitter is present in the
dark variety, when raw, which entirely disappears upon cooking. This
is one of the best of Clavariae.
C. clava'ta Pk. Simple, straight, clavate, obtuse, smooth, not hol-
low, yellow when fresh, rugose-wrinkled and orange-colored when dry,
4-6 lines high.
Damp shaded banks by road-sides. Sandlake. June. Peck, 25th
Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Patches of it are conspicuous — golden-hued upon somber back-
ground. They are seen at Eagle's Mere, Mt. Gretna, and on the
Springton Hills, Pa., along wooded road-sides. Raw, they have a mild,
pleasant flavor, and have the same when cooked. A small species sel-
dom found in sufficient quantity to make a comforting dish.
525
Tremellaceee
FAMILY VI.— TREMELLA'CEJE Fr.
Whole fungus homogeneous, gelatinous, shrivelling when dry, reviv-
ing when moistened, pervaded internally with branched filaments,
terminating toward the surface all round in sporophores. Spores trans-
parent, from globose to sausage-shape and curved, sometimes septate.
Fries.
The Tremellaceae, as their name signifies, tremble, because jelly-like
when moist. They are hard, tough, horny when dry, but swell and
become gelatinous when wet. In the typical genus, Tremella, there is
often but little consistency. Whoever has climbed an old rail fence on
a rainy day has had the doubtful pleasure of acquaintance with some of
them. Sections for the microscope are obtainable by hardening them
in alcohol.
There are several edible species in the family. They are good in
soups, giving them flavor and body, and some are excellent when
stewed.
SYNOPSIS OF GENERA.
Sub-Family — Auricularieee. Page 528.
AURICULARIA.
Broadly attached, margin free and reflexed. (No edible species re-
ported.)
HlRNEOLA. Page 528.
Cartilaginous, ear-shaped, attached by a point.
Sub-Family — Tremellineee. Page 5 29.
EXIDIA.
Cup-shaped, truncate, or irregularly lobed ; spores reniform, producing
curved sporidiola on germination. (No edible species reported.)
ULOCOLLA.
Pulvinate and gyrose; spores reniform, producing rod-shaped sporidi-
ola on germination. (No edible species reported.)
526
Tremellacese
.
TREMELLA. Page 529.
Brain-like or lobed ; spores globose or ovoid.
N^MATELIA.
Firm, convex, with a central hard nucleus. (No edible species re-
ported.)
GYROCEPHALUS.
Erect, spathulate. (No edible species reported.)
TREMELLEDON. Page 533.
Gelatinous, tremelloid, fan-shaped, fleshy; hymenium with distinct
spines.
Sub-Family — Dacryomycetese.
DACRYOMYCES.
Small, pulvinate and gyrose. (No edible species reported.)
GUEPINIA.
Irregularly cup-shaped, hymenium on one surface only. (No edible
species reported.)
DACRYOPSIS.
Hymenium at the apex of a short stem, bearing conidia and spores.
(No edible species reported.)
DlTIOLA.
Stem distinct, bearing the hymenium at its expanded apex. (No edi-
ble species reported.)
APYRENIUM.
Subglobose or lobed, hollow. (No edible species reported.)
CALOCERA.
Subcylindrical and erect, simple or branched. (No edible species re-
ported. )
527
Tremellaceee
Sub-Family — AuriculariesBr
HIKNE'OLA Fr.
Hirnea, a small jug.
Gelatinous, rather cartilaginous, soft and tremulous when moist, but
not distended with jelly, horny when dry, becoming somewhat cartila-
ginous when moistened. The hard skin forming the hymenium, which
covers the cup-shaped cavity and is of a different color, can be sepa-
rated entire after a thorough soaking in water. Sporophores (spore-
bearing processes) not involved in jelly. Spores oblong, curved. Fries.
A very peculiar and distinct genus separated from the neighboring
genera by its disk-like, somewhat cup-shaped cavity and by its not be-
ing distended with jelly.
(Plate CXLIII.)
H. auri'cula-Jllde'a (Linn.) Berk. — Jew's ear. 1-4 in. across, thin,
and flexible when moist, hard when dry,
date-brown or blackish. Hymenium veno-
so-plicate (vein-plaited), forming irregu-
lar depressions such as are in the ear, yel-
lowish-gray or grayish beneath and hairy.
The large depressions or corrugations
branch from smaller ones near the center of
the plant.
Spores 20-25x7-9/4 Massee.
H. auricula-Judea is not very particular
in the trees it patronizes. Elm, maple,
hickory, balsam-fir, spruce, alder bear it.
When the plant grows on upright timber it
usually turns upward. It is not generally
reported in the United States.
Ohio, Maryland, Miss Banning; Indi-
ana, H. I. Miller; New York, Peck; New
Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Me-
Ilvaine. Extensively used in China, where eating it probably ante-
dates all European records by several thousand years. It is brought
there dried from Tahiti in great quantities and made into soup.
The writer has found and eaten several specimens of it. It is not as
tender as other gelatinous species, but it is an oddity that pleases.
528
HlRHEOLA AURICULA-JUDKA.
A.bout two-thirds nat. size.
Tremellacese
Sub-Family — Tremellineae.
TREMEL'LADill.
Tremo — to tremble.
Distended with jelly when moist, tremulous, without a defined mar- Tremeiia.
gin and without nipple-like elevations. Spore-bearing processes globose,
becoming divided into four parts, each division producing an elongated
free point terminating in a simple spore. Fries.
Distinguished by its peculiarly convoluted habit and jelly-like sub-
stance, which is more or less inclined to be cartilaginous.
Exidia, similar in form, is separated by possessing minute nipple-like
elevations and Hirneola by its distinct difference in form.
Generally growing on dead wood ; some species are found on trees
and others on the ground, etc.
Old tradition, in many countries, attests that the Tremellas are Fairy
bread, and T. albida the choicest baking. Pretty, indeed, must have
been the feasts when piles of such purity filled the board, and the bril-
liant Pezizae were wassail cups.
They are better suited to Fairy appetites than to those of mortals ;
being watery their nutritive value is small. Nevertheless they have
dainty flavor.
So far as tested no suspicion rests upon Tremellae.
ANALYSIS OF TRIBES.
MESENTERIFOR'MES (Gr. — the mesentery). Page 530.
Gelatinous inclining to cartilaginous, foliaceous, naked.
CEREBRIN/E (cerebnun, the brain). Page 530.
Firm, then pulpy, somewhat pruinose with the spores.
CRUSTA'CE^E (crusta, a crust).
Diffused, becoming plane.
TUBERCULIFOR'MES (tuberculum, a little tuber).
Small, somewhat erumpent.
34 529
Tremellacese
I. — MESENTERIFOR'MES. Gelatinous, inclining to cartilaginous.
Tremelia. T. fimbria'ta Pers. — fimbria, fringe. Olivaceous inclining to black,
cespitose, clusters 2-3 in. high and even broader, erect, corrugated;
lobes flaccid, incised at the margin, undulately fringed.
When soaked with water it has a dark tawny tinge. Stevenson.
Spores subpyriform.
On roots, dead branches, stumps, rails, etc.
From July to December, 1898, tufts five inches in diameter grew
from an oak stump close by the writer's cottage at Mt. Gretna, Pa.
These tufts dried, and revived after rain into a gelatinous condition.
They were nibbled at raw, and several were cooked. Tufts were found
elsewhere in the same woods and eaten by others. They were unani-
mously approved. The species dries hard, like thin glue, but is darker.
A dried piece swells in the mouth, grows tough, and has but little taste.
Flavor develops in cooking.
T. lutes'cens Pers. — Ititcus, yellow. Yellowish, cespitose, small,
cluster % — i in. broad, very soft, circling in wavy, undulating folds;
lobes entire, naked.
Inclining to be fluid. Whitish when young. Stevenson.
Spores subglobose, 12-16/1 diameter Massee.
North Carolina, common. Curtis.
On decaying branches, stumps, etc.
July to February.
It dries and revives, or swells with
moisture, very soft and tremulous.
Edible. Leuba.
II.— CEREBRINjE. Firm then pulpy , etc.
T. mesenter'ica Retz. Gr. — the
mesentary. Gelatinous but firm,
bright orange-yellow, variously con-
torted; lobes short, smooth, pruinose
with the white spores at maturity.
Spores broadly elliptical, 6-9/u. diameter ;
conidia 1-1.5/11 diameter.
On dead branches. Very variable in
530
(Plate CXLIV.)
TREMELLA MESENTERICA.
Natural size.
Tremellaceee
form but known by the bright orange color. From K-2 in. across. Tremeiia.
Mas sec,
North Carolina. Common, edible. Curtis; California, Ohio, West
Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. Mcllvaine. Dr. J. R. Weist,
Richmond, Ind., November, 1898, sent me fine specimens.
Very common as an apparent exudation from sticks, branches and
rails. It can usually be collected in quantity from June until far into
the winter. It can be found in every month in the year.
During the civil war the writer's first attempt at making a dish of
cornstarch resulted in getting it into knots. T. mesenterica, when stewed,
very much resembles these same knots. It has a mild, woody flavor,
slightly sweet, and is good.
Suborbicular, depressed,
(Plate CXLIVa.)
T. myceto'phila Pk. (Plate CXLIVa.)
circling in folds, tremelloid-fleshy, slightly
pruinose, yellowish or pallid, 4—8 lines
broad. Peck, 28th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Haddonfield, N. J., August, 1895.
Mcllvaine.
Professor Peck notes it as found para-
sitic upon Collybia dryophila.
I found T. mycetophila growing para-
sitic upon Marasmius oreades, August,
1894. The mass was 2 in. in diameter.
Separating them was taking the host from
the parasite. Cooked it is glutinous, ten-
der— like calf's head. Rather tasteless.
T. al'bida Huds. — albidus, whitish.
Whitish, becoming dingy-brown when
dry, I in. broad, ascending, tough, ex-
panded, undulated, somewhat circling in
folds, powdered. Stevenson.
Spores oblong, obtuse, curved, 2-guttate, subhyaline, 12-14x4— 5/u. K.
Where birch, sugar-maple, hickory are in abundance the T. albida
will be found. At Eagle's Mere and Springton, Pa., and other wooded
places, it is common during the warm months. It has slight taste,
sweet, woody, but makes a pleasant dish.
531
TREMELLA MYCETOPHILA on
COLLYBIA DRYOPHILA.
(After Peck.)
Tremellacese
T. intlimes'cens Eng. Bot. — intumesco, to swell up. Gelatinous; sub-
cespitose, rounded, broken up into numerous tortuous lobes, brown,
shining, obscurely dotted, becoming darker when dry. Spores oblong,
slightly curved, 12— 14x3— 4;*.
From 1-2 in. across. Massee.
Entire year, but dried or frozen during winter, swelling in wet
weather.
North Carolina. Common. Curtis. West Virginia, Pennsylvania,
New Jersey, Mcllvaine.
T. intumescens is not rare in West Virginia, or where beech logs are
in plenty, though it does not confine itself to beech. It occurs on
maples and some other woods.
It resembles the T. mesenterica in taste, but is sweeter. It is not as
large, but is equally good.
532
Tremellaceae
TREMEL'LODON Pers.
Tremo, to tremble.
Gelatinous, pileate, prickly below, spines awl-shaped, equal. Fries. Tremeiiodon.
The members of this genus resemble in form the section Mesopus of
Hydnum and have the same awl-shaped spines, but differ in their gela-
tinous consistency and fructification.
(Plato CXLV.i
T. gelatino'sum Pers. — gelatina, jelly. PileilS covered with a green-
ish-brown bloom, gelatinous, tremu-
lous, dimidiate, somewhat stipitate,
covered with small pimples. Spines
soft, glaucous.
On fir, trunks and sawdust.
September to October. Stevenson.
Of singular beauty, almost trans- \ V\ W$''>;XM$;$$
* It \ V\i'iV'.'i AHwV ''• •••'•'
lucent with steel-blue tints shading
. i m WV|'l''Wi>'';''V
into violet, while the spines are of a MJfln/i \ \ ii1i;»^f
pure soft white.
Spores round, somewhat irregu-
lar, white, 2ju. W.G.S.
Can not be confounded with any.
The only gelatinous spiny fungus.
North Carolina, Schweinitz, Curtis; Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Far-
low, Frost; New York, Peck, Rep. 22. T. gelatinosum is well distributed
over the United States but is not reported in quantity. It is an autumnal
grower, lasting well into the winter. The writer found specimens near
Haddonfield, N. J., in February, 1894, and sent them to Professor
Peck. It is delicious when slowly stewed.
TREMELLODON GELATINOSUM.
533
Discomycetes
SUB-CLASS ASCOMYCETES.
The reproductive bodies consisting of sporidia mostly definite, con-
tained in asci — mother cells or sacs — springing from a naked or enclosed
stratum of fructifying cells and forming a hymenium or nucleus. The
sporidia are often accompanied by simple or branched threads, which
are abortive asci, called paraphyses.
In Hymenomycetes the spores are entirely unenclosed and are borne
on stalk-like processes on the gills of Agaricaceae, in the tubes of Poly-
poraceae, on the spines of Hydnaceae, etc. In Ascomycetes they are
enclosed in sacs springing from the external layer of the fruit-bearing
surface, which may be on the outer surface of the plant or enclosed.
COHORT DISCOMTCETES. Gr.-a. sac; Gr.-a fungus.
The most important distinctive feature of Discomycetes consists in
the disk or hymenium being fully exposed at maturity. It includes
families which contain choice edible species.
FAMILY.— HELVELLA'CB^J.
Fleshy, waxy or gelatinous; hymenium or sac-bearing surface ex-
posed at first, or at length more or less exposed. Where a distinct
stem is present it is surmounted by a more or less definite pileus or the
stem is expanded into a club-like head. In Peziza the definite stem is
absent and the plant is seated on the supporting surface.
Many more genera than are noted below are included in Helvellaceae,
but are not known to contain edible species.
SYNOPSIS OF THE GENERA.
* Margin only or whole of pileus free from sides of stem.
HELVELLA. Page 536.
Pileus drooping, irregularly waved and lobed.
534
Helvellaceee
VERPA. Page 539.
Pileus drooping, regular, margin entire, thimble-shaped.
LEOTIA. Page 540.
Pileus fleshy, discoid.
** Pileus adnate throughout to the stem.
MORCHELLA. Page 541.
Surface of pileus furnished with stout, anastomosing ribs bounding
deep irregular pits.
GYROMITRA. Page 546.
Surface of pileus covered with rounded, variously contorted folds.
MITRULA. Page 548.
Pileus subgiobose or clavate, surface even.
SPATHULARIA. Page 549.
Pileus flattened, running down the stem for some distance on op-
posite sides.
GBOGLOSSUM. Page 550.
535
Helvellaeeee
HELVEL'LA Linn.
A small pot herb.
Heiveiia. Stem of medium thickness. Pileus hanging loosely over the stem,
more or less folded, but not into pits. Hymenium on the upper side
only.
Helvetia esculenta is now Gyromitra esculenta, and is in bad repute.
Meanings of the unfamiliar words are too lengthy to give in the de-
scriptions of species. They are in the Glossary.
Dr. Badham says: "All Helvellae are esculent, have an agreeable
odor, and bear a general resemblance in flavor to the Morell."
H. cri'spa Fr. — curled.
(Plate CXLVI.)
Pileus deflexed, lobed or variously con-
torted, white or whitish. Stem
equal or slightly swollen at the
base, deeply and uninterruptedly
grooved, white or whitish. Spores
elliptical, i8x22/* long. Peck, 48th
Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Distinguished from all other spe-
cies by the stout, costate, lacunose,
hollow stem; entirely glabrous, fra-
gile and with a semi-transparent
look. Color variable, included un-
der the following forms :
Var. al'ba. Pileus whitish.
Var. Gremtlei. Under surface
of the pileus reddish; stem white.
Var. incarnata. Pileus and stem flesh-color.
Var. ful'va. Pileus yellowish or tawny. Massee.
Pileus whitish, flesh-colored or yellowish, deflexed, lobed, at length
free, crisped. Stem hollow, ribbed outside forming deep pits, 3-5 in.
high, snowy white.
Edible. Badham, Cordier, Cooke, Berkeley, Peck.
West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Mcllvaine.
H. crispa is white and variable in shape of cap. In its color it differs
from all others of its genus. It is found in the woods only, from July
until frost. It is not usually abundant. It is an esculent species and
good of its kind.
HELVELLA CRISPA.
Natural size.
Helvellacese
H. Califor'nica Phillips. PiletlS bell-shaped or saddle-shaped, de- Heiveiia.
flexed, sublobate, free, veined beneath, purplish-brown. Stem longi-
tudinally pitted between ridges, rosy-pink. Asci cylindrical, narrowed
toward the base. Sporidia 8, elliptical, binucleate, i/xQ/u,; paraphyses
linear, clavate and brown at the apices.
2-6 in. in diameter. Stem 2-6 in. high, .75-1.5 in. in diameter.
On the earth in dense forests near rocks. Sierra Nevada mountains;
California, Harkness.
Edible. Harkness.
It presents characters essentially different from those of any species
hitherto described. Its nearest ally is H. crispa, from which it differs
in the color of the hymenium and stem and in being a larger species.
H. lacuno'sa Afzel. — uneven, pitted. Pileus inflated, lobed, cinere-
ous-black, lobes deflexed, adnate. Stem white or dusky, hollow, ex-
terior ribbed, forming intervening cavities ; asci cylindrical, stemmed;
sporidia ovate, hyaline.
Solitary or gregarious ; very variable in size.
North Carolina, Curtis; Massachusetts, Sprague, Frost; White
mountains, Farloiv; Rhode Island, Bennett; California, H '. and M '.
Edible. Cordier, Berkeley, Bad/iam, Cooke, Curtis.
H. SUlca'ta Afzel. — furrowed. Pileus deflexed, equally 2-3 lobed,
even, compressed, darker when dry. Stem 2 in. long, 4-5 lines thick,
stuffed, equal, longitudinally furrowed. Spores very broadly elliptic,
with a single large globose nucleus, 15-18/4 long B. and Br.
Solitary, rarely gregarious.
Var. minor Clem. Bot. Surv. of Neb. Univ. of Neb. Pileus .8—1.2
in., rarely 3.2 in. wide, .8-2 in. high. Stem .8-1.2 in., rarely 4 in.
high, .6—1.4 in. wide; sporidia 15x10^.
On shady ground. Otowanie woods, Lancaster county.
The prominent character in this species, as indicated by the name, is
the sulcate stem. The furrows are very deep, and extend, without
interruption, the entire length of the stem. The whole stem, as shown
by a cross-section, is made up of the costae intervening between these
furrows. I do not find the stem "stuffed," as required by the descrip-
tion in Syst. Myc., Vol. II, p. 15. The pileus is generally darker than
that of H. crispa. Peck, 3ist Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
537
Helvellaceee
Heiveiia. On decaying wood, stumps, trunks. Spring until autumn.
Known to be edible. Peck.
H. elos'tica Bull. — elastic. Pileus free from the stem, drooping,
2-3 lobed, center depressed, even, whitish, brownish or sooty, almost
smooth underneath, about 2 cm. broad. Stem 2-3.5 m- high, 3-5
lines thick at the inflated base; tapering upward, elastic, even or often
more or less pitted, colored like the pileus, minutely velvety or furfur-
aceous, at first solid, then hollow. Spores hyaline, smooth, continu-
ous, elliptical, ends obtuse, often i-guttulate, 18-20x10-1 I/A; i-seriate;
paraphyses septate, clavate. Massee.
It is not uncommon to find the pileus attached in one or two points
to the stem. Peck, 32d Rep.
Var. al'ba (Pers.) Sacc.
On decaying wood. August to frost.
Massachusetts, Frost; Rhode Island, Bennett; Nebraska, Clements;
New York, Peck, Rep. 24, 32, 51.
Edible. Unger, Cordier. Known to be edible. Peck.
H. ill'fllla Schaeff. — a head dress. Pileus hooded, in 2-4 irregular,
drooping lobes, at length undulate, strongly adherent to the sides of the
stem, reddish-brown or cinnamon more or less deep in color, whitish
and downy underneath, 1.5-3 in- broad. Stem \%-2% in. long, >^
in. and more thick, usually smooth and even, sometimes compressed
and irregularly pitted, pallid or tinged with red, covered with a white
meal or down, solid when young but becoming hollow with age; asci
cylindrical, apex somewhat truncate, 8-spored. Spores hyaline,
smooth, continuous, elliptical, ends obtuse, 21-23x1 i-12/x Massee.
West Virginia, Pennsylvania. Decaying trunks, stumps and roots.
Mcllvaine.
Edible. Cooke, Curtis, Peck.
Equal to any Helvella.
538
Helvellacese
VER'PA Svvartz.
Verpa, a rod.
Ascophore stipitate, campanulate, ;ittached to the tip of the stem and Verpa.
hanging down like a bell, surrounding but free from the side of the stem,
regular, smooth or slightly wrinkled but not ribbed, persistent, thin,
excipulum formed of interwoven, septate hyphae, hymenium entirely
covering the outer surface of the ascophore; asci cylindrical, 8-spored.
Spores elliptical, continuous, hyaline or nearly so, I -seriate; paraphyses
septate. Stem elongated, stuffed.
Very closely allied to Helvella ; distinguished by the ascophore be-
ing more regular in form, and more evidently deflexed round the apex
of the stem, which it surrounds like a thimble on a finger, and is quite
free from the stem except at the apex.
The species grow on the ground, in spring. Massee.
V. digitalifor'mis Pers. — digitus, a finger. Pileus at first nearly
even, olivaceous-umber, dark at the apex. Stem obese, furnished at
the base with a few reddish radicles, white with a slight rufous tinge,
marked with transverse reddish spots; smooth to the naked eye, but un-
der a lens clothed with fine adpressed flocci, the rupture of which gives
rise to the spots, which are, in fact, minute scales. In the mature plant
the pileus is % in. high, bell-shaped, finger-form, or subglobose, more
or less closely pressed to the stem, but always free, the edge sometimes
inflexed so as to form a white border, wrinkled, but not reticulated, un-
der side slightly pubescent; sporidia yellowish, elliptic. Stem 3 in.
high, }z in. or more thick, slightly attenuated downward,' loosely
stuffed, by no means hollow. Berkeley.
Minnesota, Johnson; California, H. and M.; New York, Buffalo, Clin-
ton; Oneida, Warne, May. Peck, 3Oth, 32d Rep.
It. Gretna.July, 1897. Road-side bank. Mcllvaine.
Sold in Italy. Vittadini. Not to be despised when one can not get
better nor to be eaten when one can. Badham.
The substance of this fungus is the same as that of Helvella. It is
pleasant but rather tasteless.
539
Helvellaceae
LEOTIA Hill.
Leotia. Ascophore stipitate, substance fleshy, soft and somewhat gelatinous.
Pileus orbicular, spreading; margin drooping or incurved free from the
stem, glabrous, hymenium entirely covering the upper surface. Stem
central, elongated; asci cylindric-clavate, apex narrowed, 8-spored.
Spores hyaline, continuous or I -septate, elongated and narrowly ellip-
tical, obliquely 1—2 seriate; paraphyses present.
Growing on the ground, or on decaying wood. Hill. Emended.
Massee.
Stem long. Pileus flattened, margin incurved, covered everywhere
with the smooth, somewhat viscid hymenium.
L. chloroceph'ala Schw. — chloros, green; kephalos, a head. Cespi-
tose, stipitate. Pileus 4-6 lines across, depresso-globose, somewhat
translucent, more or less wavy, margin incurved, dark verdigris-green
to blackish-green. Stem 1—1% in. long, almost equal, green but often
paler than the pileus, pulverulent, often twisted; asci cylindric-clavate,
apex rather narrowed, 8-spored. Spores smooth, hyaline, narrowly el-
liptical, ends acute, often slightly curved, usually 2— 3-guttulate, 17-
2OX5/A, irregularly 2-seriate; paraphyses slender, hyaline.
On the ground.
Distinguished from L. lubrica by the green stem. Massee.
North Carolina, Curtis; West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania.
Cespitose. In mixed woods, moist ground. July until long after frosts.
Mcllvaine.
A small clustered plant having a green gelatinous appearance. Quarts
of it can frequently be gathered after rains. Both it and L. lubrica have
less flavor than the larger Helvellaceae, but they make a palatable dish.
L. lu'brica Pers. — slippery. Gregarious or in small clusters, stipi-
tate, somewhat gelatinous. Pileus irregularly hemispherical, inflated,
wavy, margin very obtuse, yellowish olive-green, 6-8 lines across.
Stem i-S-2 in. high, nearly equal or more or less inflated at the
base, pulpy within then hollow, externally yellowish and covered with
minute white granules ; asci cylindrical, apex slightly narrowed, 8-spored.
Spores obliquely i-seriate, hyaline, continuous, smooth, often guttulate,
540
Helvellacese
narrowly elliptical, straight or very (Plate CXLVII.)
slightly curved, 22— 25x5— 6/x; paraphy-
ses slender, cylindrical, hyaline.
On the ground in woods. Massee.
North Carolina, Curtis; Massachu-
setts, Frost; Minnesota, Jo Jin son; New
York, Ellis.
New York, Peck, 23d Rep. ; Trenton,
N. J. Cespitose on damp ground in
woods. Forty specimens, July, 1898.
E. B. Sterling; New Jersey; Pennsyl-
vania. Gregarious and cespitose in
several localities. July to frost. Mc-
Ilvaine.
Irregular in appearance. Helvella-
like but with a very soft gelatinous
stem, yellow. The color of the stem distinguishes it from L. chloro-
cephala, which has a green stem. It is a small plant, but of good food
value. Where it occurs there is often a goodly quantity.
Leotia.
LEOTIA LUBRICA.
Natural size.
MOKCHEL'LA Dill.
Gr. — a mushroom.
Stipitate or subsessile. Pileus globose or ovate, adnate throughout Morcheiia.
its length to the sides of the stem, remaining closed at the apex, hollow
and continuous with the cavity of the stem ; externally furnished with
stout, branche'd and anastomosing ribs or plates, every part bearing the
hymenium. Stem stout, stuffed or hollow; asci cylindrical, 2-4-8-
spored. Spores i-seriate, continuous, hyaline, elliptical; paraphyses
septate, clavate.
Most nearly allied to Gyromitra ; differs in the ribs of the pileus be-
ing deep and plate-like, and anastomosing to form elongated or irregu-
larly polygonal deep pits.
Growing on the ground in the spring. Massee.
Stem stout; pileus ovoid or conical, deeply folded into pits, resem-
bling honeycomb.
Notwithstanding Dill, the author of the genus, describes the caps as
adnate throughout their length to the stem, such is not the case. Pro-
541
Helvellaceae
Morcheiia. fessor Peck arranges the genus into two groups, "in one of which the
margin of the cap is wholly attached to the stem, in the other it is
free." In the latter group are M. bispora and M. semilibera.
The species are so much alike that botanical descriptions are omitted
of all but M. esculenta and Professor Peck's species.
Not one of the Morells is even suspicious. They are favorites wher-
ever found. The Morell is one of the few species known to the settler
and to the farmer. It loves old apple orchards, probably because ashes
have been used about the trees ; ashes and cinders are its choice fertil-
izers. In Germany peasants formerly burned forests to insure a bounti-
ful crop. Mr. Moore, of San Francisco, Cal., says: "We find it in
profusion on burnt hillsides all along the Pacific coast."
But it does not confine its habitat to burned surfaces. It grows in
thin open woods or on borders of woods. It grows under pine, ash,
oaks and other trees. Strange to say it grows under the walnut tree
where very few fungi of any kind grow. Especially does it love the
white walnut or butternut.
Morcheiia dry well and keep well for winter use.
M. CSCulen'taPers. — esculent. (Plate XLVI, fig. 2, p. 214.) Pileus
globose, ovate or oblong, adnate to the stem at the base, hollow, ribs
stout, forming irregular, polygonal, deep pits, pale dingy yellow, buff
or tawny, 1.25—2.5 in. high and broad. Stem stout, whitish, almost
even, hollow or stuffed, 1.25-2.5 in. high, .8 in. and more thick; asci
cylindrical, 8-spored. Spores continuous, smooth, hyaline, elliptical,
ends obtuse, 19-20x10/1, paraphyses rather slender, slightly thickened
upward.
On the ground. Spring and early summer. Edible.
Variable in form, size and color, but distinguished by the pileus
being adnate to the stem at the base, and the stout ribs anastomosing
to form irregular, polygonal pits of about equal size, and not elongated.
Mas see.
Common over the states, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey.
In orchards, on ashes and cinders, under walnut, pine and oak trees.
May and June. Mcllvaine.
The common Morell varies in size, 2—4 in. high, sometimes larger.
The cap, usually broader than it is long, oval, at times tapering to a
rounded top. The cavities resemble those of a weather-beaten honey-
542
Helvellaceee
comb, and are whitish, or grayish or brownish. The stem is about 3a Morcheiia.
in. in diameter. It is an easily recognized species. Edible. Choice.
Total nitrogen, according to Lafayette B. Mendel, 4.66 per cent.
M. cras'sipes Pers. — crassus, thick; pes, a foot. Agreeing with M.
esculenta in having the pits of the pileus irregular in form, not much,
if at all, longer than broad, and in not having a main series of more or
less parallel and vertical ribs ; differing in the stout stem being much
longer than the pileus. Massee.
Attains a height of 9 in. or more.
Not rare in May. Kansas, Cragin; Minnesota, Johnson.
Esculent. Cooke.
M. delicio'sa Fr. The Delicious morell is easily known by the shape
of its cap, which is cylindrical or nearly so. Sometimes it is slightly
narrowed toward the top and occasionally curved, as in the preceding
species, but its long narrow shape and blunt apex is quite strongly con-
trasted with that species. It is usually two or three times as long as it
is broad, and generally it is longer than the stem. Specimens also oc-
cur in which the cap is slightly more narrow in the middle than it is
above and below, and rarely it is slightly pointed at the apex. The
pits on its surface are rather narrow and mostly longer than broad. The
stem is often rather short.
The plant varies from 1*2-3 in. high. Peck, 48th Rep. N. Y. State
Bot.
Its name gives it esculent properties.
M. COn'ica Pers. — conical. The Conical morell has the cap conical
or oblong-conical, as its name indicates. The longitudinal ridges on
its surface run more regularly from top to base than in the Common
morell. They are connected by short transverse ridges which are so
distant from each other or so incomplete that the resulting pits or de-
pressions are generally longer than broad, and sometimes rather irregu-
lar. The color in the young plant is a beautiful buff-yellow or very-
pale ochraceous, but it becomes darker with age.
The plants are generally 3-5 in. high, with the cap i%—2 in. thick
in its broadest part, and distinctly broader than the stem. Peck, 48th
Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Kansas; California; Rhode Island ; Ohio, Lloyd; New York; Indiana,
543
Helvellaceae
Morcheiia. H. I. Miller, orchards, thin woods; New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West
Virginia, Mcllvaine.
The conical form distinguishes M. conica from M. esculenta, if they
are really different species, as some writers doubt. For the table there
is not any difference.
M. bi'spora Sor. — Two-spored. The Two-spored morell is very simi-
lar to the Half-free morell in external appearance. It is distinguishable
by its cap, which is free from the stem almost or quite to the top. The
stem of the European plant has been described as stuffed, but in our
plant it is hollow, though possibly in very young plants it may be
stuffed. The remarkable and very distinctive character which gives
name to the species can only be seen by the aid of a microscope. In
this species there are only two spores in each ascus or sack and these
are much larger than the spores of the other species. They are two or
three times longer and sometimes slightly curved. The spores of the
other species are eight in an ascus and are very much alike in size and
shape, and do not furnish decided specific characters ; but in this species
their importance can not be overlooked. Their length is about 6o/*,
while in the others it is 20-25/4.
This is probably our rarest species. I am not aware that it has been
found in but one locality in our state. A few years ago Mr. H. A.
Warne detected it growing among fallen leaves in a ravine near Oneida.
I have not tested its edible qualities, but would have no hesitation in
eating it if opportunity should be afforded. Peck, 48th Rep. N. Y.
State Bot.
Var. trunca'ta. Pileus broadly rounded or truncate, its costae slightly
prominent, the margin often a little recurved; paraphyses numerous.
Stem long.
Michigan. May. Hicks. Peck, 46th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
M. angus'ticeps Pk. — angustus, narrow ; caput, head. Pileus oblong-
conical and subobtuse or narrowly conical and acute, adnate to the stem,
1-2 in. high, and about half as broad at the base, ribs longitudinal,
here and there anastomosing or connected by transverse veins. Stem
subequal, hollow, whitish, furfuraceous without and within, even or
rarely rough with irregular longitudinal furrows ; asci cylindrical. Spores
elliptical, whitish tinged with ocher, 20—25x12.5-18/4; paraphyses
short, clavate, with one or two septa near the base.
544
Helvellacese
West Albany Moreheiia.
Sandy soil in the borders of woods and in open places,
and Center. April and May.
Two forms occur, one with the pileus oblong-conical, rather obtuse,
often tipped with a slight umbo or papilla, and with a diameter a little
surpassing that of the stem from which the base is separated by a slight
groove; the other with the pileus narrowly conical, rather acute,
scarcely exceeding the stem in diameter and without any separating
groove. The stem and fruit are alike in both forms. The stem is
usually about equal in length to the pileus. The species is related to
M. conica and M. elata, but may be separated from both by the size of
the spores and the character of the paraphyses. In our plant I have
never seen these as long as the asci. Large forms appear also to ap-
proach M. rimosipes, but that species has the margin of the pileus more
free, the stem proportionately longer, and the paraphyses as long as
the asci, if we may rely upon the figure of it. Our plant is edible.
Peck, 32d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
The plants are commonly 2-3 in. high, with the cap generally less
than an inch broad in its widest part, but
sometimes much larger specimens occur. (Plate CXLVIII.)
Peck, 48th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
M. semilib'era B.C. — half-free. The Half-
free morell has a conical cap, the lower half
of which is free from the stem. It rarely ex-
ceeds i in. or i % in. in length, and is usually
much shorter than its stem. The pits on its
surface are longer than broad. Deformed
specimens occur in which the cap is hemi-
spherical and very blunt or obtuse at the
apex ; in others it is abruptly narrowed above
and pointed.
The plants are 2-4 in. high. The species is
rare with us. Peck, 48th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
Spores pale-yellow.
Odor feeble, becomes stronger in drying.
Much less sapid than M. esculenta. Neither
of these funguses should be gathered after
rain, as they are then insipid and soon spoil.
35 545
MORCHELLA SEMILIBERA.
Badham.
Helvellaceae
GYROMI'TKA Fr.
Gyro, to turn; mitra, a head-covering.
Gyromitra. Ascophore stipitate ; hymenophore subglobose, inflated and more or
less hollow, or cavernous, variously gyrose and convolute at the surface,
which is everywhere covered with the hymenium ; substance fleshy ;
asci cylindrical, 8-spored. Spores uniseriate, elongated, hyaline or
nearly so, continuous; paraphyses present.
Helvetia of old authors.
Distinguished from Morchella by the thick, brain-like folds of the
hymenophore not anastomosing to form irregularly polygonal depres-
sions ; and from Helvella in the hymenophore not being free from the
stem at the base.
Growing on the ground. Massee.
(Plate CXLVIIIa.)
G. esculen'ta Fr. (Plate VI, fig. 6, p. 6.) Pileus rounded,
lobed, irregular, gyrose-convolute, glabrous, bay-red.
gtem stout^ stuffed or hollow, whitish, often irregular.
Spores elliptical, binucleate, yellowish, 20-22/x long.
The Edible gyromitra, formerly known as Helvella
esculenta, is easily recognized by its chestnut-red
irregularly rounded and lobed cap with its brain-like
convolutions. The margin of the cap is attached to
the stem in two or three places. When cut through
it is found to be hollow, whitish within and uneven,
with a few prominent irregular ribs or ridges. The
stem is whitish, slightly scurfy, and when mature, hol-
low. In large specimens it sometimes appears as if
formed by the union of two or more smaller ones.
The plant is 2—4 in. high and the cap commonly 2—3 in. broad.
Specimens sometimes occur weighing a pound each. It is fond of sandy
soil and is found in May and June. It grows chiefly in wet weather or
in wet ravines or springy places in the vicinity of pine groves or pine
trees. Peck, 48th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
G. esculenta crispa n. var. Whole surface of the pileus finely reticu-
lated with anastomosing costae (ribs or veins).
Under evergreens. North Elba. June. Peck, 5ist Rep. N. Y,
State Bot.
546
SECTION OF GYRO-
MITRA ESCULENTA.
Helvellaceee
Since 1882 myself and friends have repeatedly eaten it. In no instance Gyromitra.
was the slightest discomfort felt from it. It was always enjoyed. Mr.
Charles H. Allen, San Jose, Cal., writes to me that G. esculenta grows
plentifully in his region, and that it is not only edible, but he has found
it one of the best. But the species, though long ago esteemed highly
in Europe and by many in America, now rests under decided suspicion.
It is not probable that in our great food-giving country anyone will be
narrowed to G. esculenta for a meal. Until such an emergency arrives,
the species would be better let alone. If utilized employ only perfectly
fresh and sound specimens.
G. cur'tipes Fr. — curtus, short; pes, afoot. Pileus inflated, gyrosely
undulated, oblong, rotund, at first pallid then brownish; margin of
pileus closely adnexed to the stem. Stem irregular, short or almost
absent. Asci cylindrical. Spoi'idia .30x9^1 fusiform, uninucleate.
Paraphyses clavate.
On the ground. Spring. Readily distinguished from other species
by the almost obliterated stem. Fries commends it highly as an
esculent.
Separated from G. esculenta by paler color, shorter stem and differ-
ent spores.
G. Carolillia'na (Bosc.) Fr. Pileus rotund, base free, surface
woven into deep irregular undulating folds. Stem conical, sulcate.
Asci cylindrical. Sporidia 3-3. 2x I/A; somewhat fusiform; paraphyses
thickened toward the top.
In woods. Esculent.
Massachusetts. Sprague.
( Plate CXLIX.)
G. brun'nea Underwood — brunneus, brown. A
stout, fleshy, stipitate plant, 3-5 in. high, bearing
a broad, much contorted, brown ascoma. Stem
% — i.$ in. thick, more or less enlarged and spongy,
solid at the base, hollow below, rarely slightly
fluted, clear white; receptacle 2-4 in. across in the
widest direction, the two diameters usually consid-
erably unequal, irregularly lobed and plicate, in places
, . ., , . , , . j. . . GYROMITRA BRUN-
famtly marked into areas by indistinct anastomosing NEA
ridges, closely cohering with the stem in the various
547
Helvellaceee
Gyromitra. parts, rich chocolate-brown or somewhat lighter if much covered with
the leaves among which it grows, whitish underneath; asci 8-spored.
Spores oval, 28-307*. long, by about 14^ wide, hyaline, somewhat
roughened-tuberculate, usually nucleate, the highly refractive nucleus
spherical or oval, II/A or, if oval, 14x11;* in diameter; paraphyses
slender, enlarged at the apex, faintly septate.
In rich woods, mostly in beech-leaf mold. Putnam county, Ind.,
May, 1892, 1893 an<3 1894. First found by Dr. W. V. Brown.
The plant is esculent, tender and possesses a fine flavor. Often as
many as 8 or 10 plants would be found in one small area, but the plant
appears to be local and never very abundant. Some single plants would
weigh nearly half a pound.
Mitrula.
MI'TRULA Fr.
(Emended, Massee.)
Ascophore stipitate, fleshy. Head subglobose, ovate, or clavate,
even, glabrous, everywhere covered with the
(Plate CL.) hymenium, adnate throughout to the more or
less elongated stem ; asci cylindric-clavate,
8-spored. Spores narrowly elliptic-fusiform,
hyaline, continuous or septate, irregularly
I— 2-seriate; paraphyses present. Fries.
M. vitelli'na Sacc., var. irregularis Pk. —
vitellus, egg-yolk. Pileus clavate, often
irregular or compressed and somewhat lobed,
obtuse, glabrous, yellow, tapering below into
the short, rather distinct, yellowish or whitish
stem. Spores narrowly elliptical, 8-iOju, long.
When the Irregular mitrula is well grown
and symmetrical it closely resembles the
typical European plant, but usually the clubs
or caps are curved, twisted, compressed or
lobed in such a way that it is difficult to find
two plants just alike. The plants are usually
only one or two inches high, so that they
would scarcely be thought of any importance as an edible species. But
54*
MlTRULLA VITELLINA.
Helvellacese
sometimes it grows in considerable profusion in wet mossy places in Mitmia.
woods, so that it would not be difficult to gather a pint of them in a
short time. Its beautiful bright yellow color makes it a very attractive
object. It is our largest species of Mitrula and occurs in autumn.
It was first reported as an edible species in the forty-second report.
Its flesh is tender and its flavor delicate and agreeable. Peck, 48th Rep.
Ontario, Dearness (LI. R. 4). West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsyl-
vania. Common, gregarious in moist woods. September to Novem-
ber. Mcllvaine.
Those fortunate enough to find this species will hunt for it again
assiduously. Even raw, when cut in strips, it makes a picturesque and
delicious salad.
SPATHULA'RIA Pers.
A spatula.
Receptacle erect, spathulate, compressed, hollow, adnate to the stem, Spathniana.
down which it runs for some distance on opposite sides, everywhere
covered with the hymenium. Stem subcylindrical, hollow; asci clavate,
apex narrowed, 8-spored. Spores elongated, cylindric-clavate, multi-
septate at maturity, arranged in a parallel fascicle in the ascus; para-
physes filiform, septate.
Distinguished by the broad, flattened ascophore running down oppo-
site sides of the stem.
Growing on pine leaves or on the ground among moss. Massee.
Resembling a spatha, an instrument for stirring a liquid, shaped like
an apothecary's spatula.
Pileus irregular, compressed, folded, running down into the stem on
either side.
S. clava'ta ( Schaeff. ) Sacc. — club-shaped. S. flavida Pers. Elvela
clavata Schaeff . (Plate CXXXVI, p. 508.) Head spathulate or broadly
clavate, obtuse or sometimes more or less divided at the apex, hollow,
much compressed, running down the stem for some distance on opposite
sides, glabrous, margin crisped or undulated, surface wavy or slightly
lacunose, yellow, rarely tinged red, .8—1.2 in. high, .6—1 in. broad.
Stem white then tinged yellow, 1.2-2.4 m- long* -2~3 lmes thick,
549
Helvellaceae
spathuiaria. hollow, cylindrical or slightly compressed; asci clavate, apex narrowed,
8-spored. Spores arranged in a parallel fascicle, hyaline, linear-clavate,
usually very slightly bent, multiguttulate then multiseptate, 50—60x3.5—
4/u-; paraphyses filiform, septate, often branched, tips not thickened,
wavy. Mas see.
New York. Woods in hilly and mountainous districts. Common.
Peck, 22d Rep.
Professor Peck gives S. rugosa, which has the club wrinkled.
This odd, pretty little plant was found by me in great numbers at
Eagle's Mere, Pa., August, 1897, growing among mosses. The con-
trast of its bright yellow paddle-shapes against the moss-green is very
pleasing to one who loves choice bits of color. Its consistency when
stewed is tenacious but tender, and its flavor is delicate.
Geoglossnm. (Plate CLI.)
GEOGLOS'SUM Pers.
(Emended.)
Entire fungus more or less clavate, erect, the apical,
thickened portion everywhere covered with the hymen-
ium ; glabrous or hairy, often viscid; asci clavate,
apex narrowed, 8-spored. Spores elongated, ar-
ranged in a parallel fascicle, cylindrical or very slightly
thickened above the middle, and inclined to become
cylindric-clavate, brown, septate, usually slightly
curved; paraphyses septate, brown at the tips, often
longer than the asci.
Distinguished among the clavate species by the long,
narrow, brown, septate spores. The entire plant is
black in all British species.
Growing on the ground, among grass, etc. Massee.
GEOGLOSSUM
GLUTINOSUM.
About nat. size.
G. glutino'sum Pers. Ascophore 1.5-2 in.
black, glabrous; ascigerous portion about K of the en-
tire length, oblong, lanceolate, up to .4 in. broad, ob-
tuse, slightly viscid, more or less compressed, passing
imperceptibly into the somewhat slender, cylin-
drical, viscid, brownish-black stem ; asci clavate, taper-
550
Helvellacese
ing downward into a long, slender pedicel. Spores 8, arranged more Geogiossum.
or less parallel near the apex of the ascus, cylindrical, ends obtuse,
3~septate and clear-brown at maturity, straight or very slightly curved,
65-75x5-6)".; paraphyses numerous, distinctly septate, about 2p. thick,
pale-brown, apex broadly pyriform and filled with dark-brown coloring
matter.
On the ground among grass, etc.
The most important features of the present species are 3-septate
brown spores and compressed ascophore. Massee.
New Jersey, E. B. Sterling. Mt. Gretna, Pa., August, 1899,
gregarious in wet ground. Over a quart found in one patch. Mc-
Ilvaine.
Stewed it is delicious.
531
Pezizee
FAMILY.— PEZIZ-ffi.
PEZI'ZA Linn.
Pezizce, a sort of mushroom without root or stalk, mentioned by Pliny.
Peziza. Ascophore sessile, but sometimes narrowed to a short, stem-like base,
fleshy and brittle, closed at first, then expanding until cup-shaped,
saucer-shaped, or in some species quite plane or even convex ; disk even,
nodulose or veined; externally warted, scurfy, or rarely almost glabrous ;
cortical cells irregularly polygonal; asci cylindrical, 8-spored. Spores
obliquely i-seriate, continuous, hyaline (rarely tinged brown), elliptical,
epispore smooth or rough; paraphyses present. Dill. Emended.
Mas see.
The genus is large. Professor Peck reports 150 American species.
Some are large, others require the microscope to find them.
They are rather indiscriminate in their habitats; some are eccentric;
these grow on damp walls, on dung, in cellars and cisterns, on spent
hops and on old fungi. One or two species grow on sticks under water,
an unusual place for fungi of any kind. Minute species grow upon
stems of herbaceous plants; nine or ten upon the nettle. Two species
contain a milky fluid, P. succosa and P. saniosa. Many are known in
Europe which have not been found in America. European authors
differ as to their qualities; some call them insipid, some speak of them
with kindly respect. Much depends upon their cooking. They are,
as a rule, tenacious in texture. To cook them properly requires time
and slow stewing. They then become soft and rather glutinous. Their
flavor is slight but pleasant, and their consistency agreeable.
ANALYSIS OF TRIBES.
I. — ALEURIA. Page 553.
Externally powdered or with a woolly scurf.
II. — LACHNEA. Page 558.
Externally hairy or downy.
III. — PMIALEA.
Externally almost naked, smooth. No edible species reported.
552
Pezizae
I. — ALEURIA Fr.
Fleshy or fleshy-membranaceous, externally powdered or with a Peziza.
woolly scurf.
* Macropodes — macros, long; podes, feet. Stem firm, elongated,
furrowed.
** Cochleata — cochleatus, spiral. Subsessile, oblique or twisted.
*** Cupulares. Subsessile, regular.
**** Humaria. Small, somewhat fleshy, margin downy. (None
known to be edible.)
***** Enccelia. More or less coriaceous. (None known to be edible.)
* Macropodes. Stem firm, elongated, etc.
P. aceta'bulum Linn. — a cup. Ascophore stipitate, cup-shaped,
fleshy, rather tough, disk dark umber-brown, externally paler and mi-
nutely scurfy or flocculose; mouth somewhat contracted; 1.2—2 in.
broad, 1.2-1.4 in. high. Stem .4-. 6 in. high, often .4 in. thick, im-
perfectly hollow, with parallel or anastomosing ribs, which continue for
some distance up the ascophore as branching veins, pale umber; cells
of the cortex give off short, rather closely septate hyphae in groups ;
asci cylindrical, 8-spored. Spores obliquely i-seriate, hyaline, smooth,
broadly elliptical, ends obtuse, with a very large oil-globule, i8-22x
I2-I4/*; paraphyses straight, septate, the brownish, clavate tip 5-6/w.
thick.
The fluted stem and veined outside of the excipulum mark the pres
ent species. The colorless hypothecium is composed of very densely
and compactly interwoven hyphae. Massee.
Season spring.
North Carolina, Curtis ; New Jersey, Ellis; Massachusetts, Frost;
Rhode Island, Bennett; Ohio, Lloyd, R. 4.
Esculent. Cordier, Cooke.
P. ma'cropus Pers. — macros, long; potts, a foot. Solitary, 1-3 in.
high, cups 1—2 in. broad. The cups become expanded, and sometimes
reflexed ; the exterior is ash-colored and clothed with little hairy or vil-
lous warts, the hairs consisting of concatenate cells, their extremities
free. The stem is enlarged downward, often pitted, occasionally be-
coming hollow with age. Phillies.
553
Pezizae
Peziza. Asci cylindrical, 8-spored. Spores I -seriate, smooth, hyaline, el-
liptical, 28—33x11 — 13^; paraphyses straight, tips brownish and thick-
ened in a clavate manner up to 8— lop- Massee.
On the ground in shady places. Summer and autumn.
North Carolina, Curtis; New Jersey, Ellis; Minnesota, Johnson; Mas-
sachusetts, Frost; New York, Peck, Rep. 22.
Esculent. Cordier.
** Cochlea'ta. Subsessile, oblique, etc.
P. veno'sa Pers. — venosus, full of veins. Smell strong, nitrous ;
sessile or contracted into a short, stout, stem-like base; cup-shaped and
with the margin incurved when young, then expanding and the margin
becoming more or less split or lobed and wavy, 1.2-2 in. across; disk
umber-brown, externally whitish, minutely granular, and furnished with
rather stout, anastomosing ribs which radiate from the base; excipulum
pseudoparenchymatous, cells largest at the periphery, where some run
out as clavate, free tips ; asci cylindrical, 8-spored. Spores obliquely
i-seriate, smooth, hyaline, often with I large oil-globule, elliptical, ends
obtuse, wall rather thick, 18-24x1 1—13;*; paraphyses septate, tips
clavate, brownish. On the ground. Spring. Massee.
Massachusetts, Frost; California, H ' . and M.; Rhode Island, Bennett;
New York, Peck, Rep. 24.
Edible. Has a most decided nitrous odor and also fungoid flavor.
Cooke.
P. ba'dia Pers. — of a brown or bay color. (Plate CLII, p. 554.)
Gregarious or cespitose, sessile or narrowed into a very short, stout,
stem-like base and often more or less lacunose ; subglobose and closed at
first, then cup-shaped or more expanded, margin entire or nearly so, the
entire cup often wavy, rather thick, 1.2-2 in. across; disk dark-brown,
externally paler-brown and minutely granular, often with a purple tinge ;
hypothecium and excipulum formed of stout, septate, irregularly in-
flated hyphae, hypothecium compact, excipulum spongy and cavernous;
cortex compact, the hyphae running out in irregular lumps to form the
external granulations; asci cylindrical, apex truncate, 8-spored. Spores
obliquely i-seriate, hyaline, continuous, elliptical, with one large oil-
554
PLATE CLII.
m
N
N
03
>
D
Pezizse
globule, minutely warted at maturity, 15—19x9—10^; paraphyses sep- Peziza.
tate, tips slightly clavate.
On the ground among grass, etc., also on scorched places.
Readily distinguished by the bay or umber-brown disk, and the mi-
nutely-warted spores. Massee.
North Carolina, Curtis; California, H. and M.; Minnesota, Johnson;
Nebraska, Clements; New York, Peck, Rep. 25.
Alabama. On ground, Alabama Bull. No. 80, West Virginia, New
Jersey, Pennsylvania. On ground. Frequent. July to October. Mc-
llvaine,
Esculent. Cordier.
P. badia is frequent on bare ground, along wood roads, etc. In the
West Virginia mountains it occurs where there have been brush fires.
It is a meaty plant, without much flavor. It must be cut fine and slowly
cooked if stewed, or can be quickly fried in a hot buttered pan. It has
more flavor fried crisp than stewed.
P. COChlea'ta — spiral. Sessile, cespitose, variously contorted and
plicate, fleshy, brittle, disk umber-brown, externally paler and pruinose,
sometimes altogether paler and leather-color or pale dingy-ochraceous,
2—3.2 in. diameter; when solitary or almost so, at first globose, then
expanding with the margin involute, finally spreading and irregularly
plicate; excipulum spongy and cavernous, due to the loose weft formed
by interlacing, hyaline, thin-walled, flaccid, septate hyphae, cortex com-
pact, running out into irregular groups of cells that form the scurfy ex-
terior; asci cylindrical, apex slightly truncate, 8-spored. Spores ob-
liquely i-seriate, hyaline, continuous, smooth, usually 2-guttulate,
16-18x7-8^; paraphyses slender, septate; tip slightly clavate, often
curved and sometimes branched.
The entire substance is brittle and rather watery, and usually assumes
a yellowish tint when bruised. Smell and taste almost none.
Sometimes the ascophores are closely crowded, hence irregular and
much contorted, and resembling a foliaceous Tremella or a small speci-
men of Sparassis crispa. Massee.
New York. Ground in woods. Helderberg mountains and Green-
bush. June. Peck, Rep. 23; Alabama, Peters, Ala. Bull. No. 80;
North Carolina, Curtis; Massachusetts, Frost; Ohio, Lloyd, Rep. 4.
555
Pezizae
Peziza. This species is quite insipid and somewhat leathery, but Mr. Berke-
ley has seen it offered for sale under the name of Morell. Badham.
Esculent. Cordier, Cooke.
P. lepori'lia Batsch. — lepus, a hare. Cup 1-3 in. high, 1-3 in.
broad, gregarious, often cespitose; margin involute, divided to the base
on one side; disk even or rarely wrinkled, a shade darker than the ex-
terior; paraphyses slender, hardly thickened at the summits, but al-
most invariably crooked. This fine species grows as large as O. onotica
at times, but is not so brightly colored, being throughout of a sober
tan-color, resembling common wash leather used for cleaning plate.
Phillips.
Asci cylindrical, 8-spored. Spores obliquely uniseriate, hyaline,
smooth, continuous, 1-2 guttulate, elliptical, 12-15x7-8^; paraphyses
filiform, septate, apex slightly swollen, and usually strongly curved.
On the ground in woods, ^among leaves, etc. Massee.
California, edible, H. and M.
Esculent. Cordier.
P. onotica Pers. Very variable in form, usually elongated on one
side and ear-shaped, but sometimes almost equal-sided and entire, 1-3
in. high, up to 2 in. wide, becoming narrowed to a more or less
wrinkled, short stem-like base; disk pale orange, usually with a rosy
tinge, externally pale tawny-orange. Asci elongated, narrowly cylin-
drical, 8-spored. Spores obliquely i-seriate, hyaline, smooth, colorless,
ends obtuse, i-2-guttulate, 14-1 5x8-9/1.; paraphyses straight, septate,
apex clavate.
On the ground in woods, among leaves, etc. Massee.
North Carolina, Curtis; Iowa, Fitzpatrick (LI. R. 4); New York,
Peck, Rep. 28.
Esculent. Cordier.
P. linici'sa Pk. — implying one incision. Clip large, thin, split on
one side to the base, sessile or with a short stem, externally wrinkled,
minutely pulverulent under a lens, yellow, within pale-yellow slightly
tinged with pink. Spores elliptical, usually containing two nuclei, 12-
<*«
Ground in woods Croghan. September.
556
Pezizae
The cups are about two inches broad. The species is related to P.
onotica. Peck, 26th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Minnesota, Johnson; Mt. Gretna, Pa.- On ground in mixed woods,
gravelly ground. September to October. McILvaine.
Many specimens were found scattered and in patches, and were eaten.
They were of slight flavor but good.
P. auran'tia Pers. (Plate CXXXVI, fig. 3, p. 508.) Sessile or
protracted into a very short stem-like base, cespitose and irregular, or
growing singly and then circular in outline and regular, becoming
almost plane; thin, brittle, disk clear, deep orange or sometimes orange-
red, externally much paler, or sometimes almost white, with a pink
tinge, delicately tomentose, due to the presence of short, stout, blunt,
i-2-septate hyaline hairs ; varying from ^-3.2 in. broad. Spores 15—
16x7-8^.
On the ground, often near stumps or among chips.
Sometimes crowded, large, with the margin raised and very much
waved and more or less incised, at others scattered, smaller, almost or
quite even and finally spread flat on the ground. Easily recognized by
the large size, bright orange disk, pale, downy exterior, and the broadly
elliptical spores covered with a delicate net-work of raised lines at
maturity. Massee.
Massachusetts, Frost; Rhode Island, Bennett; Minnesota, Johnson;
California, H. and M. ; Alabama, Peters; New York, October, Peck,
23, 24 Rep.; Indiana, Richmond, November, Dr. J. R. Weist; West
Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. On ground. September to Octo-
ber. Mcllvaine.
Esculent. Cordier.
At Mt. Gretna, Pa., patches of it twenty feet long, made the ground
along a road on the margin of a woods golden with its clusters. The
plants grew from sand mixed with leaf-mold. I have eaten it for fifteen
years. Fair flavor.
*** Cupulares. S^lbsessilet etc.
P. repan'da Wahlenb. — bent' backward. Clustered or scattered, sub-
sessile, contracted into a short, stout, stem-like base, which is often
rooting; saucer-shaped, then quite expanded and the margin more or
557
Pezizae
Peziza. less split and wavy, sometimes drooping and revolute, extreme edge
often crenate ; 1.6—4 m- across; disk pale or dark brown or umber,
more or less wrinkled toward the center, externally whitish, minutely
granular. Spores obliquely i -seriate, hyaline, smooth, continuous,
elliptical, ends obtuse, 18— 22x1 1— 12/x; paraphyses septate, clavate and
brownish at the tips. Massee.
On the ground, often in beech-woods; also on decayed trunks.
New York, Ellis; Minnesota, Johnson; Ohio, Lloyd, R. 4. New
York. Ground and decaying wood. Croghan. September. Peck,
28th Rep.
Specimens sent to the writer by Dr. W. B. Miller, Altoona, Pa., were
3;^ in. across, and a beautiful velvety brown. Cooked they had a
mushroom flavor.
P. vesiculo'sa Bull. — full of bladders. Clustered, often distorted
from mutual pressure, sessile but more or less narrowed at the base,
globose and closed at first, then expanding, but the margin usually re-
maining more or less incurved and somewhat notched ; disk pale brown,
externally brownish and coarsely granular from the presence of minute,
irregular warts, 1.2—3 m- across. Spores obliquely i-seriate, smooth,
hyaline, continuous, elliptical, ends obtuse, 21— 24x1 1— 12/x; paraphyses
slender, septate, clavate.
Var. ce'rea Rehm. Similar in size, habit and general structure to the
typical form; differing in the wax-yellow color, the more distinct stem-
like base, and the slightly smaller spores, i8-i9xio/x.; very brittle.
Massee.
North Carolina, Curtis; California, H. and M.; Massachusetts, Frost ;
New Jersey, Ellis; Ohio, Lloyd, Rep. 4; var. minor, Sacc.; Nebraska,
Clements; New York, Peck, Rep. 25.
Esculent. Cordier.
II. — LACHNEA.
P. odora'ta Pk. Cups .5-3 in. broad, gregarious or scattered, thin,
sessile, rather brittle when fresh, shallow, expanded or even convex from
the decurving of the margin, at first brownish, then white or whitish,
the hymenium ochraceous-brown ; asci cylindrical, opening by a lid,
.01— .012 in. long, .0006— .0008 in. broad, paraphyses filiform, obscurely
558
Pezizae
septate, slightly thickened at the tips. Spores elliptical, even, 20-22.2 Peziza,
XIO-I2.5/A.
Ground in cellar. Maine. June. F. L. Harvey.
The plant when fresh has the peculiar fungoid flavor suggestive of
that of chestnut blossoms. The species is apparently allied to P.
Petersii, from which it may be distinguished by its larger spores and
distinct but peculiar odor. The spores also are not binucleate, as in
that species. In drying, the hymenium is apt to become blackish. Peck,
Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, Vol. 23, No. 10.
A cluster 4 inches across, in general appearance resembling P. re-
panda, was found by the writer at Mt. Gretna, Pa., June, 1898, grow-
ing from between the staves of an empty flour barrel which was exposed
to the weather. The margin instead of being revolute, turned inward
(involute) until it touched the short stem. The cluster was eaten and
had the flavor of P. repanda. In June, 1899, several pounds grew on
and around the same barrel. Professor Peck recognized it as P. odorata.
P. COCCi'nea Jacq. — scarlet or crimson. Geopyxis coccinea Mass.
(Plate CXXXVI, fig. 2, p. 508.) Scattered or in groups of 2-3 speci-
mens, stipitate; at first closed, then expanding and becoming shallowly
cup-shaped, margin entire, .8—1.6 in. Across; disk clear and deep car-
mine, externally whitish or pinkish, delicately tomentose, due to the
presence of wavy, usually aseptate, hyaline, cylindrical hyphae, 5— 6p.
thick. Stem -4-.8 in. long, 1.2-2 in. thick, whitish and tomentose.
Spores I -seriate, elliptic-oblong, ends obtuse, hyaline, wall rather thick
and forming a hyaline border, straight, 25— 30x8— 9fi; paraphyses very
slender, hardly thickened at the tips;
On rotten branches lying on the ground. Spring.
Readily distinguished among the large, stipitate Pezizae by the deep
rose-red or carmine disk and the whitish, tomentose exterior. The
stem varies considerably in length ; when the fungus springs from the
underside of a branch the stem is often elongated and curved. The
base of the stem is attached to the branch by a mass of whitish, tomen-
tose mycelium. Masses.
New York. Half-buried sticks. April and May. Peck, 2$d Rep. ;
New Jersey, E. B. Sterling; Mt. Gretna, Pa., New Jersey. On sticks
on ground. Spring. Mcllvaine.
This brilliant fungus is one of the beauties of the woods. Though
•559
Pezizae
Peziza. small it attracts the eye by its deep carmine in striking contrast with the
somber carpeting. It is frequent when in season. A half pint of it
may be gathered from a few acres. Its substance is tenacious, taste pleas-
ant. Mr. Massee mentions that it is abundant in some of the woods
near Scarboro, England, and is regularly collected and sold along with
moss for decorative purposes. Exquisite effects may be produced by
arranging the brightly colored fungi among moss and leaves. "Fairy
Cups," they are called. Rosy must be the lips that do not pale beside
them.
P. calyci'na Schum. — resembling a bud. Ascophores cespitose,
gregarious or scattered, narrowed into a short, stout, stem-like base,
rather fleshy, 1-3 mm. broad; disk orange-yellow, externally white
and villose, hairs rather wavy, cylindrical, obtuse, colorless, minutely
rough, 1 00-15 0x4- 5 p.; asci subcylindrical, apex obtuse, 8-spored.
Spores i-seriate or inclined to be 2-seriate above, hyaline, elliptic-fusi-
form, continuous, 18-25x6-8/4; paraphyses slender, hyaline, cylin-
drical.
On bark of larch and Scotch fir. Massee.
North Carolina, Curtis; Massachusetts, Frost; New York. Gum
spots on spruce, bark of pines, Peck, 22d Rep.
Esculent. Cooke.
560
Hypocreaceae
COHORT PTRENOMTCETES.
FAMILY.— HYP OGRE AC E-ffi.
HYPO'MYCES Fr.
Gr. — under; Gr. — fungus.
Perithecia (the hollow narrow-mouthed cases which contain the Hypomyce*.
spores) gregarious, with a cottony stroma in which they are more or
less immersed. Mostly parasitic on various Hymenomycetes or Dis-
comycetes; bright colored, with papilliform (nipple-shaped) or slightly
elongated ostiola (apertures). Asci mostly cylindrical, 8-spored, with-
out paraphyses. Sporidia oblong or fusoid, uniseptate, hyaline. Co-
nidial stage represented by Asterophora, etc.
This parasite attacks several species of fungi, and so alters their
structure and appearance that it is difficult to distinguish the host-plant.
The attack is made in the extreme youth of the plant. The writer is
fully satisfied from his own observation that H. lactifluorum and H.
purpurea infest Lactarius piperatus. The milk cells are so changed by
H. lactifluorum that they yield no milk. When attacked by H. pur-
purea the milk is a beautiful purple. In both cases the pepperiness of
the host-plant is destroyed. I have seen the same host plant attacked
by both forms of the Hypomyces. After the host-plant of Hypomyces
lactifluorum is fully grown, and infested, it is frequently attacked by
Hypomyces purpureus. Purple spots appear, which gradually spread
until the entire plant is covered. This Hypomyces seems to affect the
milk cells. A beautiful, profuse, purple fluid results.
The parasite is proving itself an enemy to fungi, but a friend to man.
Upon L. piperatus and upon Amanita rubescens it very much adds to
the weight of the plants, and improves the texture and edible qualities.
The same may be said of L. volemus, but not to such a degree. Prof.
M. W. Easton in August, 1899, found this species at Mt. Gretna, Pa.,
attacked by a parasitic fungus in such a manner as to destroy its milk-
36 561
Hypocreacese
Hypomyces. giving quality and completely transform its gills into a corrugated,
granular surface.
Professor Peck, to whom I submitted the parasite, thinks it a new
species and calls it H. volemi.
Further study of Hypomyces and its effect upon fungi, and of the
particular host-plants is desirable.
H. lac'tifluorum (Schw.) Tulasne — lac, milk; fluerum, flowing.
(Plate CXXXVI, fig. 5, p. 508.) Asci long and slender, sporidia in
one row, spindle-shaped, straight or slightly curved, rough, hyaline,
uniseptate, cuspidate-pointed at the ends, 30—38x6-8^.
The general appearance is much the same as that of H. aurantius
(Pers. ) Tul., but the sporidia are larger, rough and warted, and the
felt-like mycelium is wanting.
In the affected species of Lactarius the gills are entirely obliterated,
so that the hymenium of the agaric presents an even, orange-colored
surface on which the subglobose perithecia are thickly bedded, with
only their slightly prominent reddish ostiola visible. In decay the color
changes to a purplish-red.
On Lactarius, especially L. piperatus.
New Jersey, Ellis; Alabama, U. and E.; Minnesota, Arthur; Nova
Scotia, Dr. Somers; on various species of Lactarius, 1895, Ala. Bull. ;
South Carolina, Ravenel; Pennsylvania, Everliart.
West Virginia, 1881-1882; Haddonfield, N. J., Mt. Gretna, Pa.,
August to October. Mcllvaine.
This fungus puzzled me for many years. August, 1896, I sent sev-
eral specimens to Professor Peck of different colors — orange, red, whitish
and purple.
Professor Peck kindly identified the specimens and wrote : "In one
the matrix of the host-plant has not been so completely changed or
transformed as in the other. It would be interesting to know what
species of Lactarius it is that Hypomyces attacks. I have never been
able to ascertain, and have sometimes thought it might be Cantharellus
cibarius, but this specimen of yours indicates, rather, a Lactarius."
Of the purple specimen he wrote: " This is a beautiful thing, and
as I find nothing like it described I have given it a name — Hypomyces
purpureus Peck."
Well cooked, in small pieces, it is one of the very best.
562
Hypocreacese
'
H. purpu'reus Pk. — purpureus, purple. Subiculum effused, purple, Hypomyces.
permeating, transforming and discoloring the matrix; perithecia minute,
sunk in the subiculum, the ostiola emergent, black; asci cylindrical;
spores fusiform, uniseptate, purple, with a cusp-like point at each end,
35— 4O/U. long, 7.5/4 broad, oozing out and forming beautiful purple
masses or patches on the surface of the matrix.
Pennsylvania. August. Charles Mcllvaine.
The species is similar in all respects to H. lactifluorum, except in
color. It is apparently parasitic on some species of Lactarius, but the
host plant is so transformed and discolored that the species is not
recognizable. Peek, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, Vol. 25, No. 6.
H. purpureus Pk. was sent by the writer to Professor Peck in Au-
gust, 1897, who wrote: "This is a beautiful thing and as I find noth-
ing like it described, I have given it a name."
Of itself H. purpureus is a minute parasitic fungus as above described.
But it possesses the power of so altering the structure — changing form,
shape and appearance — of the fungus upon which it has taken its abode
that the host-plant, be it Cantharellus cibarius, Craterellus cantharellus
or one of the Lactari, or whatever the species, becomes difficult to rec-
ognize, so that it is not yet certain upon which species it is parasitic.
It may be upon many.
The present plant seems to be parasitic upon one of the Lactarii. It
therefore becomes necessary to describe the host as it appears when
possessed by the parasite. The plant is variable in shape from an ir-
regular nodule to a distorted-capped, short-stemmed mass, 2-4 in.
across, 1—3 in. high, hard, brittle, coarse in appearance and rough to
the touch ; deep orange, wholly or in part stained with a beautiful pur-
ple. The purple juice exudes and dyes everything with which it comes
in contact. The growth is very heavy for its size.
To all appearances it is the same host as is attacked by Hypomyces
lactifluorum, resembling it in every particular excepting in the purple
stain and juice.
It is frequent in open oak and chestnut woods, but prefers oak. It
grows from among leaves or from grassy spots. August to October.
While it is beautiful in its coloring it is not inviting in appearance as
an edible. Yet sliced, cut small and stewed for twenty minutes it is one
of the very best fungi I have eaten.
Hypocreacese
Hypomyces. H. vole'mi Pk. Subiculum very thin, whitish or isabelline; peri-
thecia minute, brown, nestling in the subiculum; asci very slender,
1 00-125 /A long, sporiferous part 4/4 broad. Spores oblong-fusiform,
12— 15/w. long, 4/A broad, commonly binucleate.
Parasitic on the hymenium of Lactarius volemus. Pennsylvania.
Charles Mcllvaine.
The hymenium of the host plant is changed in appearance by the
parasite, but the stem and upper surface of the pileus remain unchanged.
Peck, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, 27, January, 1900.
The edible qualities are in nowise affected by the parasite.
564
Tuberaceee
X 475
TUBER NIVEUM or TERFEZIA LEONIS.
By courtesy Rev. A. B. Langlois.
A. Plant. B. Interior (section), c. Asci.
FAMILY.— TUBERA'CE-ffi.
Subterranean; ascophore irregularly globose, usually large, not rup- Tuber,
turing.
To this family belongs the Truffle
of commerce renowned for its fla- (Plate CLIII.)
voring qualities. It has not yet
been found in America, though
several fungi are ignorantly bought
in our markets under that name ;
notably Coprinus comatus or maned
mushroom. The writer has fre-
quently been informed with all the
logical force of genuine market-
women that this was the real Truffle,
because they raised it themselves.
Until quite recently but one
species of Truffle has been reported
as growing in America. This, Tuber niveum Desf. or Terfezia leonis
Tul. was found by Rev. A. B. Langlois, St. Martinville, La. He re-
ported it as growing plentifully, buried or nearly so in the red sand land
along the Red river near Natchitoches. He writes me: "The people
where it is found are looking for it with great care and are eating it with
great relish. I had occasion to eat it once and I found it delicious."
He kindly sent the original illustration from which the accompanying
drawing was made. It was taken from Jour. Myc., January, 1887, J.
B. Ellis, who first published a description of the American representa-
tive of the species. He describes it as "subglobose, up to full two
inches in diameter, strongly plicate or furrowed below, nearly smooth
and pale reddish-brown outside, marbled-white within and of compact
texture much like a potato, but softer. When first dug from the ground
the color is pure white, the reddish tint being due to exposure to the
air. The asci obovate or subglobose, 75— 80x60— /O/A. Each contains
eight globose spores, thickly clothed with obtuse, elongated, wart-like
tubercles and about 2Op in diameter. The home of the white Truffle is
565
Tuberaceae
Tuber, said to be in Northern Africa, though it is not uncommon in Southern
Europe, where its growth is favored by mild winters."
It is probable that the Truffle will be found in other southern states.
Perhaps in the north, as Fries reports that two specimens were found
near Linkoping, Sweden, and Mr. H. W. Harkness reports Tubers in the.
Sierras at the height of 7,000 feet. It is worth hunting for.
It is possible that the common Truffle — Tuber aestivum — will be found
in America. Fame awaits the finder. A description of it with illustra-
tion is therefore given.
Tuber sesti'vum Vitt.
(Plate CLIV.)
I
TUBER
(Common Truffle.)
A. Plant. B. Section showing interior.
Peridium warty, of a blackish-brown color,
the warts polygonal and striate;
flesh transversed by numerous veins ;
asci 4-6-spored ; spores elliptical,
reticulated.
This plant, the common Truffle of
our markets, is abundant in Wilt-
shire and some other parts of Eng-
land, and probably occurs in many
places where it escapes observation
from its subterranean habit. Bad-
ham.
It is cultivated largely in France.
"Perigord Truffles" are a costly
delicacy. The Truffle is of subterranean habit, growing under various
kinds of trees and from 12—48 in. under ground. As it does not mani-
fest its presence above ground, dogs and pigs are trained to find it by
scent. An interesting chapter on Truffles will be found in British
Edible Fungi, M. C. Cooke, 1891. Any plant of similar habit, when
found, should be immediately sent by the finder to a known expert for
identification.
Thirteen species of Tuber and several Terfeziaa are reported in Cali-
fornia, and are described and beautifully illustrated in "California
Hypogaeous Fungi" by H. W. Harkness, "Proceedings of the Cali-
fornia Academy of Sciences," 1899.
Terfezia spinosa Harkness closely resembles T. leonis Tul., and T.
(sphaerotuber) Californicum n. sp., found under oaks beneath vegetable
humus in Alameda county, Cal., Professor Harkness remarks, is nearly
566
Tuberacese
(Plate CLV.)
identical with an edible species found in Italy. All species found in Tuber.
California are said to be edible, but to be too rare to be of food value.
There is a well known growth, found from New Jersey south to the
Gulf and west to Kansas, called Tucka-
hoe (Pachyma cocos) . (Plate CLV),
an Indian name meaning a round loaf or
cake, and famed for its edible qualities.
Its exact place in plant growth has been
variously determined. It is now con-
ceded that it is the sclerotium or cellular
reservoir of reserve material of some
fungus. It is usually found attached to
the roots of trees, in low marshy places.
It grows several feet below the surface,
and to the size of a man's head. It
varies in shape, being oblong or round,
having a coarse brown covering, looking
like a cocoanut. Its interior is white,
compact, without cellular structure; it
has no mycelium or trace of fructifica-
tion. It contains, as high as 77 per cent, of pectose and is therefore
highly nutritious.
For full accounts see Torrey Bulletin, October, 1882; Smithsonian
Inst. Rep., 1881, p. 693; article by Professor). Howard Gore; also
Garden and Forest, IX, p. 302.
The illustration is after that in the Century Dictionary, " Tuckahoe."
PACHYMA cocos — "TUCKAHOE."
After Century Dictionary.
A. Mass of Tuckahoe. B. Showing
method of growing around a root.
567
Gastromycetes
SUB-CLASS BASIDIOMYCETES.
COHORT GASTROMTCETES. Gr.-gasteron, a sac, etc.
(Plate CLVI.).
1 A. Exterior skin, bark, rind, cortex, scurf,
warts, spines, bristles— peridium.
Plants with long spines — echinate.
B. Inner rind or true peridium. [A. B. —
peridia (plural of peridium).]
C. Columella — those filaments springing
from the base and rising, which do not
unite freely with those issuing from the
inner peridium. This mass of threads
is usually conical, but sometimes glo-
bose.
D. Capillitium— a soft mass of cottony
threads interspersed with minute dust-
like spores; the space occupied is called
the gleba.
E. Coarse empty, sterile cells. The space
they occupy is called the subgleba.
F. Echinate spores magnified.
G. Spines (magnified) which fall off and
leave the inner peridium exposed.
2.
A. Lycoperdon echinatum.
B. Spmes (magnified) which fall off and leave tesselated inner peridium exposed. (After Morgan.)
As has been stated, the two Cohorts in which a hymenium or spore-
bearing surface is present are called Hymenomycetes and Gastromycetes.
In the first the hymenium is exposed, as in the common mushroom. In
the second — Gastromycetes — the hymenium is at first enclosed in a sac
or peridium, as in the common puff-ball.
The botanical description of Gastromycetes, given by M. C. Cooke,
is: "Hymenium more or less permanently concealed, consisting in
most cases of closely-packed cells, of which the fertile ones bear naked
spores on distinct spicules, exposed only by the rupture or decay of the
insisting coat or peridium.'
The Gastromycetes are usually large, ground-growing fungi. A few
grow upon wood. The peridium is of dense structure, usually globose
568
Phalloideae
and of considerable thickness. It commonly consists of two layers.
These form the sac holding the spore-bearing structure, which is called
the gleba. The gleba consists of innumerable chambers or cells,
curved and branched, and only to be distinguished by magnifying.
The primary structure is retained in some species throughout the life of
the plants, excepting changes due to growth and maturing, or in others
these cells or chambers are large and few, and form distinct peridiola,
which contain the spores.
The maturing of the plant and the consequent changes in the gleba
is accompanied by various transformations of the peridium."
It is impossible within the scope of this book to even name all the
genera of Gastromycetes. Professor Morgan's table of the families and
table of the genera of Lycoperdaceae are here given. The orders are
defined as are some of the genera, and the edible species are described.
TABLE OF FAMILIES OF GASTROMYCETES.
A. TERRESTRIAL.
(#) Peridium double.
I. — Phalloi'deae. Page 570.
Peridium becoming transformed into a receptacle of various shape,
with a volva at its base. Gleba becoming dissolved into a dark green
mass of jelly.
II. — Lycoperda'cese. Page 577.
Peridium sessile, usually with a more or less thickened base or some-
times stipitate, at maturity filled with a dusty mass of mingled threads
and spores.
(3) Peridium single.
III. — Scleroderma'ceee. Page 615.
Peridium discrete from the gleba, often with a columella; cells of the
gleba subpersistent.
IV. — Hymenogastra'cese.
Peridium concrete with the gleba, indehiscent; cells of the gleba per-
sistent. (No edible species reported. C. Mcllvaine.}
569
Gastromycetes
B. EPIPHYTAL.
V . — Nidularia'c ese .
Peridium cyathiform, open at the top, containing one or more dis-
tinct peridiola. Morgan.
(Small. No species reported edible. C. Mcllvaine.')
A. TERRESTRIAL.
(#) Peridium double.
FAMILY L— PHALLOIDE-ffi.
Receptacle and gleba at first enclosed in a universal volva composed
of three distinct layers, the central one being gelatinous at maturity.
Spores minute, elliptic-oblong, smooth, when mature involved in mucus.
Mas see.
Spores 3-5/* in length. Morgan.
There are but few edible species within the family, and those edible
only when very young. The family embraces the very offensive fungi
known as stink-horns.
TABLE OF GENERA.
I.— PHALLE^J.
Receptacle consisting of an elongated stipe bearing the gleba on a
conical pileus at its apex.
1. PHALLUS. Page 571.
Pileus attached only to the apex of the stipe, dependent free all
around below.
2. MUTINUS. Page 575.
Pileus wholly adnate to the summit of the stipe.
II.—
Receptacle a hollow clathrate body, with the gleba attached to the
upper part of the inner surface.
570
Phalloidese
3. CLATHRUS.
Receptacle composed of obliquely anastomosing bars and sessile.
4. SlMBLUM.
Receptacle composed of obliquely anastomosing bars and stipitate.
5. LATERNEA.
Receptacle composed of a few vertical columns and sessile.
Morgan.
I.— PHAL'LEJE.
Receptacle consisting of an elongated stem bearing the gleba on a
conical pileus at its apex. Stem cylindric, hollow, composed of one
to several layers of round-celled tissue ; the gleba occupying the outer
surface of the pileus.
GENUS I.— PHAL'LUS Mich.
Stem hollow within, the wall composed of several layers of round- phallus,
celled tissue. Pileus attached only to the apex of the stipe, dependent
free all around below, the gleba occupying its outer surface. Morgan.
The following synoptical tables will exhibit the prominent distinctive
features of the species of Phallus of this state (New York) and the
United States, so far as I am able to get them from the published de-
scriptions and the specimens at my command.
NEW YORK SPECIES OF PHALLUS.
Denuded pileus reticulate with coarse deep pits or cells.
Veil exposed, reticulate with small perforations
P. Dsemonum Rumph.
Veil none P. impudicus L.
Denuded pileus porous, veil not perforate, concealed. . . .
P. Ravenelii B. and C.
UNITED STATES SPECIES OF PHALLUS.
Denuded pileus reticulate with coarse deep pits or cells.
Veil exposed.
571
Gastromycetes
Phallus. Large and reticulate with large perforations P. indusiatus Vent.
Smaller and reticulate with small perforations.?. Daemonum Rumph.
Smaller and plicate P. duplicatus Bosc.
Veil none P. impudicus L.
Denuded pileus even or merely porous.
Veil short, concealed beneath the pileus P. Ravenelii B. and C.
Veil none P. rubicundus Bosc.
Peck, 32d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
I . — H YMENOPH AL'LUS .
An indusium or veil surrounding the stipe and dependent from its
apex beneath the pileus.
a. Veil reticulate , hanging below the pileus.
P. Dse'moimm Rumph. Volva globose, not very thick, pinkish;
segments 3 or 4, irregular. Stem cylindric, tapering at each end, cel-
lulose; the veil reticulate, somewhat expanded and bell-shaped, hang-
ing nearly to the middle of the stem. Pileus bell-shaped, somewhat
oblique ; the surface reticulate-pitted after deliquescence ; the apex trun-
cate, smooth, perforate. Spores elliptic-oblong, 4x2/4.
Plant 9 in. high. Volva 2 in. in diameter. Stem I /£ in. thick at the
middle. Pileus 2 in. in height; the lower edge of the veil hangs about
4 in. from the apex of the stem. The short veil and the smooth ring at
the apex will distinguish this species from the next. Morgan.
Growing on the ground in woods.
Ohio, Morgan, Lea; Maryland, Miss Banning; New York, Peck.
Mt. Gretna, ground in mixed woods, August, 1899. Mcllvaine.
Several specimens were found ; but two in the early or ovum stage.
In this condition the species is edible. Quality same as P. impudicus.
P. duplica'tllS Bosc. Volva depressed globose, thick, flabby white;
segments 3-5, acute. Stipe fusiform-cylindric cellulose; the veil re-
ticulate, hanging down to the volva. sometimes much expanded, often
torn and shreddy with pieces adherent to the stipe. Pileus campanu-
late, reticulate-pitted after deliquescence ; the apex acute, not regularly
perforate. Spores elliptic-oblong, 4x2/4.
572
PLATE CLVIII.
-o
3C
>
r1
n
c
0>
50
m
z
m
r
Phalloidese
Plant 6-8 in. high. Volva 2>£ in. in diameter. Stipe i% in. PhaUus.
thick in the middle. Pileus 2 in. in height. The long veil usually
clings close to the stipe though sometimes swinging free and much ex-
panded. In this species the gleba extends over the apex and there is
no thick smooth ring encircling the perforation as in the preceding
species (P. Daemonum). Morgan.
Growing in woods about old stumps and rotten logs. West Virginia,
in woods, along mountain trails; Mt. Gretna, Pa., in mixed woods,
summer. Mcllvaine.
In the forests of the West Virginia mountains, P. duplicatus is fre-
quent. Before rupture of the volva the plant is a semi-gelatinous mass,
tenacious and elastic. It has little taste or smell. Cut in slices and
fried, or stewed, it is a tender, agreeable food.
b. Veil not reticulate, concealed beneath the pileus.
P. Ravenel'ii B. and C. Volva subglobose or ovoid, pinkish ; with an
inner membrane, the lower half of the veil surrounding the base of the
stem; segments 2 or 3. Stem cylindric, tapering at each end, cellu-
lose; the veil membranous, scarcely half as long as the pileus and con-
cealed beneath it. Pileus conico-bell-shaped ; the surface not reticu-
late-pitted after deliquescence ; the apex smooth and closed or finally
perforate. Spores elliptic-oblong, 4x5—2^.
Plant 5-7 in. high. Volva i>2-2 in. in diameter. Stem nearly i in.
thick. Pileus i /£ in. in height. This species vitiates the genus Dic-
tyophora and it can not very well be placed in Ithyphallus.
Growing in woods and fields about rotting stumps and logs. Morgan.
South Carolina, Ravenel; Ohio, Morgan; New York, Peck.
II. — ITHYPHAL'LUS Fischer. (Gr. — erect; Gr. — phallus.)
Stipe without an indusium or veil dependent from its apex. Morgan.
P. impudi'cus Linn. (Plate CLVIII.) Volva globose or ovoid,
white or pinkish; segments 2 or 3. Stem cylindric, tapering at each
end, cellulose, without a veil. Pileus conic-campanulate ; the surface
reticulate pitted after deliquescence, the apex smooth, at first closed, at
length perforate. Spores elliptic-oblong, 4-5x2^.
573
Gastromycetes
Phallus. Growing on the ground in woods.
Plant 6-8 in. high. Volva 2 in. in diameter. Stem l% in. thick.
Pileus 2 in. in height.
By the elongation of the stem the thin membrane which separates the
stipe from the pileus is torn into shreds and the pileus is thus liberated
from the stipe except at the apex. Morgan.
West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. Summer and autumn.
Mel 'lvalue.
P. impudicus makes itself known wherever it grows. The stench of
the full-grown plant is aggravatingly offensive, attracting blow-flies in
quantities, and the carrion beetle Necrophorus Americanus. It is
common over the United States, in woods, open fence corners, along
road-sides, but a favorite abode is in kitchen yards and under wooden
steps, where, when mature, it will compel the household to seek it in
self-defense. It is a beautiful plant.
When in the egg-shape it is white or light dull-green, semi-gelatinous,
tenacious and elastic. As many as a dozen sometimes grow in a bunch,
each from a peculiar white, cord-like root or mycelium. They look,
when young, like bubbles of some thick substance. In this condition
they are very good when fried. They demand to be eaten at this time,
if at any.
574
Phalloidese
GENUS II.— MUTI'NUS Fr.
Stipe hollow within, the wall composed of a single layer of round.- Muthms.
celled tissue. Pileus wholly adnate to the summit of the stipe, the
gleba occupying its outer surface. Morgan.
Distinguished from Ithyphallus by the cap being adnate to the re-
ceptacle.
M. cani'nus Fr. (Phallus canimis Berk. ; Phallus inodorus Sow.)
Receptacle elongate-fusiform, cel-
lular, white or rosy. Pileus short,
subacute, rugulose, red. Spores
cylindrical, involved in green mucus,
3-5X2/*.
In woods and bushy places.
Sporophore from %— % in. before
the volva is ruptured. When fully
evolved 3-4 in. high. Sometimes
scentless, at others with a distinct
odor, but never so strong and dis-
agreeable as in Ithyphallus impu-
dicus. Massee.
Spores elliptic, 6x4/u, Morgan;
3-5x2^ Massee.
New England, Frost; New York,
Warne; West Virginia, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, Mcllvaine.
This species is common. Few
old woods are without it. It is con-
spicuous in color among the brown
of the forest carpet. The plant has
not .the mal-odor of its relations,
but is not pleasant. In the egg
shape it is gelatinous, tenacious,
rather firm, edible and good when
sliced and fried.
(Plate CLIX.)
ML'TINUS CANINUS.
(After Massee and Morgan.)
M. bovi'nus Morg. Volva oblong-ovoid, pinkish, segments 2 or 3.
Gastromycetes
Mutinus. Stem cylindric, tapering gradually to the apex, white or pinkish below,
bright red above. Pileus indeterminate, conic-acuminate, perforate at
the apex. Spores elliptic-oblong, 4-5x2^.
Plant 4-7 in. in height, the stem % of an in. in thickness, the volva
not much thicker and i-i)£ in. in height; the pileus occupies 1-2 in.
of the pointed apex, but is not definitely limited below. This plant has
the strong disagreeable odor of other Phalloids.
Growing in rich soil in cultivated grounds and in woods. Morgan.
Common in mixed woods, West Virginia, Pennsylvania. Smell
strong, but not so offensive as P. impudicus. Edible in the egg-shape.
M. brevis B. and C. — short. Volva globose or ovoid, segments 2
or 3. Stem bright red, coarsely cribrose, attenuated below. Pileus
somewhat broadly clavate, sometimes conical, but always more or less
obtuse, perforate at the apex.
Plant 2-3 in. high. Stem 4-5 lines thick, the volva % of an in. in
diameter, the pileus sometimes half as long as the stem.
Growing on the ground in fields and gardens. Morgan.
North Carolina, Curtis; South Carolina, Ravenel; New England,
Wright; New York, Howe, Gerard, Peck.
In the remaining genera, Clathrus, Simblum, Laternea, no species
have been reported as tested.
576
Lycoperdaceae
FAMILY II.— LYCOPERDA'CE^E.
Peridium sessile, usually with a more or less thickened base or some-
times stipitate, at maturity filled with a dusty mass of mingled threads
and spores.
• This order contains many of our most delicious and important food
species. The characteristics of all genera are given. In several of them
no species are reported edible, but it is more than probable that all are.
The genera are therefore given in this table, but are omitted in place to
save room. The omitted genera are Nos. i, Polyplocium; 2, Batar-
rea; 3, Myriostoma; 5, Astreus; 6, Mitremyces.
TABLE OF GENERA OF LYCOPERDACEjE.
I.— VOLVAT-ffi.
Outer peridium a thick, firm, persistent coat, bursting irregularly or
splitting from the apex downward into segments.
(#) Inner peridium stipitate, the outer remaining as a volva
at the base of the stipe.
i. POLYPLOCIUM.
Inner peridium pileate, with aculeiform processes underneath ; threads
of the capillitium slender, hyaline, scarcely branched.
2. BATARREA.
Inner peridium circumscissile, the upper part coming off like a lid;
threads of the capillitium with spiral markings.
(#) Inner peridium sessile, the outer splitting into segments
which become re flexed.
3. MYRIOSTOMA.
Inner peridium dehiscent above by many mouths; columella .. ;
threads of the capillitium simple, tapering to each extremity.
37 577
Gastromycetes
4. GEASTER. Page 580.
Inner peridium dehiscent at the apex by a single mouth ; columella
present; threads of the capillitium simple, tapering to each extremity.
5. ASTR^EUS.
Inner peridium membranaceous ; dehiscent at the apex by a single
mouth ; columella none ; threads of the capillitium very long, much
branched and interwoven.
•
6. MlTREMYCES.
Inner peridium cartilaginous, dehiscent at the apex by a stellate fis-
sure; columella none; threads of the capillitium very long, much
branched and interwoven.
II.— COBTICATJE.
Outer peridium (cortex) a soft, fragile, more or less deciduous layer,
often with external projections in the shape of warts, spines or scales.
(c) Peridium stipitate.
7. TYLOSTOMA. Page 582.
Peridium membranaceous, dehiscent by a regular apical mouth;
threads of the capillitium very long, much branched and interwoven.
Peridium sessile, but with a more or less thickened base.
8. CALVATIA. Page 582.
Peridium large, globose or turbinate, breaking up into fragments from
above downward, and gradually falling away; threads of the capillitium
very long, much branched and interwoven.
9. LYCOPERDON. Page 589.
Peridium small, globose, obovoid or turbinate, membranaceous, de-
hiscent by a regular apical mouth, threads of the capillitium long, slen-
der, simple or branched.
10. BoviSTELLA. Page 608.
Peridium subglobose, membranaceous, dehiscent by a regular apical
578
Liycoperdaceee
mouth; threads of the capillitium free, short, several times dichoto-
mously branched.
(*?) Peridium sessile, without any thickened base .
ii. CATASTOMA. Page 609.
Peridium globose, subcoriaceous, dehiscent by a basal aperture;
threads of the capillitium free, short, simple, or scarcely branched.
12. BoviSTA. Page6i,o.
Peridium subglobose, membranaceous, dehiscent by an apical mouth,
or opening irregularly; threads of the capillitium free, short, several
times dichotomously branched.
13. MYCENASTRUM. Page 613.
Peridium subglobose, very thick, coriaceous, the upper part finally
breaking up into irregular lobes or fragments ; threads of the capillitium
free, short, with a few short branches and scattered prickles. Morgan.
GENUS IV.— GEA'STER Mich.
Gr. — the earth ; Gr. — star.
Mycelium filamentous or fibrous, much branched and interwoven with Geaster.
the soil. Peridium subglobose, composed of two distinct persistent
coats; outer peridium thick, fleshy-coriaceous, at first closely investing
the inner, but discrete ( distinct ) at maturity splitting from the apex down-
ward into several segments which become reflexed ; inner peridium thin,
membranaceous then papyraceous (like parchment), sessile or with a
579
Gastromycetes
(Plate CLX.)
Geaster. short pedicel, dehiscent at the apex by a single mouth. Capillitium tak-
ing its origin from the inner surface
of the peridium and also from a dis-
tinct central columella, which arises
from its base; threads simple, long,
slender, thickest in the middle and
tapering to each extremity, fixed at
one end and free at the other. Spores
small, globose, minutely warted,
brown. Morgan.
G. minimus, when found by the
writer, was not tested because not
found in condition. It is a plant
beautiful in its oddity. Its seven to
nine outer segments of skin loosen
at the bottom, spring up, raising
the oval body of the plant with
them, turn their points down and
balance on the lower points, and look,
in miniature, just as would two sec-
tional orange peels spread at their
loose points if one was rested, point
to point, upon the other. This hoisting of the spore-bearing part aloft,
that it may better eject its spores to the wind, does not seem to have
been noted by Professor Morgan. Specimens sent to Professor Peck
by the writer beautifully illustrated this enterprise of the plant.
G. hygrome'tricus Pers. (Plate CLX, 2 figs., p. 580.) Peridium
depressed-globose, the cuticle deciduous with the mycelium; outer
peridium deeply parted, the segments 7-20, strongly hygrometric,
acute at the apex; inner peridium depressed-globose, sessile, reticulate,
pitted, whitish becoming gray or brownish; the mouth an irregularly
lacerate aperture. Threads of the capillitium rather thinner than the
spores, hyaline. Spores globose, minutely warted, brown, 8-1 I/A in.
in diameter.
Growing in fields and woods in sandy soil. A very common species
found everywhere in the world. Inner peridium % — i in. in diameter,
the segments expanding to a breadth of 2—3 in. The inner layer of the
580
GEASTER HYGROMETRICUS.
Natural size. (After Morgan.)
Lycoperdacese
outer peridium is cartilaginous-gelatinous, hard and rigid when dry, Geaster.
swelling greatly and flexible when wet ; though constantly becoming
more and more cracked and fissured, it retains its hygroscopic qualities
a long time, and the outer peridium remains lying on the soil, stellate
in shape, spreading out its rays in moist weather and bending them
inward in dry. Morgan.
Mr. Morgan made a new genus — Astraeus, in which he placed this
species. It is so widely known as Geaster hygrometricus that to avoid
confusion it is placed in its old genus.
This natural barometer, spreading its stellate covering on the soil
about it when the air is laden with moisture, and closing it around
its puffy body when humidity is absent, is odd and interesting. The
entire genus is more or less gifted with this weather-wise quality. The
species is very common, but seldom found in number. Once, in the
West Virginia mountains, 1882, I found a large patch of it, and was
able to collect from it enough young ones to test its edibility. It is
difficult to find before it bursts its outer coat. When young it is,
when cooked, soft and creamy inside. The outer part is tough and
semi-glutinous but of pleasant texture. It has not a marked flavor, but
makes a succulent dish.
581
Gastrornycetes
II.— CORTICATE.
Tylostoma. (Plate CLXI.)
GENUS VII.— TYLOS'TOMA Pers.
Gr. — a knob.
Plants growing on the ground, oftenest in dry and
sandy regions. The genus is readily distinguished
from all others of the Lycoperdaceae by the entire
peridium being mounted upon the apex of the stem.
Morgan.
The genus contains but few species. Those I have
found were not in condition to test. There is no re-
port upon the edibility of any.
TYLOSTOMA
MEYENIANUM.
(After Morgan.)
GENUS VIII.— CALVA'TIA Fr.
Caivatia. Mycelium fibrous, usually thick and cord-like, rooting from the base.
Peridium large, globose and nearly sessile, or turbinate with a well-de-
veloped base ; cortex a very thin adherent layer, often smooth and con-
tinuous, sometimes composed of minute spinules or granules; inner
peridium a loosely woven and very fragile covering, after maturity
breaking up into fragments from above downward and gradually falling
away. Subgleba cellulose, mostly definitely limited and concave above,
persistent; mass of spores and capillitium dense, compact, persistent a
long time and slowly dissipating after the fracture of the peridium ; the
threads very long, slender, much branched and interwoven. Spores
small, globose, usually sessile or with only a minute pedicel. Morgan.
Puffballs of the largest size, growing on the ground in fields and
woods. Morgan.
I. — SESSILES.
Peridium very large, without a distinct base ; subgleba nearly obsolete,
the mass of spores and capillitium quite filling the interior.
582
Lycoperdacess
C. gigantea Batsch. — gigantic. (Z. bovista Linn. ; L. maximum Caivatia.
Schaeff. ; L. giganteum Batsch.) Very large, 10-20 in. in diameter,
obconic or depressed-globose, nearly or quite sessile, white or whitish,
becoming discolored by age, smooth or slightly roughened by weak
spinose or minute floccose warts, sometimes cracking in areas; capilli-
tium and spores yellowish-green to dingy-olive. Spores smooth, 41*. in.
in diameter. Edible. Peck, 32d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Spores globose, even or sometimes minutely warted, 3.5—4-5 m- in
diameter, often with a minute pedicel. Morgan.
Common over the states. Growing on the ground in grassy places
in fields and woods. August to October.
tv As the name implies, this species is gigantic. It is the largest of all
fungi. It has attained the diameter of three feet in this country, but is-
reported larger in Europe. I have found it in West Virginia weighing
nine pounds, but one is reported as found in Gordon Park weighing
fdrty-seven pounds. I have often followed the advice of Vittadini and
sliced a meal for my family from growing individuals. The cut surface
contracts and dries!' The plant seems to be deprived of its power to
further ripen. It can thus be cut for many days. It has other than
food uses in its dry form — as a sponge, as tinder, as a color, as a styptic
in hemorrhage ; the Finns make a remedy of it for diarrhea in calves,
and it is burned under bee-hives to stupefy bees.
It, as well as L. cyathiforme, is an admirable and delicate fungus.
C. pachyder'ma Pk. Gr. — thick-skinned. Peridium very large,
globose or obovoid, often irregular, with a thick cord-like root; cortex
thin, smooth, whitish, persistent, drying up into polygonal areolae
which are white in the center with a brown border ; inner peridium very
thick but fragile, with a separable membranaceous lining, after maturity
gradually breaking up into fragments and falling away. Subgleba ob-
solete ; mass of spores and capillitium greenish-yellow then olive-brown ;
the threads very long, occasionally septate, branched, mostly thinner
than the spores. Spores globose, distinctly warted, 5-6ft in diameter,
sometimes with a minute pedicel.
Growing on the ground. Arizona, Pringle; Dakota, Miss Nellie
Crouch. Peridium 4-8 in. in diameter. Remarkable for its thick
peridium, which becomes white spotted and areolate. Morgan.
I have not seen this species.
583
Grastromycetes
II . — CYATHIFORMES.
Caivatia. Peridium large, top-shaped, with a stout thick base; subgleba lim-
ited and concave above, persistent.
C. cyathifor'mis Bosc. — cup-shaped. (L. cyatki forme Bosc.) (Plate
CLXII, p. 584.) Peridium 3-6 in. in diameter, globose or depressed-
globose, smooth or minutely floccose or scaly, whitish cinereous brown
or pinkish brown, often cracking into areas in the upper part, commonly
with a short, thick, stem-like base; capillitium and spores purple-brown,
these and the upper part of the peridium falling away and disappearing
when old, leaving a cup-shaped base with a ragged margin. Spores
globose, rough, purple-brown, 5-6. 5/x. broad. Peck, 48th Rep. N. Y.
.State Bot.
Common over United States. Indiana, H . I. Miller ; West Virginia,
New Jersey. On open grassy ground. July to October. Mcllvaine.
Often a queer, ragged, cup-shaped, purplish mass is noticed protrud-
ing from the ground, looking as if the upper half had been cut off hori-
zontally. This is the mature C. cyathiformis, or rather, what is left of
it. The upper half has blown away and is spreading its spores else-
where.
A first-class Lycoperdon, meaty and of excellent flavor. When it
occurs, it is usually in plenty. On the great parade ground at Mt.
Gretna, Pa., it annually appears in large quantities. Cows are fond'of
it, and it is this fungus which is currently believed among farmers to
affect milk. I have watched cows pawing it to pieces and eating por-
tions of it.
C. fra'gilis Vitt. — fragile. Peridium obovoid, plicate below, with a
short-pointed base and a cord-like root. Cortex a smooth continuous
layer, very thin and fragile, separable, white or grayish, becoming
brownish and tinged with violet and purple, commonly areolate above;
inner peridium thin, violet to purple, velvety, extremely fragile, after
maturity the upper part soon breaking up into fragments and falling
away. Subgleba occupying but a small portion of the peridium, cup-
shaped above, persistent; mass of spores and capillitium from violet to
pale purple; the threads very long, mostly thinner than the spores,
scarcely branched. Spores globose, minutely warted, 4-5.5/1 in diame-
ter, sessile.
584
PLATE CLXII.
o
r >
~ —
o *-J
1 >
lo
0 •<
3 Tl
? o
"
00
Lycoperdaceee
Growing on the open prairies. Wisconsin, Brown; Iowa, McBride; Caivatia.
Nebraska, Wyoming, Webber; Kansas, Cragin; California, Harkness.
Peridilim 1-^—3 in. in diameter. Morgan.
Not seen by writer. Doubtless edible.
C. sigilla'ta Cragin — adorned with figures. Pei'idium large, de-
pressed above, narrowed below into a stem-like base. Cortex very thin
and fragile, white, easily abraded; inner peridium subcoriaceous, with
a fragile rust-color brown lining, marked off above into polygonal areas
by lines of depression, at length breaking up into fragments and falling
away. Mass of spores and capillitium violet to dark-purple. Spores
globose, even, 3.5-4.5/0, in diameter, with a long pedicel.
Growing on the open prairie. Kansas, Cragin. Peridium 4-5 in.
in diameter. The species is well marked by the even pedicellate spores.
Morgan.
C. CSela'ta Bull. — carved in relief. (L. ccela'tnm Bull. ; L. bovista
Pers.) Peridium large, obovoid or top-shaped, depressed above, with
a stout thick base and a cord-like root. Cortex a thickish floccose
layer, with coarse warts or spines above, whitish then ochraceous or
finally brown, at length breaking up into areola which are more or less
persistent; inner peridium thick but fragile, thinner about the apex,
where it finally ruptures, forming a large irregular lacerate aperture.
Subgleba occupying nearly half the peridium, cup-shaped above and a
long time persistent; mass of spores and capillitium compact, farina-
ceous, greenish-yellow or olivaceous, becoming pale to dark-brown; the
threads very much branched, the primary branches two or three times
as thick as the spores, very brittle, soon breaking up into fragments.
Spores globose, even, 4— 4.5/1* in diameter, sessile or sometimes with
a short or minute pedicel.
Growing on the ground in fields and woods.
Peridium 3-5 in. in diameter, sometimes larger. Morgan.
Wisconsin, Brown; Minnesota, JoJinson ; Kansas, Kellerman; L.
caelatum, New. York, edible, Peck, 23d Rep. ; Indiana, good, H. I.
Miller. Common, West Virginia, wooded lanes, Mcllvaine.
An excellent species.
C. hiema'lis Bull. — belonging to winter. Peridium obovoid or top-
shaped, depressed above, with a stout thick base and a cord-like root.
585
Gastromycetes
Calvatia. Cortex a thin furfuraceous coat, with stout convergent spines above,
whitish or gray, becoming yellowish and reddish, after maturity gradually
falling away from the upper part; inner peridium thin, submembrana-
ceous, pallid or brownish, dehiscent at the apex by an irregular lacerate
mouth. Subgleba occupying nearly half the peridium, cup-shaped above
and a long time persistent; mass of spores and capillitium soft, lax,
greenish-yellow then brownish-olivaceous ; the threads very long, much
branched, the primary branches about as thick as the spores, the ulti-
mate ones long, slender and tapering. Spores globose, even, 3.S-4-5/4
in diameter, with a short or minute pedicel.
Growing on the ground in fields and pastures. Peridium 2-4 in. in
diameter and 3-5 in. in height. I find this species referred to North
America in Saccardo's Sylloge. It is Lycoperdon caelatum of Fries S.
M. Possibly the L. caelatum of Curtis's catalogue may be this species.
Morgan .
Not seen by writer.
(Plate CLXIII.)
C. craniifor'mis Schw. — cranion, a skull. Peridium very large, ob-
ovoid or turbinate, depressed above,
the base thick and stout, with a cord-
like root. Cortex a smooth continu-
ous layer, very thin and fragile, easily
peeling off, pallid or grayish, some-
times with a reddish tinge, often be-
coming folded in areas; the inner
peridium thin, ochraceous to bright
brown, velvety, extremely fragile,
after maturity the upper part break-
ing up into fragments and falling
away. Subgleba occupying about
one-half of the peridium, cup-shaped
above and a long time persistent;
mass of spores and capillitium green-
ish-yellow then ochraceous or dirty
olivaceous; the threads very long,
about as thick as the spores, branched. Spores globose, even, 3— 3-5/* in
diameter, with a minute pedicel.
Growing on the ground in woods. Peridium commonly 3-6 in. in
586
CALVATIA CRANIIFORMIS.
(After Morgan.)
Lycoperdaceae
diameter and 4-5 in. in height, but much larger specimens are some- Caivatia.
times met with. This species abounds in the woods of southern Ohio,
growing in great patches of numerous individuals. I do not know that
the edible qualities of this species have been tested. Morgan.
Chester county, Pa. Springton Hills. On ground in mixed woods.
August to October. Mcllvaine.
Not a frequent species with us. I have seen it only in the locality
named. The substance is very like that of L. pyriforme. When white
it has a strong but pleasant odor, and in this condition it is an excellent
fungus. The slightest change to yellow makes it bitter.
C. rubl'O-fla'va Cragin — reddish-yellow. Peridium obconic, taper-
ing gradually downward to the rooting mycelium. Cortex a very thin
furfuraceous or granulose coat, with a few short, scattered spinules
above; inner peridium thin and fragile, at first whitish, soon becoming
orange-red to orange-brown in color, after maturity the upper part
breaking up into fragments and falling away. Subgleba occupying
about a third part of the peridium ; mass of spores and capillitium red-
dish-ocher then olivaceous-orange ; the threads very long, rather thicker
than the spores, branched. Spores globose, even, 3-3.5^ in diameter,
sometimes with a minute pedicel.
Growing on the ground. Kansas, Cragin, Kellerman. Peridium
1^—3 in. in height with a breach of 1—2 in. The peculiar orange or
rather reddish-ocher color with which the whole plant is pervaded at
maturity is very remarkable. Morgan.
III. — STIPITAT.E.
Peridium depressed, globose above, abruptly contracted below into a
long stem-like base; subgleba not definitely limited above, continuous
with the capillitium, persistent.
C. sacca'ta (Vahl.) Fr. — saccus, a bag or pouch. Medium size, 2-4
in. high, 1—2 in. broad. Peridium depressed-globose or somewhat lenti-
form, supported by a long stem-like base, furfuraceous with minute per-
sistent mealy or granular warts or spinules, often plicate beneath, white
or creamy-white, at maturity becoming brown or olive-brown, subshining
and very thin or membranous, breaking up into irregular fragments
which sometimes adhere to the capillitium for a considerable time, the
stem-like base cylindrical or narrowed downward, sometimes thick;
587
Gastromycetes
Calvatia. capillitium rather dense, subpersistent, and with the spores dingy-olive
or dingy-brown, sometimes verging toward purplish-brown. Spores
rough, 4— 5ft in diameter. Edible.
Low mossy grounds and bushy swamps, especially under alders.
Sandlake, Center and Adirondack mountains. August to October.
Peck, 32d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
West Virginia, 1881-1885; Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina.
Frequent, thin moist woods. July to November. Mcllvaine.
C. saccata, the long-stemmed puff-ball, is a common and pleasing
species. Shape, color, feel, combine to make it attractive. It is one
of the very best we have. When white inside and otherwise in good
condition it is delicious.
C.
Massee.
(Plate CLXIV.)
Peridium globose or depressed-globose above,
plicate below and abruptly contracted into a long
stem-like base; the base slender, cylindric or
tapering downward, sometimes pitted ; mycelium
fibrous and filamentous. Cortex a very thin
coat of minute persistent spinules or granules ;
inner peridium white or cream-colored, becom-
ing brown or olivaceous, very thin and fragile,
after maturity the upper part soon breaking up
into fragments and falling away. Subgleba oc-
cupying the stem-like base, a long time persist-
ent; mass of spores and capillitium brown or
brownish -olivaceous; the threads very long,
branched, the main stem as thick as the spores,
the branches more slender. Spores globose,
even or very minutely warted, 4— 5/x, in diame-
ter with a short or minute pedicel.
Growing among mosses in low grounds and
bushy places. New England, Humphrey; New
York, Peck. Peridium 1-2 in. in diameter and 3-6 in. in height, the
stem-like base %—% of an inch in thickness. This American form of
Lycoperdon saccatum has lately been separated from it, and named,
figured and described as Lycoperdon elatum by George Massee.
Morgan.
Edible.
588
CALVATIA ELATA.
(After Morgan.)
Lycoperdaceee
GENUS IX.— LYCOPER'DON Tourn.
Mycelium fibrous, rooting from the base. Peridilim small, globose, Lycoperdon,
obovoid or turbinate, with a more or less thickened base; cortex a sub-
persistent coat of soft spines, scales, warts or granules; inner peridium
thin, membranaceous becoming papyraceous, dehiscent by a regular
apical mouth. Morgan.
When the plant sits (without stem) directly upon the ground or
wood it is sessile. The outer layer of the two parts of its covering is
the exterior peridium (sometimes spoken of as cortex} . This frequently
breaks up into scales, spines, bristles, minute flocculent or powdery
masses, and these vary in size and in many species disappear as the
plant matures. These are of determining value in several species of
Lycoperdaceae. Plants with coarse, long spines are echinate because
they bristle. When the spines incline together and form a point they
are stellate. Various formations of this outside covering are also called
warts. The inner rind or skin is the true peridium.
The mass of thread-like filaments which fills the interior of the plant
is called the capillitium. The filaments are deftly interlaced. At times
filaments springing from the base do not interlace with the others ; these
are called columellce. These filaments bear the spores — the dust which
puffs out in such quantity and gives the common name to the plant —
puff-ball — and its Mephistophelian one — The Devil's Snuff-box. In
some species the filaments at the base of the plant are sterile — they do
not bear spores. These filaments are more contracted and form the
neck, stem or subgleba. The gleba is the upper interior of the plant,
in which the spores are contained. See plate CLVI.
Dehiscent is said of an organ which opens of itself at maturity. A
plant is dehiscent at the discharging point of its spores. If this is at
the summit it is apically dehiscent.
The descriptions herein given of American representatives of European
species are in many instances those of A. P. Morgan, who has made
special study of this genus, and those of Professor C. H. Peck, whose
interstate experience acquaints him with every varying form. Mr. Mor-
gan has kindly given permission to use his text and drawings.
No one has yet had reason to doubt the harmlessness of any puff-
ball. There are a few I have not eaten, but believing that these will be
proven edible, descriptions of all species occurring in America are given.
589
Gastromycetes
Lycoperdon. There are first and second-class puff-balls. Usually the small species
are slightly strong, and if a shade of yellow appears upon breaking any
puff-ball, it will be more or less bitter and will spoil a whole dish. The
larger species are milder. The flavor of purf-balls appears to be issued
to them as a ration. It is all there in a little fellow, and in a big one it
is simply spread through more substance.
Lafayette B. Mendel in Am. Jour, of Physiology, March, 1898, gives
the nitrogenous compounds in L. bovista as:
Nitrogen soluble in gastric juice 3.13
Digestible protein nitrogen 3.13
Indigestible protein nitrogen 2.70
Protein nitrogen 5.79
Extractive nitrogen 2.40
Total nitrogen 8.19
TABLE OF THE SPECIES OF LYCOPERDON.
I. PURPLE-SPORED SERIES.
Mature spores purplish-brown.
a. Cortex consisting of very long convergent spines. Page 591.
b. Cortex composed of long slender convergent spines. Page 592.
c. Cortex composed of minute spinules. Page 594-
d. Cortex a furfuraceous persistent coat. Page 595.
e. Cortex a smooth, continuous layer, becoming areolate. Page 597.
II. — OLIVE-SPORED SERIES.
Mature spores usually brownish-olivaceous.
A. PERIDIUM OBOVOID OR TURBINATE, THE SUBGLEBA WELL DEVELOPED.
/. Cortex of long spines mingled with shorter ones, the former at
length fall away, leaving a reticulate surface to the inner peridium.
Page 5 98.
g. Cortex of stout spines which fall away and leave a tomentose or
furfuraceous surface to the inner peridium. Page 599.
h. Cortex of long spines, curved and convergent at the apex, which
fall away and leave a smooth surface to the inner peridium. Page 600.
i. Cortex of minute spinules and granules or furfuraceous scales.
Terrestrial. Page 602.
590
Lycoperdaceee
k. Cortex of minute spinules, scales or granules. Lignatile. Page 603. Lycoperdon.
B. PERIDIUM VERY SMALL, GLOBOSE, THE SUBGLEBA NEARLY OBSOLETE.
/. Cortex a thin coat of minute spinules, scales or granules. Page
604. Morgan,
I. PURPLE-SPORED SERIES.
(ja) Cortex consisting of very long convergent spines ; denuded
peridium smooth .
L. echina'tum Pers. — prickly. (L. Peck' ii Morg. ) ( Plate CLVI, fig.
2, p. 568.) Peridium % — 1)£ in. broad, subglobose, generally nar-
rowed below into a short stem-like base, whitish brownish or pinkish-
brown, echinate above with rather stout spines, which at length fall off
and leave the surface smooth ; toward the base spinulose or furfuraceous ;
capillitium and spores dingy-olive. Spores minutely rough, 4ft in dia-
meter.
Ground and decaying wood in woods. Albany, Forestburg and
Adirondack mountains. August to October.
The whole plant is generally obovate, pyriform or turbinate, and the
spines are larger and more or less curved at and near the apex, dimin-
ishing in size toward the base where they are more persistent. In the
immature condition it is difficult to distinguish it from L. pediceltetum ;
but when mature its smooth peridium and spores destitute of pedicels
separate it. Peck, 32d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
L. echinatum appears to be common to all the states. August to
frost. It is frequent but not abundant. Raw the taste is slight. Cooked
it is tender and of good flavor.
L. pulcher'rimum B. and C. (L. Frost' ii Pk.) Peridium usually
obovoid, sometimes subturbinate, with a short stout base; the mycelium
forming a thick cord-like root. Cortex consisting of very long white
spines, converging and often coherent at the apex; the spines at length
fall away from the upper part of the peridium, leaving the inner perid-
ium with a smooth purplish-brown shining surface, sometimes faintly
reticulated. Subgleba occupying about a third part of the peridium;
mass of spores and capillitium at first olivaceous, then brownish-purple;
the threads much branched, the main stem thicker than the spores, the
591
Gastromycetes
Lycoperdon. branches long, slender and tapering. Spores globose, minutely warted,
4-5~5-5/Lt i° diameter.
Peridium I— 2xV2 in. in diameter and 1-2 in. in height.
The fresh specimens of this plant have a strong and not unpleasant
fragrance.
Growing in low grounds, in fields and woods. September, October.
L. pulcherrimum is frequent, but not abundant. It ranks with second-
class puff-balls. It is good when young and fresh.
L. constella'tum
(Plate CLXV.)
LYCOPERDON CONSTEL-
LATUM.
(After Peck.)
Fr. — grouped. Peridium subglobose or ob-
ovate, sometimes depressed, 10— 18 lines broad,
echinate with rather long stout crowded brown
spines which are either straight curved or stel-
lately united and which at length fall off and
leave the surface reticulate with brown lines;
capillitium and spores brown or purplish-brown,
columella present. Spores rough, 5-6. 5/* in
diameter.
Ground in dense shades and groves. Oneida,
Warne. Rare. Autumn. Peck, 32d Rep. N.
Y. State Bot.
(#) Cortex composed of long ', slender convergent spines ; denuded
peridium smooth.
L. hirtum Mart. — hairy. Peridium broadly turbinate, depressed
above, contracted below into a short, thick, tapering or pointed base,
with a cord-like root. Cortex a dense coat of soft spines, long, slender
and convergent above, becoming shorter downward, gray or brownish
in color; these finally fall away, leaving the inner peridium with a
brown or purplish-brown, smooth, shining surface. Subgleba occupy-
ing from one-third to one-half of the peridium ; mass of spores and
capillitium olivaceous, then brownish-purple; the threads branched, the
main stem about as thick as the spores, with slender, tapering branches.
Spores globose, distinctly warted, 5-6/x in diameter.
Growing on the ground in woods. Peridium 1-2% in. in diameter
and 1^—2 in. in height. This species in this country heretofore has
been included with L. atropurpureum. I have followed Mr. Massee in
592
Lycoperdaceas
keeping them separate. This is perhaps L. bicolor W. and C., of the Lycoperdon.
Pacific Coast Catalogue. Morgan.
New York, Peck, 46th Rep.; West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsyl-
vania. Ground in woods. August to October. Mcllvaine.
It is edible. Good when young and fresh.
L. atropurpur'eum Vitt. — ater, black; purpureus, purple — of the
spores. Peridium globose depressed-globose or obovate, 6-30 lines
broad, generally narrowed below into a short stem-like base, white ci-
nereous or brownish, mealy-spinulose, hairy-spinulose, echinate or stel-
lately echinate, when denuded smooth and subshining; capillitium and
spores finally purplish-brown, columella present. Spores rough, 5-6/u. in
diameter.
Sandy pastures, woods and bushy places. Common. August to
October.
This appears to be one of the most polymorphous species we have.
It is so variable that I have been obliged to modify the usual description
very much, in order to include forms which are quite diverse, yet which
appear to me to run together in such a way that I am unable to draw
any satisfactory line of distinction between them.
There are three principal varieties which I have referred to this
species. The first is usually 1-2 in. broad, sessile, or with a very short
stem, nearly smooth, being mealy or pruinose, and having a few minute,
weak, scattered spinules or scales. Its color is generally whitish or
white slightly clouded with brown. It grows in sandy pastures and
cleared lands, and is probably the nearest of the three in its resemblance
to the type.
I regard the second and third as worthy of a name and designate and
define them as follows :
Var. hirtel'lum. Peridium hairy-spinulose with erect or curved
sometimes stellately united spinules, which are often of a blackish color.
Ground and decaying vegetable matter in woods.
. Var. stella re. Peridium echinate or stellately echinate with rather
stout easily deciduous spines.
Ground in woods and bushy places.
In this species the capillitium and spores are at first greenish*yellow,
olive-tinted or brownish; but when fully mature they are purple-tinted.
Some care will, therefore, be necessary, lest the last variety be confused
38 593
Gastromycetes
Lycoperdon. with the Echinate Puff-ball, L. echinatum. Peck, 32d Rep. N. Y.
State Bot.
Spores 6-7/4 Massee; globose, distinctly warted, 5.5-6/x Morgan.
Ohio, West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. On ground in
woods. August to October. Mcllvaine.
L. atropurpureum is frequent, not abundant. It is edible, good.
(c) Cortex composed of minute spimiles ; denuded peridium smooth.
L. cu'pricum Bon. — coppery. Peridium obconic, depressed above
and tapering downward, the base plicate, with a fibrous mycelium.
Cortex gray or flesh-color, composed of minute spinules circularly ar-
ranged and convergent and coherent at the apex; these dry up, becom-
ing dark purplish in color, and finally fall away from the smooth, shin-
ing, copper- colored surface of the inner peridium. Subgleba occupy-
ing nearly a third part of the peridium; mass of spores and capillitium,
at length purplish-brown; the threads branched, the main stem thinner
than the spores, with long, tapering branches. Spores globose, dis-
tinctly warted, 6-7^ in diameter.
Growing in sandy soil in woods. New Jersey, Ellis.
Peridium about I in. in diameter and an inch or more in height.
The microscopic features are given from specimens received from Mr.
Ellis. Morgan.
Near Haddonfield, N. J., 1891-1896. Sandy woods. Mcllvaine.
Not frequent. Those found upon several occasions were eaten and
found good.
L. asterosper'mum D. and M. — aster, star; sperma, seed. Perid-
ium obovoid or pyriform (pear-shaped), the base short and pointed,
with a slender fibrous mycelium. Cortex a thin coat of minute spinules
with intermingled granules, gray or brownish above, paler below;
these dry up and are a long time persistent, but they finally fall away,
leaving the inner peridium with a pale brown, smooth, shining surface.
Subgleba obconical, occupying nearly a third part of the peridium;
mass of spores and capillitium olivaceous, then brownish-purple; the
threads about as thick as the spores, with slender tapering branches.
Spores globose, distinctly warted, 5. 5-6.5/4 in diameter.
594
Liycoperdacero
Peridium i-iK in. in diameter. A very pretty species of regular Lycoperdc
form; its glossy cortex is quite persistent. Morgan.
Growing on the ground in open woods. Ohio, Morgan; Nebraska,
Webber.
New York, Peck, 46th, 5ist Rep. ; Ohio, Lloyd.
L. delica'tum Berk. Peridium subglobose, plicate underneath, with
a fibrous mycelium. Cortex a thin coat of minute spinules and gran-
ules, gray cr brownish above, whitish below, finally falling away from
the smooth, shining, pale or brownish surface of the inner peridium.
Subgleba very small or quite obsolete ; mass of spores and capillitium
olivaceous, then pale or brownish-purplish; the threads rather thinner
than the spores, with slender tapering branches. Spores globose, dis-
tinctly warted, 5— 6/x. in diameter.
Peridium 1-2 in. in diameter. Morgan.
Growing on the ground. Pennsylvania, Gentry; Missouri, Professor
Trelease (Peck, Rep. 40); Louisiana, Langlois.
(</) Cortex a furfuraceous persistent coat.
L. glabel'lum Pk. — smooth, bare. Subglobose or subturbinate, I-
1.5 in. broad, sometimes narrowed below into
a short stem-like base, furfuraceous with very
minute nearly uniform persistent warts, which
appear to the naked eye like minute granules
or papillae, yellow, opening by a small aper-
ture ; inner mass purplish-brown, capillitium
with a central columella. Spores purplish-
brown, globose, rough, 5-6. 5/u. in diameter.
Ground in copses and in pine woods. West
Albany and North Greenbush. Autumn.
Peck, 3 ist Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Ohio, Morgan; Wisconsin, Trelease; West
Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey. Fre-
quent. Autumn. Mcllvaine.
One of the prettiest Lycoperdons. Sym-
metrical, and otherwise attractive. Sweet,
firm, solid. It is not high in flavor, but is delicate.
595
(Plate CLXVI.)
LYCOPERDON GLABELLUM.
(After Morgan.)
Gastromycetes
Lycoperdon. L. elonga'tum Berk. — elongated. Peridium globose above, con-
tracted below into a stout thick base, more or less elongated and cylin-
dric or tapering downward ; mycelium composed of thick fibers. Cor-
tex a loose flocculose white or yellowish coat, drying up into a mealy
or furfuraceous persistent layer, which scarcely reveals the pale shining
surface of the inner peridium. Subgleba occupying more than half the
interior of the peridium; mass of spores and capillitium pale olivaceous,
then pale brown or finally purplish ; the threads much branched, the
main stem much thicker than the spores, the branches tapering. Spores
globose, distinctly warted, 5.5-6.5^ in diameter.
Growing on the ground in damp woods. Ohio, Morgan. Peridium
1-2 in. in diameter and 2-3 in. in height, the base %-i in. in thick-
ness. In form it somewhat resembles L. gemmatum, but it has a cor-
tex like that of L. glabellum. Morgan.
New York, Peck, 49th Rep. Closely allied to L. glabellum. Its
stout elongated base serves as a mark of distinction.
Ohio, Morgan; Pennsylvania, Washington, Pa., Myc. Club.
Not common. Sometimes tufted, three or four together. Edible,
good.
L. el'egans Morgan — elegant. Peridium large, depressed globose,
plicate underneath and sometimes with a narrow umboniform base,
which is continuous with the thick root. Cortex at first flocculose,
white or yellowish, drying up into a dense furfuraceous persistent coat,
which becomes ochraceous or brownish in color, and sometimes ob-
scurely areolate. Subgleba broad, convex above, occupying a third
part or more of the peridium ; mass of spores and capillitium olivaceous,
then pale-brown or finally purplish-brown; the threads much branched,
the main stem thicker than the spores, the branches long and tapering.
Spores globose, distinctly warted, 5-6> in diameter.
Growing on rich soil on the open prairie about Iowa City, la., Prof.
T. H. McBride. Peridium 1^—3 in. in diameter. In form and size
this species somewhat resembles Calvatia fragilis, but the threads are ar-
ranged in two sets as in Lycoperdon ; the cortex is similar to that of L.
glabellum; the mycelium forms a remarkably thick root. Morgan.
596
Lycoperdacese
Cortex a smooth, continuous layer, becoming areolate.
(Plate CLXVII.)
LYCOPERDON RIMULATUM.
With magnified spores.
(After Morgan.)
L. rimula'tum Pk. — rimula, a small chink. Peridium depressed — Lycoperdon.
globose or broadly obovoid, plicate under-
neath with a slender fibrous mycelium.
Cortex at first a thin, smooth, continuous
fibrillose layer, gray or bluish-gray, some-
times with a purplish tinge; this at length
breaks into a network of fine lines or fis-
sures, gradually dries up into minute thin
adnate scales, and finally falls away from
the smooth grayish or purplish-brown
surface of the inner peridium. Subgleba
broad, but distinct, plane above, occupy-
ing about a fourth part of the peridium ;
mass of spores and capillitium purplish-
gray, then brownish-purple; the threads
simple or scarcely branched, variable in thickness, but always thinner
than the spores. Spores globose, distinctly warted, 6—7/1 in diameter,
often pedicellate.
Growing on the ground in fields and open woods. New York, Peck;
South Carolina, Atkinson; Ohio, Morgan; Wisconsin, Trelease. Perid-
ium % — \% in. in diameter, scarcely an inch in height. Morgan.
New Jersey, T. J. Collins; Pennsylvania. Autumn. Mcllvaine.
A pretty species, generally in groups. Frequent. It is not common,
but occasionally generous patches of it are found. Edible, good.
L. vela'tum Vitt. — velatus, having a velum. Peridium globose or
obovoid, with a cord-like root. Cortex white or yellowish, at first a
thickish continuous layer, then breaking up into circular or irregular
persistent patches with fimbriate margins. Subgleba occupying about
a third part of the peridium ; mass of spores and capillitium olivaceous,
then purplish-brown; the threads branched, the main stem nearly as
thick as the spores, the branches long and tapering. Spores globose,
distinctly warted, 5-6ft in diameter.
Growing on the ground in woods. South Carolina, Ravenel.
Peridium 1-2 in. in diameter. Morgan.
597
Gastromycetes
Lycoperdon. New Jersey, T. J. Collins / Chester county, Pa., sometimes clustered,
Mcllvaine.
Good.
II. — OLIVE-SPORED SERIES.
A. PERIDIUM TOP-SHAPED, THE SUBGLEBA WELL DEVELOPED.
(/) Cortex of long spines, etc.
L. gemma' tum Batsch. — gemmed. Peridium turbinate, depressed
above, the base short and obconic or more elongated and tapering or
subcylindric, arising from a fibrous mycelium. Cortex consisting of
long, thick, erect spines or warts of irregular shape, with intervening
smaller ones, whitish or gray in color, sometimes with a tinge of red or
brown ; the larger spines first fall away, leaving pale spots on the sur-
face, and giving it a reticulate appearance. Subgleba variable in amount,
usually more than half the peridium ; mass of spores and capillitium
greenish-yellow, then pale-brown; threads simple or scarcely branched,
about as thick as the spores. Spores globose, even or very minutely
warted, 3.5—4.5^ in diameter. (Plate CLXVIIa. )
Peridium 1-2 in. in diameter and 1-3 in. in height. This species is
distinguished from all others by the peculiar large erect terete spines or
warts, the so-called gems which stud its upper surface. Morgan.
Growing on the ground and sometimes on rotten trunks in woods,
often cespitose. Frost. New York, Peck.
Found in every part of the world.
New York, Peck, Rep. 22 ; Indiana, H ' . I. Miller ; West Virginia,
New Jersey, Pennsylvania. On the ground and on logs. Mcllvaine.
Edible, but not pleasant. Peck. Edible, H. I. Miller.
Professor Peck gives two varieties :
Var. hir'tum. Turbinate, subsessile, hairy with soft, slender warts
which generally become blackish.
Var. papilla'tum. Subrotund, sessile, papillose, furfuraceous-pul-
verulent.
Very common and known in all countries. It is, to my thinking, our
prettiest puff-ball. Its beautifully studded surface, reminding of ex-
quisite settings, is in itself worth studying for the designs. It is usually
solitary or in small groups, but at times these groups contain scores of
598
n
o
-o
m
PC
D
O
O
m
H
C
I
•'
Lycoperdaceee
individuals. It grows in the open on the ground or from both ground Lycoperdon.
and wood, in woods.
I think it equal to any other puff-ball. But great care must betaken
to examine each specimen before putting it into the pan. A single one,
which has turned yellow in the slightest degree, will spoil a whole dish.
And this is the case with any of the small puff-balls. One ageing L.
pyriforme will embitter a hundred.
L. perla'tum Pers. — perfero, to endure. (Enduring through winter.)
Peridium turbinate, broad and depressed above, plicate underneath
and contracted into a short and pointed or sometimes elongated and
tapering base; mycelium fibrous. Cortex of long slender spines,
mingled with smaller spinules and warts, gray brown or blackish in
color; the longer spines first fall away, leaving a reticulate surface to
the inner peridium. Subgleba occupying one-third to one-half of the
peridium ; mass of spores and capillitium greenish-yellow, then brown-
ish-olivaceous; the threads mostly simple, some of them thicker than
the spores. Spores globose, even or very minutely warted, 3.5-4.5^
in diameter.
Growing on the ground in woods. Peridium 1—2 in. in diameter and
i—2 in. in height. This is L. gemmatum, var. hirtum, of Peck's United
States species of Lycoperdon. Morgan.
New York, Peck, 46th Rep. ; Maryland, James; West Virginia, New
Jersey. Occasional. On ground and decaying wood. Mcllvaine.
Edible. Same habit and quality as L. gemmatum.
(<£") Cortex of stout spines which fall away, etc.
L. excipulifor'me Scop. — excipula, a receptacle. Peridium turbin-
ate, depressed above, plicate below and contracted into a more or less
elongated base. Cortex of large stout spines, convergent above,
becoming smaller downward, which at length fall away, leaving a
tomentose surface to the inner peridium. Subgleba occupying one-
half or more of the peridium ; mass of spores and capillitium greenish-
yellow, then brownish-olivaceous; the threads about as thick as the
spores, scarcely branched. Spores globose, minutely warted, 4-5/1* in
diameter.
Peridium 1-2 in. in diameter and 1-4 in. in height. Morgan.
599
Gastromycetes
Lycoperdon. Growing on the ground in meadows and woods.
North Carolina, Schweinitz; Canada, Saccardo.
Pennsylvania,
Cortex of long spines, etc., which fall away, etc.
L. pedicella'tum Pk. — pediculus, a little foot. Peridium %-\% in.
in diameter, globose or depressed-
Plate CLXVIII.) globose, sessile or narrowed below
into a stem-like base, whitish or ci-
nereous, becoming dingy or smoky-
brown with age, echinate with rather
dense spines which are either straight,
curved or stellately united and which
at length fall off and leave impressions
or obscure reticulations on the sur-
face ; capillitium and spores greenish-
yellow, then dingy-olive, columella
present . Spores smooth , pedicellate ,
4-4. 5/i in diameter, the pedicel three
to five times as long.
Ground and decaying wood in
woods and bushy places. Croghan,
Center, Brewerton and Catskill mountains. Autumn. Oneida. Warne.
The pedicellate spores constitute the peculiar feature of this species.
It is one which suggests the name and which enables the species to be
easily distinguished from all its allies. The spore is terminally and per-
sistently attached to the pedicel, as in some species of Bovista. The
plant is sometimes sessile, but usually it is narrowed below into a stem-
like base. In the immature ^state it has a rough, shaggy appearance,
but the spines shrivel with age so that it appears less rough when old.
The pitted surface of the denuded peridium affords a mark of distinc-
tion from L. echinatum. L. pulcherrimum B. and C. is evidently the
same species, but the name here adopted has priority of publication.
Peck, 32d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Growing on the ground and on rotten wood in woods. New York,
Peck; Alabama, Atkinson; Ohio, Morgan; Wisconsin, Trelease.
LYCOPERDON PEDICELLATUM
With magnified spores. (After Morgan.)
6OO
Lycoperdacese
L. exi'mium Morgan — eximius, excellent. Peridium obovoid, with Lycoperdon.
a fibrous mycelium. Cortex white
(Plate CLXIX.) or brownish, composed of long
slender spines, often curved and
convergent at the apex, which at
length fall away from above down-
ward, leaving a pale smooth sur-
face to the inner peridium. Sub-
gleba small, occupying scarcely
more than a fourt^ part of the per"
idium ; mass of spores and capilli-
tium greenish-yellow, then brown-
ish-olivaceous ; the threads mostly
thinner than the spores, much
branched. Spores oval, even, 5»-
6x4-4. 5/A, usually furnished with a
short pedicel.
Peridium %—l% in. in diameter and about I in. in height. This
species is readily distinguished by its large oval spores. Morgan.
Growing on the ground in sandy soil. South Carolina, Prof. Geo.
F. Atkinson; Alabama U. and E.
Peridium glo-
LYCOPERDON EXIMIUM.
With magnified spores. (After Morgan.)
( Plate CLXX.)
L. Cur'tisii Berk. — in honor of Rev. M. A. Curtis,
bose, with a very short rooting base
and a slender fibrous mycelium. Cor-
tex consisting of a pale yellowish
farinaceous layer, covered by a coat
of soft, fragile white spines, curved
and convergent at the apex; after
maturity it soon disappears, leaving
a pale smooth surface to the inner
peridium. Subgleba small, but dis-
tinct, convex above and definitely limited ; mass of spores and capil-
litium greenish-yellow, then pale olivaceous ; the threads long, simple,
hyaline, two to three times as thick as the spores. Spores globose,
even, 3.S-4/"- in diameter.
Peridium K-M of an inch in diameter. This is L. Wrightii, var.
typicum, of Peck's U. S. species of Lycoperdon. The peculiar charac-
60 1
LYCOPERDON CURTISII.
(After Morgan.)
Gastromycetes
Lycoperdon. teristic of the species is the hyaline threads of the capillitium ; although
they are of large diameter, yet the walls are very thin and the threads
collapse in drying. Morgan.
General. Growing gregariously and sometimes cespitosely on the
ground, in meadows, pastures and even in cultivated fields.
This being L. Wrightii, var. typicum Pk. , and being edible, it is hardly
necessary to repeat the old axiom : Things which are equal to the
same thing are equal to one another.
(z) Cortex of minute spinules, granules, etc.
L. molle Pers. — mollis, soft. (L. muscorum Morg.) Peridilim
6— 1 6 lines broad, globose or depressed-globose, narrowed below into a
stem-like base, furfuraceous with nearly uniform persistent minute weak
spinules or granular warts, sometimes with a few larger papilliform ones
toward the apex, whitish, sometimes tinged with yellow, when mature
brownish or olive-brown, nearly smooth, subshining; capillitium and
spores dingy-olive; columella present. Spores minutely rough, 4-4.5/4
in diameter.
Among mosses, especially Polytrichum, in old meadows and pastures.
Albany, Summit and South Corinth. Autumn.
Peck, 32d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
West Virginia, Pennsylvania. On ground in woods and grassy places
in the open. Mcllvaine.
L. molle is of frequent occurrence but not
( Plate CLXXI.)
abundant. Though exceedingly soft, it holds
its body in cooking and is well flavored.
L. Tur'neri E. and E. Peridium
obovoid, somewhat depressed above, pli-
cate underneath, with a mycelium of
rooting fibers. Cortex white, often gray
or brownish above, consisting of minute
spinules with intermingled granules ; these
after maturity dry up and are quite per-
LYCOPERDON TURNER: sistent> forming a minutely scabrous coat on
With magnified spores. the olive-brown shining surface of the inner
(After Morgan.)
peridium. Subgleba broad and shallow,
scarcely occupying more than a fourth part of the peridium ; mass of
602
PLATE CLXXII.
Lycoperdaceas
spores and capillitium greenish-yellow, then brownish-olivaceous; the Lycoperdc
threads with the main stem about as thick as the spores, and long
tapering branches. Spores globose, minutely warted, 4-5/4 in diameter,
mostly with a short pedicel.
Pei'idium 1-2 in. in diameter and I— 2 in. in height. A very pretty
puff-ball with a silky shining coat. Morgan.
New York, Peck, 49th Rep. ; West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New
Jersey. Ground in woods. August to October. Mcllvaine.
Not frequent though general. It is good but must be young.
L. calyptrifor'me Berk. — hood-shaped. Peridium about 6 lines
high, 3—4 in. broad, ovate or subconical, sessile, whitish, furfuraceous
with minute warts or spinules ; capillitium and spores olivaceous or yel-
lowish-olivaceous. Spores smooth, 4/x in diameter.
Moss*covered rocks. Very rare. Adirondack mountains. August.
I have met with this very small and rare species but once, and then
but two specimens were found . In these the apex was compressed or later-
ally flattened, instead of papilliform.as required by the original description
of the species ; but in all other respects they agree well with the specific
characters. The plant is very distinct from all our other species by its
small size and ovate or conical shape. Peck, 32d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
(/£) Cortex of minute spinules, scales or granules. Lignatile.
L. pyrifor'me Schaeff. — pear-shape. (Plate CLXXII, p. 602.) Plant
6-15 lines broad, 10-20 lines high, generally cespitose, obovate, pyri-
form or turbinate, sessile or with a short stem-like base, radicating with
white branching and creeping root-like fibers, subumbonate, covered
with very minute subpersistent, nearly uniform warts or scales, often
with a few slender scattered deciduous spinules intermingled, pallid
dingy-whitish or brownish ; capillitium and spores greenish-yellow, then
dingy-olivaceous, columella present. Spores smooth, 4ft in diameter.
Edible, but not well-flavored.
Decaying wood and ground both in woods and cleared fields. Very
common. July to October. Peck, 32d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Common the world over. Growing on logs, stumps, ground containing
decaying woody matter. So dense in its clusters at times as to present
an impervious surface. It is slightly acrid to taste and smell when raw.
Edible. Tender and of second-class flavor when young; white
603
Gastromycetes
Lycoperdon. inside ; intensely bitter when slightest tinge of yellow is visible. Onetooold
will embitter a whole dish. A little lemon juice or sherry improves it.
( Plate CLXXIII.)
LYCOPERDON SUBINCARNATUM
With spines and pits magnified.
(After Morgan.)
L. subincarna'tum Pk. — pale flesh-color. Peridium 6-12 lines
broad, globose, rarely either de-
pressed or obovate, gregarious or
cespitose, sessile, with but little cel-
lular tissue at the base, covered with
minute nearly uniform pyramidal or
subspinulose at length deciduous
warts, pinkish-brown, the denuded
peridium whitish or cinereous, mi-
nutely reticulate-pitted ; capillitium
and spores greenish-yellow, then
dingy-olivaceous, columella present.
Spores minutely roughened, 4~5/x,
in diameter.
Prostrate trunks, old stumps, etc., in woods. Common. August to
October. Peck, 32d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
New York, Peck, Rep. 24th, 32d; Pennsylvania, Gentry; Ohio,
Morgan; Wisconsin, Brown.
B. PERIDIUM VERY SMALL, GLOBOSE, ETC*
(/) Cortex a tkin coat of minute spinules, etc,
( Plate CLXXIV.)
L. Wright'ii B. and C. — in honor
of Charles Wright. Peridium
globose, depressed-globose or lenti-
form, 6—24 lines in diameter, gener-
ally sessile, white or whitish, echinate
with deciduous sometimes crowded
stellate spines or pyramidal warts,
when denuded smooth or minutely
velvety ; capillitium and spores dingy-
olive, columella present. Spores
smooth, 4/t in diameter. Edible.
Ground in pastures and grassy
places. Very common. July to Octo-
ber.
604
LYCOPERDON SEPARANS
With magnified spores.
(After Morgan.)
Lycoperdacese
This is another very variable species. The typical form is a small one, Lycoperdon.
minutely echinate and having the denuded peridium smooth. The plant
often occurs much larger and more coarsely echinate with stout
angular spines or pyramidal warts, which fall off and generally leave
the surface of the peridium velvety.
Var. typ'icum. Small, 6—9 lines broad, globose, minutely echinate,
the warts quickly falling off and leaving the peridium smooth. (L.
Wrightii B. and C.)
Var. sep' arans. Larger, 10—24 lines broad, subglobose or lentiform,
echinate with coarse substellate spines or pyramidal warts, which at
length fall off and leave the peridium smooth or velvety. (L. separans
Pk.)
Var. atropunc 'ttim . Larger, 10—15 lines broad, subglobose, pure
white, warts or coarse spines brown or blackish at the tips.
This species is generally gregarious, but sometimes it forms tufts of
several individuals closely crowded together. It sometimes occurs in
cultivated grounds and stubble fields. The under surface is occasionally
plicate as in the long-stemmed puff-ball. In the var. separans the
warts or spines are crowded at their thickened bases and slightly at-
tached to each other, so that they come off at maturity in flakes or
patches. When the denuded surface of the p*eridium is velvety, it is
usually of a darker color than when smooth, being subcinnamon, reddish-
brown or dark-brown. Peck, 32d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
Ground in grassy places. July to frost. Mcllvaine.
I have found var. separans in December, under snow.
Edible. Peck, Rep. 32.
The edible qualities of L. Wrightii and varieties are good.
L. calves'cens B. and C. — calvesco, to become bald. Subglobose,
at first rough with warts which soon disappear, leaving the surface
slightly velvety, I K in. broad, bearing short rootlets at the base. Spores
globose, smooth, having at first only a slight stalk (pedicel), dingy-
ochraceous, 3—4^.
Nearly related to L. Wrightii.
Connecticut, Wright, New York, ground in open woods. Bethle-
hem, Peck, 22d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
L. pusil'lum (Batsch. ) Fr. — small. Peridium ^-i in. broad, glob-
ose, scattered or cespitose, sessile, radicating, with but little cellular tissue
605
Gastromycetes
LYCOPERDON PUSILLUM.
(After Morgan.)
Lycoperdon. ( Plate CLXXV. ) at the base, white or whitish, brownish
when old, rimose-squamulose or slightly
roughened with minute floccose or fur-
furaceous persistent warts ; capillitium
and spores greenish-yellow, then dingy-
olivaceous. Spores smooth, 4ft in dia-
meter.
Ground in grassy places and pastures.
Common. June to October. Peck, 32d
Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina. Common.
Spring to autumn on ground in grassy places. Mcllvaine.
Grows where almost nothing else will, and where I have despaired of
finding a meal of fungi, I could always find the ubiquitous L. pusillum.
L. oblongi'sporum B. and C. — oblong-spored. Peridium subglo-
bose, with a slender mycelial cord. Cortex a thin, whitish, furfuraceous
coat, drying up into minute persistent granules on the pale-brown sur-
face of the inner peridium. Subgleba nearly obsolete; mass of spores
and capillitium olivaceous, then brown; threads much branched, the
main stem about as thick as the spores, the branches tapering. Spores
elliptic, even, 5-6x3-4^, sometimes with a minute pedicel.
Growing on the ground in dense woods. Wisconsin, Trelease. Perid-
ium %-i in. in diameter. This pretty species, previously known only
from Cuba, is indistinguishable from L. pusillum when immature, the
spores affording the only really characteristic feature. Morgan.
L. cepsesf or'me Bull. — onion-shaped. Peridium
globose or depressed-globose, plicate underneath,
with a cordlike root. Cortex at first a thin, white,
minutely furfuraceous coat, this soon becomes rimu-
lose and at length breaks up into small scales and
patches, which finally disappear from the pale or
pale-brown surface of the inner peridium. Sub-
gleba nearly obsolete ; mass of spores and capillitium
greenish-yellow, then pale-olivaceous ; the threads
very much branched, the main stem thicker than the
spores, the branches long and tapering. Spores
globose, even, 3.5-4^ in diameter, often with a
minute pedicel. 606
( Plate CLXXVa.)
LYCOPERDON
CEP^ESFORME.
(After Morgan.)
( Plate CLXXVb.)
Lycoperdacese
Peridium %—\ in. in diameter. Lycoperdon.
Growing on the ground in meadows and pastures.
New York, Peck, 5ist Rep.
Good.
L. colora'tum Pk. — colored. Peridium 5-10 lines broad, globose
or obovate, subsessile, radicating, yellow or red-
dish-yellow, brownish when old, slightly rough-
ened with minute granular or furfuraceous per-
sistent warts; capillitium and spores at first pale,
inclining to sulphur- color, then dingy-olive.
Spores subglobose, smooth, about 4/u. in diameter.
Ground in thin woods and bushy places. Sand-
lake and Catskill mountains. July and August.
Peck, 32d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
New York, Peck, 29th Rep. ; New England,
Morgan; Ohio, Morgan; Wisconsin, Trelease.
LYCOPERDON COL-
ORATUM.
(After Morgan.
(Plate CLXXVI.)
L. acnmina'tum Bosc. — pointed. Peridium globose, then ovoid,
with a mycelium of fine white fibers.
Cortex a white soft delicate continu-
ous coat, drying up into a thin fur-
furaceous persistent layer on the sur-
face of the inner peridium. Subgleba
obsolete ; mass of spores and capilliti-
um pale-olivaceous then dirty-gray;
threads simple, hyaline, two to three
times as thick as the spores. Spores
globose, even, 3/i in diameter. Plate
II, fig. 8. Peridium H—% of an inch in height.
Growing on the mosses of old logs and about the base of living trees.
New York, Peck; North Carolina, Curtis ; South Carolina, Ravenel,
Atkinson; Ohio, Morgan; Costa Rica, Oersted.
°o o
LYCOPERDON ACUMINATUM
With spores. (From Morgan.)
607
(Plate CLXXVIa.)
it
GENUS X.— BOVISTEL'LA Morg.
Bovisteiia, Mycelium cord-like, rooting from the base. Peridium subglobose,
with a well-developed base; cortex a dense
floccose subpersistent coat ; inner peridium
thin, membranaceous, dehiscent by a regular
apical mouth. Subgleba cellulose, cup-shaped
above and definitely limited, persistent; cap-
illitium originating within the tissue of the
gleba; the threads free, short, several times
dichotomously (two-forked) branched, the
main stem thicker than the diameter of the
spores, the branches tapering. Spores small,
SECTION BOVISTELLA globose or oval, even, pedicellate.
OHIENSIS. ^ puff-ball of moderate size, growing in
Showing cellulose and defi-
nitely limited subgleba and fields and open woods. Morgan.
the free threads of the capil-
litium. (From Morgan.)
B. OMen'sis Ellis and Morg. Peridium globose or broadly obovoid,
sometimes much depressed, plicate under-
neath, with a thick cord-like root. Cortex a
dense floccose coat, sometimes segregated
into soft warts or spines, white or grayish in
color ; this dries up into a thick buff-colored
or dirty ochraceous layer, which gradually
falls away, leaving a smooth, shining, pale-
brown or yellowish surface to the inner perid-
ium. Subgleba broad, ample, occupying
one-half the peridium, a long time persistent;
mass of spores and capillitium lax, friable,
clay-color to pale-brown; the threads .6-. 8
mm. in extent, three to five times branched,
the main stem 6-8fi in thickness, the branches
tapering. Spores globose or oval, even, 4-5^ in length by 3.5-4^ in
breadth, with long hyaline persistent pedicels.
Growing on the ground in old pastures, in fields and open woods.
Morgan.
This species of puff-ball is made the type of the new genus BovisteUa
by Mr. Morgan.
608
(Plate CLXXVII.)
BOVISTELLA OHIENSIS.
Natural size.
Lycoperdacess
GENUS XI.— CATAS'TOMA Morg.
Puff-balls growing just beneath the surface of the ground and con- Catastoma.
nected immediately with it by filamentous threads, which issue from
every part of the cortex; after maturity, when the peridium breaks
away, the lower part of the outer coat is held fast by the soil, while the
upper portion which has attained the surface remains, covering the in-
ner peridium like a cap or inverted cup ; consequently the apparent
apex at which the mouth is situated is the actual base of the plant as it
grows. The capillitium threads are similar to the densely interwoven
hyphas, which form the inner peridium and are evidently branches of
them radiating from the interior. It is plain that the affinities of these
plants are closest with Tylostoma and Astrasus, but the needs of a sys-
tematic arrangement, according to more obvious characters, causes us
to place them next to Bo vista. Morgan.
( Plate CLXXVIII . ) Peridium sub-
(Plate CLXXVIII.)
C. circumscis'sum B. and C
globose, more or less de-
pressed and often quite ir-
regular; cortex thickish, fra-
gile, usually rough and uneven
from the adhering soil, after
maturity torn away, leaving
the lower two-thirds or more
in the ground ; inner peridium
depressed - globose, subcori-
aceous, rather thin, pallid, be-
coming gray, minutely furfu-
raceous, with a small regular
basal mouth. Mass of spores and capillitium soft, compact, then friable,
olivaceous, changing to pale brown; the pieces of the threads short,
unequal in length, flexuous, hyaline, 3-4f. in thickness. Spores glo-
bose, minutely warted, 4— 5/u. in diameter, often with a minute pedicel.
Growing in heavy clay soil in old lanes and pastures, especially along
the hard-trodden paths.
Maine, Blake; Ohio, Morgan; "Kansas, Kellerman; Nebraska, Webber.
Inner peridium K— % in. in diameter.
This is Bovista circumscissa B. and C., of Berkeley's Notices of
39 609
CATASTOMA CIRCUMSCISSUM.
Showing method of growth, breaking away
and turning over. Section of same showing
origin of the threads of the capillitium.
(After Morgan.)
Gastromycetes
Catastoma. North America Fungi. It grows in great abundance with us some sea-
sons, right in the hard-trodden barn-yard, and along the lane to the cat-
tle pasture. Arachnion album Schw. usually keeps it company. Mor-
gan.
I have not seen this acrobatic species. Study of its unique habit sug-
gests the query : Is not the turning over of its spore-filled portion a
substitute for an original but lost power of growing right side up?
GENUS XII.— BOVIS'TA Dill.
Bovista. Mycelium fibrous or sometimes filamentous. Peridium subglobose,
without a thickened base; cortex a thin
(Plate CLXXIX.) fragile continuous layer, shelling off or dis-
appearing at maturity, except sometimes a
small portion about the base ; inner perid-
ium thin, membranaceous, becoming papy-
raceous, dehiscent by an apical mouth or
opening irregularly. Capillitium originat-
ing within the tissue of the gleba ; the
BOVISTA MINOR AND SECTION. ,, •, t , , ,. ,. ,
(From Morgan.) threads free, short, several times dichoto-
mously branched, the main stem much
thicker than the diameter of the spores, the branches tapering. Spores
small, globose, or oval, even, brown. Morgan.
Small puff-balls growing upon the ground in fields and woods. One
grows underground.
B. pi'la B.and C. — a ball. Peridium globose or obovoid, with a
stout, cord-like root. Cortex a thin, white, smooth, continuous coat,
breaking up at maturity into minute scales, which soon disappear; inner
peridium thickish, tough, rigid, becoming brown or purplish-brown,
smooth and shining, a long time persistent, and finally with age often
fading to silvery-gray ; dehiscence taking place at length by an irregular,
torn aperture at or about the apex. Mass of spores and capillitium
very firm, compact and persistent, at first clay-colored, pale brown or
olivaceous, at length dark or purplish-brown; the threads rather small,
.6-. 8 mm. in extent, three to five times branched, 12— 15/u. thick, the
ultimate branches rigid, nearly straight, tapering to a fine point. Spores
610
LycoperdaceaB
globose, even, 4-5/* in diameter, sessile or with only a minute
pedicel.
Growing on the ground in woods.
Peridium i%—2% in. in diameter.
This Bovista is remarkably tough, it maintains its shape firmly and
persists a long time ; it breaks away from its root and rolls about over
the old leaves before the wind, even till the following season. Morgan.
West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, in fields and woods on
ground. June to October. Mcllvaine.
Edible. Tre lease.
When young and fresh it is excellent.
B. Monta'na Morg. Peridium subglobose with a cord-like root.
Cortex a thin white continuous layer, breaking up at maturity into a
mealy or furfuraceous coat, which soon falls away; inner peridium thin,
flaccid, becoming brown, smooth and shining, dehiscent by an irregular
torn aperture about the apex. Mass of spores and capillitium soft, lax,
at first ochraceous or pale-brown, finally purplish-brown; the threads
curled and flexuous, very large, with an expanse of 1.25-1.75 mm.,
four to seven times branched, the main stem 15— 2Op. in thickness,
the ultimate branches long and tapering. Spores globose, even, 4.5—
5.5^ in diameter, often with a minute pedicel.
Growing on the ground. Rocky mountains. Jones. Peridium i-Ja —
2 'in. in diameter. This differs from B. pila in being soft, flaccid, and
soon collapsing; it, no doubt, is not so persistent. Microscopically it
is readily distinguished by its much larger threads. Morgan.
B. nigres'cens (Vitt. ) Pers. — blackish. Peridium subglobose, with
a fibrous mycelium. Cortex a thin, smooth, white continuous layer, at
maturity breaking up into scales, which soon disappear; inner peridium
thin, flaccid, becoming dark-brown, smooth and shining, dehiscent at
the apex by a lacerate mouth. Mass of spores and capillitium soft, lax,
at first ochraceous or olivaceous, at length purplish-brown; the threads
flexuous, about I mm. in extent, three to five times branched, the main
stem 12-iS/u. thick, the ultimate branches tapering. Spores globose or
oval, even, 5-6> in diameter, with long hyaline pedicels.
Growing in old pastures, in fields and woods. Canada, Saccardo;
Pennsylvania, Schweinitz ; North Carolina, Curtis; Ohio, Lea; Cali-
fornia, Harkness.
6u
Gastromycetes
Bovista. Peridium 1—2 in. in diameter. I have never succeeded in obtaining
an American specimen of this species ; my description is drawn up from
European specimens. Morgan.
Pennsylvania, Mcllvaine. B. nigrescens is a first-class puff-ball.
B. plum'bea Pers. — lead-colored. Peridium %—\% in. in diameter,
depressed-globose, with a fibrous mycelium. Cortex a thin, smooth,
white continuous coat, loosening at maturity and shelling off, except
sometimes a small portion about the base; inner peridium thin, tough,
smooth, lead-colored, dehiscent at the apex by a round or oblong
aperture. Mass of spores and capillitium soft, lax, ochraceous or oli-
vaceous, then purplish-brown, the threads .8—1.0 mm. in extent, three
to five times branched, the main stem i2-i6/* thick, the ultimate
branches long, straight and tapering to a fine point. Spores oval, even,
6-7x5-6/4, with long hyaline pedicels.
Growing on the ground in meadows and pastures. Morgan.
Indiana, in abandoned brick-yard, H. I. Miller; West Virginia, New
Jersey, Pennsylvania. Common on ground in open places. Solitary
or in groups. Spring to autumn; after rains, Mcllvaine.
Edible. Tre lease, Badham.
The botanic difference between a Lycoperdon and a Bovista does
not affect the Mycophagist. He can not distinguish the difference when
cooked. B. plumbea is given in Cooke and in Massee as Lycoperdon
plumbeum. Bovista plumbea is a first-class edible.
B. mi'nor Morg. (Plate CLXXIX, p. 610.) Peridium subglobose,
deeply sunk in the soil and connected with it by a filamentous mycelium,
which issues from every part of the surface. Cortex thickish, rough
and irregular from the adherent soil, fragile, falling away at maturity,
except sometimes a small portion about the base; inner peridium thin,
smooth, flaccid, reddish-brown, dehiscent by a regular apical mouth.
Mass of spores and capillitium olivaceous, then reddish-brown ; the
threads curled and flexuous, with an expanse of 1.0-1.5 mm., two to
four times branched, the main stem 10—15^ thick, the ultimate
branches very long and tapering to a fine point. Spores globose or
slightly oval, even, 3.5-4. 5/A in diameter, with long hyaline pedicels.
Growing in damp shaded situations. Ohio, Morgan; Nebraska,
Webber. Peridium >£-.% of an inch in diameter. A species well
612
Lycoperdaceee
*fnarked by its peculiar habit,
interesting microscopic objects.
The curled and flexuous threads are Bovista.
Morgan.
Sub globose, Mycenastrum.
( Plate CLXXX.)
GENUS XIII.— MYCENAS'TRUM Desv.
Mycelium funicular, rooting from the base,
without a thickened base ; cortex a
smooth continuous layer, at first
closely adnate to the inner peridium,
after maturity gradually breaking up
and falling away; inner peridium
thick, tough, coriaceous, becoming
hard, rigid and corky, the upper
part finally breaking up into irregu-
lar lobes or fragments. Capillitium
originating within the tissue of the
gleba; the threads free, short, thick,
with a few short branches, acutely
pointed and with scattered prickles.
Spores large , globose , sessile,
brown.
Puff-balls of considerable size,
growing in the sandy soil of dry regions. A very distinct genus, in no
way related to Scleroderma, and resembling it only in its thick, corky,
inner peridium. The threads of the capillitium originate within the
tissue of the gleba, along with the spores, and are set free by deli-
quescence, the same as in Bovista. Morgan.
M. spinulo'sum Pk. Peridium globose, depressed globose, some-
times elongated and often irregular, with a thick, cord-like root. Cor-
tex at first a thickish, white, smooth, continuous layer; after maturity
it cracks or becomes furrowed into large polygonal areas, and at length
falls away in large flakes or scales ; inner peridium very thick, at first
white and coriaceous, becoming hard, dry, brown and rigid, the upper
part finally breaking up into irregular lobes or fragments. Mass of
spores and capillitium compact then friable, at first olivaceous, then
613
MYCENASTRUM SPINULOSUM PK.
(After Morgan.)
Gastromycetes
Mycenastrum. dark purplish-brown ; the threads bent, curved and flexuous, subhyaline,
.2-. 7 mm. in length, about the same thickness as the spores, with a
few short branches, and with scattered prickles, which are most abun-
dant toward the acute extremities. Spores globose, very minutely
warted, opaque, 9-12/4 in. diameter, often with a minute or slender
hyaline pedicel.
Growing on the sandy soil of the western prairies. Wisconsin, Brown;
Dakota, Ellis; Nebraska, Webber; Colorado, Trelease; Kansas, Keller-
man, Cragin; New Mexico, Irish.
Peridium 2-4 in. in diameter. The plants are said to grow together
in groups, sometimes of many individuals; after maturity they are
easily loosened from their place of growth and are then rolled about by
the wind. Morgan.
No. report upon edibility. Probably good.
614
Sclerodermaceee
FAMILY III.— SCLERODERMA'CE^.
Peridium discrete from the gleba, often with a columella ; cells of the
gleba subpersistent. Morgan.
GENUS L— SCLERODER'MA Pers.
Scleros, hard ; derma, skin.
Skin firm with an innate bark, bursting irregularly; woolly threads
adhering on all sides to the bark and forming distinct veins in the cen-
tral mass. Base sterile, usually becoming elongated into a stem-like
structure. Spores large, granulated.
Scleroderma vulgare and verrucosum are general and very common
over the United States. S. bovista and S. geaster have the same range
but are not so common. They much resemble puff-balls, but are more
pudgy, solid-looking. All are edible. Their qualities are noted under
their descriptions.
S. vulga're Fr. — vulgaris, common.
sessile, irregular; bark corky, hard,
opening indefinitely ; inner mass in
which the spores are collected into
little heaps separated by a few
grayish woolly threads, bluish-black.
Spores dingy; in the mass blackish
with purple tinge, globose, warted,
9- 1 1 /* Mas see.
The larger form is generally of a
yellowish or brownish hue, surface
warty or covered with rough scales ;
the smaller, stemless minutely warty, bright brown.
Under trees, etc. Often cespitose, 1-3 in. across.
(Plate CLXXXI.)
( Plate CLXXXI.)
Sub-
SCLERODERMA VULGARE.
A— B. Firm when young and remain
nearly so when mature.
Peridium vari-
Gastromycetes
Scieroderma. able, white or pale-brown, often becoming pink when cut. Dehiscing
by decay of upper portion of peridium. Massee.
Scieroderma vulgare is one of our most common and plentiful toad-
stools. Its hard, rough, warty, light brown knobs, single or clustered,
growing along brook-banks or under trees, generally choosing hard
ground, are known to all who observe Nature's curiosities. When quite
young they are white inside. As they enlarge the center darkens and
this purplish color finally develops into a grayish-purplish-black which
extends throughout the interior and gives it a granular appearance.
The fungus is solid, cutting like a potato. Its smell is strong; also its
taste when raw. Sliced and well-cooked the species is good, even after
it has become purplish, but if a single one is wilted it will embitter a
whole dish. Or if it is not very well stewed or fried it remains strong.
In no condition is it injurious. Specimens must be pared, and the base
well cut away.
S. bovis'ta Fr. Subsessile, often irregular, peridium thin, pliant,
almost smooth; tramal walls floccose, yellow, mass of spores olive-
brown, spores globose, warted, 10—13/4.
Sandy soil under trees, etc. From 1-2 in. across. Distinguished
by the thin, almost smooth peridium, and the yellow tramal walls.
Massee.
West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. On ground under trees.
June to November. Mcllvaine.
Not rough like S. vulgare and S. verrucosum, nor as solid. Same
habit, same edible qualities when young. It is not good after it begins
to change color.
S. verruco'sum Pers. — verr^tcos^^s, covered with warts (vermca).
Peridium thin above, ochraceous or dingy brown, covered with minute
warts, subglobose, continued downward as a more or less elongated
stem-like base. Spores umber in the mass; trama whitish.
Spores globose, warted, io-13/u..
On the ground, under trees, etc. Peridium 1-3 in. across. Stem
%— 2 in. long, thick, flatly pitted, sometimes almost sessile, when it
approaches S. vulgare, but is distinguished by the thin peridium and
absence of purple tinge in the immature spore mass. Massee.
616
Sclerodermaceae
West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. June to October. On Scierodenna.
ground under trees. Same habit as S. vulgare. Mcllvaine.
S. verrucosum closely resembles S. vulgare. The distinctions are
noted in the description. It must be young, fresh and white inside, or
it is bitter. It is not of as good quality as S. vulgare.
S. geas'ter Fr. — resembling genus Geaster in its manner of opening.
Subglobose, sessile, peridium thick, rigid, almost smooth, splitting in
an irregularly stellate manner at the apex.
Spores warted, I2-I6/A.
Sandy places. Known by the peridium dehiscing in a stellate man-
ner; from 1-2 in. across. Massee.
New Jersey, August. In sandy woods. Mcllvaine.
I have found but few specimens. Those were edible and good.
617
Gastromycetes
GENUS II.— POLYSAC'CUM De C.
Polus, many ; saccus, a sack.
( Plate CLXXXII.)
Poiysaccum. Peridium irregularly globose, thick, attenuated downward into a stem-
like base, opening by disintegration
of its upper portion; internal mass
(gleba) divided into distinct sack-
like cells.
Allied to Scleroderma and distin-
guished .by the cavities of the gleba
containing distinct peridiola. Mas-
see.
P. pisocar'pium Fr. Gr. — a pea;
Gr. — fruited. Peridium irregularly
globose, indistinctly nodulose, pass-
ing downward into a stout stem-like
base; peridiola irregularly angular,
4-5x2-3 /*, yellow. globose,
warted, coffee-color, 9-13/1 Massee.
P. pisocarpium was quite common
at Mt. Gretna, Pa., from August to
October, 1898, in open pine and
mixed woods, growing from sandy
ground. The height reached 5 in.
and diameter 2 in. The shapes were
usually those of inverted pears, more
or less flattened along their lengths.
Skin hard, polished, olivaceous-black with dull yellow mottlings, not
unlike rattlesnake skin. When broken the peridiola (small ovate cylin-
ders which bear the spores within) are very distinct, often over 1/8 in.
long. The entire interior is dark when mature, and the rupture of the
plant is irregular and by disintegration of the upper part. They often
dry without rupturing. Search as I would, I could not find a young
one, or one in edible condition. The plant is here given because in-
teresting and one the student will wish to identify. It is so odd that
it is not surprising to find it employed as a medicine in China.
POLYSACCUM PISOCARPIUM.
Natural size.
618
619
TOADSTOOL POISONING AND ITS TREATMENT
BY W. S. CARTER, M. D.
Professsor of Physiology and Hygiene, University of Texas, Galveston, Texas.
THE poisonous mushrooms v or so-called toadstools, may be grouped
in two classes: (i) Those containing minor or irritant poisons, which
act locally on the gastro-intestinal tract, such as the Clitocybe illudens,
Lepiota Morgani and others, and (2) those containing major poisons
which act on the nerve centers after absorption, causing symptoms to
appear a long time after the poison has been taken and very often ter-
minating fatally. This group includes the Amanita muscaria, the
Amanita bulbosa or Am. verna and the Amanita phalloides.
From the prompt way in which vomiting and purging begin after
eating the toadstools of the first group there seems to be no doubt of the
local irritant action on the alimentary canal. Grave symptoms from
any constitutional effect or any serious disturbances of the circulation do
not occur. Although intensely disagreeable, such poisoning terminates
in recovery and may not be regarded as dangerous unless the poison be
taken in enormous quantity or by one in poor health.
In poisoning by the deadly toxic Amanitae vomiting and purging may
also occur as prominent symptoms, but generally only occur late — ten
to fifteen hours after eating the toadstool — and are due to the action of
the poison on the nerve centers. This is clear from the fact that these
symptoms appear when the poison is given either hypodermatically or
intravenously to animals.
It is exceedingly unfortunate that these deadly poisonous toadstools
do not give some warning either in an unpleasant taste or contain an
irritant which would act locally to cause emesis and purgation, for in
that case the patient would get rid of the poison before such large
quantities were absorbed and fatal poisoning would be less frequent.
They are not at all unpalatable and sometimes large quantities are eaten
by mistake
621
Toadstool Poisoning and its Treatment
Formerly frequent allusion was made to the possibility of poisoning
by decomposition products from putrefactive changes in mushrooms.
Not a single case has come to the writer's notice where this form of
poisoning has actually occurred. In many reported cases of poisoning
it is distinctly stated they were eaten soon after gathering ; in none does
the reporter mention any suspicion of poisoning of this nature.
At one time very many mushrooms were supposed to be poison-
ous. We now know that there are only a few dangerous ones, and
where serious poisoning occurs it seems clearly to be due to some defi-
nite and constant poisons contained in certain fungi. We shall not deal
here with the irritant poisons, as they are not dangerous and usually
Nature gets rid of them easily, but shall consider the poisons of the
Amanita muscaria or "Fly mushroom," the A. bulbosus vernus Bull, or
A. verna, and the A. phalloides or "death cup." The writer has not had
any personal experience with poisoning by these in man, but bases his
observations upon over one hundred experiments made upon lower ani-
mals.* This is a distinct advantage in reaching any conclusion, as the facts
are definite without any doubt as to the kind or quantity of the poison
taken. In many of the reports of poisoning by mushrooms in man no
mention of the species is made. In all these cases many kinds have been
mixed together in preparing them for the table and it has never been known
how many of the poisonous and how many of the edible ones have been
eaten by any one individual partaking of the dish. Of course the fluid
in which they are cooked contains some of the poison. This explains
why some patients recover after having eaten several mushrooms while
others die from a part of one only. (See report of six cases by Dr. G. E.
Caglieri, New York Med. Record, August 28, 1897; a^so Dr. Berry's
cases reported by Prentiss, Philadelphia Med. Journal, September 24,
1898.) Then, too, different poisonous species may be mixed together.
The symptoms produced by the different Amanitae poisons are quite
different. Those containing irritant poisons may be taken with those
containing deadly poisons. This accounts for the great variety of symp-
toms presented in cases reported.
*A11 of the toadstools used have been very kindly furnished and identified by Capt.
Chas. Mcllvaine. Unfortunately only fifteen experiments could be made with the fresh
funpi while the writer was at the University of Pennsylvania. Since leaving there it
has been impossible to get any in a fresh state, and the other experiments have been
made either with dried fungi or alcoholic or glycerine extracts of the fresh.
622
Toadstool Poisoning and its Treatment
POISONING BY AMANITA MUSCARIA.
The symptoms of poisoning by this fungus usually appear from eight
to twelve hours after it has been eaten, unless it has been taken in
enormous quantities, as in the cases reported by Prentiss (Phila. Med.
Jour., September 24, 1898), where they came on in half an hour.
These begin with cramp-like pains in the extremities, colicky pains
in the abdomen, burning thirst, vomiting and purging. The pulse may
be very slow and strong at first, but later becomes rapid, small and fee-
ble. The blood pressure is low and, as a result of this disturbance of
the circulation, faintness is a common early symptom. Extreme pallor
is often noticed. The secretions are increased, and the sweat and the
saliva may be secreted in abnormal quantities.
The pupils are strongly contracted and dullness of the vision or
double vision may be noticed early.
The respirations are slow and become shallow and stertorous when
the poisoning is severe.
The mental state may be clear at first, but becomes dull, deepening
into unconsciousness and deep coma if a large quantity has been taken.
Convulsions are reported to have occurred in some cases from poison-
ing by this toadstool in man. The dried Amanita muscaria or extracts
of the fresh fail to produce convulsions in the lower animals, even in
frogs, which are very susceptible. Either there is a considerable dif-
ference in the susceptibility to this poison or there is some poison pres-
ent in the fresh fungus which is lost by drying.
Small amounts of the dried Amanita muscaria are said to be used by
inhabitants of northern Asia for the stimulating effect upon the nervous
system, producing, like other narcotic poisons, a dreamy state of intoxi-
cation, deepening into sleep (Von Boeck in Ziemssen's Cyclopedia of
Medicine, Vol. VII).
In animals the most striking effect is upon the circulation. When in-
jected intravenously it causes tremendous inhibition of the heart's action
— a moderate amount causing the heart to beat slowly and powerfully ;
a large amount causing complete arrest. Even with the partial inhibi-
tion there is an enormous fall of pressure. The slowing of the heart
soon passes off, and when a moderate amount has been injected, the cir-
culation quickly returns to normal.
623
Toadstool Poisoning and its Treatment
In one of my experiments on a dog, the heart stopped for i% min-
utes and then began beating again, the circulation soon recovering.
Late in the poisoning the heart beats may be rapid and feeble and the
blood pressure low. The lowered blood pressure is largely due to
dilatation of the small blood vessels resulting from a loss of control over
them by the nerve center which normally keeps the arterioles in a state
of partial contraction.
The inhibition of the heart is due to the action of the well-known
alkaloid muscarine upon nerve ganglia in the heart. The contraction
of the pupil and the increased secretory activity of the glands are also
due to this substance which was discovered by Schmideberg and Koppe
in 1869.
It was soon found that although dogs recovered from the immediate
or early effects (i. e., from the muscarine) of enormous quantities of toad-
stools, they succumbed from the late effects of much smaller quantities.
Atropine fails to avert this result from the late effect, whether given be-
fore the poison, with it, or after it. The inhibition of the heart passes
off long before death occurs. Late death does not appear to be due to
muscarine.
*A11 these facts put together point to the existence of some other
poison or poisons in the Amanita muscaria to which atropine is not an
antidote.
This peculiar poisoning causing death so late will be discussed again
after considering the other poisonous mushrooms as they act similarly.
Gastro-intestinal symptoms were not as common in my experiments
with Amanita muscaria as with the Amanita phalloides. Vomiting and
purging occasionally occurred early, but much more frequently late in
the poisoning and often not at all.
Convulsions did not occur in any of the animals poisoned by this
fungus. Convulsions are recorded in some cases of poisoning in man,
but not so constantly as with the A. phalloides and A. verna. Where
they occurred either a large amount had been taken (as in Prentiss'
case) or there is some doubt about the Amanita muscaria having been
the only toadstool eaten (as in Caglieri's cases). Frogs are very easily
thrown into spasms, but no spasms were observed, even in fatal poison-
ing of them by this toadstool.
Regarding cerebral symptoms, little can be said except that uncon-
sciousness and coma may come on early and persist till death. In cases
624
Toadstool Poisoning and its Treatment
terminating fatally the animal seemed to be conscious, but so depressed
that it was unable to stand' or even move when called.
Concerning differences in the susceptibility of different animals to the
poisons of Amanita muscaria, cats seemed to be more susceptible than
dogs in the earlier experiments with extracts of the fresh fungus, but
more numerous experiments with the dried fungus failed to show any
greater difference than can be observed between different animals of the
same kind.
As to the nature of the poisons very little can be stated from the ex-
periments, as they were undertaken as a preliminary step to chemical
studies to be carried on later. The alkaloid muscarine is one of our
best known poisons and nothing can be added to what is already known
about it. The poisons are extracted by distilled water as well as by a
solution of sodium chloride; they are soluble in glycerine and in alcohol
and very little difference can be seen in the action of these extracts, un-
less the alcoholic extract contains more of the muscarine, while the
glycerine extract contains more of the other poisons.
It is stated that muscarine is not poisonous to flies ; that the Amanita
muscaria contains a volatile poison which is poisonous to flies (hence
the name "Fly mushroom" ), and which is lost by drying; that inhabit-
ants of northern Asia use the dried fungus (after the volatile poison has
been lost) for producing intoxication (Von Boeck in Ziemssen's Cyclo-
pedia, Vol. VII, p. 927). My experiments have been entirely with
mammals and frogs, and unfortunately those performed with the fresh
toadstools were not numerous enough to enable me to draw positive
conclusions as to any loss of toxicity by drying. A single experiment
with a cat seemed to indicate that boiling of the fungus lessened the
toxicity but subsequent experiments indicated that a boiled solution was
no less toxic than one not boiled.
One thing we can state definitely; that boiling the dried A. muscaria
abes not destroy its toxicity. This indicates that the poison is not of
an albuminous nature, which would be coagulated by heat.
Whether or not any volatile poison is lost by boiling a solution of the
fresh fungus or by drying at 40° C. can not be stated definitely as the
experiments made with the fresh fungus were few in number on account
of the extreme difficulty in getting them perfectly fresh.
The average of six observations in which it was possible to weigh
the toadstools before and after drying at 40° C. showed a loss of 84.4
40 625
Toadstool Poisoning and its Treatment
per cent, of water. In other words, i gram of the dried equals 6.4
grams of the fresh.
Comparing the lethal doses of the dried with the lethal doses of the
fresh extracted by glycerine and alcohol, it does not appear that there
is any great loss of the toxicity by drying as is shown by the following :
Lethal dose of dried in Experiment 31 was .085 gram, per kilo of body
weight; in Experiment 55, .033 gram, per kilo caused early death,
while .223 gram, of dried per kilo and .120 gram, per kilo caused
death from late effects (Exps. 32 and 57). The lethal doses of the fresh
were .91 gram, per kilo (Exp. 29) and 1.055 gram, per kilo (Exp.
36) when a glycerine extract of the fresh growth was used, while 1.222
gram, per kilo (Exp. 16) made from an alcoholic extract failed to kill.
It may be well to introduce here the results of an experiment which
shows there is no highly poisonous volatile material given off from the
A. phalloides. This is rather an important fact to determine, as the
opinion is held by some that there is a volatile poison, and most of my
experiments were made with the dried fungus. A I per cent, solution
of fresh A. phalloides was distilled until three-fourths of the fluid had
passed over as distillate. The latter was injected into the vein of a dog
and found not at all toxic. The opportunity has not been afforded me
of repeating this experiment personally, but Dr. J. P. Arnold has kindly
repeated it for me, injecting the distillate into rabbits and frogs and failed
to find it toxic. Certainly if there is any volatile poison in the A. phal-
loides it must be either in very minute quantity or very slightly toxic.
ANTIDOTAL VALUE OF ATROPINE.
In arriving at any conclusion we must bear in mind the variation of
different animals in their susceptibility to poisons. Thus, to give the
greatest difference observed, .085 gram, dried Amanita muscaria
per kilo of body weight killed one dog in an hour, while in another
dog .223 grams, of the same preparation per kilo only killed after 24
hours, the cardiac inhibition having disappeared one-half hour after the
poison was injected. However, an average of six (6) experiments on
cats and dogs with dried A. muscaria in which no antidote was given
shows the lethal dose to be .103 gram, per kilo of body weight. The
average of four (4) experiments, in which the fungus, dried in the same
way, was used but atropine was given as an antidote, gives the lethal
dose of .335 gram, per kilo and death only occurred late in each case.
626
Toadstool Poisoning and its Treatment
There can be no doubt, therefore, of the antidotal value of atropine for
poisoning by Amanita muscaria.
It should be borne in mind, however, that it is not an infallible anti-
dote even when given early, and that it does not prevent death from the
late effects in severe cases, although given in large doses. In some ex-
periments atropine was administered at the same time the poison was
given and in others before it. t
The important practical lesson is that too much reliance should not
be placed upon atropine. It will be shown later that it has little value
as an antidote to A. verna and A. phalloides. Probably these fungi
contain less muscarine than A. muscaria. Although there is no drug
so antagonistic in its physiological action to the poison of the A. mus-
caria as atropine, the use of other remedies should not be neglected.
The symptoms have to be treated as they arise. Strychnia, alcohol in
moderate amounts and suprarenal extract could all be used to ad-
vantage in restoring the circulation, especially late in the poisoning.
Atropine merely removes the inhibition of the heart which occurs as an
early symptom.
External heat should be applied if the body temperature is sub-
normal. The treatment of gastro-intestinal symptoms will depend upon
the conditions of each individual case. The injection of a large amount
of warm physiological salt solution (.6— .7 per cent, sodium chloride)
into the subcutaneous tissues should also be tried in severe cases seen
late in the poisoning.
POISONING BY AMANITA VERNA OR A. BULBOSUS VERNA BULL.
The symptoms appear from six to fifteen hours after the ingestion of
the poison and may be largely choleraic in nature, i. e.t vomiting and
purging, the discharges from the bowel being watery with small flakes
suspended and sometimes containing blood.
The disturbance of the circulation is somewhat similar to that caused
by A. muscaria, viz., slow, strong pulse early, but rapid and weak later.
Dizziness and faintness may be early symptoms. Sometimes the skin
is pale and covered with cold, clammy sweat; at others there is great
cyanosis. The body temperature is subnormal, unless nervous symp-
toms are very severe. Very prominent among the symptoms are tetanic
convulsions, which may appear comparatively early and persist until
the end.
627
Toadstool Poisoning and its Treatment
In animals the effect of this toadstool is entirely different from that of
A. muscaria. Perhaps the most striking difference is the frequency
with which convulsions appear. Convulsions occurred repeatedly in
mammals and in nearly every frog to which the toadstool was given.
This fungus seems to contain some poison that acts upon the spinal cord
very much as strychnia does, though less powerfully, of course.
The circulatory conditions are also different. The inhibition of the
heart may be pronounced as an early condition, but the pressure does
not return to the normal after this disappears, either from giving
atropine or from cutting the pneumogastric nerves. Section of these
nerves removes the cardiac inhibition much more completely than after
poisoning by the A. muscaria. There is often a fall of pressure without
cardiac inhibition. In other words, there is a much greater permanent
fall of blood-pressure due to paralysis of the nerve center controlling
the blood vessels (vaso-motor center). This condition will last a long
time and does not show the same tendency to disappear as after A.
muscaria. Moreover it is produced by comparatively small amounts
of the A. verna.
The respirations are very slow. The blood is poorly oxygenated and
this probably causes the cyanosis sometimes observed in men poisoned
by this fungus.
Bloody fluid is sometimes vomited or comes from the nose. It may
also occur in the discharge from the bowel.
Retching and purging occurred more frequently as early symptoms
than in animals poisoned by A. muscaria.
Coma appeared early and continued until death. The administration
of atropine soon after giving the poison when cardiac inhibition was
present, caused a slight temporary rise of blood pressure but did not
affect the dilated condition of the blood vessels. The pressure con-
tinued low notwithstanding the atropine. Although the experiments
with this fungus were not as numerous as with the A. muscaria because
of difficulty in obtaining it, yet it seems clear that atropine is of very
little value as an antidote. Death very rarely resulted from the cardiac
inhibition occurring early but usually came on late after that condition
had disappeared. The lethal dose was no larger when atropine was
given than when no antidote was used.
Amanita verna is very much more toxic than A. muscaria, the average
of four experiments in which the former was given without an antidote
628
Toadstool Poisoning and. its Treatment
being .034 gram, (dried) per kilo of body weight, while .103 gram,
(dried) per kilo, was the average for the latter fungus.
POISONING BY AM ANITA PHALLOIDES.
The symptoms described in man are very similar to those caused by
the A. verna, except that the convulsions are less constant and cyanosis
is not mentioned. In some cases vomiting and purging are prominent
symptoms. There is dizziness and fainting, extreme ashy pallor, cold
skin covered with sweat, subnormal temperature, muscular twitchings
and occasional convulsions and somnolence which deepens into coma
and lasts until death, which usually occurs two or three days after eating
the poison. Sometimes the gastro-intestinal symptoms are less severe
or may be absent, though they are usually present; in that case the
nervous symptoms are more prominent, particularly the convulsions and
circulatory disturbance.
In experiments upon animals the convulsions were not observed so
constantly as with the A. verna. Out of twenty-five dogs poisoned by the
Amanita phalloides, convulsions only occurred twice, while twelve frogs
injected with different preparations (dried toadstool and glycerine and
alcoholic extracts of the fresh) failed to show a convulsive seizure in a
single instance. It seems to be difficult for mycologists to draw a sharp
line between the A. verna and the A. phalloides and say to which of
these two certain fungi belong. This may explain why convulsions are
recorded more frequently in persons poisoned by this toadstool than in
animals poisoned by it. Frogs are very susceptible to poisons acting
upon the spinal cord, and all of those poisoned by lethal doses of A.
verna had convulsions, while none of those poisoned by the A. phal-
loides had any. It would therefore appear from this striking difference
in the physiological actions that the two are separate and distinct.
The circulatory and gastro-intestinal symptoms were quite similar to
those caused by the A. verna.
A. phalloides is less toxic than the A. verna, but more so than the
A. muscaria, the average lethal dose of the dried fungus (eight experi-
ments) for dogs, where no antidote was used, being .117 gram, per
kilo.
The antidotal value of atropine is very slight, if indeed it has any
action other than removing the temporary cardiac inhibition. The ani-
mals very seldom died from this, but mostly from the late effects after
629
Toadstool Poisoning and its Treatment
the inhibition had disappeared. In four experiments on dogs in which
atropine was given either at the same time as the poison or before it,
the average lethal dose was .198 gram, of the dried fungus per kilo.
Two dogs were killed by .1 gram, per kilo without atropine; another
was given the same amount and was given atropine hypodermatically a
number of times and recovered, though very ill for two days.
Transfusion of physiological salt solution (.6 per cent, table salt)
was practiced in three dogs. Although death occurred in all of these
and the lethal dose was not unusually high, the pressure was restored
for a time at least. It should be employed in treating poisoning in man,
and not be depended upon as the only procedure, but used in conjunc-
tion with other remedies. This will be referred to again in describing
treatment.
It will be seen from the above that poisoning by the A. verna and
A. phalloides present symptoms in the lower animals which are quite
different from those caused by the A. muscaria, and that in either case
poisoning is far more serious than by the latter fungus. This is not only
because they are so much more toxic, but also because there is no de-
cidedly antagonistic action by atropine, and hence its value as an anti-
dote is much less.
In treating a case of poisoning by either A. verna or A. phalloides the
only thing that can be done is to meet the indications in the individual
case. If the heart is beating slowly, atropine should be given in liberal
doses. This will not overcome the chief disturbance of the circulation,
viz., the tremendous dilation of the blood vessels. Strychnia will do
this to a certain extent, but its use may be contra-indicated by twitch-
ings or convulsions from the toadstools. If it can be used it is exceed-
ingly valuable, as it stimulates not only the vaso-motor center^ but the
respiration and heart as well . Caffein or strong coffee may also be used
to this end if the stomach will retain it. Suprarenal extract should
also be given hypodermatically, as it will restore the blood pressure more
nearly to normal than any other drug, according to our experiments.
It has the advantage of not increasing the excitability of the spinal cord
as strychnia does, and hence would not be contra-indicated by nervous
symptoms.
Perhaps the most rational treatment to meet the most serious condi-
tion of the poisoning by these toadstools is the transfusion of normal
saline solution (.6-. 7 per cent, solution of table salt) into the subcu-
630
•-toadstool Poisoning and its Treatment
taneous tissues. This should, of course, only be given by a physician,
as great care is required in sterilizing the syringe. It can be given with
a fountain syringe and aspirating needle beneath the skin of the thigh.
Large quantities should be used — at least a quart ( 1000 cc. ) or more.
The fluid is rapidly absorbed by the lymphatics and gets into the blood
vessels. It restores the blood pressure by increasing the fluid in the
vessels and also doubtless aids the organs of excretion in eliminating the
poison ; at the same time it would relieve the intense thirst patients
complain of. Clinicians who have observed cases of poisoning by the
A. phalloides in man have suggested this procedure as the most rational
one to meet the symptoms presented. From the condition produced
in animals poisoned by this toadstool the writer was led to the same
conclusion. In two experiments upon dogs, when transfusion of warm
physiological salt solution was made directly into the vein after poison-
ing by the A. phalloides, death occurred in both cases and the lethal
dose was not unusually large, although the amount transferred was equal
to the estimated volume of the blood of the animal in one case and half
that amount in another. In another animal atropine was given before
the poison and the pressure had been reduced by the latter to one-fifth
of the normal, the transfusion of an amount of normal salt solution
equivalent to two-thirds of the bulk of blood restored the pressure to
three-fourths of normal in about 15 minutes, but further injection of the
poison caused late death.
Although the rise of pressure is not so great from transfusion as from
suprarenal extract in large doses, it is more permanent. Transfusion
(or transfusion into the subcutaneous tissues by hypodermoclysis which
amounts to the same thing) has the additional advantage of increasing
the flow of urine, which is often suppressed in these cases. Even if it
does no good it can do no harm if done antiseptically and should be
tried but always in conjunction with other remedies.
A remarkable case of recovery after the injection of a large amount
of normal saline solution has been reported by Delobel (Presse medicale
September 30, 1899). A man aged fifty-two ate some A. phalloides;
he was seen four hours afterward. The skin was covered with cold,
clammy sweat ; body temperature was sub-normal ; shivering and
tremors present; had not vomited«or purged ; urine suppressed; respira-
tion stertorous; pulse 28 per minute and so feeble that it was almost
imperceptible. Two full doses of atropine were given hypodermatically
631
Toadstool Poisoning and its Treatment
as well as 10 cc. of ether and 200 cc. of strong coffee with 20 cc. of
rum were given by the mouth and hot bottles applied externally. In
spite of all this the symptoms became worse and the patient sank into a
condition of profound collapse, the pulse dropping to 24 per minute
and the tremors ceased. One liter ( i quart) of normal saline solution
was injected hypodermatically and improvement began in 15 minutes
after the injection. The respiration lost the Cheyne-Stokes character;
the pulse improved in tension and in an hour was 60 per minute ; the
skin improved and the temperature returned to normal and the patient
went to work next day.
The circulatory symptoms are most prominent and demand most
attention. Vomiting and purging have to be treated according to the
conditions in the individual case and no rule can be followed. As the
peripheral vessels are dilated the body temperature is usually subnormal.
This should be overcome by applying hot bottles externally.
The suppression of urine should receive attention, and the activity of
the kidneys be stimulated as much as possible. It is probable the sup-
pression is largely due to the tremendous fall of blood pressure. If the
urine is secreted but retained in the bladder it should be drawn off.
Just as there is no simple way of detecting the presence of poisonous
mushrooms in a mixture of mushrooms, so there is no simple way of
destroying or removing the poisons. Pouchet stated that boiling de-
stroyed the poison and Chestnut has stated the poison of A. phalloides
is a toxic albumen. If this were the case boiling would destroy it. In
our experiments, however, boiling has not diminished the toxicity at
all and it can be definitely stated that the poison is not an albumen.
There is also a popular impression that vinegar will remove the poison
and numerous observers claim to have removed the poison of A. mus-
caria completely by soaking the fungus in vinegar. We have not had
the opportunity of trying this with fresh A. muscaria, but in one experi-
ment in which the A. verna was soaked over night in vinegar it failed
to get rid of the poison — any more than would have dissolved in that
amount of water.
Toadstool poisoning differs from most poisonings in the long time
elapsing before death in fatal cases. The only inorganic poisons caus-
ing death after such a long interval produce profound tissue changes.
Husemann believed death from poisonous mushrooms to be due to fatty
degeneration of the various organs. We have examined microscopically
632
Toadstool Poisoning and its Treatment
the tissue of dogs and cats dying from the late effects of the A. mus-
caria and A. phalloides and found them to be perfectly normal.
Mr. V. K. Chestnut, in a bulletin published by the United States
Department of Agriculture (Circular No. 13, p. 23), states that death
from the A. phalloides is due to a destruction of the red-blood corpus-
cles. Upon what authority this assertion is made is not stated. The
conclusion has probably been based upon the venosity of the blood in
cases of poisoning resulting from the disturbance of the respiration and
circulation. The blood corpuscles of animals poisoned by all three of
the Amanitae studied have been counted repeatedly in our experiments
and in none of them has there been any appreciable reduction.
It can be positively stated that death is not due to a destruction ol
the red blood cells.
Further, the coloring matter of the blood (haemoglobin), which car-
ries oxygen to the tissues, has been examined with the spectroscope to
see if any new compound had been formed which would prevent it from
carrying oxygen. No such compound has been found — no alteration
could be detected in the haemoglobin. It is quite evident that these
toadstools do not kill by their action on the blood, for in a number of
experiments the blood was examined a very short time before death.
Thinking that they might act upon the nerve cells of the brain and
spinal cord very much as certain toxins of infectious diseases do, those
structures were examined by special staining methods (silver impregna-
tion), but no greater variation than is normal could be detected in any
of those examined.
No statement can be made as to the cause of this late death, but it
would appear to be due to some disturbance of nutrition.
Late death occurs not only in animals, but in most of the cases of
poisoning in man recorded in medical literature.
The contrast between the early and late symptoms is not so great in
poisoning by A. phalloides and A. verna as in the case of poisoning by
A. muscaria. In the first two the serious symptoms appear early and
continue till the end ; in the last the early effects of the muscarine soon
passes off or can be removed by atropine, but the late symptoms, strik-
ingly in contrast with the early ones, still appear, and continue till death.
633
634
RECIPES
FOR
COOKING AND PREPARING FOR THE TABLE
PREPARING toadstools for the table should begin while collecting them.
Have a soft brush, a knife, half a dozen one or two-pound paper bags
and an open-topped, roomy, shallow basket. As edible species are
Collecting". found, cut them loose well above their attachment. Keep
Cleansing-. the spore surface down until the top is brushed clean and
every particle of dirt removed from the stem. This prevents dirt from
getting upon the spore surface, from which it is very hard to dislodge.
Never clean a toadstool over other toadstools. If the stem is hard,
tough or wormy, remove it.
Having cleaned the plant, place it in one of the paper bags, spore
surface down. Write its name on the bag. Place but one kind in the
same bag, unless species of about the same texture and flavor are found
and mixing is not objectionable. Where another species is found, give
it a bag to itself.
Select fresh, inviting plants only. Do all possible cleaning in the
field. Plants keep clean, pack better, and more of them
Selection. . , «
can be carried. A careless jumble is gritty, bruised
and disappointing.
If not ready to cook the find, place the bags in the ice chest. It is
best to cook fungi as soon as possible. Cooked, they can be kept much
longer than when uncooked.
When ready to cook, wash the plants by throwing them into a deep
pan of water. Pass the fingers quietly through them
W ii s Ii i n t*\ I*- i
upward; let stand a moment for the dirt to settle, then
gather them from the water with the fingers as a drain. Remove any
scurf or adhering dirt with a coarse flannel or a cloth. Wash in this way
through two or three waters. Lay to drain. By experience in drain-
ing, exactly the amount of water necessary to cook a particular species
635
Recipes for Cooking and Preparing for the Tattle
can be allowed to remain within its spore surface, if it is a gilled species.
To other kinds, water must usually be added.
The removal of the skin of any toadstool is seldom justifiable. As
with the apple and most fruits, the largest amount of flavor is in the
skin.
By the consistency of the species in hand, decide upon the best
method of cooking it and the time and medium required. If it is thin,
juicy, tender, from five to ten minutes' slow stewing will be ample; if
it is thick, dry, tough, from thirty to forty minutes will be required.
After any species is cooked tender, it may be seasoned to one's liking
and served as one chooses.
Many species, which absolutely refuse to become tender after prolonged
stewing, quickly succumb in the frying pan and make crisp, delicate
morsels. Edible kinds which dry well, or are hard when found, often
grate or powder easily, and are excellent (after soaking) made into
soups, fritters or pates.
Hundreds upon hundreds of recipes for cooking the common mush-
room and the few other fungi heretofore eaten, are at hand. The
simpler methods — those which retain the natural flavor of the species
cooked — are the best.
When a species has good body, and but little flavor, it may be made
delicious by cooking with it another species of higher flavor.
The most concise instruction is : Cook in any way you can cook an
oyster.
The writer's best and long- tried recipes are here given. Mrs. Sarah
Tyson Rorer has kindly contributed some of her own choice methods ;
Mrs. Emma P. Ewing, of culinary celebrity, is represented; and that
every recipe needed may be found herein, the most sensible of English
and French recipes are given.
TO COOK MUSHROOMS.
Gather mushrooms whenever they can be found. That is the best
time of the day to collect them. The gills grow darker and the flavor
improves as the spores ripen. They are in good condition up to the
time the gills begin to grow moist and to soften.
Cut off the extreme butt of the stem, holding the gills downward.
Rub off the cap and stem with a rough towel or flannel. Do not peel.
Wash in cold water. Drain well, gills downward.
636
Recipes for Cooking and Preparing for the Table
The English method is to scald them, but there is more of custom
than use in it.
Mushrooms may be preserved temporarily by boiling them in salt
and water for five minutes, draining and wiping dry. A better way is
to cook them, place in ice-chest, and reheat when wanted. Mcllvaine.
To BROIL. — Use well-spread caps only. Use double iron broiler.
Place the caps on it, gills down, and broil two minutes, turn and broil
two minutes more. While hot, season with salt and pepper, and butter
well, especially upon the gill side. Serve upon toast. Mrs. S. T. Rorer,
BAKED MUSHROOMS ON TOAST.
Bake under a glass or basin, on toast along with scalded or clotted
cream or a little melted butter, and salt and pepper to taste. They
take about a quarter of an hour in a gentle oven or before a fire ; when
they are taken up, do not remove glass for a few minutes; by that time
the vapor will have condensed and gone into the toast. Stevens.
CRUSTS OF MUSHROOMS. V/~
Cut into small, even-sized squares a pint of the selected toadstool; \ i
stew in a little water until done; add two ounces butter and one tea-
spoonful of salt, one-half teaspoonful of pepper. Wet a teaspoonful of
flour with two gills of cream and mix with the beaten yolks of two eggs.
Add, and mix well with the toadstool.
Cut the upper crust from some small French rolls. Scoop out the
inside of both upper and lower part, brush them with melted butter and
Brown in the oven; fill them, put on the top. Serve.
Or, when cooked as directed, serve in paper cases, or pastry shells.
TO DRY MUSHROOMS. (English method.)
Take those neither very young nor very old. Remove the butts only.
Then slice, string or skewer the slices lightly, and expose to a current
of warm dry air. A warm oven, with the door open, is a good place.
When quite dry and shrivelled, pack in tins, with spice at top and bot-
tom. When wanted for use, soak the slices in tepid water for some
hours. Then cook. Hay.
637
Recipes for Cooking and Preparing for the Table
STEWED MUSHROOMS ON TOAST.
Cut the mushrooms — caps and stems — into pieces of equal size. Place
in a covered saucepan. To each pint add one ounce (two level table-
spoonfuls) of butter. Enough water will have been retained by the gills
after washing to make sufficient liquor. Stew slowly twenty minutes;
season to taste with pepper and salt. Place upon toast. Mcllvaine.
TO FRY MUSHROOMS.
Lay them in a frying pan in which butter has been heated boiling
hot. After frying five minutes serve on a hot dish — pouring over them
the sauce made by thickening the butter with a little flour. This is as
delicious as more elaborate ways of cooking and retains the mushroom's
distinctive flavor in full perfection.
FRICASSE OF MUSHROOMS.
Wash, put them into a chafing dish, sprinkle over a teaspoonful of
salt, a quarter of a teaspoonful of black pepper, cover and cook slowly
for five minutes. Moisten a tablespoonful of flour in a gill of milk,
strain this into the mushrooms, bring to boiling point, add the yolks of
two eggs slightly beaten, a tablespoonful of chopped parsley, and serve
at once. Mrs. S. T. Rarer.
MUSHROOM PICKLES.
One-half peck of either Agaricus campester, Lepiota procera, Hy-
pholoma fascicularis, Hypholoma perplexum, Clitocybe multiceps,
Russula virescens. Select sound specimens, cut off ends of stems
(entire stem of fascicularis or procerus), rub the tops with flannel
dipped in salt. Throw them into milk and water (one-fourth milk).
Drain and put them into a stew pan. Sprinkle the layers with salt—
one-half gill to one-half peck mushrooms. Cover them close and put
them over a gentle fire for five minutes to draw out the water. Then
put them on a coarse cloth and drain until cold (or put on mosquito
netting in a colander).
To prepare a pickle for them : Take one-half gallon vinegar (if strong
dilute with water), two ounces mace, one-fourth ounce cloves, one-half
pound salt (Worcester), one teaspoonful red pepper, one nutmeg cut
in slices.
Put in a jar covered with a wet cloth and keep the cloth wet. Place
over a very slow fire, cook as long as the acid is prominent and no longer.
638
Recipes for Cooking and Preparing for the Table
Take small wide-mouthed bottles, fill with the mushrooms, pour on
the pickle until the bottle is filled. Tie down tight. (To slice a nut-
meg, boil it in vinegar — slice while hot. Makes of salt vary in strength ;
the "Worcester" is a strong salt.)
N. B. — When H. fascicularis is used, wipe the tops with a wet cloth.
Mcllvaine.
TO PICKLE MUSHROOMS. (English style.)
Take buttons and remove butts only. Put into jars and cover with
cold, spiced pickling vinegar. Add a few peppercorns and mustard
seeds and seal hermetically. Hay.
MUSHROOM CATCHUP.
Take the opened toadstools, clean carefully, bruise them. Put a
layer on the bottom of an earthen pan, strew salt over them (two
tablespoonfuls to one-fourth peck), another layer, more salt and so on.
One-half ounce cloves, one-half ounce mace, one-half ounce allspice,
one-half ounce whole pepper. Let stand six days. Stir every day.
Then put in gentle oven, cover pan with wet cloth, keep wet, and heat
for four hours. Strain through a fine cloth or sieve. To every gallon
of liquor add one quart red wine. Salt to taste. Add a race or two
.of ginger cut small. Strain ; let catchup get cold. Pour it from the
settlings. Bottle. Cork tight. Mcllvaine.
MUSHROOM CATCHUP.
A catchup superior to that sold in the stores may be made at home.
Break the toadstools into bits and place in a stone jar, with an ounce
and a half of salt for every quart of plants. Let stand in a cool place
for three days, stirring several times a day. On the third day put over
the fire, in a porcelain kettle, and heat slowly. In about half an hour
the juice will flow freely, when strain through a hair sieve, return to the
fire and boil twenty minutes. Measure the liquid and to each quart
allow an ounce of ginger root, a blade of mace, a bay leaf, a pinch of
cayenne, and an ounce each of allspice and black pepper; boil down to
one-half the quantity, add a teaspoonful of the best brandy to each
half-pint. Bottle. Cork and seal with wax or rosin. Anon.
639
Recipes for Cooking and Preparing for the Table
MUSHROOM CATCHUP. (English style.)
Remove the butts. Sprinkle all with salt. Pile in a bowl. Let
them remain so for three days, stirring occasionally. Then squeeze
out all the liquor. To each gallon of it add cloves and mustard seed,
crushed, of each half an ounce; allspice, peppercorns and ginger,
crushed, of each one ounce. Heat slowly up to boiling point in a
covered vessel. Set aside in a warm place for a fortnight. Then strain
and bottle. If the catchup shows signs of not keeping, add more salt
and spice, heat and proceed as before. Hay.
CANNED MUSHROOM SAUCE.
Cook together, until a light brown color, two tablespoonfuls each of
butter and flour, add a can of button mushrooms, with the water it con-
tains, and a cupful of water or broth. Simmer five minutes, stirring
meanwhile, season and serve. The flavor of the mushroom is more dis-
tinct and pronounced if the sauce is seasoned only with salt and mixed
pepper. If broth is used in the preparation of mushroom sauce instead
of water, it should be the broth of such meat as the sauce is to be
served with — for instance, chicken broth when to be served with chicken,
beef broth when to be served with beef, etc.
Mrs. Emma P. Ewing.
FRESH MUSHROOM SAUCE.
Put in a graniteware or porcelain-lined saucepan two tablespoonfuls
of butter. When hot add two cups of fresh, prepared mushrooms, cover
closely, and cook briskly two or three minutes. Season to taste with
salt and pepper, and serve with broiled beefsteak, birds, or sweetbreads.
Mrs. E. P. Ewing.
TO COOK BOLETI.
Remove the stems, and the tubes unless they are compact and young,
or the dish will be slimy from the tubes. Wipe the caps clean.
To BROIL. — Put on wire broiler or in a hot buttered pan. Cook well.
Add butter, pepper and salt.
To STEW. — After cutting the caps in pieces of similar size, stew in a
covered saucepan for twenty minutes. Do not use much water. When
done, add butter, or cream, pepper and salt. Some persons may pre-
fer to add a little lemon juice or sherry.
640
Recipes for Cooking and Preparing for the Table
To BAKE. — Bake for half an hour in covered dish, add oil or butter,
a little parsley, and garlic if liked, pepper and salt.
To FRY. — Remove the tubes from all the caps, excepting of very
young or very short-tubed species. Slice the caps as you would egg-
plant. Fry in butter, oil or fat, or dip in batter or in egg crumbs.
Mcllvaine.
B. EDULIS SOUP (as made in Hungary). — Having dried some Boleti
in an oven, soak them in tepid water, thickening with toast bread, till the
whole be of the consistency of a puree, then rub them through a sieve,
throw in some stewed Boleti, boil together, and serve with the usual
condiments. Paulet.
To DRY BOLETI (English method). — Gather in dry weather. Re-
move stems and tubes. Wipe clean with a damp cloth. Slice. String
the slices. Hang up in a warm place for two days. Then give them a
minute in a moderately warm oven. Pack in tins with spice. When
wanted steep the slices in tepid water for some hours, till they swell.
Then proceed to dress as for fresh Bolets. The Russians retain the stems
and dry their Bolets whole, stringing them up the stem and through the
center of the cap. Hay.
TO COOK CANTHARELLUS CIBARIUS.
Cut the mushrooms across and remove the stems ; put them into a
closely-covered saucepan with a little fresh butter, and sweat them un-
til tender, at the lowest possible temperature. A great heat always de-
stroys the flavor. Mrs. Hussey.
Wash, cut into pieces and put into boiling water; then stew with
fresh butter, a little olive oil, chopped tarragon, pepper, salt and a little
lemon peel; when cooked simmer over a slow fire for twenty minutes,
moistening from time to time with beef gravy or cream. When ready
to serve thicken with the yolk of egg. M. C. Cooke.
To FRY. — Dip caps in egg and bread crumbs, season with pepper and
salt and fry in hot butter or oil.
To STEW. — Cut the whole plant into small pieces across the grain,
stew slowly in a covered saucepan for forty minutes. Add thickened
cream or milk. Use freely of butter and season to taste.
To ROAST. — Place in a hot dry pan over a slow fire, shake and turn
until the plants are crisp. Butter and season with pepper and salt. A
fine camp dish.
41 641
Recipes for Cooking: and Preparing for the Table
To PRESERVE FOR WINTER USE. — Pull into strips one-half inch wide,
spread on a piece of mosquito netting and place in the sun or current
of warm air. When dry hang up in small bags or mosquito netting in
a dry place. Mcllvaine.
TO COOK CLAVARIA.
Fry in hot butter, oil or fat until well done; or stew, covered with a
little water, over a slow fire for half an hour. When done add cream
or milk, a little flour, plenty of butter and season with pepper and salt.
Salt last, always, or it will harden the plants. Mcllvaine.
To PlCKLE (English recipe). — Put the tender parts into jars with
peppercorns, mustard seeds and nasturtium seeds. Pour on them cold
white wine vinegar. Fill up and cork hermetically. Hay.
TO COOK CLITOCYBE MULTICEPS.
To BAKE. — Wash caps, remove stems, let drain for a few minutes;
place gills upward in a pan ; place on gills a small-sized lump of butter ;
season with pepper and salt; grate cheese over each layer, cover pan,
and place in hot oven to bake for one-half hour.
An exceptionally fine dish. They are excellent fried.
Other species of similar consistency may be cooked in the same way.
See Toadstools with Cheese. Mcllvaine.
TO COOK COPRINUS.
"In regard to the C. micaceus I find that they are better cooked after
the following recipe :
"Trim the stems, wash the toadstools carefully through several waters,
then drain them in a colander. Spread them out in a long baking pan,
dust lightly with salt, pepper, put over a few bits of butter, cover with
another pan and bake in a moderate oven for twenty-five minutes. Add
four tablespoonfuls of cream, bring to boiling point; dish on toast.
"The C. atramentarius may be cooked in precisely the same manner.
I find that all these inky mushrooms are better cooked in a very slow
heat in the oven, and they must be covered or they lose their flavor."
Mrs. S. T. Rarer.
C. comatus, or any other Coprinus, maybe treated in the same man-
ner ; or they may be stewed slowly in a covered dish for from five to
ten minutes. Mcllvaine.
642
Recipes for Cooking and Preparing for the Table
CROQUETTES.
To one pint of any well-cooked toadstool of meaty species, add two
hard-boiled eggs, a sprig of parsley; pepper and salt to taste; chop all
very fine, then take two level tablespoonfuls of butter and one of flour,
put over the fire with the toadstools and eggs ; mix thoroughly together,
set aside to cool. When cold, shape, dip in egg and bread crumbs,
and fry in hot oil, butter or fat. Mcllvaine.
DEVILED TOADSTOOLS.
For deviled toadstools prepare the meat as for patties, adding the
yolks of two hard-boiled eggs to each pint of meat, a pinch of red
pepper and a little chopped parsley. Serve hot or cold in halves of
egg shells, nested among green. Mcllvaine.
TO COOK FISTULINA HEPATICA.
Mrs. Hussey says of it: "If it is not beef itself, it is sauce for it."
It can be sliced thin and dressed as a salad with mayonnaise dressing
or otherwise.
The simplest and best way is to cut the fungus into slices as one
would egg-plant. If it is small, slice it into two parts, fry in hot butter,
season with pepper and salt.
Another favorite way is to slice the plant across the grain, cut into
squares of one-half inch and cook very slowly in a covered pan for
twenty minutes. Add a little water, and plenty of butter. Season with
pepper and salt.
The F. hepatica always has a slightly acid taste, which is very
acceptable to most persons, but objectionable to a few. Mcllvaine.
SALAD. — Cut in thin slices and rub them with garlic. Mingle with
lettuce or other green salad. Dress with oil, vinegar, pepper, mustard
and salt. Serve. Hay.
TO BROIL ANY CAPPED FUNGUS.
Select those that are spread open and keep the unopened for other
styles of serving. Cut off the stems close to the tops. Baste well with
melted butter and sprinkle lightly with pepper and salt. Heat the broiler
very hot, lay the caps upon it with the gills up and broil over a clear fire,
turning the broiler first on one side and then on the other. As soon as
tender, which will be in about five minutes, open the broiler, remove
643
Recipes for Cooking1 and Preparing for the Table
the caps with care, and place on well-buttered slices of the toast which
have been previously prepared. Pour over the whole a sauce made of
drawn butter, or hot water thickened with flour to the consistency of
cream.
FRIED TOADSTOOLS.
Take the caps only — one pint — well drained and carefully seasoned
with one teaspoonful of salt, one-half teaspoonful black pepper. Place
in a pan with one ounce of butter (a lump the size of a small egg).
Fry slowly for ten minutes. Add a little milk or cream thickened with
flour. Serve on hot toast.
TO COOK HYDNUM.
In cooking Hydnei care must be taken to cook slowly and well.
Use the tender parts only of stems and caps of the capped species,
and soft, fresh parts of the maned species ; cut into small pieces of
similar size, stew slowly in covered saucepan for from thirty to forty
minutes, season with butter, pepper and salt. Serve.
Or, after stewing for forty minutes as above, drain off the water, chop
fine, make into croquettes or into pates.
A HUNTER'S TOAST.
Carry a vial of olive oil or a small can of butter, some pepper and
salt mixed. An edible toadstool found, collect a few dry twigs, fire
them. Split a green stick (sassafras, birch or spice-wood best) at one
end ; put the toadstool in the cleft, hold it over the fire ; oil or butter,
season. Eat from the stick. Mcllvaine.
TO COOK HYPHOLOMAS.
To STEW. — Wash the caps, stew slowly in the water which the gills
retain, for half an hour, keeping dish covered. Add plenty of butter,
pepper and salt to taste, add cream or milk with a little thickening.
The Hypholomas have a slightly bitter taste, of which most persons
become very fond; if it is objectionable, add a small amount of lemon
juice or sherry. Mcllvaine.
H. PERPLEXUM. — Put one dessertspoonful of vinegar in a quart of
water. Soak the caps in this mixture twenty minutes. Then take them
out and stew slowly for half an hour in a covered vessel, adding butter,
pepper and salt to suit the taste. A small quantity of onion is thought
644
Recipes for Cooking and Preparing for the Table
by some to improve th« flavor, and a thickening of flour and milk just
before serving is an improvement. Prof. C. H. Peck.
The above is given as recipe for cooking H. perplexum. It answers
equally well for the many Hypholomas resembling it. Mcllvaine.
To BXKE. — Wash caps, remove stems, let drain for a few minutes,
place gills upward in a pan, place on gills a small-sized lump of butter,
season with pepper and salt, cover pan, and place in oven to bake for
one-half hoar. Mcllvaine.
TO COOK LACTARII.
The rich juices of the Lactarii are best retained by baking. The spe-
cies grow hard and granular if cooked rapidly. Baked they are excel-
lent. This method is preferable to stewing, but no one will despise a
properly made stew of them.
TO COOK MARASMIUS OREADES.
Remove the stems, wash the caps, place in a covered saucepan and
simmer for thirty minutes, adding sufficient water to prevent scorching;
add a little milk or cream, butter and season with salt and pepper to
taste.
Or, simply fry in butter, make a gravy and season to taste.
To DRY. — String the caps on threads and loop up in a dry place, and
when thoroughly dry place in tight glass jars or tin cases.
TO COOK THE MORELL— MORCHELLA (from Persoon).
1 . Having washed and cleansed them from the earth which is apt to
collect between the plaits or hollows of the plant, dry thoroughly in a
napkin and put them into a saucepan with pepper, salt and parsley,
adding or not a piece of ham. Stew for an hour, pouring in occasionally
a little broth to prevent burning. When sufficiently done, bind with
the yolks of two or three eggs and serve on buttered toast.
2. MORELLES A L'lTALIENNE. — Having washed and dried, divide
them across, put them on the fire with some parsley, scallion, chevril,
burnet, tarragon, chives, a little salt, and two spoonfuls of fine oil.
Stew till the juices run out, then thicken with a little flour; serve with
bread crumbs and a squeeze of lemon juice.
645
Recipes for Cooking1 and Preparing for the Table
PATES.
The toadstools good for croquettes and pates are such as the Puff-
balls, Lactarii, Gomphidius rhodoxanthus, Fistulina hepatica, Tricho-
loma personatum and many others of the meaty kinds. Cut the toad-
stools into small pieces, cook slowly until tender, adding butter; pepper
and salt. Let them cook almost dry, then add cream or milk and thick-
ening. Fill pastry shells and serve. Mel lvalue.
A pretty effect is produced by dipping the rims of the shells in par-
tially beaten white of egg, then in finely-chopped parsley before filling.
TO COOK PLEUROTUS OSTREATUS.
Remove tough stem-part, if any, and use only such parts of the
plants as seem fresh and tender.
To STEW. — Cut in small pieces across the grain. Stew twenty minutes
over slow fire with a little water. Add cream or milk with a little
thickening; season with butter, pepper, salt.
To FRY. — Cut into pieces about the size of a medium-sized oyster,
dip in egg and bread crumbs, and fry in hot butter or oil, as oysters
are fried. Mcllvaine.
WITH CHEESE — au gratin. — Cut into medium-sized pieces. Stew
slowly, rather dry, for fifteen minutes. Pour off liquor; save it. Place
in baking dish (or in individual dishes, clam shells, etc.) a layer of
ostreatus, buttering and seasoning each layer, sprinkle with bread
crumbs and grated cheese and so on until dish is filled, placing cheese
on top. Pour liquor over the dish. Place in slow oven and bake until
well browned.
This manner of cooking is a favorite. Any toadstool may be cooked
in this way. Mcllvaine.
Wash. Put them into a chafing dish with one ounce of butter to
each half pound of plant. Sprinkle over half a teaspoonful of salt,
cover the dish and cook slowly for five minutes. Beat the yolks of two
eggs with one gill of good milk, lift the lid, add the mixture of eggs
and milk; when smoking hot serve. Do not allow the mixture to boil
or the eggs will become curdled.
RECIPE No. 2. — Wash. Dust with salt and pepper, dip in egg,
then in bread crumbs and fry quickly in smoking hot olive oil.
The following recipe was given me by a chef:
"Put into the saucepan a tablespoonful of butter, add a clove of garlic,
646
Recipes for Cooking and Preparing for the Table
a thin slice of onion, stir until slightly brown and add a tablespoonful
of flour. Mix carefully, add a quarter of a teaspoonful of beef extract
dissolved in half a cup of water and the same quantity of cream. Bring
to boiling point, add a tablespoonful of chopped carrot, a bay leaf, and
a blade of mace. Stand the mixture on the back part of the stove
where it will scarcely boil, for ten minutes. Strain and add half a
pound of ostreatus. Cover and cook for ten minutes. Serve on toast."
Mrs. S. T. Rorer.
TO COOK PUFF-BALLS.
To FRY. — Remove the thin outer rind, slice, dip in egg and bread
crumbs, and fry as egg-plant; serve without tomato sauce.
To STEW. — Cut in dice-shaped pieces, stew for fifteen minutes in a
little water, pour off the water, dust with a little flour, add a small
quantity of milk or cream, butter, pepper and salt and a little parsley.
Stew slowly for five minutes. Serve. These also may be served in
pates. When these are broken open they should be perfectly white in-
side; any stains or yellow part should be removed, otherwise they will
be bitter. Mcllvaine.
SALADS. — Cut into strips, mingle with mustard and cress, or with
blanched dandelions, scallions and hard-boiled egg, and dress as ordi-
narily for a salad. Or, amalgamate with potato salad a 1'Allemande.
Hay.
TO COOK TRICHOLOMA PERSONATUM.
To STEW. — Wash and cut into small pieces. Stew for thirty minutes.
Pour off the water, add milk slightly thickened, butter, pepper, salt and
a little chopped parsley. Mcllvaine.
TO STEW THE TOUGHER TOADSTOOLS.
(Hydnaceje, Polyporaceae, Etc.)
Cut into small pieces of even size. Soak for half an hour in tepid
water. Remove from water, do not drain ; place in covered pan and
simmer for forty minutes. Add proper proportion of thickened milk or
cream, butter, pepper, salt.
Those who like may add parsley or nutmeg, or beef gravy ; in fact,
any flavoring. Mcllvaine.
647
Recipes for Cooking and Preparing for the Table
SALADS.
Many species of fungi make good salads. The best of these are,
Russulas when young, fresh and firm ; either sliced raw or stewed and
drained ; Clitocybe multiceps stewed and drained ; Tricholoma per-
sonatum, raw or stewed; Clitopilus prunulus, raw or stewed; Coprinus
comatus, C. micaceus, atramentarius, raw; Clavaria, fresh, young, brit-
tle, either raw or stewed; Fistulina hepatica, raw; any of the edible
Polyporaceae, after stewing; any of the edible Hydnaceae after stewing ;
the puff-balls, raw or stewed. Any favorite species will make a salad.
After cooking allow to drain and cool ; then mix with mayonnaise
dressing, or make a dressing to taste of oil, vinegar, salt and pepper.
Serve on lettuce.
SOUP.
Dame Nature never made a soup. Soup is a human invention of
more or less distinctiveness. Usually it is a successful disguise or cov-
ering of invisibility for something which furnishes the name.
To make two quarts of a distinctly fungoid soup take one quart of
any edible toadstools, carefully cleaned. Put in a well-covered boiler
with three pints of water, and boil slowly for one hour. Rub the whole
through a colander. Reject that which does not rub through readily.
Add one-half pint of milk thickened with one tablespoonful of flour,
one ounce of butter, a dessertspoonful of salt, a teaspoonful of pepper.
Bring to a boil. Serve.
Any chosen thing or things may be added to the above — the toad-
stools can not resent it. Mcllvaine.
TOADSTOOLS WITH CHEESE.
Several varieties of fungi are delicious when baked with a small quan-
tity of cheese grated upon them ; notably Clitocybe multiceps, the
Hypholomas, Armillarias, Pleurotus ulmarius and ostreatus, Lentinus
lepideus and many Boleti. See recipe for baking. When several layers
of plants compose the dish, cheese should be grated on each layer.
Mcllvaine.
BAKED TOADSTOOLS OF ANY GILLED KIND.
Wash, place the caps in a tightly covered dish or pan after dipping
them in bread crumbs. Lay them in layers, with a small piece of
butter on each toadstool, as well as the proper amount of pepper and
648
Recipes for Cooking and Preparing for the Table
salt. Bake from twenty to forty minutes as suits the consistency of the
species. Serve on toast.
Or, the caps prepared as above, may be laid upon pieces of toast and
placed in the pan. If this plan is adopted the lower pieces of toast
become saturated with the liquor; therefore, in serving, cut from top to
bottom of dish.
See To Cook Clitocybe Multiceps. Mcllvaine.
A CAMP BAKE.
Cover the bottom of a tin plate with caps, spore surface up. Sprinkle
with salt and pepper, place a bit of butter on each. Put another tin
plate on top. Set on coals or a heated stone for fifteen minutes. Eat.
No better baking will result in the best oven. Mcllvaine.
649
RAISING MUSHROOMS AT HOME
By the courtesy of the publishers of The Woman's Home Companion, the author
is permitted to republish his article, " Raising Mushrooms at Home," which appeared in
the October, 1901, number of that excellent monthly — encyclopedic in all home matters.
'N October is the time to prepare the manure and beds
for house-raising of mushrooms. During the warm
months they can not be cultivated without trial of
one's temper and test of one's taste. Any one hav-
ing control of a cellar can raise a fine crop of expec-
tations, and may raise a crop of mushrooms by either
accident or experience. They are at all times the
most contrary of growths, and require the nicest man-
agement and much patience. The first thing to do is to select a well-
ventilated spot away from direct drafts, where the temperature can be
maintained at from fifty to sixty degrees and a moist atmosphere as-
sured. Thoroughly cleanse the cellar and give it an entire covering of
whitewash.
Decide upon the size of bed desired. In width the bed should not
exceed reaching distance* to its center when there is a pathway on each
side of it, say six feet. The length of the bed should reach to its use-
ful stopping-place. If the cellar has a portable heater in it, and is warm,
the bed should be ten to twelve inches in depth ; if the heater is walled
in, or the cellar is cool, the bed should be fifteen inches deep.
Calculate how much fresh horse-manure, with the long straw only re-
moved from it and that has not been rained upon, it will take to make
a bed of desired dimensions solidly tramped. Get it, put it in a com-
pact heap, and keep it covered from rain. It will heat rapidly and get
smoking-hot, because a fermentation sets in which produces heat. If
loam can be procured from a pasture or elsewhere it is well to add one-
fifth (in bulk) of it to the manure, mixing it thoroughly. This addi-
tion retards the fermentation and absorbs the ammonia — a valuable fer-
650
Raising Mushrooms at Home
tilizer — which would otherwise be driven off by the heat. It also takes
up any surplus of moisture.
After the compact pile has been thus prepared it should stand two or
three days, then be well forked over and again piled. This forking
should be repeated from four to six times, at intervals of from two to
four days, depending upon the use or not of loam, which affects the
rapidity of heating. If loam is used the forking should be at longer in-
tervals unless the heat becomes excessive. The manure will probably
then be in good order to go into beds. It is upon proper, careful prep-
aration of this medium that successful mushroom-raising greatly de-
pends. All work and hopes are thrown away if the greatest care is not
exercised. Just as it is folly to buy poor seeds upon which to expend
costly labor, so it is folly to make beds of poorly prepared manure.
The manure must neither contain too much nor too little water. By
BRICK CUT FOR PLANTING.
far the largest percentage of failures is due to too much. It rots the
spawn vine (mycelium), and thus destroys the starting place of the
fruit, or mushroom. The object in forking the manure so frequently
is to sweeten it (as the operation is called) and to prevent overheating
from fermentation. If it gets too hot it "burns" — gets too dry.
Molding, too, is avoided. Moldy manure will not produce. If, in
forking over the pile, dry places are found, they should be sprinkled
with water; if, when the fermentation grows less active, the manure is
too wet, spread it out to air and dry somewhat. It is in good condi-
tion and properly moist when tight squeezing will not press water from
it. Far better that it should be too dry than too wet. The manure now
ready should be moved to the cellar and made in,to beds while warm.
Good ventilation is a necessity. Two thermometers are needed —
one to mark the temperature of the cellar, the other to place well and
solidly down in the bed to record what it is doing in the heat way. It
is probable that the mercury will rise slowly. It may go as high as
651
Raising Mushrooms at Home
one hundred and twenty-five or one hundred and thirty degrees. Do
not disturb the bed, however high it goes. When it falls to between
ninety and eighty degrees plant the spawn. If possible, keep the tem-
perature up for several days. It should then fall slowly to sixty
degrees, but go down no farther. Never plant on a rising temperature.
Mushroom-spawn comes in brick-shaped blocks. They can be pur-
chased, of good quality, from any reliable seedsman. These blocks
are made of a mixture of dungs, through which the mycelium, or vine,
from which mushrooms grow, has been run. After this mixture is filled
with the vine (badly named spawn) it is pressed into blocks and dried.
It should be kept dry until used. Spawning a bed is nothing more
than placing cuttings of this exceedingly fine vine under the influence
of moisture and heat in a soil fitted for its growth (such as the bed
should be), then inducing it to run and fruit. Spawn is originally made
to grow by planting the seed of mushrooms in specially prepared dungs
and germinating them. The mycelium, or vine, coming from this
germination is called "virgin spawn," and is perpetuated in its growth
by running (training) it through manures, pieces of which form the
spawn of commerce.
With a sharp hatchet cut the bricks into twelve pieces of equal size ;
a fine, clean meat-saw may be used, as it reduces breakage. With the
hand make holes in the bed ten inches apart each way. These holes
must be so deep that when the lumps of spawn are thrust firmly down
into them the top of the lumps will be not less than one inch or more
than two inches below the surface of the bed. Cover the lumps firmly.
Have the surface of the bed as even as possible. Without having to go
very far into the cold region of mathematics, the number of bricks of
spawn needed is easily figured. Ascertain the number of holes, ten
inches apart, that can be made in the bed. Divide this number by
twelve, and lo ! you have it.
After the bed is spawned it is well to lay a double thickness of news-
papers over it, putting a few plastering-laths or light sticks upon them
to keep them in place. This is to keep the heat in the bed, as it is
desirable that the temperature should not run down too rapidly. It
should be two weeks falling to sixty degrees.
Ten days after spawning, if the heat of the bed has gone down to
sixty-five or sixty degrees, cover the bed with two inches of loam and
652
Raising Mushrooms at Home
pat it solid with spade or board. The bed should not be covered with
loam when the temperature is too high. Removing the papers will
allow the heat to escape. At the time of covering with loam the spawn
should have begun to spread. It will show plainly in the manure close
to the lumps of spawn. Its odor is unmistakable, being musky, spicy,
much like mushrooms, but stronger. Care should be taken not to dis-
turb the new mycelium, as all breakage of the fine, web-like threads
lessens its product. The mycelium should start and grow quickly up to
the time of covering with loam. After that a slow increase is best. To
effect this the surrounding outside temperature should be from fifty-
seven to sixty-two degrees. Ventilation should be upward and good,
but not directly upon the bed.
The mycelium will now run and completely fill the bed. Minute
white nodules will appear upon the threads of it ; these are the beginnings
of the mushrooms to come. In from seven to eight weeks after spawn-
ing tiny button mushrooms should appear on top of the bed. If the
cellar has been cool it may be a few days longer. Mr. Falconer says,
"If the temperature of the bed falls below fifty-seven degrees, and the
atmospheric temperature below forty-five degrees, the beds should be
covered with matting or other material." Newspapers will do. Upon
the appearance of the mushrooms is the time a moist atmosphere is
needed. This is obtained by sprinkling the walks and cellar well with
warm water. This moisture should be kept up all the while the crop is
growing. Unless the fruiting beds show a marked dryness they should
not be watered. If watering is required, do it very carefully with a
fine rose or syringe. Have the pure water at ninety degrees, and do
not more than moisten the loam covering. Never let the water settle
in pools or wash the surface.
After the bed is in bearing the addition of strong, liquid manure
plentifully applied between the bunches (never on them) will add to
their weight and size. It should be done with a long spout without
rose. A sprinkling of salt on bare places is beneficial.
GATHERING THE CROP.
The mushrooms will now show in various sizes, from pin-head to
large, full-grown specimens, singly and in dense clusters. As fast as
they reach the desired size twist them from their sockets. Do not cut
or pull them. Keep the gills downward, to prevent dirt getting in them.
653
Raising Mushrooms at Home
Take care not to disturb those left in the beds more than is necessary.
It is unnecessary to add, cook them, but it is very necessary to tell how,
because many excellent cooks commit the outrageous sacrilege of peel-
ing mushrooms. A large amount of the flavor and deliciousness of a
mushroom is in the skin — as it is in the apple. One might just as well
peel a strawberry. First, always holding the plant gills downward and
not over others, cut away the extreme base of the stem and brush off
any adhering dirt. If the cap shows much scruff, rub it off with a piece
of coarse flannel or cloth. Throw the mushrooms thus cleaned into cold
BERTH BEDS AGAINST CELLAR WALLS.
water; they will float. Run the fingers through them several times,
then lift them to a fresh pan of water, wash them and place them,
gills downward, on a cloth to drain, or put them in a colander. Then
cook them to taste. Here, again, sacrilege is frequent. Many foods
are simply mediums for added flavors. Not so the mushroom ; it
has a decided, exquisite flavor of its own. It should not be made
in cooking to taste like something else. Put the mushrooms in a
stew-pan with a little water; cover them, and stew slowly for twenty
minutes, adding butter, salt and pepper to taste. Cream or milk may
be added. Another very good v°y is to butter well a medium-hot
654
Raising Mushrooms at Home
pan; cut the mushrooms into equal-sized pieces, put them in it, cover,
and fry. Stir them from time to time, and when quite done season with
salt and pepper. A good gravy is made for them by using water, milk
or cream. Now if you must have a meat of some sort, put the meat on
one dish and the mushrooms on another. By doing this you spoil the
taste of neither.
Beds will continue to produce for several weeks if properly cared for.
As soon as they cease bearing remove them, clean up, white-wash, coal-
oil every inch of wood, salt the floor, and be ready to try again. After
the amateur has his or her hand in, the bed area can be largely increased
by building rough berths, one above the other, in which beds can be
made. An important bit of advice is: Start in a small way. Do not
expend any more money than you can afford to lose.
655
ABBREVIATIONS OF THE NAMES OF AUTHORS
OF SPECIES
A. and S.f Albertini and Schweinitz
Forq.,
Arrh.,
Arrhenius
FT.,
Fckl. or Fuck.,
B. or Bull.,
Bulliard
Bad.,
Badham
G. or Gill.,
Bagl.,
Baglietto
G. and R.,
Bat. or Batsch,
Batsch
God.,
Batt.,
Battara
Grev.,
Berk, or M. J. B
, Berkeley
Berk, and Br.,
Berkeley and Broome
H. and M.,
Bolt.,
Bolton
Hazs.,
Bon.,
Bonorden
Hedw.,
Bond.,
Boudier
Hoffm.,
Boud. and Pat., Boudierand Patouillard
Holmsk.,
Bref.,
Brefeld
Huds.,
Bres.,
Bresadola
Huss.,
Brig.,
Briganti
Brond.,
Brondeau
JacQ..
Brot.,
Brotero
v t*v'^i* »
Jungh.,
Cav. and Sech.,
C. B. P.,
Chev.,
Cavalier and S£chier
Plowright
Chevalier
Kalchb.,
Karst.,
Cke.,
Cooke
Klotzsch,
Cord.,
Corda
K.,
Crn.,
Crouan
Cum.,
Cumino
Lam.,
Curt.,
Curtis
Lang.,
Lasch,
D. and L.,
Durieu and L6veille
Lenz,
D. C.,
De Candolle
Let., Letell.,
De Guern.,
De Guernisac
Lev.,
Desm.,
Desmazieres
Leys.,
Dill.,
Dillenius
Lib.,
Dittm.,
Dittmar
Linn, or L.,
Dun., •
Dunal
Mart.,
Ehrb.,
Ehrenberg
Mich.,
Ellis or J. B. E,,
J. B. Ellis
M. J. B.,
Eng.,
English Botany
Mont.,
Morg.,
Fayod,
Fayod
Moug.,
Fl. d.,
Flora danica
Miill.,
Forquignon
Elias Fries
Fuckel
Gillet
Gillet and Rounreguere
Goddard
Gr£ville
Harkness and Moore
Hazslinsky
Hedwig
Hoffmann
Holmskiold
Hudson
Mrs. T. J. Hussey
Jacquin
Junghuhn
Kalchb renner
Karsten
Klotzsch
Krombholz
Lamark
Langlois
Lasch
Lenz
Letellier
LeVeille
Leysser
Libert
Linnaeus
Martius
Micheli
Berkeley
Montague
Moigan
Mougeot
Miiller
656
Abbreviations of the Names of Authors of Species
Nees,
Nees
Schw.,
Scop.,
Osb.,
Osbeck
Sec.,
Somm.,
Pat.,
Patouillard
Sow.,
Paul.,
Paulet
Sw.,
Pers.,
Persoon
Pk.,
Peck
T. or Tul.,
Pol. or Poll.,
Pollini
Tod.,
Tour.,
Q. or Quel.,
Quelet
Trat.,
Rab.,
Rav.,
Rabenhorst
Ravenel
TT. and E.,
Relh.,
Relhan
Retz.,
Retzius
Vent.,
Riess,
Riess
Vill.,
Rost.,
Rostkovius
Vitt.,
Roz.,
Roze
Roz. and Rich.,
Roze and Richon
Wahl.,
Wall.,
Sacc.,
Saccardo
Weinm.,
Saund. and Sm.,
Saunders and Smith
Willd.,
Sch., Schaeff.,
Schaeffer
With.,
Schr. or Schrad.,
Schrader
W. P.,
Schroet.,
Schroter
W. G. S.f t
Schulz,
Schulz
Sebum.,
Schumacher Wulf.,
Schweinitz
Scopoli
Secretan
Sommerfelt
Sowerby
Swartz
Tulasne
Tode
Tournefort
Trattinik
Underwood and Earle
Venturi
Villars
Vittadini
Wahlenberg
Wallroth
Weinmann
Willdenow
Withering
Phillips
Worth. Sm.,
Worthington Smith
Wulfen
42
657
NAMES OF THE PRINCIPAL REPORTERS OF
AMERICAN SPECIES
Alabama Lucien M. Underwood, F. S. Earle
(U. andE.j.
California H. W. Harkness, Justin P. Moore
(H. and M.), Wm. Phillips.
Canada John Dearness.
Connecticut Wright.
Florida Calkins.
Georgia Berry Benson, H. N. Starnes,
Val W. Starnes.
Illinois Frederick J. Breendle.
Indiana H. I. Miller, Dr. J. R. Weist.
Iowa Charles E. Bessey, T. H. Macbride.
Kansas F. W. Cragin, Elam Bartholomew,
W. A. Kellerman.
Kentucky C. G. Lloyd, A. P. Morgan.
Louisiana Rev. A. B. Langlois.
Maryland Miss Mary E. Banning.
Massachusetts Charles C. Frost, W. G. Farlow,
James L. Bennett, Charles J. Sprague,
Robert K. Macadam,
Julius A. Palmer, Hollis Webster.
Minnesota Asa Emory Johnson.
Mississippi U. S. Geological Survey.
Missouri William Trelease.
Nebraska Charles E. Bessey, F. E. Clements,
Webber.
New Brunswick A. C. Waghorne, James Fowler.
New England Boston Mycological Club.
New Jersey J. B. Ellis, Benjamin Everhart,
E. B. Sterling, Charles Mcllvaine.
New York Charles H. Peck, George F. Atkinson,
John Torrey.
North Carolina Rev. M. A. Curtis,
Rev. Lewis de Schweinitz,
Charles Mcllvaine.
Nova Scotia Dr. John Somers.
Ohio Charles G. Lloyd, A. P. Morgan,
W. S. Sullivant.
Names of the Principal Reporters of American Species
Oregon Dr. Harry Lane.
Pennsylvania Dr. William Herbst,
Rev. Lewis de Schweinitz,
Charles Mcllvaine,
Philadelphia Mycological Center.
Rhode Island James L. Bennett.
South Carolina Dr. H. W. Ravenel.
AVest Virginia Charles Mcllvaine, L. W. Nuttall.
Wisconsin W. F. Bundy, William Trelease.
659
GLOSSARY
A-, prefixed signifies absence ; as aseptate, without septa.
ABBREVIATIONS: cm. = centimeter,
mm. = millimeter.
t*. — micron,
in. = inch.
/ = inch or inches.
" — line (T^ inch) or lines,
nov. gen. = new genus.
n. sp. = new species.
x between two figures signifies by ; 2 x 4 = 2 by 4.
- between two figures = to ; 2-4 = from 2 to 4.
ABERRANT (aberran(t-)s, ppr. of aberrare, stray from, <^ab, from, -f- errare, to stray),
differing in some of its characters from the group in which it is placed, said of a
plant, species, genus.
AB.JEC/TION (adjecfr'o(n-), act of casting away, abicere, abjicere, <^ab, away, + jacere,
throw), throwing off with force, as spores or seeds; expulsion.
ABJOINT' (ab, from, + junctits, adjoining) , to joint off or delimit by septa or partitions.
ABNORMAL (abnormis, deviating from a fixed rule, irregular, <a&, from, + norma, a
rule), not conforming to the usual type; irregular, unnatural.
ABOR'TIVE (abortivus, born prematurely), imperfect or wanting.
ABRUPT' (abmptus, steep, disconnected, <a&, off, + mmpere, break), terminating
suddenly.
ABSTRIC'TION (abstrictus, ppr. of abstringere,<abs, from, + stringere, bind), separa-
tion of one part from another by constriction, especially of spores from their
hyphse.
ACAULES'CENT, ACAI/LINE, AcAu'LOSE, AcAu'Lous (caulis, a stem or stalk of a plant) ,
having a very short stem or none ; stemless.
AC'EROSE (acerosus, chaffy), narrow, stiff and pointed like spruce needles; inter-
mediate in form between acicular and subulate.
ACETABXULIFORM (acetabiilum, a cup-shaped vessel; forma, form), cup-shaped, hav-
ing the form of a shallow bowl.
ACH'ROOUS (Gr. — priv. + Gr. — color), colorless, achromatic.
ACIC/ULA (pi. ACICUL^E) (a needle, a small pin, dim. of acus, a needle), a needle-
shaped spine, prickle or other body.
ACK/ULAR, ACK/ULATE, A</iFORM (acicula, a small pin or needle), needle-shaped,
having a sharp point like a needle, as pine leaves.
AC'ROGEN (Gr. — at the top, -f Gr. — born, produced), a cryptogam which increases
by development [of an apical cell] at the summit of an axis, having a true stem,
leaf-like appendages, etc., as ferns, mosses, etc.
ACROG/ENOUS (as acrogen + OMS), (a) produced at the apex, as some spores from the
apex of a hyphal branch ; (b) of the nature of or pertaining to acrogens.
66 1
Glossary
ACROP/ETAL (Gr.— the top, -f L. — petere, seek), developing from below upward, or
from the base toward the apex.
ACU'LEATE, ACU'LEATED (aculeatus, furnished with prickles or stings), slender-
pointed.
ACU'LEUS (pi. ACU'LEI) (a sting, prickle, spine, dim. of acus, a needle), a prickle.
ACU'MINATE (acumen, a point or extremity), terminating in a long drawn point.
ACUTE' (acittus, sharp), sharp, applied to gills having sharp edges or pointed at
either end.
AD'NATE (adnatus, grown to, pp. adnasci, to grow to), growing into or fast to; of
gills, e. g. closely attached to the stem.
ADNEXED' (adnexus, connected), of gills attached to the stem, but notadnateto it.
ADPRESSED' (adpressus, pp. of adprimere, <^ad, to ; premere, to press), pressed in close
contact but not adherent.
ADVENTITIOUS (adventitius, prop, adventicins, coming from abroad, <^adrentus, pp.
of advenire, come to, arrive at), appearing casually, or in an abnormal or unusual
position or place.
^ERI/GINOSE, ^ERU'GINOUS (cernginosus, <cer?/gro, rust of copper), verdigris-green.
AFFINITY (affinita(t-)s, <^afflnis, neighboring, related by marriage), morphological
relationship; resemblance in general plan of structure.
AGAM'IC, AG'AMOUS (Gr. — unmarried + z'c), sexless.
AG'AMOGEN'ESIS (Gr. — unmarried, -f- Gr. — production), non-sexual reproduction.
AGAM'OSPORE (Gr. — unmarried, + spora, spore), spore formed without fertilization.
AG'ARIC (agariann, a kind of tree-fungus used as tinder, named, according to Dios-
corides, from the country of the Agari in Sarmatia, where this fungus abounded),
any gill-bearing fungus ; formerly applied only to members of the genus Agaricus.
AGAR'ICIOID, of the Mature of an agaric; mushroom-like.
AGGLOMERATE (ayglomeratus, pp. of agglomerare, adglomerare, wind into a ball,
<ad, to, -f- glomerare, wind into a ball), (a) clustered densely, but not connected
together; (b) gathered into a rounded mass or into a compacted heap or pile.
AGGLU'TINATED (agglutinatus, pp. adghttinare, paste to), glued to a surface; grown
together fast ; applied to fungi that are firmly attached to matrix
AGGREGATE, AGGREGATED (aggregatus, pp. adgregare, lead to a flock ; add to), col-
lected together but not cohering.
ALBU'MINOID (albumen + oid), an organic substance containing nitrogen in its com-
position, as proteids.
ALLAN'TOID (Gr.—a sausage, + Gr. — form), sausage-shaped; narrowly oblong.
ALLIACEOUS (allium, garlic, + aceous), having the odor of onions.
ALUTA'CEOUS (alutacius, <^aluta, soft leather), having the quality or color of tanned
leather; leathery.
ALVEO'LATE (alveolatits, hollowed out, <^alveohis, a small hollow), with small de-
pressions like a shallow honeycomb, pitted.
AMOR'PHOUS (Gr. — without form, shapeless, misshapen), without definite form,
structure or position.
AM'PHIGEN (Gr.— around, + Gr. — produce), a thallogen; a name applied to a
cryptogam which increases by development of cellular tissue in all directions and
not at the summit of a distinct axis. See ACROGEN.
AMPHIG'ENOUS (Gr. — about; Gr. — to beget), not confined to one surface, growing
all around; e. g., hymenium of Clavaria.
AMYG'DALINE (amygdalinus, ^amygdala, almond), resembling the almond.
662
Glossai y
AMYLA'CEOUS (amylum, starch, + aceous), composed of, containing or resembling
starch. %
AM'YLUM (Gr. — starch), starch.
ANAL'OGY (Gr.— equality of ratios, proportion), superficial or general resemblance,
without structural agreement; physiologically or functionally alike, morphologic-
ally unlike.
ANAS'TOMOSING (Gr.— an opening, outlet, discharge), united by running together
irregularly; intercommunication of vessels, lines, gills or veins with each other.
ANGIOCAR'POUS (Gr. — a capsule, case, vessel of any kind), having the hymeninm de-
veloped in a closed receptacle.
ANGUS'TATE (anguslatus, pp. of angustere, straiten, narrow, <^angustus, narrow),
narrow.
AN'NUAL (annualis, a year old, <a/w«s, a year), completing growth in one year or
season.
AN'NULAR (annularis, relating to a ring, <^annulus, a ring), ring-shaped.
AN'NULATE (See ANNULAR), having a ring.
AN'XULUS (See ANNULAR), the ring on the stem of a mushroom formed by the sepa-
ration of the veil from the margin of the cap.
ANOM'ALOUS (anomaly s, irregular, uneven), deviating from a general rule, method
or analogy.
ANOM'ALY (anomalia, irregularity, unevenness), any deviation from the usual char-
acter.
ANTE'RIOR (as if from anterus, <^ante, before), in front; denotes a position on the
under side of the pileus adjacent to the margin; thus the end of a lamellse next
the margin is called the anterior end.
APARAPH'YSATE (a + G-r. — an offshoot), without paraphyses.
A'PEX (pi. APICES) {apex, the extreme end), in mushrooms the extremity of the
stem nearest the gill ; the end furthest from the base or point of attachment.
AP'ICAL (apex, the extreme end, point), relating to the apex or top.
AP'ICES, plural of apex.
APIC'ULATE (apiculatus, dim. of apex, a point), terminating in a short, abrupt point.
APIC'ULUS (pi. APIC'ULI) (dim. of apex (apic-), a point), a short, sharp point.
APOTHE'CIUM (pi. APOTHE'CIA), (Gr. — a storehouse), in Ascomycetes, an open cup-
shaped fructification with the hymenium on its upper concave surface ; cup.
APPSNDIC'ULATE (appendicnlatus <^appendicnla, appendix, an appendage), hanging
in small fragments; having an unusual appendage.
AP'PLANATE (applanatus <ad, to, + planus, flat), flattened out or horizontally ex-
panded.
APPRESSED' (appressus, adpressus, pp. of adprimere, press to, <ad, to, -f- premere,
press), applied closely to the surface or to each other; adpressed.
APPROXIMATE (approximates, pp. approximare <^ad, to; proximare, to approach), of
gills which approach but do not reach the stem.
A'QUEOUS (as if aqneus, <_aqua, water), watery; nearly colorless; hyaline.
ARACH'NOID (Gr. — a spider's web; -{-forma, form), like a cobweb.
ARBO'REAL, ARBOR/ICAL (arborens, pertaining to trees), tree-inhabiting.
AR'CUATE (arcuatus, pp. arcitare, to bend like a bow, <arcws, a bow), bow-shaped.
ARENACEOUS, ARENA'RIOUS, AREXNOSE (arenaceus, harenaceus, sandj', <aren«, harena,
sand), sandy; growing in sandy places.
ARE'OLATB (areola, dim. of area, a plot), divided into little areas or patches.
663
Glossary
ARGILLACEOUS (argillaceus <argi1la, white clay), resembling or like clay.
AR'ID (aridus, dry, <orere, be dry), dry.
ARIS'TATE (aristatus <amta, awn or beard), having a pointed beard-like process as
in barley.
ARMIL/LA (armilla, a bracelet, armlet, hoop, ring, dim. prob. of armus, shoulder), a
plaited frill hanging from the apex of the stem.
ARTE'RIOLE (arteriola, dim. of arteria, artery), a small artery.
ARTICULATE (articulatus, pp. of articulare, divide into joints or members, <^articulus,
a joint, etc.), jointed.
ASCENDING (ad, to, -f- scandere, to climb), inclining or growing upward; applied
to a lamella where its edge forms a line ascending in the direction from the mar-
gin of pileus toward the apex of the stipe; as in conical shaped pilei ; applied to
the partial veil when in the young stage its stem-attachment is below the level of
its marginal one; in this case a ring formed from it is called inferior.
As'ci (Gr.—a, leathern bag, bladder), spore cases of certain mushrooms, in which a
definite number of spores are enclosed in a sac.
ASCIF'EROUS, ASCOPH'OROUS (ascus -f- ferre, bear), ascus-bearing.
ASCIG'EROUS (ascus -f gerere, bear), bearing asci.
AS'COCARP (Gr. — a bag, -f a fruit), in Ascomycetes, sporocarp producing asci and
ascospores.
ASCOG'ENOUS (Gr. — a bag, + producing), producing asci.
ASCOMYCE'TES (Gr. — a bag, -f- Gr.—a, mushroom), group of fungi in which the spores
are produced within little sack-like cells, called asci.
ASCOMYCE'TOUS, of or pertaining to the ascomycetes.
AS'COPHORE (Gr. — bearing wine-skins; Gr.— a bag), sporophore bearing an ascus or
asci.
ASCOPH'OROUS, bearing an ascus or asci.
AS'COSPORES (Gr. — a bag, + Gr. — seed), one of a number of spores formed within
an ascus.
As'cus (pi. As'ci) (Gr. — a leather bag, bottle, bladder, etc.), microscopic sack-like
cells in which spores, generally eight in number, are developed.
ASEP/TATE (Gr. — without, -f L. — septum, a fence), without partitions or septa, said
of hyphae and spores.
ASH COLOR (See CINEREOUS).
AS'PERATE, AS'PERATED (asperatus, pp. of asperare, roughen, jasper, rough), having
a rough, uneven surface.
AS'TICHOUS (astichus, <a -f Gr. — row), not arranged in rows.
ASTO'MATOUS (astomatus, mouthless), without a mouth or aperture; without stomata.
AS'TOMOUS (astomus, mouthless^), without a stoma or mouth.
AT'OMATE (Gr. — an atom), sprinkled with atoms or minute particles.
A'TRO (ater, black), in composition "black," or "dark."
A'TROPURPU'REOUS (ater, black, + purpura, purple dye, -f- ous), dark purple.
A'TROSANGUIN'EOUS (ater, black; sanguineus, blood, bloody), dark purple; dark
blood color.
ATTENUATE (attenuatus, pp. of attenuare, make thin, weaken, lessen, <«<?, to, -f-
temiare, make thin), becoming gradually narrowed or smaller.
AURANTIXACEOUS (aurcmtium, an orange), orange-colored.
AUR'EOUS (aureus, of gold, golden, <^aurum, gold), golden-yellow; yellow with a
slight tinge of red.
664
Glossary
AURIC'ULATE, AURIFORM (auriculatus, <^auricula, the external ear), ear-shaped.
AUTO-BASID'IUM (actus, an act, dim. of Gr. — a base, + basidium), an unseptated ba-
sidium giving rise at the apex to four slender sterigmata (sometimes fewer, some-
times more), each bearing a spore.
AUTONOMOUS (Gr. — independent; of one's own freewill; Gr. — self, + Gr. — hold
sway), said of plants that are perfect and complete in themselves; not forming
part of a cycle ; independent.
Ax'is (axle, axis, pole of the earth), the central line of growth; stipe, stalk, etc.
AZO'NATE (Gr. — without, + L. — zona, a zone), without zones or circular bands of
different color.
BA'DJOUS (badius, bay), bay; reddish-brown; chestnut color.
BAND, a broad bar of color.
BANDED, marked with bands.
BARBED (barba, beard), furnished with barbs, fibrils or hairs.
BASE (bassus, low, short, thick), the extremity opposite to the apex ; the part of an
organ nearest its point of attachment ; applied to lamellae ; (a) the line of at-
tachment to the pileus (as connected by veins at the base) ; (b) sometimes used
to define the end attached to the stipe (broad or reticulate at the base).
BASID'IOGENET'IC (Gr. — a base + genesis), produced upon a basidium.
BASID'IOMYCE'TES (basidium + Gr. — a mushroom), group of fungi which has its
spores produced upon basidia.
BASID'IOPHORE (basidium + Gr. — to bear), a sporophore bearing basidia.
BASID'IOSPORE (basidium -f- Gr. — spora, spore; seed), spore acrogenously abjointed
upon a basidium.
BASIDIUM (pi. BASID'IA), mother cells in the hymenium of basidiomycetes formed
on the end of a hyphal branch and abstricting spores ; the spores are generally
four in number, each on a sterigma, but sometimes more, sometimes fewer, and
sometimes sessile. See AUTO-BASIDIUM and PROTO-BASIDIUM.
BASIP'ETAL (basis, a base, + petere, seek, + al)> in the direction of the base.
BAY (badius), a very rich dark-reddish chestnut; badious.
BI-, prefix, meaning twice.
BIBULOUS (bibulus, <^bibere, drink), having the quality of absorbing or imbibing
moisture.
BICIP'ETAL, BICIP/ITOUS (biceps (bicipit-), two-headed, + al), in botany divided into
two parts at the top or bottom.
BI'FID (bifidus, forked, <6i, two, + findere, cleave, divide), cleft or divided into two
parts.
BIFUR'CATED (bifurcus, two-forked), divided into two forks or branches as in the
gills of certain Agarics.
BILOC'ULAR (bi, two, -f loculus, a cell, <Zocr<s, a place), two-celled.
BIOG'ENOUS (bi, two, -f genus, <^gena, born), growing on living organisms.
BISE'RIATE, BISE'RIAL (bi, two, + seriate), arranged in two rows.
BIS'TRE (fuligineus), a dark brown color somewhat more reddish thaa sepia, but
much less so than burnt umber.
BOOT'ED, applied to the stem of a mushroom when enclosed in a sheath or voiva;
peronate.
Boss, a knob or short rounded protuberance ; umbo.
BOSSED, BULI/ATE (bulla, a bubble), furnished with a boss, stud or umtoo.
665
Glossary
BRANCHED (brancha, claw), dividing from the sides; also styled furcate and forked ;
ramifying, diverging.
BRICK, trade-term for a mass of mushroom spawn, in dimensions the size of a brick
of masonry.
BRICK RED (testaceus, lateritius, rutilus), a dull brownish-red color like the color
of burnt bricks.
BROAD, wide or deep vertically, not narrow.
BROCCOLI COLOR, the color of a variety of cabbage.
BUFF (luteus, Int-poJua), a light dull brownish-yellow, like the color of dressed buck-
skin or chamois.
BULBOUS (bulbusus, <ibulbns, bulb), said of the stem of a mushroom when it has a
bulb-like swelling at the base.
BYSSA'CEXDUS, BYS'SOID (as if byssaceus, < byssus), resembling or consisting of fine
filaments like the flax or cotton.
BYS'SUS (Gfr. — originally a fine yellowish flax), an old name for the filamentous
myceliiim of certain fungi.
CERU'LEOS (cceruleus, dark-blue, dark -green, dark colored), light blue;
sky-blue.
C^/sious (O«GSM<S, bluish-gray), pale, bluish-gray; lavender colored.
C^ES'PITOSEV C^ES'PITOUS, CES/PiTOSE (ccespitostts, <^ccesposns, a clump of turf), grow-
ing in tufts or clumps.
CALCA'REOUS (calcarius, pertaining to lime, <caZ?/z, lime), chalky, chalk-like.
CALLOS'ITY, CAL'LUS (callosita, <^callosus, callous), a hard or thickened spot or pro-
tuberance.
CALYP'TRA (Grr. — a veil, hence calyptra, a hood), applied e. g. to the portion of the
volva covering the pileus.
CAMPAN'ULATE (campana, a bell), bell-shaped.
CANALICULATE (canaliculus, a little channel), channeled, furrowed.
CAN'CELLATE (cancellatus, pp. of canceUarc, make like or provide with a lattice),
• latticed, marked both longitudinally and transversely with an open network.
CAN'DIDOUS (candidus} , shining white.
CANES'CENT (canescen(t-)s, pp. of canescere, <^camts, white or hoary), having whitish,
grayish or hoary pubescence.
CAP, pileus; the expanded, umbrella-like receptacle of the common mushroom.
CAP'ILLARY (capillaris, pertaining to the hair, <^capillns, the hair), pertaining to or
resembling hair.
CAPIL^IFORM (capilltts, hair, -\-fomna, form), in the shape or form of a hair.
CAPILLIT'IUM (capillus, hair), spore-bearing threads, filling as a packing material
the fruiting part of certain fungi, variable in thickness and color, sometimes con-
tinuous with the sterile base, sometimes free, dense, persistent or lax and evanes-
cent, often branched ; found in the Lycoperdons.
CAPITATE (capitutus, having a head, <^caput, head), having a head, or the form of a
head.
CAPIT'ULUM (capitulum, a small head, <_caput, head), a small head.
CAPSULE (capsula, a small box or chest, dim. of capsa, a box), an enclosing envel-
ope usually thin and membranous.
CARBONACEOUS (carbon -j- aceous), rigid, blackish and brittle; like or composed of
carbon or coaly matter.
666
Glossary
CAR'DIAC (cardiacus, heart), of or pertaining to the heart; pertaining to the eso-
phageal portion of the stomach, opposed to pyloric.
CA'RIOUS (cariosus, < canes, decay), decayed.
CARMINE (carmineus, coccineus), a very pure and intense crimson, the purest of the
cochineal colors.
CAR'NEOUS (carneus, <^caro, flesh), fleshy; flesh-colored.
CAR'NOSE (carnosus, fleshy, <Cc«ro, flesh), fleshy.
CARTILAGINOUS (cartilaginosus, <cartilago, gristle), firm and tough; gristly.
CASTA'NEOUS (castaneits) , chestnut-colored; chestnut color. (Burnt umber -f- vermil-
ion.)
CAU'DATE (caudatus, <c««da, a tail), having a tail-like appendage.
CAULIC/OLOUS (dim. of caulis, a stalk), growing on herbaceous stems.
CELL (cella, a small room, barn, etc.), (a) a small cavity, compartment or hollow
place; (b) a mass of protoplasm of various size and shape, generally microscopic,
with or without a nucleus and enclosing wall, the fundamental form-element of
every organized body.
CELLULAR (cellula, dim. of a cell, -f- ar), composed of cells.
CELL'ULOSE (cellula, a cell), the essential constituent of the primary wall-membrane
of cells, a secretion from the contained protoplasm; allied to starch, sugar ami
inulin. Chemical formula, C6H10O5.
CENTIMETER, CM. (centum, a hundred, + metre, meter), in the metric system a
measure of length, the hundredth part of a meter, equal to 0.3937 of an English
inch.
CENTRIF'UGALLY (centrum, the center, -\-fugere, flee), from the center outwards.
CENTRIP'ETALLY (centrum, the center, -{- petere, seek, move toward), from the cir-
cumference toward the center.
CE'P-SFORM (cepa, an onion; forma, form), onion-shaped.
CERA'CEOUS (ceraceus, <cm?, wax), wax-like, waxy.
CEREB'RIFORM (cerebrum, the brain, -\-forma, form), brain-shaped.
CEK'VINE (cervinus, <^cervus, deer), of a deep tawny or fawn color.
CHAN'NELED (canalis, a water-pipe, canal), hollowed out like a gutter; canaliculate
CHARTA'CEOUS (chartaceus, <^charta, paper), like paper.
CHESTNUT COLOR (castaneus, spadiceus), a rich dark reddish-brown of a slightly
purplish cast. (Vermilion -f- burnt umber.)
CHLAM'YDOSPORES (Gr. — mantle, -+- Gr. — seed) (encased spores), one of a number
of thick-walled resting spores usually formed in rows from the breaking up of the
hyphse into spherical bead-like cells ; on germination they may develop sporangia
or conidiophores.
CHLOROPHYLL (chlorophyllum, Gr. — yellowish-green; Gr.=L., folium, a leaf), the
green coloring matter of plants.
CHLOROSIS (Gr. — greenness, paleness), loss of color, etiolation.
CHOCOLATE-BROWN (chocolatinus~) , a rich dark reddish-brown color, like the exterior
glazed surface of a cake of chocolate.
CHROME-GREEN (chromium-viridis), a dull green color, nearly intermediate between
malachite green and sage green.
CHROME-YELLOW, a deep yellow.
CIL^A (pi. of CILI'UM), (cilium, an eye-lid), marginal hair-like processes.
CILXIATE (cilium, an eye-lid), fringed with hair-like processes.
667
Glossary
CINEREOUS, CINERA'CEOUS (cinereus, cineraceus) , ash-gray; a light bluish-gray color,
lighter than plumbeous.
CIN'NABARINE (cinnabar, vermilion, + ine), cinnabar-colored; bright red; vermilion.
CINNAMO'MEOUS, CINNAMON (cinnamomeus, cinnamominus) , a light reddish-brown
color, like the inner surface of cinnamon bark.
CINNAMON-RUFOUS (cinnamomeo-rufus) , rufous with a tinge of cinnamon. (Burnt si-
enna + raw umber -f- light red + white.)
CIR'CINATE (circinatus, pp. circinare, to make round), disposed in a circle; circular,
coiled like a shepherd's crook.
CIRCUMSCIS'SILE (circumscissus, pp. of circumscindere, cut about), opening or dividing
by a transverse circular line; applied to a mode of dehiscence in some fruits.
CITRINE, CITXREOUS, CIT'RINOUS (citrus, a lemon or citron), lemon-yellow colored.
CLATH'RATE, CLATH'ROID (clathratus, Gr. — a lattice), latticed.
CLA'VATE, CLAV/IFORM (clavatus, <clava, a club), club-shaped, gradually thickened
towards the top.
CLAY COLOR (lutescens, luteolus, lutosus, argillaceus) , a dull light brownish-yellow
color, nearly intermediate between yellow ocher and Isabella color.
CLEIS'TOCARP, CLIS'TOCARP (Gr.— that can be closed, + fruit), an ascocarp which is
entirely closed, and from which the spores escape by its final rupture.
CLOSE, packed closely side by side ; said of lamellae when they are close together ;
also styled crowded.
COALES/CENT (coalescens, ppr. of coalescere, grow together), growing together of sim-
ilar parts; coherent.
COCH'LEATE, CocHLEAR'iFORM (cochleatus, cocleatus, spiral, <^cochlea, coclea, a snail's
shell), shaped like a snail shell.
COHE'RENT (coherens, ppr. of cohcerere, stick together, cohere), sticking together of
similar parts; sometimes used in the sense of connate.
COLLEN/CHYMA ( Gr. — glue, -f- Gr. — an infusion), in Geaster, etc., a cartilaginous-
gelatinous tissue, hygroscopic and with great capacity for swelling, forming one
of the inner layers of the peridium ; its swelling at maturity causes the outer
peridium to burst outward in a stellate manner.
COLLIC'ULOSE (colliculus, a little hill, dim. of collis, a hill), covered with little hill-
like elevations.
COL'LOID (Gr. — glue, + semblance), like glue or jelly.
COLUMEL'LA (columella, a little column), a sterile tissue rising column-like in the
midst of the capillitium, serving as a point of insertion for the threads which
connect it with the peridium in the form of a network. (In Lycoperdacese.)
CO'MATE, CO'MOSE, CO'MOUS (comatus, hairy, <coma, a hair), furnished with a tuft
of silky hairs; hairy.
COM'PLANATE (complanatus , pp. of complanare, make plane or plain), flattened ver-
tically to a level surface above and below.
COMPRESSED/ (compressa, fern, of compressns, pp. of comprimere, compress), flattened
laterally.
CONCATENATE (con, together, + catenare, link, chain, <ca«ena, a chain), linked to-
gether in a chain.
CONCAVE' (concavits, hollow, arched, vaulted ; com, together, + cams, hollow), hav-
ing a rounded, incurved surface.
CONCENTRIC (con, together; centrum, center), having a common center, aa a series
of rings, one within another.
668
Glossary
CONCEP'TACLE (conceptaculum, <^concipere, pp. conceptus, contain, conceive), a closed
sporiferous body.
CON'CHIFORM (concha, a shell, + forma, shape), shell-shaped, resembling a clam-
shell in shape.
CONCOLORED, CoNcoi/OROus (concolor, of one color), of a uniform color.
CONCRES'CENT (concrescentia, <^concrescere , grow together), growing together.
CONCRETE (concretus, grown together, solid), coalescent; united in a coagulated,
condensed or solid mass ; grown together.
CONFER'VOID (conferva, a name applied to certain of the Algse, sea-weeds; -j- Gr. —
form), like a Conferva, from the finely branched threads; loose and filamentous.
CON'FLUENT (con, together, + &r. — flue-re, flow), blended into one.
CON'GENER (congener, of the same race, <co», together, -f genus (gener), race), of
the same genus or kind.
CONGENERIC, CONGENERICAL, CONGENEROUS (congener, of the same race, -f- ic, ous),
belonging to or nearly allied to the same genus.
CONGENERIC (con, together, -f G-r. — generation, seed), produced at the same time or
by the same cause; alike in origin.
CONGLOMERATE (conylomeratus, pp. of conglomerare, roll together, heap together,
<co?n, together, + glomerare, gather into a ball), densely clustered; gathered
into a round mass; composed of heterogeneous materials.
CONGLU'TINATE (conglutinatus, pp. of conglutinare, glue together, <^com, together, -j-
glutinare, glue), as if glued together.
CONID'IAL (conidium -f- al), pertaining to or of the nature of a conidium or conidia;
characterized by the formation of conidia ; bearing conidia.
CONIDIIF'EROUS', CONIDIOPH'OROUS (conidium, dust, -{- ferre, bear), bearing conidia.
CONID'IOPHORE (conidium, -f Gr. — bearing), a hypha from which are abstricted
conidia.
CONID/IUM (pi. CONIDIA), a non-sexual spore formed singly or in chains by abstric-
tion from the ends of hyphse or hyphal branches. See under SPORE.
CO'NIFER (conifer, cone-bearing, <^conns, a cone, -\-ferre, bear), a cone-bearing tree.
CONJUGATION (conjugatio(n-}, a joining, entomological relationship, <^conjttgare,
pp. conjugates, join), union of two cells to form a spore.
CON'NATE (connatus, pp. connasci, <con, together; nascor, to be born), united by
growing together from the first.
CONXNIVENT (conniven^t-)s, coniven(t-)s, ppr. of connivere, conivere, wink at; over-
look), having an inward direction, converging, coming in contact, said of a cup
whose sides curve inward and meet at the margin.
CONSTANT (constan(t-~)s, steady, firm, <^com, together, -)- stare), always present or
always in the same condition.
CONSTRICTED (constrict + ed), contracted so as to be smaller in one or more places
than in others.
CONTEXT (contextus, pp. of contexere, join or weave together), texture; substance.
CONTIGUOUS (contifjuus, touching), near, or in contact.
CONTINUOUS (continuus, joined, <^continere, hold together), without a break; applied
/ to spores or hyphse that have no septa.
CONTORTED (contortus, pp. of contorquere, twist, <^com, together; torquere, twist),
distorted, twisted, crooked or deformed.
CONVEX (comoexus, vaulted, arched, convex, concave), elevated and regularly
rounded ; forming the segment of a sphere or nearly so.
669
Glossary
CONVEX'O-PLANE, between convex and flat.
CONVOLUTE (convolutus, pp. of convolvere, roll together), covered with irregular con-
vexities and depressions resembling the convolutions of the brain.
COR'DATE (cordatus, heart-shaped), heart-shaped.
CORIA'CEOUS (coriaceus, <cori?im, leather), of a leathery texture.
COR'NEOUS (corneus, horny), of a horny texture.
COR'RUGATED (corrugatus, pp. corrugare, <con, together, -f rugare, to wrinkle),
wrinkled ; contracted ; puckered ; having a wrinkled appearance.
COR'TEX (cortex, cork), literally bark ; a covering of cells enclosing the axis; cor-
tical layer; the outer rind-like layer or layers of some fungus bodies.
COR'TICAL (cortex (cortic), bark, rind, -+- al), of or pertaining to the cortex.
CORTICATE, CORTICATED (corticatus, pp. adj., <^cortex, bark), furnished with bark-
like covering ; having a rind.
CORTINA (cortina, a veil of spider-web structure rupturing at or near the stem ; ap-
plied to the peculiar veil of the genus Cortinarius.
COR^INATE (cortinatus, < cortina, a curtain), provided with or pertaining to a cor-
tina.
COS'TATE (costatus, ribbed, <costa, rib), having a ridge or ridges as if ribbed.
COST.E (pi. of costa, a rib, a side), ribs or primary veins (as in a leaf).
CRATE'RA (crater, a bowl), a cup-shaped receptacle.
CRATER'IFORM (crater, a crater, -\-forma, shape), basin or saucer-shaped; having
the form of a crater.
CREAM COLOR (cremeus), a light pinkish-yellow color like cream.
CRE'NATE (crenatus, <crena, a notch), notched at the edge, indented, scalloped: The
notches are blunt or rounded, not sharp as in a serrated edge.
CREN'ULATE, CRENELATED (crenulatus) , same as crenate.
CRETA'CEOUS (cretaceus, chalky, <cref«, chalk), chalky; of the color of chalk.
CRIB'RATE, CRIB'RIFORM (cribrum, a sieve, + forma, shape), sieve-like; perforated
with small holes.
CRIB'ROSE (cribrosus, <cn'on«n, a sieve), pierced with holes; perforated.
CRIMSON (carmineus, sanguineus, sanguineo-ruber) , blood-red, the color of the cruder
sorts of carmine.
CRI'NITE (crinitus, haired, pp. of crinire, provide with hair, <cn'm's, hair), having a
tuft of long, weak hairs.
CRISP, CRISPED, CRIS'PATE (crispus, curled, wavy, uneven, tremulous), having the
surface, especially near the margin, strongly and finely undulate, as the leaves of
the Savoy cabbage.
CRIS'TATE (cristatus, <cn'sto, a crest), crested; bearing a ridge, mane or tuft on the
top.
CRI/CIATE, CRU'CIFORM (cruciatus, pp. of cruciare, torture), having the form of a
cross with equal arms.
CRUSTA^EOUS (criista, a crust, + aceous), of hard and brittle texture.
CRYPTOGAM (O. — hidden, -f marriage), a plant of the order Cryptogamia.
CRYPTOGA^IIA (Gr. — hidden, -f marriage), flowerless plants propagated by spores.
CRYPTOGXAMY (Gr. — hidden, -f marriage), obscure fructification as in plants of the
class Cryptogamia.
CULM (culmus, a stalk), the stem of grasses.
CI/NEATE, CUNEIFORM (cuneatus, pp. of cuneare, wedge, make wedge-shaped, <cw-
neus, a wedge), wedge-shaped.
670
Glossary
CUP (cupa, a tub, cask, vat), the concave fruiting body of angiocarpous lichens and
discomycetous fungi; the peridium of a clustering fungus. See APOTHECIUM.
CU'PREOUS (cnpreus, of copper, -^cuprum, copper), copper-colored.
CU'PULAR, CUMULATE (a little cup, dim. of cupa, a cup), cup-shaped.
CU'PCLE, CU'PULA (a little cup, dim. of cupa, a cup), a receptacle shaped like a little
cup, as in Peziza.
CURLED, same as CRISP.
CURT (curtus, clipped, broken, shortened), short.
CUR'TAIX (cortina, a small croft, screen, etc.), same as cortina.
CUS'PIDATE (cuspidatus, pp. cuspidare, <^cuspis, a point, spear), with a sharp spear-
like point. I
CU'TICLE (cuticula, dim. of cutis, the skin), a distinct skin-like layer; cutis, cuticle,
pellicle and epidermis have been used indiscriminately to describe the separable
or inseparable skin-like layer sometimes present on the outer surface of the pileus
and stem ; of these terms, cuticle is used most commonly.
CU'TIS. See CUTICLE.
CYA'NEOUS (cyaneux, dark blue), bright blue; azure; lapis-lazuli blue.
CYAXO'SIS (Gr. — dark -blue, + osis), in pathology a blue or more or less livid color of
the surface of the body, due to imperfect circulation and oxygenation of the
Mood.
OY'ATIIIFORM (cyathits, a cup; forma, form), cup-shaped, shape of a drinking glass
slightly widened at the top.
'CYLIX'DRIC, CYLINDRICAL (cyUndrieu», cylinder), cylinder-shaped; applied to a
branch or stem having the same or nearly the same diameter throughout, and
its cross-section circular.
CYM'B.EFORM, CYM'BIFORM (cymba, a boat, -{-forma, shape), boat-shape.
CYST (cystis, the bladder, bag, pouch), a bladder-like cell or cavity.
CYSTID'IUM (pi. CYSTID'IA) (Gr. — the bladder, + the dim. termination), sterile
bladder cells of the hymenium, generally larger than the basidia cells between
which and with which they are formed.
DASH, -, between two figures = to; from 2 to 4.
DAUGHTER-CELL, any cell when mentioned in relation to the one (mother-cell) from
which it is derived.
DEAI/BATE (dealbatus, pp. of dealbare, whiten, Avhite-wash, etc., <de -f albare,
whiten), as if white-washed; covered with very white opaque powder.
DECID'UOUS (deciduus, that falls clown; <^decidere,<de, down, + cedere, to fall), fall-
ing off at maturity or at the end of the season, not permanent; losing the foliage
every year.
DECOR'TICATE, DECOR'TICATED (decortfcatus, pp. of decorticare, <de, from, + cortex,
bark), denuded of bark; destitute of a cortex or cortical layer.
DKCUM'BEXT (decumben(t-}s, ppr. of decumbere, lie down, <<fe, down, -f cumbers, lie)
applied to a stem having the lower part re&ting on the ground.
DECUR'RENT (decurren(t-}s, ppr. decurrere, run down), applied to lamellse (gills)
which are prolonged down the stem.
DECURVED' (decurve -f ed, after decurvatus, curved back), curved downward; op-
posed to recurved.
DEFLEXEDX (deflexus, pp. deflectere, turn aside), bent or turned down.
6/1
Glossary
DEHIS'CENCE (dehiscen(t-}s, dehiscent), the spontaneous opening of a peridium at
maturity to discharge the spores.
DEHIS'CENT (dehiscere, gape, open), a closed organ opening of itself at maturity or
when it has attained a certain development.
DELIQUESCENT (deliquescere, melt away), relating to mushrooms which at maturity
become liquid or melt down.
DELIMITATION (delimitare, mark out the limits, <de + limitare, limit, bound), the
marking, fixing <5r prescribing the limits or boundaries.
DENDROID, DEN'DRIFORM (Gr. — a tree, -f •£• — forma, form), tree-shaped.
DEN'TATE (dentatus, tooth), toothed with a concave serrature.
DENTICULATE (dcnticulatus, <^denticulus, a small tooth), finely dentate.
DENU'DATE (denudatus, pp. of denudare, make bare, strip), naked; exposed, not im-
mersed.
DEPRESSED' (depressus, pp. of deprimere, <de, down, + premere, press), as if pressed
down or flattened ; sunk below the level of the surrounding margin.
DERMINI, a group of fungi with brown or rust-colored spores.
DESCENDING (descindere, pp. descensus, come down, fall, <de, down, scandere,
climb), applied to a marginal veil when, in the young stage, its marginal attach-
ment is below the level of its stem-attachment ; a ring formed from it is called
superior; turned downward.
DES'ICCATE, DESICCATED (desiccatus, pp. of desiccare, dry up, <^de, intensive, <^sic-
care, dry), dried.
DETERMINATE (determinatus, pp. determinare, fix, limit), ending definitely; having a
distinctly defined outline.
DETERMINATION (determinatio(n) , boundary, conclusion, end, determinare, pp. deter-
minatus, bound, determine), assignment to the proper place in a classification or
series.
DIAGNOSIS (diagnosis, a distinguishing), scientific discrimination of any kind; a
short distinctive description, as of a plant.
DIAPHANOUS (Gr. — through, + to appear), of a transparent texture; permitting the
passage of light.
DICHOT'OMOUS (Gr. — in two, + to cut), dividing into two; regularly forked.
DICHOTOMY (Gr. — a cutting in two), a mode of branching by constant forking or
dividing in pairs.
DID'YMOUS (Gr. — double, twofold, twin), double; of two equal parts.
DIFFERENTIATED (differentia, difference), exhibiting differentiation.
DIFFERENTIATION (differentia, difference, + ation), (a) discrimination between by
observing or describing the differences ; (b) the evolutionary process or results by
which originally different parts or organs become differentiated or specialized in
either form or function ; specialization.
DIF'FLUENT (diffluen(t-)s, ppr. oidiffluere, <dis, away, apart, -\-fluere, flow), readily
dissolving.
DIF'FORM, DIFFORMED' (deformis, deformed), irregular in form, not uniform.
DIFFUSE' (diffnsus, pp. of diffundere, pour in different directions, pour out, <^dis,
away, + fundere, flow), spreading widely, loosely and irregularly.
DIG'ITATE (digitatus, having fingers or toes, <^digitus, finger), furnished with fingers ;
dividing like the fingers of the hand.
DILA'TED (dilatare, spread out ; extend) , expanded ; enlarged.
6/2
Glossary
DIMIDIATE (dimidiatus, <dimidiare , halve), halved; e. g. of gills which reach half-
way to the stem; also of pileus when it is semi-circular in outline or nearly so;
as many Polyporei.
DIMOR'PHIC, DIMORPHOUS (dimorphus, having two forms), existing in two distinct
forms.
DIMORPHISM (dimorphus, having two forms), the property of existing under two
distinct forms.
Disc, DISK (discus, a disk, trencher), (a) any flat circular disk-like growth ; (b) the
central portion of the upper surface of a pileus; the cup-shaped or otherwise va-
riously shaped hymenial surface of a Discomycete.
DIS'CIFORM, DIS'COID, DIS'COIDAL (discoidfs, disk-shaped), of a circular, flat form;
disk-shaped.
DIS'COCARP (Gr. — a disk, + Gr. — fruit), ascocarp in which the hymenium or disk
lies exposed while the asci are maturing as in Peziza, Morchella, etc.
DISOOMYCE'TES (Gr. — a disk, + Gr. — fungus), a group of ascomycetous fungi in
which the hymenium is exposed ; the fruiting body is cupular, discoid or clavate,
and sometimes convoluted.
DISCRETE' (discretus, distinguished, separated), distinct, not coalescent.
DISSEC'TED (dissectus, pp. of dissecare, cut asunder, <dis, asunder, -f- secare, cut),
cut deeply into many lobes or divisions.
DISSEPIMENTS (dissepimentum, a partition) dividing walls ; partitions.
DIS'TAL (dist(ance) -+- al), pertaining to the apex or outer extremity.
DISTANT, (distans, ppr. distare, stand apart), far apart; of gills which have a wide
distance between them.
DISTICHOUS (Gr. — having two rows), disposed in two rows.
DIVARICATE (dimricatns, pp. divaricare, spread asunder), separating at an obtuse
angle; diverging widely.
DOR'SAL (dorsalis, <dorsum, the back), pertaining to the back, literally on the upper
side.
DOWN, fine, soft pubescence.
E or Ex-, prefix signifying "destitute of," "outside of," or "away from."
EBE'NEOUS (ebeneus, of ebony, <^ebenus, ebony), black like ebony.
EBUR'XEOUS (eburnens, of ivory, <e6w, ivory), ivory-white.
ECCEN'TRIC (Gr. — out of the center), excentric.
ECH'INATE (echinatus, set with bristles, prickly), furnished with stiff bristles.
ECHIN'ULATE (echinulus, dim. of echinus, a hedgehog), beset with short bristles.
ECTO- (Gr.— without, outside), prefix signifying "outside."
ECTOBASID/IA (Gr.— outside, + basidium), basidia placed on an exposed surface; not
enclosed.
EDEN'TATE (edentatus, toothless, pp. of edentare, render toothless), without teeth.
EFFUSED' (effusits, pp. effundere, pour cut), spread over without regular form.
EFFU'SO-REFLEXED', effused with upper margin reflected forming a pileus.
EGG (ovum, an eggV a young plan tbefore rupture of the volva in Phalloids, Aman-
itas, etc.
EGUTT'ULATE, not containing guttulse.
ELLIP'SOID ( Gr. — ellipse, + Gr. — form), a solid figure all plane, sections of which
are ellipses or circles.
ELLIPSOIDAL, shaped like an ellipsoid.
43 6/3
Glossary
ELLIPTIC, ELLIPTICAL (Gr. — ellipse), elongate-ovate; more than twice as long as
broad ; parallel-sided in the middle and rounded at both ends.
EMAR'GINATE (emarginatus, pp. emarginare, <e, out of; margo, the margin), notched
at the end ; of gills with a sudden scoop, as if scooped out at the point of attach-
ment to the stem.
EMBOSSED7, in botany projecting in the center like the boss or urnbo of a round
shield.
EM'BRYO, the mushroom before leaving its volva, also an early stage of mushrooms
which have no volva.
ENCRUST'ING (incrustare, cover with a rind or crust, <iw, on, + crusta, a crust).
ENDEM'IC (Gr. — native), peculiar to and characteristic of a locality or region; in-
digenous in some region and not elsewhere.
ENDO-, ENTO- (Gr. — "in," "within"), prefix signifying "within," "inside."
ENDOBASID'IA (Gr. — within, + basidium), basidia enclosed in a dehiscent or in-
dehiscent conceptacle.
ENDOCAU'LOUS (Gr. — within, + caulis, a stalk), growing in the substance of herbace-
ous stems.
EN'DOGEN (Gr. — within, + producing). See MONOCOTYLEDON.
ENDOGENOUS (Gr. — within, + Gr. — producing, -+- ous), produced within another
body ; of or pertaining to the class of endogens.
ENDOPERID'IUM (Gr. — within, + peridium), inner layer of the peridium.
EN'DOPHYTE (Gr. — within, + a plant), a plant growing within an animal or another
plant, usually as a parasite; entophyte.
EN'DOSPORE, ENDOSPO'RIUM (Gr. — within, + Gr. — seed), (a) the inner coat of a
spore ; (b) spore which is produced within a sporangium or spore-sac as the
ascospores.
EN'SIFORM (ensis, a sword, -{-forma, shape), sword-shaped.
ENTIRE' (integer, <^integrum, whole), the edge quite devoid of serrature or notch;
continuous.
ENTOMOG'ENOUS (Gr. — an insect, + produced), growing upon or in insects.
ENTOMOPH'YTOUS (Gr. — within, + grow), growing upon or in insects.
EN'TOPHYTE, endophyte.
EPIDER'MIS (Gr. — the outer skin), the external or outer layer of the plant.
EPIG'ENOUS (Gr. — growing after or late), growing upon the surface of a part; often
limited to growth upon the upper surface, in distinction from hypogenous.
EPIG^E'OUS, EPIGE'OUS (Gr. — on or of the earth; on the ground), growing on or in
the ground.
EP'IPHRAGM (Gr. — a covering; lid), a delicate membrane closing the cup-like re-
ceptacle of the Nidulariacese.
EPIPHYTAL, EPIPHYTIC, EPIPHYTICAL (Gr. — upon, + a plant), of the nature of an
epiphyte.
EPIPHYTE ( Gr. — upon, + a plant) , growing upon the outside of another plant ; either
parasitic or not.
EP'ISPORE, EPISPO'RIUM (Gr. — upon, + seed), the outer coat of a spore; same as
exosporium.
EPITHELIUM (Gr.— upon, + a case), the layer sometimes formed above the asci
by the concrescent tips of the paraphyses.
EPIX'YLOUS (Gr. — upon, + wood + ous), growing upon wood.
Glossary
E'QI'AL (cequalis, equal, like), all gills of the same, or nearly the same, length from
back to front; stem of uniform thickness.
ERO'DED (erodere, gnaw off), the edge ragged as if torn.
ERUM'PENT (erumpen(t-)s, ppr. of emmpere, break out), prominent; originating be-
neath and bursting through the surface of the matrix.
E'TIOLATE, ETIOLATED (stipula, straw), whitened, blanched by exclusion of the
sun's rays or by disease.
KYAXES'CEXT (evanescen(t-)s, ppr. of evanescere, vanish away), fleeting; vanishing;
soon disappearing.
E'VEX, of a surface which is quite plane as contrasted e. y. with one which is striate,
pitted, etc. Distinguished from smooth. A surface may not be smooth and yet
be even.
Ex-, prefix. See "E-."
EXCEX'TRIC (Gr. — out of the center) , not central ; the stems of some mushrooms are
always excentric.
EXCIP'ULUM (excipulum, a vessel for receiving liquids, <^excipere, take out, receive),
outer layer of an apothecium or cup developed as part of the receptacle.
Exo-, prefix signifying "outside."
Ex 'or; EN (Gr. — outside, 4- producing), a plant in which the growth of the stem is in
successive concentric layers.
EXOC/EXOUS, growing by additions on the outside ; belonging to or characteristic of
the class of exogens ; produced on the outside, as the spores of hyphomycetous
and many other fungi.
EXOPERID'IUM (Gr. — outside, 4- peridium), outer layer of the peridium.
EX'OSPORES" (exosporium) , spores which are free, not produced within a sporangium,
as basidio-spores.
EXOSPO'RIUM ( Gr.— outside, 4- seed), the outer coat of a spore; same as episporium.
EXOTIC (exoticus, foreign, alien), foreign, not native.
EXPAN'DED (expandere, pp. expansus, spread out, <^ex, out, 4- pander :e, spread), spread
out, as a pileus from convex to plane.
EX'PLANATE (explanatus, flattened, spread out), flattened, expanded; applied
usually to a part which has been rolled or folded.
EXSER'TED (exsertus, thrust out, pp. of exsere, stretch out), projecting; standing out.
EXSICCA'TI (exsiccatus, pp. of exsiccare, dry up), dried specimens; especially those
published in sets and distributed.
FACULTATIVE (faculta(t-)s, faculty), capability, etc., having a faculty or power, but
exercising it only occasionally or incidentally ; optional or contingent.
FAC'ULTATIVE-PAR'ASITE, an organism which normally lives throughout as a sapro-
phyte, but which may also go through its course either wholly or in part as a
parasite.
FAC'ULTATIVE-SAP'ROPHYTB, an organism which normally is parasitic, but which can
vegetate at certain stages as a saprophyte.
FAI/CATE, FAI/CIFORM (falcatus, bent, curved, hooked, sickle-shaped, </ate, a
sickle), hooked, curved like a scythe or sickle.
FAMILY (familia, household establishment, < famulus, a servant), a systematic
group in a scientific classification embracing a greater or less number of genera
which agree in certain characters not shared by others of the same order.
FARC'TATE (farctus, </«ra'o, to stuff) , stuffed ; without vacuities ; opposed to fistulose.
675
Glossary
FARINA'CEOUS (farinace.us,^ farina, meal), mealy.
FAR'INOSE (farinosus, mealy), covered with a white mealy powder.
FAS'CIA (fastis, a bundle), a band or bar.
FAS'CIATE, FAS'CIATED (fascia, a band or girth), having broad parallel bands or
stripes; banded or compacted together; exhibiting fasciation.
FASCIA'TION (fascia, a band), the act or manner of binding with fasciae, a monstrous
flattened expansion of the stem ; condition of being bound or compacted together.
FAS'CICLE, FASCICULUS (fasciculus, a small bundle; packet, etc.), a close cluster; a
small bundle.
FASCIC'ULATE (fasciculus, a small bundle), growing in small bundles or fascicles.
FASTIG'IATE (fastigiatus, sloping, <^fastigium, the top of a gable, slope), with
branches erect and close together; sloping upward to a summit, point or edge.
FAVOSE' (favosus, </a»ws, a honey-comb), honey-combed; resembling a honey-
comb.
FAWN-COLOR (cervinus, cervineus), a light warm-brown color.
FKRRU'GINEOUS, FERRUGINOUS (ferrugineus), rust-red or the color of iron rust.
FI'BRILLAR, FI'BRILLATE, FI'BRILLOSE, FI'BRILLOUS (fibrilla, a fiber), appearing to be
covered or composed of minute fibers.
FI'BROUS (fibrosus, <^fibra, a fiber), clothed with small fibers.
FI'BROUS-MYCE'LIUM, FIBRILLOSE-MYCELIUM, elongated branching mycelial strands,
formed by the union of hyphse.
FIG'URATE (figuratus, pp. figuare, <^flgura, a form, shape), of a certain determinate
form or shape.
FIL'AMENT (filum, thread), a separate fiber or fibril of any animal or vegetable tis-
sue, as a filament of silk, wool, etc.
FILAMENTOUS, like a thread; composed of threads or filaments..
FILAMEN'TOUS-MYCE'LIUM, FLOC/COSE-MYCE/LIUM, mycelium of free hyphse which
are at most loosely interwoven, but without forming bodies of definite shape and
outline.
FILACEOUS, FIL'IFORM (filum, a thread, -f aceous), like a thread or filament.
FIM'BRIATE, FIM'BRIATED (fimbriatus, <^fimbrice, a fringe), fringed; cut jaggedly.
FIS'SILE (fissilis, cleft, <^fissus, pp. findere, split), capable of being split, cleft or
divided in layers.
FIS'SURED (flssura, a cleft, chink, fissure), cleft or split.
Fis/rruLAR, FIS'TULOSE (fistularis, like a pipe, <ifistula, a pipe), tubular, hollow in
the center like a pipe.
FIXED, said of lamellae or spines not readily detached from the underlying tissue.
FLABEL'LATE, FLABEL'LIFORM (flabellum, a fan), fan-shaped.
FLAC'CID (flaccidus, flabby, pendulous), soft and limber; flabby; without firmness
or elasticity.
FLAVESXCENT (flavescens, ppr.flavescere, become yellow, <^Jlavus, yellow), yellowish
or turning yellow.
FLAXVOUS (flavus, golden-yellow, reddish-yellow), yellow.
FLESH, inner substance of a fungus-body as distinguished from the cortical and
hymenial layers.
FLESH-COLOR (carneus, incarnatus), a pinkish-color like that observable in the
cheeks of a person of fair complexion ; carnation.
FLESHXY, succulent ; composed of juicy cellular tissue.
FLEX'UOSE, FLEX'UOUS (flexuosus, <flexus, a bending, winding), wavy.
6/6
Glossary
FLOC'CI (pi. of FLOC'CUS) (floccus, a lock of wool), woolly locks.
FLOC'COSE (floccosus, <^floccus, a lock of wool), downy, woolly; composed of or
bearing flocci.
FLOC'CULOSE (flocculosus, <^ flocculus, dim. of floccus, a lock of wool), covered with
flocci; composed of or bearing minute flocci.
FOLIA'CEOUS (foliaceus, leafy, of leaves, <^ folium, a leaf), leaf-like; bearing leaves.
FO'VEATE (foveatus, <^fovea, a small pit, pitfall), marked with pits or depressions.
FOV'EOLATE (foveolatus, <^foveola, dim. of fovea, a small pit), marked with minute
pits or depressions.
FREE, said of gills which are not attached to the stem; said of any part not at-
tached to another; of spores not inclosed in a special envelope.
FRILL, same as ARMILLA.
FRONT, same as ANTERIOR.
FIMXGE (fimbria, a border), a lacerated, marginal membrane.
FRUCTIFICATION (fructificare, bear fruit), reproducing power of a plant; fruiting;
also the organs concerned.
FUGA'CIOUS (fugar, <^f»>jere, flee), fleeting, transitory ; falling or fading early.
FU'GITIVE (fuyitivus, fleeing away; a fugitive), quickly disappearing; evanescent.
FULIGIN/EOUS, FULIG'INOUS (fnliyinosus), sooty-brown or dark smoke-color.
FULVES'CENT (fulvesccns], inclining to a fulvous color.
FUL'VOUS (fulvun'), a rather indefinite brownish-yellow or yellowish-brown tint, like
tanned leather ; tawny.
FU'MOSE, FU'MOUS (fumosus, full of smoke, <^fumus, smoke, steam), smoke-colored,
fuliginous.
FUN'GOID (fungus, mushroom, + Gr. — form), of, or pertaining to fungi.
FUXGOI/OGY (fungus, mushroom, -f- Gr. — speak), mycology.
FUN'GUS (pi. FUN'GI) (fungus, a mushroom), a thallophyte characterized by the ab-
sence of chlorophyl and deriving its sustenance from living or dead organic
matter.
FUXIC'ULAR (funiculus, a small cord), having the character of a funicle or small cord.
Frvic/ULATE (funiculus, a small cord), having a funicle.
Frxic'uLUS (L. — a small rope , in Nidulariacese the cord of hyphse attaching a
peridiolum to the inner wall of the peridium.
FUR'CATE (furcatus, <^furca, a fork), forked.
FURFURA'CEOUS (furfuraceus, </nr/wr, bran), with branny scales or scurf.
FUSCES'CENT (fuscus, dark, dusky, + escent), somewhat fuscous.
Fus'cous (fuscus, dusky), brownish in color; brown or brown tinged with gray;
dingy, not pure.
FU'SIFORM, FUXSOID (fusus, a spindle ; forma, form), spindle-shaped.
GAMOGENXESIS (Gr. — marriage, -f- generation), sexual reproduction.
GAs^rEROMYCE^ES, GAS^ROMYCE'TEs ( Gr. — stomach, + mushroom), a group of Basi-
diomycetes in which the hymenium is enclosed in a sack-like envelope called the
peridium.
GELATINOUS (gelatinosus, <^gelatina, gelatine), jelly-like.
GENER'IC (genus, race, sort), pertaining to, of the nature of, or forming a mark of a
genus ; having the rank or classificatory value of a genus.
GEXET'IC (Gr. — generation), of or pertaining to origin or mode of production.
677
Glossary
GE'NUS (pi. GEN'ERA) (L. — race, birth, origin, kind), a group of species having one
or more characteristics in common ; the union of several genera presenting the
same features constitute a tribe.
GIB'BOUS (gibbus, hump-backed), in the form of a swelling; of a pileus e. g. which
is more convex or tumid on one side than the other.
GILLS, the plates of an agaric on which the hymenium is situated ; the lamellae.
GIL'VOUS, isabelline ; color of sole-leather.
GLA'BROUS (glaber, smooth), smooth, devoid of pubescence; a surface may be gla-
brous or smooth, and not even, or vice versa.
GLAIR (clarus, clear), any viscous transparent substance resembling white of an egg.
GLANDS, GLANDULES (glans, an acorn, dim. glandula, a gland), moist or sticky dots
resembling the glands on the epidermis of phenogams.
GLANDULAR, bearing glands.
GLAUCES'CENT (glaucescen(t-)s, <^glaucus, silvery, gleaming), inclining to glaucous.
GLAU'COUS (glaucus, silvery, gleaming), covered with a whitish-green bloom or very
fine white powder easily rubbed off. Somewhat like that of cabbage.
GLE'BA (gleba, a clod), in Gastromycetes, spore-bearing tissue composed of
chambers lined with the hymenium and enclosed by the sack-like peridium, as
in puff-balls, etc. ; in phalloids the peridium or volva ruptures and the gleba is
carried up on the stem-like or clathrate receptacle.
GLO'BOSE, GLOBULAR, GLOB'ULOSE (globosus, round as a ball), nearly spherical.
GLU'TINOSE, GLU'TINOUS (glutinosus, gluey, viscous, <^gluten, glue), covered with a
sticky exudation ; viscous ; glue-like.
GONID'IUM (Gr. — generation; seed), same as conidium; also preferably applied to
the algal element of lichens.
GRAN'ULAR, GRANULATE, GRAN'ULOSE (granula, dim. of granum, grain), covered with
or composed of granules.
GRANULE (granula, dim. of granum, grain), a little grain ; a fine particle: a sporule
found in all cryptogamic plants.
GRAY (griseus; ccesius; cinereus; canus; leucophceus*) , a color produced by the mixture
of black and white. Various shades depending upon varying relative proportions
of the components.
GREAVED (greve, the shin-bone), of a stem clothed like a leg in armor.
GREGA'RIOUS (gregarius, of a flock), of mushrooms not solitary but growing together
in numbers in the same locality; in groups but not in a tufted manner.
GRU'MOUS (grumosus, <^grumus, a little heap), clotted; of flesh e. g. composed of
little clustered grains.
GUT'TATE (guttatus, <^gutta, a tear), marked with tear-like spots or drops.
GUTT'ULA (pi. GUTTUL.E) (dim. of gutta, a drop), a small drop or drop-like particle;
the oil-globule in some spores resembling a nucleus.
GUTT'ULATE, finely guttate ; also, containing or composed of fine drops or drop-like
particles; said of spores containing an oily nucleus-like globule or guttula.
GYMNOCAR'POUS (Gr.— naked, + Gr. — fruit), having the hymenium exposed when
the spores are maturing.
GY'RATE, GY'ROSE (Gr. — a circle), circling in wavy folds; having folds resembling
the convolutions of the brain.
HAB'ITAT (habitat, it dwells), natural abode of a vegetable species.
678
Glossary
HAUSTO'RIUM (pi. HAUSTC/RIA) (haustor, a drawer, <haurire, pp. haustus, draw),
special branch of filamentous mycelium, which serves as an organ of adhesion
and suction.
HEMIANGIOCAR'POUS (hemi, half, + Gr. — a vessel, a case), partly angiocarpous as
those agarics where the hymenium is at first enclosed by a veil or otherwise and
later becomes exposed.
HEPATIC (hepaticus, of the liver), pertaining to the liver, hence liver-colored;
brownish-red.
HERBIC'OLOUS, growing on herbaceous plants.
HETEROGE'NEOUS (G-r.— one of two), of a structure which is different from adjacent
ones.
HIBERNAC'ULUM (pi. HiBERNAc'uLA) (winter residence, <^hibernare, pass the win-
ter), applied to bodies which are the forms in which certain fungi (e. g. Typhulse)
pass the winter.
HIRSUTE' (hirsutus, rough, shaggy, bristly), hairy with stiff hairs.
HIR/TO-YER/RUCOSE, bearing hairs grouped in wart-like masses.
HIS'PID (hispidus, rough, shaggy, bristly), having strong hairs or bristles; bristly.
HOAR'Y, covered with short dense grayish-white hairs; canescent.
HOLO-, (Gr. — entire, complete in all parts), a prefix signifying entire; whole.
HOMOGENEOUS (Gr. — one and the same, -f kind), similar in structure; of the same
character.
HOST, the name given to any plant or animal supporting a parasitic fungus.
HOMOLOGOUS (Gr. — agreeing, correspondent), having the same relative position,
proportion, value or structure ; having correspondence or likeness.
HU'MUS (earth, ground, soil\ vegetable mold ; woody fiber in a state of decay.
HY'ALINE (Gr. — clear), colorless; transparent; clear like glass.
HYGROMET'RIC (Gr. — wet, moist, + a measure, -f ic), readily absorbing and retain-
ing moisture.
HYGROPH'ANOUS (Gr. — moist; Gr.— to show), of a watery appearance when moist
and opaque when dry.
HYGROSCOP'IC, having the property of absorbing moisture from the atmosphere ;
sensitive to moisture.
HYME'XIUM (hymenial, belonging to the hymenium; Gr. — a membrane), the fruit-
bearing surface ; e. g. covering intimately each side of the gills of an Agaric.
HY'MENOMYCE'TES (Gr. — a mushroom, + Gr. — a membrane), a group of Basidiomy-
cetes having the hymenium on the free, exposed surface of the sporophore.
HY'MENOPHORE, HYMENOPH'ORUM (Gr. — a membrane, + to bear), the structure
which bears the hymenium ; in Agarics e. g. the under surface of the pileus to
which the gills are attached.
HY'PHA (pi. HY'PHJE), the elementary filament or thread of a fungus; a cylindric
thread-like branched body developing by apical growth, and usually becoming
transversely septate.
HY'PHAL, of or pertaining to the hypha.
HYPOCRATER'IFORM (Gr. — the stand of a crater, -f forma, form), having the shape
of a cylindrical cup the margin of which turns outward ; salver-shaped.
HYPOG^E'OUS, HYPOGE'AI,, HYPOGE'OUS (hypogceous, underground), subterranean;
forming below the surface of the ground.
HYPOG'ENOUS (Gr. — under, + produced, -f ous), growing on the under surface.
HYPOPHYI/IX>US (folium, a leaf, -f- ous), growing on the under side of a leaf.
679
Glossary
HYIWHE'CIUM (Gr. — under, a case), layer of hyphal tissue immediately beneath a
hymenium.
IDENTIFICATION, the determination of a genus and species to which a given speci-
men belongs.
IM/BRICATE, IM'BRICATED (imbricatus , pp. of imbricare, cover with gutter tiles ; form
like a gutter tile), to lay or lap one over another, like shingles.
IMMAR'GINATE (in, negative ; marginatus, marginate), without a well-defined margin.
IMMERSED' (immersus, pp. of immergere, dip or plunge into), sunk into the matrix;
originating beneath the surface of the matrix or of the ground; growing wholly
under water.
IMPER'FORATE (in, not, + perforatus, pp. of perforare, perforate), without any aper-
ture.
INCANES'CENT (incanescen(t-)s, ppr. of incanescere, become gray or hoary), somewhat
or slightly canescent.
INCAR'NATE (in, in, on, + caro (earn), flesh), flesh-colored.
IM-ISEI/ (incisus, pp. incindere, cut into), appearing as if cut into; having marginal
slits or notches.
INCRAS'SATED (incrassatus, pp. of incrassare, <j,n, in; crassare, make thick), becom-
ing thicker by degrees, swelling or swollen.
INCRUS'TING (incnwtare, cover with a rind or crust, <MI, on, + crusta, a crust), form-
ing a crust-like coating.
INDEHIS'OENT, applied to a peridium which does not open spontaneously at maturity ;
the spores within it becoming freed by its decay.
INUIF'FERENT, primitive, homogenous, not developed into parts or organs of differ-
ent structure or function.
INDIG'ENOUS (indigena, a native), native of a country.
INDIGO BUTE, a dark blue-color like the indigo of commerce.
IN'DHRATED (induratus, pp. of indurare, harden, <i», in, -f- durare, harden), hardened.
INDU'SIITM (L. — a tunic, <.induere, put on), in certain phalloids, an appendage or
veil hanging from the apex of the stem beneath the pileus.
INFE'RLOR (inferior, lower), growing below some other part; of the ring of an Agaric
which is far down on the stem.
INFLATED, swollen like a bladder.
INKLEXED' (inflexus, pp. inflexere, bent), bent inward.
I.VFUNOIB'ULIFORM (infundibulum, a funnel; forma, form), funnel-shaped.
INHIBIT/ION (uihibitio(n-) , a restraining, <inhibere, restrain), the lowering of the
action of a nervous mechanism by nervous impulses reaching it from a connected
mechanism.
IN'NATE (innatus, pp. of innasci, <m, into; nascor, to be born), originating within
the substance of the plant or matrix ; appearing to be within or blending with
the substance of a part.
INORGAN'IC, not produced by vital processes ; not organic.
ISABELLA COLOR (alutaceus), a light grayish-cinnamon color, or light buff-brown.
INSERTED (insertus, pp. inserere, to insert), growing like a graft from its stock; at-
tached to or growing out of some other part.
INSITI'TIOUS (insitio, an ingrafting, <mserere, pp. insitus, sow or plant, ingraft),
inserted.
680
Glossary
INTER- (L. — in the midst, between, among, during), prefix signifying "between" or
"among" or "during."
INTER'CALARY, INTERCALATED (intercalates, pp. of intercalare, <^inter, between, +
calare, call), interposed; inserted between.
INTERCELI/ULAR (inter, between, + cellula, cellule, -f ar), situated between the cells.
INTERRUPTED, said of any surface or series the continuity of which is broken.
INTERSTICES, spaces between any surfaces or things.
INTRA- (intra, within), prefix signifying "within."
INTRACELI/ULAR, situated within a cell or cells.
IXTRALAM/ELLAR, situated within or between the plates of the lamellae (gills).
INTRAVENAL (intra, within, 4- vena, vein), situated or occurring within veins.
INTRODUCED', applied to plants brought from another country and growing spon-
taneously.
INTUMES'CENT (intumescens, ppr. of intnmescere, swell up), swelling up, becoming
tumid.
INVAC/INATED (in, in, 4- vagina, a sheath), sheathed.
IX'VOLUTE (involutes, pp. involvere, to roll up), rolled inwards.
LSABEI/LINE, of the color of soiled linen or sole leather; alutaceous; brownish-yel-
low, yellowish-gray.
LABIATE (labiatus, lipped, <^labium, lip), said of an aperture with distinct lip-like
borders.
LABYRINTHINE, LABYRIN'THIFORM (labyrinthus, labyrinth), characterized by intri-
cate and sinuous lines; like a labyrinth.
LAC'CATE (laccatus, <7acca, lac), as if varnished or covered with a coat like sealing
wax.
LAC'ERATE, LAC'ERATED, as if torn.
LACIN'IATE (laciniatus, <^lacinia, a lappet), divided into flaps; irregularly cut into
jagged edges, more regular and larger than fimbriate.
LACTESCENT (lactescere, turn to milk), milk-bearing, provided with a milky juice.
LACU'NA (pi. LACU'NA:) (lacuna, a pit, hollow, cavity, etc.), a pit or hollow, a gap;
a vacancy caused by the admission, loss or obliteration of something necessary
to continuity or completeness.
LACU'NOSE, LACU'NOUS (lacunosus, full of hollows, < lacuna, a pit), marked with
small hollows, pitted ; having or full of lac.
LAMEI/LA (pi. LAMEI/L^:) (lamella, a thin piece of metal, wood), a gill or gills of
mushrooms, on which the hymenium is extended.
LA'NATE (lanatus, woolly, <tan«, wool), woolly ; covered with a wool-like pubescence.
LAX'CEOLATE (lanceolatus, <Janceola, a little spear), lance-shaped; tapering to both.
ends.
LATERAL, attached to or by one side.
LATERIC'EOUS, LATERIT'IOUS (latericeus, lateritius, consisting of bricks, </«*er, a
brick), brick-colored.
LA'TEX (latex, liquid; ferre, bear), thick milky juice.
LATICIFXEROUS (latex, liquid, -\-ferre, bear), applied to the tubes containing latex,
as in the Lactafii.
LATTICED, formed by interlacing and crossing lines or columns which leave open
spaces between.
68 1
Glossary
LAVENDER (lavendulaceus) , a very pale purplish color, paler and more delicate than
lilac.
LAX (laxus, loose, slack), not compact, limber, flaccid.
XEAD-COLOR (plumbeus'), same as PLUMBEOUS.
LEMON- YELLOW (citreus, citrinus), a very pure light-yellow color, much like gam-
boge, but purer and richer.
LENTIC'ULAR, LEN'TIFORM (lenticularis, lentil-shaped, <jenticula, a lentil), shaped
like a double convex lens ; lentil-shaped.
LEP'IDOTE (G-r. — scaly), scurfy with minute scales.
LEUCOS'POR.E (Gr. — white; Gr. — seed), a group of fungi having white spores, hence
leucospore, a white spore ; leucosporous, having spores of a white color.
LEV/IGATE (levigatus, pp. of levigare, make smooth), having a polished surface.
LIG'NATILE (Hgnatilis, <^lignum, wood), growing on wood.
LIG'NEOUS (ligneus, wooden), of woody texture.
LIG'ULATE (ligula, a tongue, strap, etc., -f ate), strap-shaped, flattened like a strap.
LILAC, LILACEOUS (lilacinus, lilaceus), a light-purple color, like the flowers of the
lilac.
LIN'EAR (lineans, <^linea, a line), narrow and straight, slender.
LING'UIFORM, LING'ULATE (lingua, tongue), tongue-shaped.
LIVID (lividus, black-and-blue), bluish-black, like the black and blue of a bruise.
LOBED, LO'BATE ( Gr. — the lobe of an ear), having divisions which are large and
rounded.
LOB'ULATE, having small lobes.
LOC'ULAR, LOC'ULATE, LOC'ULOSE, Loc'uLOus (loculus, a box, cell), divided by in-
ternal partitions into loculi or cells.
LOC'ULUS (pi. LOC'ULI), a little chamber or cell.
LU'CID (lucidiis, light, bright, clear^, clear, transparent, bright.
LU'MEN (lumen, a window-light), the internal cavity or spaces in a cell or any tubu-
lar organ.
LU'RID (luridus, pale-yellow, wan, etc.), a color between purple, yellow and gray;
livid.
LU'TEOUS (luteus), yellowish ; more or less like buff or clay color.
LUTES'CENT (lutescen(t-)s, ppr. of lutescere, turn to mud, <^lutum, mud), yellowish.
MACRO- (Gr. — long), in composition "large" or "long."
MAC'ULATE, MAC'ULAR, MAC'ULOSE (maculatus, pp. of maculare, spot, speckle),
spotted.
MAM'MIFORM (mamma, a breast; forma, form), breast-shaped; mastoid; teat-like.
MAR'GINAL VEIL, a horizontal membrane extending from the margin of the pileus
to the stem; found in Hymenomycetes.
MAR'GINATE, having a well-defined border.
MAROON (atro-purpureus, atro-coccineus'), a rich brownish-crimson, nearly like the
pigment called purple madder; claret color.
MATRIX (matrix, a womb), the substance upon or in which a fungus grows.
MAUVE (malvaceus, maMnus), a light tint of violet. (Aniline violet + white.)
MEDIAL (medialis, <^medius, the middle), applied to ring when situated about at the
middle of stem.
MEDULXLA (medulla, marrow, pith, kernel, <^medius, middle), pith, marrow, kernel;
inner substance as distinguished from outer or cortical layer or layers.
682
Glossary
MEI/ULLARY, composed of or pertaining to a medulla.
MEGA- (Gr. — great, large), prefix signifying "great."
MELANOS'POR-E (Gr. — black, — seed), a group of fungi having black spores.
MEMBRANA'CEOUS (membranaceus, of skin or membrane, <jnembrana, skin, mem-
brane), pertaining to, or of the nature of, skin, membrane ; membranaceous ; thin,
rather soft and pliable.
MERISXMOID (merisma, from Gr. — to divide, H form), applied to pileus which is
subdivided into many smaller pilei ; resembling a Merisma ; having a branched or
laciniate pileus.
MES'OPOD (Gr. — middle, -\ foot), plant having a central stem.
MICACEOUS (micaceus, <m/ca, mica), covered with glistening mica-like particles.
MI'CRON, MI'KRON, n, microscopic unit of measure; TsW °f a millimeter; nearly
.00004 inch; to convert inches to microns, approximately, divide by .00004;
represented by the Greek letter /u, following the number.
MILLIMETER, MM. (mille, a thousand, + meter), the thousandth part of a meter, equal
to 0.03937 inch or nearly ^ inch. It is denoted by mm., as 25.4 mm. is 1 inch.
MIN'IATE (mmiattts, pp. of miniare, color with red lead, <n«'m'w?n, red lead), ver-
rnilion-colored ; of a bright, vivid red color.
MI'TRATE, MIT'RIFORM (mitra, a miter), miter-shaped, bonnet-shaped.
MOLD. MOULD, fine soft earth ; a general term to describe certain fungus growths of
a low type.
MONIL'IFORM (monile, necklace; forma, form), contracted at intervals in the length
like a string of beads.
MONOS'TICHOUS (Gr. — single, -\ a line), arranged in one row.
MON'STROUS, of unnatural formation; deviating greatly from the natural form or
structure (has no reference to size).
MORPHOLOGIC, MORPHOLCK/ICAL, of or pertaining to morphology.
MORPHOL'OGY (Gr. — form, -\ speak), the science of organic form; the science of
of outer form and internal structure.
MOTHER-CELL, a cell from which another is derived.
MOUSE-GRAY (murino-griseus ; murinus). (Lamp-black -f- white -f- sepia.)
MOV'ABLE, applied to a ring which has separated from the stem and can be moved
up and down.
MUCED'INOUS (mticedo, mucus), having the character of or resembling mold or mildew.
MU'CID (tmicidus, moldy, <mwcere, be moldy or musty, <mucus, mucus), musty,
moldy, slimy.
MUCILAGINOUS (mucilago, a moldy, musty juice, + ous), slimy, ropy, slightly viscid,
soft, moist.
Mu'cous (mucosus, slimy, <^mucus, slime), pertaining to mucus, or resembling it;
slimy, ropy, lubricous.
MU'CRO (L. — a sharp point, esp. of a sword), a short and abrupt point of a leaf or
other organ.
MU'CRONATE (mucronatus, pointed, <m«cro, a sharp point), tipped with an abrupt,
sharp short point.
MULTI- (multus, much, many), in composition "many."
MULXTIFID (multijldtts, many-cleft), having many divisions.
MULTIPARTITE (muHipartitus, much divided), divided into many parts.
MULTISEP/TATE (as if multiseptatus , <jnmltus, many, + septum, a partition), divided
by many partitions.
683
Glossary
MU'RICATE (muricatus, pointed), rough with short hard points.
MURIC'ULATE (muriculatus, dim. of muricatux, pointed), finely muricate.
MU'RIFORM (mums, wall, + forma, shape), resembling the arrangement of the bricks
in the walls of a house ; said of spores having septa at right angles to each other.
MU'RINE, MU'RINOUS (murinus, of a mouse), mouse-colored.
MUSH'ROOM, a cryptogamic plant of the class fungi: applied in a general sense to
almost any of the larger, conspicuous fungi, such as toadstools, puff-balls, hydnei,
etc., but more particularly to the agaricoid fungi and especially to the edible
forms.
MI/TUALISM, symbiosis of two organisms living together and mutually helping and
supporting each other.
MYC, MYCET, MYCETO, MYCO, prefix signifying "fungus."
MYCE'LIAL, of or pertaining to mycelium.
MYCE'LIUM (Gr. — a fungus, + an excrescence), spawn of fungi resulting from the
germination of spores; in agarics e. g. forming root-like threads; the weft of
threads from which the mushroom arises.
MYCE'LIOID, like mycelium.
MYC'ELOID, like a fungus.
MYCETOI/OGY (Gr. — a fungus, -j speak), mycology.
MYOO LOGICAL, relating to fungi.
MYOOL'OGIST, one who is versed in mycology.'
MYOOI/OGY (Gr.— a fungus, -\ speak), the science of fungi, their structure, classi-
fication, etc.
MYGX>PH/AGIST, one who eats fungi.
MYCOPH/AGY (Gr. — a fungus, -\ eat), the eating of fungi.
NA/KED, bare ; without covering of any kind, as of an enveloping membrane, prui-
nose, farinaceous or furfuraceous particles, tomentum, fragments of volva or
veil, etc.
NAPXIFORM (napus, a turnip, + forma, form), turnip-shaped.
NARROW, of a very slight vertical width.
NAS'CENT (nascen(t)s, ppr. of nasci, be born), in the earliest rudimentary condition;
beginning to exist or to grow.
NATURALIZED, said of a plant of foreign origin which thrives as if indigenous.
NAVIC'ULAR, NAVICULOID (navicula, a small ship or boat), boat-shaped; scaphoid.
NETTED, covered with projecting, reticulated lines.
NIGRESCENT, NIG'RICANT (nigrescen(t-)s, ppr. of nigrescere, become black, grow dark),
becoming black, also blackish, dusky, fuscous.
NIT'ID, NITROUS (nitidus, shining, bright, <^nitere, to shine), lustrous, shining, pol-
ished.
NI'VEOUS (niveus, snowy, <m'x, snow), snow-white.
NOD'ULE (nodulus, a little knot, dim. of nodus, a knot), a little knot or lump.
NOD'ULOSE, NOD'ULOUS (nodulosus, <^nodulus, a little knot), having little swellings,
knotty.
NON-, not ; prefix giving a negative sense to words.
NUCLEATE, NI/CLEATED (nucleatus, having a kernel), having a nucleus or nuclei.
NUCLE'OLUS (pi. NUCLEI) (nucleolus, dim. of nucleus, a little nut), sharply defined
point often seen in the nucleus.
684
Glossary
NUCLEUS (pi. NLT/CLEI) (nucleus, a little nut, kernel, stone of a fruit), the central,
highly differentiated mass of protoplasm in a spore or other cells of a fungus, con-
trolling cell division and reproduction, functionally the most important portion
of a cell, for in it the process of cell division begins ; sometimes improperly ap-
plied to the oil globules or guttulse and the vacuoles within some spores.
OB-, in composition "inversely."
OBCLA'VATE (as if obclavatus, <o6, from; clava, a club), inversely club-shaped.
OBCON'IC, OBCON'ICAL (ob; conus, a cone), inversely conical.
OBCOR'DATE (ob; cordatus, heart-shaped), like an inverted heart.
OBESE/ (obesns, fat), stout, plump.
OB'LIGATE-PARASITE, can only grow as a parasite ; see facultative parasite.
OB'LIGATE-SAPROPHYTE, can only grow as a saprophyte. See FACULTATIVE SAPRO-
PHYTE.
OB'LONG, two or three times longer than broad, with nearly parallel sides.
OBO'VATE, inversely ovate, having the broad end upward or toward the apex.
OBPYR'IFORM (ob -\-pyriform, pear-shaped), inversely pear-shaped.
OBSOLETE, indistinct, very imperfectly developed ; hardly perceptible.
OBTUSE/ blunt or rounded.
OCHRA'CEOUS, O'CHEROUS, (XCHREOUS, O'CHROID, O'CHRY, O'CHROUS, O'CHERY (ochre,
ocher, + aceous), ocher-yellow ; brownish-yellow.
OCHRA'CEOUS-RUFOUS (ochraceo-rufus) . (Yellow ocher -j- burnt sienna + light red.)
OCHRE YELLOW (ochraceo-flavus) . The color of the pigment called yellow ocher.
OCHROS'POR.E (Gr.— pale yellow), a group of fungi having ocher or brown-colored
spores.
OLEAG'INOUS (oleum, oil), oily or oil-like.
OLIVA'CEOUS, OLIVE (olivaceus, olivinus*), a greenish-brown color like that of olives
(Sepia + light zinnober-green.)
OLIVE-BUFF (olivaceo-luteus ) . (Yellow ocher -f- cobalt-blue -f- white.)
OLIVE-GREEN (olivaceo-viridis), a peculiar color, produced by the mixture of yellow
and gray, resulting in a tint somewhat between olive and dull yellowish-green.
OLIVE-YELLOW (olivaceo-flavus). (Light-cadmium + black + white.)
OPAQUE', OPAKE', mostly used in the sense of dull, not shining.
OPER'CULUM (operculum, a lid, cover, <operire, cover, shut, conceal), a lid-like cover.
ORANGE (aurantius) , a deep reddish-yellow like the rind of an orange.
ORANGE-RUFOUS (aurantio-rufus) . (Neutral-orange or cadmium-orange + light-red.)
ORANGE-YELLOW (aurantio-flavus) , a color intermediate between orange and yellow.
ORBIC/ULAR (orbicularis, <^orbiculus, a little disk), having the form of an orb; hav-
ing the shape of a flat body nearly circular in outline.
ORDER, the most important unit of classification above the genus.
ORGANIC, pertaining to either living or dead animal or vegetable organism.
OSXMOSE (osmosis, thrust, push, impel), the impulse or tendency of fluids to pass
through membranes and mix or become diffused through each other.
OSMOXSIS (Gr. — impulsion, pushing), the diffusion of fluids through membranes; see
osmose.
OSMOT'IC, of or pertaining to or characterized by osmose.
OSXTIOLE, OSTIXOLUM (ostiolum, a little door), mouth of the perithecium ; orifice
through which the spores are discharged.
685
Glossary
O'VATE (ovatus, egg-shaped), egg-shaped; having a figure the shape of a longitudi-
nal section of an egg.
O'VOID (ovum, egg, -f Gr. — form), egg-shaped; used to describe solids.
PALES'CENT, inclining to paleness ; becoming pallid.
PAI/LID, pale, undecided color.
PAI/UDINE, PALU'DINOUS, PAI/UDOSE, PALUS'TRINE (palus (palttd-}, a swamp), grow-
ing in marshes or swamps.
PAPILIONACEOUS (papilio(n-), butterfly), variegated; mottled; marked with differ-
ent colors ; as the lamellae of some species of Panaeolus mottled with black spores.
PAPII/LA (pi. PAPII/L^E) (papilla, a nipple, a teat, also a bud, pimple, dim. of papula,
a pustule), a small nipple-shaped elevation.
PAPILLATE (papillatus, ^papilla, a nipple), furnished with one or more nipple-like
elevations.
PAPII/LIFORM, PAPIL'L^EFORM, shaped like a papilla.
PAPYRACEOUS (papyraceus, <^papyrtis, paper), parchment; resembling the material
covering a hornet's nest ; pergamentous.
PARAPH'YSIS (pi. PARAPH'YSES) (Gr. — an off-shoot), slender, thread-like bodies grow-
ing with the asci; sterile cells usually club-shaped found with the reproductive
cells of some plants.
PAR'ASITE (Gr.— one who eats at another's table, a guest), a plant growing on or in
another living body from which it derives all or part of its nourishment.
PARASITIC, growing on and deriving support from another plant.
PARENCHYMA (Gr.— the peculiar tissue of the lungs, liver, kidney and spleen), the
fundamental cellular tissue of plants composed of thin walled, approximately
isodiametric cells ; absent in fungi. See PSEUDOPARENCHYMA and PROSENCHYMA.
PARENCHYM'ATOUS, pertaining to, containing, consisting of or resembling paren-
chyma.
PA'RIES (pi. PARITIES), wall of a cavity or capsule.
PARIETAL (parietalis, belonging to walls, <^paries (pariet-), a wall), pertaining to or
arising from a wall.
PARTIAL (partialis, divisible, solitary, <pars, a part), secondary; of a veil clothing
the stem and reaching to the edge of the pileus, but not extending beyond it;
marginal.
PAT'ELLATE (patella, a small pan or dish, a plate), shaped like a dish.
PATELI/IFORM (patella, a pan, dish; forma, form), having the shape of a patella or
knee pan.
PATENT (patents, ppr. patere, lie open), spreading, diverging widely.
PEA GREEN, a pale, dull green color like the color of green pea pods.
PEARL BLUE, a very pale, purplish-blue color.
PEARL GRAY (margaritaceus), a very pale, delicate, blue-gray color.
PECTINATE (pectinatus, comb-like, pp. pectinare, <^pecten, a comb), with narrow
teeth, arranged as in a comb.
PEDICEL (pediculus, a little foot), foot stalk; any short, very small, stem-like stalk.
PEDICELLATE (pedicellus, dim. of pediculus, a little foot), having a pedicel or little
foot stalk.
PELLICLE (pellicula, a small skin, dim. of pellis, skin), a little or thin skin, a cuticle ;
same as cortical layer and cuticle.
686
Glossary
PELLK/ULOSE (pelliculosus, <^pellicula, dim. of pellis, skin), furnished with a pel-
licle or distinct skin.
PELLU'CID (pellucidus, perlucidus, transparent, <^pelhtcere, perlucere, shine through,
be transparent), admitting the passage of light, transparent, translucent.
PEI/TATE (peltatus, armed with a light shield, <^pelta, a light shield), formed like
a shield and fixed to the stalk by the center, or by some point distinctly within
the margin.
PEN'CILED (pencillum, a painter's brush), marked with fine lines; with pencil-like
hairs either on the tip or border.
PEN'DULOUS, hanging down.
PEN'ICILLATF. (penicilhts, a pencil), pencil-shaped; having a tuft of short hairs re-
sembling a camel's-hair brush.
PEREN'NIAL (perennis, lasting the year through, <^per, through, -f annus, year),
continuing growth from year to year.
PERGAMENEOUS (pergamena, parchment, -f- eous), like parchment.
PERICLI'NAL (Gr. — sloping on all sides + al), said of wall cells or any lines when
parallel with the outer surface.
PERIDI'OLUM (dim. of peridium), a secondary or interior peridium containing a
hymenium.
PERID'IUM (pi. PERID'IA) (O. — a pouch, wallet), the outer enveloping coat of the
sporophore in angiocarpous fungi, as in puff-balls.
PERIPHERAL, of, belonging to or situated on the periphery.
PERIPH'ERY (peripheria, the line around a circle, circumference, part of a circle),
the exterior surface of any body.
PER/ISTOME (peristomium, around a mouth), toothed or variously shaped ring around
the mouth or orifice for discharge of spores in a peridium.
PERITHE'CIUM (pi. PERITHE'CIA) (Gr. — a lid), cup-shaped ascocarp with the margin
incurved so as to form a narrow, mouthed cavity ; the case or hollow shell which
contains the spores.
PER'ONATE (peronatus, <^pero, a kind of high boot), sheathed, booted; said of the
stem when it has a boot-like or stocking-like covering.
PERSIS'TENT, enduring, continuing without withering, decaying or falling off.
PER'SONATE (personatns, masked, <^persona, mask), masked or disguised in any way.
PERVIOUS (pervius, passable ; <j>er, through ; via, a way), having an open tube-like
passage.
PEZI'ZOID, resembling a Peziza.
PI'LEATE (pileatus, capped, bonneted), having a cap or pileus.
PILE'OLUS (pi. PILEOLI) (pileolus, dim. of pileus, a hat), secondary pileus, arising
from the division of a primary pileus ; a little pileus.
PI'LEUS (pi. PI'LEI) (pileus, a hat), a part of the receptacle of a fungus, e. g. the
cap-like heads of agarics ; it may be stipitate, sessile, dimidiate, regular or irreg-
ular in form.
PILIF'EROUS, PILIG'EROUS, PI'LOSE, PI'LOUS (pilus, hair, -\-ferre, bear), covered with
hair, especially with fine or soft hair.
PI'LOSE (pilosus, <^pilus, a hair), covered with hairs; furry.
PINK (caryophyllaceus}, a dilute, rose-red color.
PINKISH-BUFF (caryophyllaceo-luteus). (Yellow-ocher -f light-red + white.)
PiNKisH-ViNACEOus (caryophyllaceo-vinaceus). (Indian-red -f- white.)
PIP-SHAPED, the shape of an apple seed.
687
Glossary
PIXSIFORM (pisum, a pea, -{-forma, form), pea-shaped.
PITH (pit, marrow, kernel), central stuffing in some stems.
PITS (pnteus, a well, a pit), depressions in tubes or cells resembling pores; applied
also to hollow depressions in the surface of the cap of the Morell.
PIT'TED, covered with pits or small depressions.
PLACEN'TIFORM (placenta, placenta, + forma, form), in the form of a thickened cir-
cular disk depressed in the middle, both above and below. <
PLANE, having a flat surface.
PLI'CATE (plicatus, fold, bend), folded like a fan; plaited.
PLUM'BEOUS (plumbeus), a deep, bluish-gray color like tarnished lead; lead -color.
(Lamp-black -f intense blue -f- white.)
PLU/MOSE, PLU'MOUS (plumosus, full of feathers or down), feathery or feathered.
PLURI-, prefixed has the significance of "many."
PNEUMOGAS'TRIC (Gr.— lung, -\ stomach), pertaining to the lungs and stomach, or
to the functions of respiration and digestion ; in anatomy noting several nervous
structures.
POC'ULIFORM (poculum, cup, -{-forma, form), cup-shaped.
POLY-, a prefix meaning "many."
POLYG'ONAL, having many angles.
POLYMORPHISM, POL'YMORPHY, existence in or exhibition by the same species or
group of different types of structure.
POLYMORPHOUS (Gr. — multiform, manifold), varying much in appearance, form or
structure in the same species or group; characterized by polymorphism.
POLYS'TICHOUS (Gr. — many, H row, line), arranged in many rows.
PORE (porus, a pore), in Pyrenomycetes same as ostiole; in Hymenomyrofcs same
as tubulus or tube, as the tubules of Polypores ; also the mouth of a tubulus.
PO'RIFORM (porus, a pore; forma, form), in the form of pores.
PO'ROSE, PO'ROUS (porosus, <porws, a pore), furnished with pores or tubules ; pierced
with small holes.
PORPHYROS'POR.E (Gr. — purple, H seed), a group of fungi having purple spores.
PORRECT' (porrectus, pp. of porrigere, stretch out before, reach out, extend, <por,
forth, + regere, stretch, direct), extended forward; stretched forth horizontally.
POSTERIOR (posterior, compar. of posterns, coming after, etc.), denotes a position or
under side of the pileus adjacent to the stem ; the end of a lamella next the stem
is the posterior end.
PREMORSE/ (premorsus, pp. of premordere, bite in front or at the end), having the
apex irregularly truncate as if bitten or broken off.
PRIMORDIAL (primordium, pi. primordia, origin, beginning), first formed; existing
from the beginning.
PRIMOR'DIUM (L. — commonly in pi. primordia, the beginnings, <pn'?>ms, first, -j-
ordiri, begin), first beginning of any structure.
PRIMROSE- YELLOW (primulaceo-flavus} , a very delicate pale-yellow, of a more creamy
tint than sulphur-yellow. (Pale cadmium -f- white.)
PROC'ESS, an outgrowth or projection from a surface.
PROCUM'BENT (procumben(t-)s, ppr. of procumbere, fall forward or prostrate, <j?ro,
forward, + ciimbere, cubare, lie), prostrate; unable to support itself, therefore ly-
ing on the ground.
PROJEC/TING, the anterior end jutting out beyond the margin,
688
Glossary
PIIOLIF'EROUS (proles, offspring; fero, to bear), applied to an organ which gives rise
to secondary ones of the same kind.
PRO'TEAN (Gr. — the name of a sea-god), exceedingly variable; changeable in form.
PKO'TKID, albuminoid.
PROTO- (Gr. — first), an element in compound words of Greek origin meaning "first"
and denoting precedence in time, rank and degree.
PROTOBASID'IUM, basidium divided by transverse septa into four cells, each giving
rise to a spore from a laterally inserted sterigma, or a basidium divided longi-
tudinally by septa intersecting each other at right angles into four cells terminat-
ing in a long, tubular sterigma.
PROTOPLASM (Gr. — first, + anything formed or molded), the nitrogenous fluid of
variable composition found in living cells; it is the vital substance into which all
food is assimilated, and from which all parts of the plant are formed.
PROXIMAL (proximus, nearest), pertaining to the base or extremity of attachment.
PRU'INATE, PRU'INOSE (as if pruinatus, <^prmna, hoar-frost), covered with a bloom
or powder so as to appear as if frosted.
I'RTX'IFORM (prunum, a plum; forma, form), plum-shaped.
1'sKrno (Gr. — false, counterfeit, etc.), prefix signifying "false" or "spurious."
PSKUDO-PAREN'CHYMA, a fungus tissue formed of closely woven and felted hyphal
threads, which on section has the appearance of the cellular structure of true
parenchyma.
PUBESCENCE (pubescen(t-) + ce), general term to describe hairyness; specifically
covered with short, soft, downy hairs.
PUBES'CENT (pubes, of mature age), covered with soft, short hairs, downy; hairy.
PULLULA'TION (pulhdare, pp. pullulatus, pullulate), a mode of cell multiplication in
which a cell forms a protuberance on one side which enlarges to size of parent
cell and is cut-off from it by a dividing wall; sprouting; budding.
PULVERA'CEOUS, PULVERULENT ( pulvis (pulver), dust, powder), covered as if with
powder or dust.
PUI/VINATE (pulvinatus, <^pulvinus, a cushion), cushion-shaped.
PUNC/TATE (punctatus, <^pnnctits, a point), dotted with points.
PUNC'TIFORM (punctum, point ; forma, form), like a point or dot.
PUS'TULAR, PUSTULATE (pustulatus, pp. of pustulare, to blister, <j>ustula, a blister,
pimple), having low elevations shaped like blisters or pustules.
PUTRES'CENT, soon decaying.
PYR/IFORM (pyrum, a pear; forma, form), pear-shaped.
QUAD-, QUADRI- (quadru, four-cornered, square, fourfold, <^quattuor, four), prefix
signifying "four."
QUAD'RATE (quadratus, square, pp. of quadrare, make four-cornered, square, <^quadra,
a square), square; sometimes used to mean "of four equal parts."
QUATER'NATE (quatematus , <^quaterni, four each), arranged in groups of four.
RADIATE, RADIATING (radiatus, pp. of radiare, furnish with spokes, give out rays,
shine), arranged like the spokes of a wheel.
RADICATING (radicatus, pp. of radicare, take root), rooting; having root-like strands
which penetrate the matrix.
RAD'ICLE (radicula, dim. of radix, a root), a rootlet.
KA'MEAL, RA'MEOUS (rameus, a branch), growing on twigs or branches.
44 689
Glossary
RAMIC'ULOUS, growing on branches.
RAMIFICATION (ramifaare, ramify), branching, or the manner of branching.
RAMIFY (ramus, a branch, -\-ficare, </acere, make), to form branches.
RAMOSE, RA'MOUS (ramosus, full of branches), having many small branches.
RECEPTACLE, RECEPTAC'ULUM (receptaculum, place to receive things in), a part of
the mushroom extremely varied in form, consistency and size, enclosing the or-
gans of reproduction; usually implying a hollowed-out body containing other
bodies ; same as STROMA ; same as SPOROPHORE ; in Phalloids the stem, stem and
pileus, or the clathrate body which supports the gleba.
REFLEXED', REFLECTED (reflexus, pp. of reflectere, reflect), turned or bent back.
REMOTE' (remotus, pp. removere, remove), of gills which do not reach the stem, but
leave a free space between them and it.
REN'IFORM (ren, the kidney ; forma, form), kidney-shaped.
REPAND' (repandus, bent backward), bent or turned up or back; having a slightly
undulating or sinuous margin.
REP/LICATE (replicatus, pp. of replicare, fold or bend back), folded back upon itself
as when the margin of a cup turns outward and downward.
RESU'PINATE (resupinatus, pp. of resupinare, throw on the back), attached to the
matrix by the back, the hymenium facing outward; said of fungi spread over the
matrix without any stem and with the hymenium upwards.
RETIC'ULATE, RE'TIFORM (reticulatvs, <jreticulnm, a little net), marked with crossed
lines like the meshes of a net.
REV'OLUTE (revolutus, pp. of revolvere, revolved), rolled backwards or upwards; of
the margin of a pileus e. g. the opposite of involute.
RHI'ZINES, RHI'ZOIDS (Gr. — root, -f ), delicate filiform hyphal branches which serve
to attach the sporophore to the substratum and supply nourishment.
RAMOSE, RI'MOUS (rimosus, <rima, a crack), cracked, full of clefts.
RHI'ZOMORPHS (Gr. — root, + L.— forma, form), long, branching or anastomosing,
rigid, root-like cords of mycelium with a dark or black exterior, often growing
between the bark and timber or about and penetrating the roots of dead and
living trees, produced by Agaricus nielleus and various other fungi.
RHIZOMOR'PHOID (Gr.— root, + form), root-like in form.
RHODOSPO'R.*: (Gr. — rose, + seed), rose or pink spores.
RIM'ULOSE, RIM'ULOUS (rimula, a little crack), covered with small cracks.
RIND, cortex ; bark.
RING, a part of the veil adhering in the form of a ring to the stem of an agaric ;
same as annulus.
RI'VOSE (rivus, a stream, channel, groove), marked with furrows which do not run
in parallel directions.
RIV'ULOSE (rivulosus, <^rivula, a little stream), marked with lines like rivulets.
ROOT'ING, same as radicating.
ROSACEOUS (rosaceus, pallidoroseus, caryophyllaeeus) , a very pure purplish-pink
color, like some varieties of roses.
ROSE-RED (roseus, rosaceo-ruber) , the purest possible purplish-red color.
ROS'TRATE (rostratus, having a beak, hook or crooked pofnt, <^rostrum, a beak),
beaked ; having a process resembling the beak of a bird.
ROTUND', round or nearly so.
RUBES'CENT (rubescents, ppr. of rubescere, become red, <rw6ere, be red), tending to
a red-color.
690
Glossary
RUBIGINOUS (rubiginosus, <^rubigo, rust), rust-colored.
RUFES'CENT (rufescere, to become reddish), tending to rufous or a dull red color.
RUF'FLED, very strongly undulate.
RU'FOUS (rufiis}, a brownish-red color like the pigment called Venetian-red, light
red, Indian-red, red chalk, etc., which represents various shades of rufous. The
typical shade is light red.
RU'GOSE (mgosiis, <^ruya, a wrinkle), wrinkled.
RU'GULOSE (mguJa, dim. of ruga, a wrinkle), minutely rugose.
RUN'CINATE (runcina, a plane), irregularly saw-toothed, the divisions or teeth
hooked backward.
RUSSET (russatus), a bright tawny-brown color with a tinge of rusty.
SAB'ULINE, SAB'ULOSE (pabulum, sand, + ine), growing in sandy places.
SAC'CATE (saccus, a bag), in the form of a sack or pouch.
SACCHARINE (saccharon, sugar), of or resembling sugar, covered with shining grains
like those of sugar.
SAC'CULE, SAC'CULUS (sacculus, dim. of saccus, a bag), a small sack or pouch.
SALMON-COLOR (salmonaceus) (carneits), a color intermediate between flesh color and
orange, like the flesh of the salmon. (Saturn red or orange chrome -f white.)
BANGUI X'EOUS (sanguineus, of blood, bloody), blood-colored ; of a deep, somewhat
brownish-red color; like the color of clotted blood.
SAP'ID (sapidus, having taste, savory, <sapere, have a taste), agreeable to the taste.
SAPROGENOUS (Gr. — rotten, + Gr. — producing), growing in decaying or decompos-
ing animal or vegetable matter.
SAP'ROPHYTE (Gr. — rotten, + Gr. — a plant), a plant that lives on decaying vege-
table or animal matter.
SAPROPHYT'IC, living upon and deriving its sustenance from dead organic matter.
SCA'BRATE, SCABROUS (scabrosus, <^scaber, rough), rough on the surface; rugged.
SCALAR'IFORM (sccilaria, a flight of steps ; forma, form), in the form of a ladder.
SCAPH'OID (Gr. — like a bowl or boat, -f- Gr.— form), boat-shaped.
SCA'RIOSE, SCABIOUS (scariosus, from scaria, a thorny shrub), thin, dry, membra-
naceous ; applied to a shriveled membrane.
SCIS'SILE (scissilis, to cleave), capable of being easily split or cleft; said of gills
which can easily be split into two plates.
ScLERiTric, SCLE'ROID, SCLE^OSE, SCLE'ROSED (Gr. — hard, rough, harsh), having a
hard texture.
SCLERO'TIOID (Gr. — hard, + resemblance), in the form of a sclerotium; a form as-
sumed by the mycelium of certain fungi.
SCLEROTIUM (pi. SCLEROTIA) (Gr. — hard), hard, black, compact, mostly tuber-like
body, which is the resting stage of certain fungi, as in Peziza tuberosa ; it remains
dormant for a time and then sends up shoots, which develop into sporophores at
the expense of the reserve material.
SCROBIC^LATE (scrobiculdtus, <^scrobiculus, dim. of scrobis, a trench), marked with
small pits ; furrowed.
SCRUPOSE, rough with small irregular prominences.
SCUXTELLATE ( scutellatus , <scutella, a salver, dish), shaped like a plate or platter.
SECTION, a cutting, cutting off, excision, amputation, etc.
SEMI-, prefix meaning "half" or "partial."
691
Glossary
SEPARABLE (separabilis, that can be separated, <^separare, separate), capable of be-
ing detached.
SEPARATING, becoming detached, as lamellae from the stem, or resupinate fuugi
Jl from the matrix.
SE'PIA, a deep, dark -brown color, with a little red in its composition. The pigment
called sepia is a carbonaceous matter, prepared from the natural ink of a species
of cuttle-fish.
SEP'TATE (septum, a fence), having partitions.
SEP'TUM (pi. SEPTA) (septum, a fence), partition.
SE'RIATE (seriatus, pp. of seriare, arrange in a series), arranged in rows.
SERIC'EOUS (sericum, silk), silky.
SEPARATE (serratus, saw-shaped), having marginal teeth shaped like saw teeth.
SER'RULATE (serrulatus, <^semila, dim. of serra, a saw), minutely serrate.
SES'SILE (sessilis, <^sessus, pp. sedere, sit), attached by the base; having no stem or
support.
SE'TA (pi. SE'TJS) (seta, a bristle), a stiff-bristle-like hair.
SETACEOUS, SETIG'EROUS, SE'TOSE (seta, bristle), beset with bristles.
SE'TOSE (setosus, abounding in bristles), bristly.
SET'ULOSE (setula + ose), finely setose; covered with setules.
SIG'MOID (Gr. — of the shape of a sigma), said of an elongated spore having the ends
bent slightly in opposite directions; S-shaped.
SIMPLE, in botany not formed by a union of similar parts or groups of parts ; a sim-
ple stem or trunk is one not divided at the base.
SINUATE, SIN'UOSE, SIN'UOUS (sinuatus, pp. sinuare, <SZ'«MS, a curve), waved; ser-
pentine; applied to an edge the outline of which is alternately concave and con-
vex; a sinuate lamella has a sudden wave or sinus in its edge near the stem.
SI'NUS (sinus, the fold of a garment, a curve, hollow), a rounded inward curve be-
tween two projecting lobes.
SLATE-COLOR (schistaceus) , a dark gray or blackish gray color, less bluish in tint than
plumbeous or lead color.
SMOKE-GRAY (fumidio-canus} . (Black -f- white + raw umber.)
SMOOTH, glabrous ; applied to a surface which is destitute of hairs ; a surface may be
uneven and yet smooth.
SOR'DID (sordidus, dirty, filthy, mean, <^sordere, be dirty), of a dingy, dirty hue.
SPADIC'EOUS (spadiceus, <^spadix, a palm branch), date-brown, duller and darker
than bay-brown.
SPATH'ULATE, SPAT'ULATE (spathula, dim. of spatha, a broad, flat instrument for stir-
ring liquids), shaped like a spathula or spoon; oblong or rounded and flattened
at the top with a long, narrow, attenuate base.
SPE'CIES, an individual, or collectively those individuals which differ specifically
from all other members of a genus and which do not differ from each other ex-
cept within narrow limits of variability, and which produce by propagation other
individuals of the same kind.
SPECIFIC (species, kind, -f ficus, </ocere, make), of, pertaining to, constituting,
peculiar to, characteristic of, designating species or a species ; not generic, not of
wider application than to a species.
SPHAG'NUM (Gr. — a kind of moss), peat or bog moss.
SPHERICAL, SPHE'ROID, of the shape of a ball or globe or nearly so.
SPIC'ULAR, SPIC'ULATE, SPIC'ULOUS (spicule -f ar), covered with spicules.
692
Glossary
SPIC'ULE (spicula, a little sharp point), in Hymenomycetes one of the small projec-
tions on the basidia which bear the spores.
SPINDLE (spinula, dim. of spina, a thorn), a small spine or prickle.
SPORAN/GIOPHORE (sporangium + Gr. — bear), special mycelial branch bearing a
sporangium.
SPORANGIUM (pi. SPORANGIA) (spora, a spore, + Gr. — vessels), sac producing spores
endogenously.
SPORE (Gr. — a sowing, seed time, seed, etc.), the reproductive body of cryptogams
analogous to the seed of phenogams; the terms spores, sporidia. sporules and
conidia have been applied somewhat indiscriminately to all spore bodies.
SPORIDIF'ERA, a class of fungi in which the spores are enclosed in asci.
SPORIDIF'EROUSS SPORIDIIF'EROUS (sporidium, -f ferre, bear), bearing sporidia; ap-
plied to a fungus of the class Sporidifera.
SPORID'IUM (pi. SPORIDIA) (dim. of Gr. — spore), an ascospore or endospore. See
SPORE.
SPORIF'ERA, a class of fungi in which the spores are free, naked or soon exposed.
SPORIF'EROUS (spora, spore -\-ferre, bear), bearing spores; applied to a fungus of
the class Sporifera.
SPO'ROCARP (spora, spore, + Gr. — fruit), in Ascomycetes the entire fruit, composed
of the ascophore and the asci.
SPOROG'ENOUS (spora, spore, -f- Gr. — producing), producing spores.
SPO'ROPHORE (spora, spore), branch or portion of thallus which bears spores or
spore-mother-cells; said to be simple or filamentous when consisting of a single
hypha or branch of ahypha; compound, when formed by the cohesion of the
ramifications of separate hyphal branches (the common mushroom is a compound
sporophore.)
SPORT, an animal or plant, or any part of one that varies suddenly or singularly
from the normal type of structure, and is usually of transient character or not
perpetuated; not so much deformed as "monster."
SPO'RULE, see under SPORE.
SQUA'MA (pi. SQUA'M^E) (squama, a scale), a scale or scale-like appendage.
SQUA'MOSE, SQUA'MOUS (squamosiis, <^squama, a scale), covered with appressed
scales; scale-like.
SQUAM'ULA, SQUAM'ULE (dim. of squama, a scale), a small squama.
SQUAM'ULOSE (squamulosus, <^squamula, dim. of squama, a scale), covered with
small scales.
SQUAR/ROSE (squarrosus, scaly), rough with scales ; roughened with projecting points.
STALK, stipe; any stem-like supporting organ.
STEI/LATE (stellatus,pp. of stellare, set or cover with stars, <^stella, star), star-shaped.
STERIG'MA (pi. STERIGMATA) (Gr. — a prop, support), stalk-like branch of a basidium
bearing a spore.
STER'ILE, not fertile; producing no spores.
STIPE (L. — a stock, trunk, post, etc.), stalk of a mushroom.
STIP'ITATE (stipitatus, <^stipes, a stalk), stemmed, elevated on a stipe.
STO'MA (pi. STO'MATA) (Gr. — the mouth, opening, entrance, out-let, etc.), a mouth
or aperture; little orifices in the epidermis of leaves, etc., opening into air cav-
ities or intercellular spaces.
STRAIGHT, applied to margin of pileus when not involute.
STRAMIN'EOUS (stramineus, made of straw, <istramen, straw), straw-colored.
693
Glossary
STRA'TOSE (stratum, a layer), arranged in distinct layers or strata.
STRATUM (pi. STRA'TA) (L. — coverlet, bed, pavement, etc.), a layer.
STRAW-COLOR, STRAW -YELLOW (gtraminetu), a very light impure yellow, like cured
straw.
STRI'A (pi. STRIDE) (stria, a channel, furrow, hollow), parallel or radiating lines or
markings.
STRI'ATE (striatus, pp. of striare, <sin'«, a channel, flute of a column), marked with
striae.
STRI'GOSE (strigosus, <^striga,a swath), rough with stiff hairs.
STKOISI i/i FORM (strobilus -\-forma, form), resembling a pine cone.
STRO'MA (pi. STRO'MATA) (stroma, a covering, coverlet), a mass in which another
object is imbedded ; a compact mass of mycelium in the form of a cushion, crust,
club or branched expansion upon or in which perithecia or other organs of fructi-
fication are borne.
STUFFED, of a stem filled with material of a different texture from its walls.
SUB- (sub, under, before, near), prefixed signifies "somewhat," "almost" or
"under."
SU'BERIZED (sitber, cork, + ized), transformed into suberin or cork.
SUB-EROSE' (sub, under, -f- erosus, pp. of erodere, gnaw off or away, consume),
slightly erose ; appearing as if eaten or gnawed on the margin.
SU'BEROSE (suber, cork), corky.
SUBGLE'BA (sub, under; gleba, a clod), basal portion of the gleba.
SUBIC'ULUM (subiculnm, an under layer), a more or less thin and dense felt of hyphee
covering the matrix ; upon its surface is spread the hymenium, or from it arise
stalks supporting sporophores.
SUBSTRATUM (substratum, neut. of substratus, spread under), sometimes used in the
sense of matrix.
SUBTERRANEAN, under ground.
SU'BULATE, SU'BULIFORM (subulatus, <subula, an awl, <snerc, sew), awl-shaped.
SUC'CULENT (succulentus, full of juice, sappy, <swccws, prop, sucus, juice), fleshy,
juicy.
SUL'CATE (sitlcatus, pp. sitlcare, <^stilcits, a furrow), marked with furrows; grooved.
SUL'CUS (pi. SUL'CI) (sulcus, a furrow, trench), groove or furrow.
SULPHU'REOUS, SULFU/REOUS (sulfureus, sulphureus, of or like sulphur, <s?<7/«r, sul-
phur), sulphur-colored.
SULPHUR YELLOW (sulphureus), a very pale pure yellow color, less orange in tint
than dilute gamboge or lemon yellow.
SUPER-, SUPRA- (super, over, above, beyond), prefix meaning "above" in position or
degree.
SUPERFICIAL (superjicialis, of or pertaining to the surface, situated on or close to
the surface.
SUPERIOR (superus, <^super, above), the upper surface; or applied to a ring when
it is near the apex of the stem.
SUPRAVENAL (super, over, above; vena, vein), situated or occurring above veins.
SYM'BION, SYMXBIONT (Gr. — live together with), an organism which lives in a state
of symbiosis.
SYMBIOSIS (Gr. — a living together), the co-existence in more or less mutual inter-
dependence of two different organisms ; mutualism ; mutual parasitism ; commen-
694
Glossary
salisin; consortism; with some authors commensalism implies an association less
necessary or mutually helpful than symbiosis.
SYMBIOTIC, living in that kind of consociation called symbiosis.
SYN'ONYM (Gr. — a word having the same name with another), a discarded name for
a species or genus; either of two or more names for the same species or genus.
SYNONYMOUS, expressing the same idea ; equivalent in meaning; having the char-
acter of a synonym.
TAPE'S i UM (tapesium, tapestry, carpet), a carpet or layer of mycelium on which the
receptacle is situated.
TAWNY (fitlvus, fulvescens, alutaceus), the color of tanned leather. (Nearly synony-
mous with fulvous.) (Neutral orange 4- raw sienna.)
TAWNY OCHRACEOUS (fulvo-ochraceus) . (Yellow ocher + burnt sienna + raw umber.)
TAWNY OLIVE (fulvo-olivaceus). (Yellow ocher + raw umber.)
TEXA'CEOCS (tenax <*tenac-), holding fast, <^tenere, hold), tough.
TK'RETE (teret, round, smooth), cylindrical or nearly so, having a circular, trans-
verse section ; top-shaped.
TERRES'TRIAL (terrestris, of or belonging to the earth -f- al), growing on the ground.
TES'SELATED (tesseMatus, made of small square stones, checkered -f- ed), arranged in
small squares; checkered or reticulated in a regular manner.
TESTA'CEOUS (testaceim, consisting of tiles or sherds, <^testa, tile, shell), same as
brick-red.
TETAN'IC (tetanicus, affected with tetanus), pertaining to or characterized by tetanus ;
tetanic spasm ; tonic spasm of the voluntary muscles as seen in tetanus, strychnic
poisoning, etc.
TETEA- (quatuor, four), prefix signifying "four."
TET'RASPORE (Gr. — four, + seed), four spores forming one.
TIIALA'MIUM (Gr. — inner chamber, bedroom, bed), synonym for hymenium.
THAI/LOGEN (Gr. — a young shoot, -f- Gr. — producing), same as thallophyte.
THAI/LOPHYTE (Gr. — a young shoot, -f- Gr. — a plant), one of the so-called "lower
cryptogams," plants in which the vegetative body usually consists of a thallus.
THAI/LUS (Gr. — a young shoot or twig), a vegetative body which is not differentiated
into a true root, stem and leaf, has no true vessels or woody fiber; in fungi it is
the whole body of the plant not serving directly as an organ of reproduction, i. e.:
mycelium, if any, and sporophore but not including the hymenial layer.
THE'CA (Gr. — a case, box, receptacle, + put, place), a sac or case, generally used in
the sense of capsule.
THF/CASPORE, the spore thus enclosed by the wall of the sac; an ascospore.
TIS'SUE (texere, weave), the cellular fabric out of which plant structures are
built up.
TOAD'STOOL (toad + stool), a general name applicable to any form of visible fun-
gus ; usually applied to fleshy fungi as distinguished from the molds, smuts, etc.
Mushroom is a name given to a few species of toadstools known to commerce,
and wrongly to other edible species, of which there are many.
TOMEN'TOSE, TOMENTOUS (tomentum, wool, etc.), densely pubescent with matted wool
or tomentum.
TOMEN'TUM ^tomentum, a stuffing of wool, hair, feathers, etc.), a species of pubes-
cence consisting of longish, soft, entangled hairs pressed close to the surface.
TORN, said of pores which are superficially rough and jagged as if torn.
695
Glossary
TO'ROSE, TOR'ULOSE (torosus, full of muscle or flesh, <torus, a bulging, protuber-
ance), swollen at intervals.
TORSION (torquere, pp. tortus, twist, wring), the state of being twisted spirally.
TOR'SIVE (torsus, pp. torquere, twist), spirally twisted.
TOR'TUOUS, bending or turning in various directions.
Tox'ic (toxicum, poison), poisonous.
TRA'MA (trama, the weft or filling of a web), the substance proceeding from the
hymenophore, between the plates of (central in) the gills in Agarics, and be-
tween the double membranes of which the dissepiments of the pores are com-
posed in Polyporei ; the hyphal plates forming the walls of the chambers of the
gleba, in Gasteromycetes.
TRANSLU'CENT (translucen(t)s, ppr. of translucere, shine across or through, < trans,
over, -f- lucere, shine), transmitting rays of light without being transparent.
TRANS'VERSE (transversus, lying across), from side to side.
TREM'ELLOID, TREM'ELLOSE (tremo, to tremble), of a gelatinous or jelly-like con-
sistency ; resembling Tremella.
TRI- (tri, three), prefix signifying "three."
TRI'FID (trifldus, <^tres (tri-) three, + findere, cleave), divided half way into three
parts by linear sinuses with straight margins; three-cleft.
TRIQUETROUS (triquetrus, three-cornered, triangular), having three acute angles
with concave faces; triangular; applied to the vertical radial section of some
dimidiate pilei; three-edged.
TRUNCATE (truncatus, pp. truncare, cut off), ending abruptly as if cut short; cut
squarely off.
TU'B^EFORM, TU'BIFORM (tuba, a tube ; forma, form), trumpet-shaped, tubular.
TUBE, TU'BULE (tubus, a pipe, tube), in polypores, tube lined with hymenium ; same
as pore.
TU'BER (tuber, a bump, swelling, knob on plant, etc.), fleshy body, usually of a
rounded or oblong form, produced on underground stems, as the potato or arti-
choke; a genus of underground fungi.
TU'BERCLE (tuberculum, dim. of tuber, a swelling), a small, wart-like excrescence; a
small swelling.
TUBERCULAR, TUBER'CULATE, TUBER'CULOSE (tuberculum, tubercle), having or cov-
ered with tubercles ; formed like or forming a tubercle.
TUBER'CULIFORM (tuberculum, tubercle, -\-forma, form), shaped like a tubercle.
TUXBEROUS (tuberosus, full of lumps or protuberances, <^tuber, a knob, lump), round-
ed and swollen; resembling a tuber.
TU'BULAR (tubulus, a small pipe), hollow and cylindrical.
TU'BULUS (pi. TUBULI) (tubulus, tube), same as tube; pore.
TU'MID (tumidus, swollen, swelling, <^tumere, swell), swollen, slightly inflated.
TUR'BINATE (turbinatus, shaped like a top or cone), top-shaped ; shape of an invert-
ed cone.
TUR'GID (turgidus, swollen, <^turgere, swell out), thickened as if swollen; distended
with liquid.
TUR'GOR (turgere, swell), the state of being turgid ; a state of distension and tension
of plant cells and parts by reason of their fullness of liquid.
TYPE, a perfect specimen or individual exemplifying the essential characters of the
species to which it belongs; the original specimen from which a species was
described.
696
Glossary
TYP'ICAL, agreeing closely with the characters assigned to a group or species.
•
ULIG/INOSE, ULIGXINOUS (uliginosus, full of moisture, damp, <^uligo, moisture, marsh-
iness), growing in marshes or swamps.
UI/TIMATE (ultimatus, farthest, last, pp. of ultimare, come to an end, <^ultimus, last,
finish), farthest, last.
UM'BER, UM'BRINOUS (umbra, shade, shadow), the color of the pigment called raw
umber.
UMBII/ICATE (umbilicatus, <^umbilicus, navel), with a central depression or rounded
pit; having a navel-like depression.
UMBILICUS (umbilicus, navel), a navel-like depression.
UMBO (boss of a shield), applied to the central elevation of the cap of some mush-
rooms.
UMXBONATE (umbonatus, <^umbo, the boss of a shield), with a central boss-like eleva-
tion.
UN'CINATE (uncinatus, <^uncinus, a hook), hooked; forming a hook.
UNDULATE, UN'DATE (nndatus, pp. of undare, rise in waves, <^imda, a wave), having
the surface near the margin alternately concave and convex ; waved.
UNEQUAL, applied to gills when of unequal lengths ; to a stem not of uniform thick-
ness.
UNEVEN, said of surfaces that are irregular, striate, sulcate, etc.
UNGULATE, UN'GULOUS (ungulatus, having claws or hoofs, <^ungula, claw, talon,
hoof), hoof-shaped.
UNI-, prefix signifying "one."
UNICOI/OROUS (unicolor, having one color, -f ous), of a uniform color; of the same
color.
UNISE'RIATE (unus, one, + series, series), arranged in one row.
UNIVERSAL (universus, whole), said of the veil or volva which entirely envelopes
the fungus when young.
UNSEP'TATE (un, not; septum, a fence), having no partitions.
UR'CEOLATE (urceolus, a little pitcher, -\- ate), shaped like a pitcher with a contract-
ed mouth.
U'TERUS (uterus, the womb, belly), same as peridium in Gastromycetes.
U'TRICLE (utriculus, a little leather bag or bottle, etc.), any thin bladder-like or
bottle-like body.
VAC'UOLATE, VAC'UOLATED (vacuole + ate), provided with vacuoles.
VAC'UOLE (vacuolum, dim. of vacuum, an empty space), a cavity of greater or less
size within the protoplasmic mass of active vegetable cells filled with water or
cell-sap, as it is called.
VAG'INATE (vagina, a sheath), furnished with or contained in a sheath; sheathed.
VAGUE, indefinite, indistinct.
VANDYKE BROWN, a rich deep brown, very similar to burnt umber, but rather less
reddish.
VA'RIABLE (variabilis, changeable, <^variare, change), said of a species which em-
braces many individuals which depart more or less from the type of the group.
VARIEGATED, marked with different colors ; mottled ; same as PAPILIONACEOUS.
VARIETY, a subdivision of a species with minor characteristics uniformly varying
from the type ; an incipient species.
697
Glossary
VAS'CULAR (vasculum, a small vessel), consisting of. relating to or furnished with
vessels or ducts.
V ATI/TED, arched like the roof of the mouth.
VEIL, VE'LUM (velnm, a veil), a covering of various texture more or less completely
enwrapping a fungus ; occurring chiefly among the Agaricini ; partial or marginal
reiJ, a special envelope extending from the margin of the pileus to the stem en-
closing the gills ; universal veil or volva, a special envelope enclosing the entire
plant in the young state, either concrete with the cuticle of the pileus as in Lepi-
ota or discrete as in Amanita, ultimately ruptured by the expanding pilens, a
membranaceous or fibrous or granulose coating stretched over the mouth of an
apothecium or cup soon breaking into fragments.
VEINS, swollen wrinkles on the sides of, and at the base between the gills, often
connected to form cross partitions, (b) so-called, the rounded, obtuse-edged gills
found upon Cantharellus, Craterellus, (c) the vein-like protuberances upon the
surface of some fungi.
VEI/IFORM, VELAMEN'TOUS (velum, covering; forma, form), resembling or serving as
a veil ; of a thin veil-like covering.
VE'LUM, veil.
VELU'TINE, VELU'TINOUS (velutum, velvet, + ine), velvety.
VE'NATE, VEINED, VE'NOSE, VE'NOUS (vena, vein, artery), intersected by swollen
wrinkles below and on the sides.
VEN'TRAL (ventralis, of or pertaining to the belly, stomach, < renter, belly, stomach),
applied to the under side of pileus; opposite to "dorsal."
VEN'TRICOSE (venter, the belly), swollen in the middle; bellied.
VERMICULAR, VERMIC'ULATE (vermiculus, a worm), worm-shaped.
VERMILION (cinnabarinus, cinnabar ino-ruber), a very fine red color, lighter and less
rosy than carmine, and not so pure or rich as scarlet.
VER'NAL (vernalis, of the spring, vernal, <^ver, spring), of or pertaining to the spring.
VER'NICOSE (vernix, varnish), appearing as if varnished.
VERRU'CA (pi. VERRU'C^E) (verruca, a wart, steep place or height), wart.
VER'RUCOSE (verrucosus, full of warts), covered with warts or glandular elevations.
VERRU'CIFORM (verruca, a wart, -f- forma, form), warty, resembling a wart in ap-
pearance.
VERRU'CULOSE (verrucula, a little eminence, a little wart, dim. of verruca, a wart, +
ose), minutely verrucose.
VERTEX (vertex, vortex (tic-), a whirl, eddy, highest point, etc.), the upper ex-
tremity.
VERTICIL'LATE (verticilhis, a whirl), whorled.
VES'CICLE (vesicula, a little blister, a vesicle, dim. of <^vesica, bladder, blister), a
minute bladder-like cell or cavity.
VESIC'ULAR, VESI'CULATE, VESIC'ULOSE, VESIC'ULOUS (vesicula, vescicle), composed
of or like vescicles.
VII/LOSE, VII/LOUS (villosus, <^villus, a tuft of hair), downy with soft weak hairs.
VINA'CEOUS, a brownish-pink or delicate brownish-purple color like wine dregs; a
soft, delicate wine-colored pink or purple.
VINA'CEOUS-BUFF (vinaceo-luteus) . (Indian-red -f- yellow ocher + white.)
VINA'CEOUS-CINNAMON (vinaceo-cinnamomeus) . (Burnt umber + burnt sienna -f-
white.)
ViNAxCEOUs-PiNK (vinaceo-caryophyllaceus). (Madder-carmine + light-red -f- white.)
698
Glossary
VINA'CEOUS-RU'FOUS (vinaceo-rufus) . (Indian-red + ligh>red + white.)
VI'NOUS (vinosus, <^vinum, wine), wine-colored; vinaceous.
VIOLET, VIOLACEOUS, a purplish-blue color, like the petals of a violet. (Aniline-
violet or mauve.)
VIRES'CENT (virescere, grow green, greenish), green or becoming green.
VIR'GATE (virgatus, <^virga, a twig, rod), streaked; having an erect, slender shape
like a rod.
VIRIDES'CENT (viridescens, ppr. of vindescere, be green, Oyt'dis, green), slightly
green; greenish.
VISXCID (viscum, bird-lime, anything sticky), moist and sticky, glutinous, clammy,
adhesive; covered with a shiny liquid which adheres to the fingers when touched.
VISCOSE, Viscous (viscosus, <^mscum, bird-lime), glutinous, clammy, adhesive.
VITEL'LINE (vitellus, yolk of egg, -j- ine), egg-yellow color; luteous.
VOLUTE/ (valuta, a spiral scroll), rolled up in any direction.
VOL'VA (volva, a wrapper), wrapper; same as universal veil; the name is often ap-
plied to that portion of a discrete volva which is left after rupturing, either
attached in fragments to, or forming a distinct membranous sheath about, the
base of the stem, the peridium in phalloids analogous to the volva in Amanitse.
VOL'VIFORM (volva, wrapper, -{-forma, form), having the form of a volva.
WART (verruca, wart, excrescence), a wart-like excrescence found on the pileus of
some mushrooms ; the remains of the volva in form of irregular or polygonal
excrescences, more or less adherent, numerous and persistent.
WAVED, WA'VY. See UNDULATE.
WAX- YELLOW (ceraceus), a deep but dull yellow, resembling the color of fresh bees'
wax.
WHORLED, having parts arranged in a circle around an axis; verticillate.
WINE-PURPLE (mnaceo-purpureus), a clear reddish-purple of a slightly brownish cast.
WOOD-BROWN, a light brown color like some varieties of wood. (Raw umber + burnt
sienna + white.)
YELLOW-OCHEB, a bright yellowish-ochraceous or ocher-yellow color.
ZO'NATE, ZONED (zona, a zone or girdle), marked with concentric bands of color.
ZONES (zona, a zone or girdle), circular bands of color.
SUPPLEMENT
ONE THOUSAND AMERICAN FUNGI
701
PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION
THE first edition of "One Thousand American Fungi" so fully
embodied the species known to be edible, that the field for fresh inves-
tigation has been confined principally to newly discovered species. In
the eighteen months elapsing since the publication of the first edition,
Professor Charles H. Peck — the American authority upon fungi — has
reported several. These, with his descriptions, are named in the sup-
plement.
The many requests made of the author for information upon the
raising of mushrooms show a prevalent interest in the industry. What
he knows is stated herein; what he does not know, and what is not
known upon the subject, would furnish trie matter for a volume.
Interest in the study of fungi is well established and is rapidly in-
creasing. This department of botany has been made a specialty in
many colleges and schools. Its importance is everywhere recognized.
The author and publishers feel a just pride in the success of "One
Thousand American Fungi." The prompt sale of the first edition, and
immediate demand for the second, warrant it. Their thanks are due to
the many who have kindly interested themselves in obtaining subscrip-
tions to the author's edition.
CHARLES MC!LVAINE.
703
PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION
In preparing the third edition of this volume for publication, the
editor has left almost intact the valuable work of the late Dr. Mcllvaine.
The changes to be noted in the revision are more matters of re-arrange-
ment than alterations of the original text.
It is gratifying to record the fact that while a large amount of addi-
tional literature has been published concerning many of the species rep-
sented in the first and second editions, there appears none that essentially
affects the value of the observations there recorded.
Of the great number of new species of fungi discovered since the last
edition, the most interesting, as pertaining to the scope of this work, are
those published by Professor Chas. H. Peck in the Reports of the New
York State Museum. From these, thirty or more have been included as
a supplement to this edition. These have been selected as most likely to
be found by those using this work. In re-grouping Prof. Peck's illus-
trations, to adapt them to the cut form in this book, care has been taken
to represent, as fully as possible, effects difficult to secure where color
can not be employed. The natural size of the plants is indicated on
each cut, and the spores are represented magnified 400 diameters.
Prof. Peck's wording is scrupulously transcribed in all descriptive mat-
ter preceding the occurrence of his name in italics.
CHAS. F. MILLSPAUGH.
Field Museum of Natural History,
September, 1911.
45 705
SUPPLEMENT
(Plate CLXXXIII.)
Amanita calyptrata albescens Pk. Rep., 1899: 840. Sandy soil,
Gansevoort, Saratoga county, New York. July. Our specimens differ
from the typical form of the species (A. calyptrata Pk. see page 26) in
being wholly white or whitish. The
type (A. calyptrata) which was sent
from Oregon, has the pileus yellow
or yellowish brown, and the lamellae
yellowish white, both having a slight
tinge of green. The peculiar thick,
felty, white fragment of the volva
that adheres to and covers the central
part of the pileus forms a characteris-
tic feature of the species and is sug-
gestive of its name. This, together
with the thick remains of it at the base
of the stem, and the more strongly
striate margin of the pileus, easily
distinguishes the species from A.
spreta, to which it is closely allied.
Because of its different color I have
considered our plant a variety of the
species and named it variety albescens.
The Oregon plant (A. calyptrata)
is known to be edible, but as only two specimens of the variety were
found, no opportunity for testing its edible quality was given. Peck.
Amanita Frostiana pallidipes Pk. Rep., 1899: 855. The typical
form of this species, which is common in our cool northern woods, has
the pileus and annulus, and usually the stem also, of a yellow color,
that of the pileus sometimes verging to orange. But in warmer and
more open or bushy places forms occur in which the whole plant is
whitish, but in other respects has the characters of the species. Some-
707
Supplement
(Plate CLXXXIV.)
times the pileus is pale-yellow and the stem and annulus white. The
warts are soft and flocculent, are sometimes numerous and persistent,
and again are few or wanting. The form with yellow stem and annulus
and yellow or orange pileus may be considered the typical form of the'
species, but forms having the stem and annulus pale or white may be
designated as variety pallidipes. Peck.
For illustration of the species, A. Frostiana, from which this variety
differs as above described, see plate VI, fig. 5.
Undoubtedly POISONOUS. Mcllvaine.
Amanita glabriceps Pk. Rep., 1908: 18. Pileus thin, ovate or
oval becoming broadly convex or centrally depressed, glabrous, rarely
adorned when young with a few patches of the ruptured volva, viscid
when moist, often finely striate on the
margin, white or yellowish white, some-
times slightly brownish in the center.
Flesh white under the separable cuticle.
Lamellae thin, crowded, free, unequal,
white. Stem long, slender, stuffed, glab-
rous or floccose-squamulose, bulbous, white,
the thin, flabby annulus sometimes rup-
tured and partly adhering to the margin
of the pileus ; sometimes disappearing with
age. Bulb margined by the remains of the
definitely circumcissile volva. Spores glo-
bose, 8/u. in diameter.
Pileus 5-iocm. broad; stem 7-1 5cm.
long, 6— 1 2mm. thick. Among fallen leaves
in woods. Stuben and Rensselaer counties,
New York.
This species is closely related to Aman-
ita pJialloides Fr. from which it is separat-
ed by its more slender habit, its longer
slender stem with a webby pith and a
more narrow bulb margined by the remains of the more definitely cir-
cumcissile volva. Amanita phalloides striatula Pk. is a small variety of
this species rather than of A. phalloides. Peck.
Undoubtedly POISONOUS.
708
Supplement
(Plate CLXXXV.)
Amanita Morrisii Pk. Rep., 1909: 42. Pileus fleshy, subcampan-
ulate becoming broadly convex, viscid when moist, glabrous, even on
the margin, with a separable pelli-
cle, dark grayish brown or blackish
brown, becoming a little paler with
age and with the escape of moisture.
Flesh white. Lamellae thin, close,
narrow, rounded behind, slightly ad-
nexed, white. Stem equal or slightly
tapering upward, slightly bulbous at
the base, solid or stuffed, slightly
floccose, sometimes grayish and
striate at the top, usually white, an-
nulus double, radiately striate above,
whitish buff beneath, the slight volva
soon breaking into fragments and
disappearing or occasionally partly
adhering to the lower part of the
stem. Spores subglobose or broadly
ellipsoid, 8-10x6— 8/*.
Pileus 5— locm. broad; stem,
8— I4cm. long, i2-2Omm. thick.
In black vegetable mold among mosses,
chusetts. September. Peck.
Undoubtedly POISONOUS.
V-2 nat •
Natick swamp, Massa-
Amanita multisquamosa Pk. Rep., 1899: 840. Pileus convex,
becoming nearly plane, even but slightly striate on the margin, adorned
with numerous angular, erect, persistent but separable warts, white or
white with a brown or brownish center. Flesh white. Lamellae close,
free, white. Stem equal, glabrous, stuffed with a webby pith or hollow,
bulbous at the base, white ; annulus white, persistent, the bulb more or
less margined above by the remains of the volva. Spoi'es subglobose
or broadly elliptic, .0003 to .OOOJ. of an inch long, .00024 to -0003
broad.
Pileus 2 to 4 inches broad; stem 1.5 to 4 inches long, 3 to 6 lines
thick. Woods and groves. Albany, Rensselaer and Suffolk counties,
New York, July.
709
Supplement
The species has the volva definitely circumcissile, and after its rupture
the free margins sometimes closely
(Plate CLXXXVI.)
sheathes the base of the stem. In
some of the specimens the central
part of the pileus is areolate rimose,
a wart occupying the center of each
areola. The warts are more closely
placed in the center than toward the
margin. From pale forms of A. inns-
caria this species may be separated
(Plate CLXXXVII.)
Vsnat
by its more crowded, angular, erect
warts and by the absence of scales or
fragments of the volva from the base
of the stem. Peck.
Undoubtedly POISONOUS.
Amanitopsis volvata elongata
Pk. Rep., 1899: 856. Pileus gla-
brous, slightly viscid when moist,
striate on the -margin, white. Stem
long, straight or variously curved,
mealy at the top, floccose squamose
below, the bulb buried deeply in the
ground.
Under or near pine trees. Claryville, New York.
710
August.
Supplement
(Plate CLXXXVIII.)
This variety differs from the type (see Amanitopsis volvata, page 31)
in its purer white glabrous pileus, its long stem and in having the bulb
deeply buried in the ground. The remains of the ruptured volva are
generally more closely pressed about the base of the stem than in the
species, in which the bulb is above or just at the surface of the ground.
In both forms the lamellae change color in drying, becoming much
darker than when fresh. The stem is from four to six inches long.
Sometimes the pileus is adorned by one or two small fragments of the
volva which adhere to it. Peck.
Great care should be taken in establishing the true specific status of
the specimens if inclined to test the edibility of this variety. Should
there be the least semblance of an annulus in any specimen, beware!
Lepiota clypeolaria (Bull.) Fr. Pk. Rep., 1900: 173. Shield Lep-
iota. ( PI. CLXXXVIII. ) Pileus thin, soft, convex or subcampanulate,
becoming nearly plane, obtuse or umbonate, squamose, whitish or yel-
lowish, the center or umbo smooth, yellow-
ish or brownish, the margin often appen-
diculate with fragments of the veil. Flesh
white. Lamellae thin, close, free, white.
Stem slender, equal or slightly tapering
upward, hollow, fragile, pallid, adorned
with soft, loose, white or yellowish floccose
scales or filaments. Spores oblong or sub-
fusiform, 12— 2O/A long, 6— 8/>«. broad.
The cap of the shield lepiota is at first
somewhat ovate or bell-shaped, but with
advancing age it becomes convex above
or nearly flat. It is white or whitish, but
spotted with numerous small scales of a
)-ellowish or brownish-yellow color. These
scales are the result of the breaking up of
the thin cuticle that covers the very young
• * & Vsnat.
plant, and they have the same color as it.
A small space in the center is brown or yellowish brown, or darker than
the rest of the cap, because the cuticle covering it remains unbroken
and retains its color. The center in some specimens is more prominent
than in others, giving what is called an umbonate cap. The margin of
711
Supplement
(Plate CLXXXIX.)
the cap is sometimes shaggy, especially in young plants, by the adher-
ing fragments of the whitish veil.
The gills are thin, closely placed side by side and rounded at the
end next the stem, but they are not attached to the stem. They are
white. The stem is rather long and slender, fragile and adorned with
loose, soft fibrils or flocculent, cottony tufts, which give it a somewhat
shaggy appearance, but it becomes smoother as the plant grows older.
The cap is usually from 1—2.5 inches broad, and the stem from 1.5—3
inches long and 1.5—3 lmes thick. The plants grow in woods, specially in
hilly and mountainous regions, and are generally solitary or few in a place,
but in favorable seasons they are of frequent occurrence and may be found
from July to October. Though small and thin, the caps are well-flavored
and make a desirable dish. L. metulaespora B. and Br. scarcely differs
from this species, except in the striate margin of its cap. Peck.
Tricholoma subacutum Pk. Rep., 1888: 112. Pileus at first ovate
or broadly conical, then convex and subacutely umbonate, dry, silky
and obscurely virgate with minute innate fibrils, whitish tinged with
smoky-brown or bluish-gray, darker
on the umbo. Flesh white, taste acrid
or peppery. Lamellae rather close,
slightly adnexed, white. Stem equal,
stuffed or hollow, silky -fibrillose,
white. Spores broadly elliptical or
subglobose, .00025 to .0003 inch long,
.0002 to .00025 broad.
Pileus 1.5 to 3 inches broad; stem
2 to 4 inches long, 3-6 lines thick.
Woods and groves. North Elba,
Essex county, New York. Septem-
ber.
The species is perhaps too closely
related to T. virgatum, but it is sep-
arable by its prominent subacute
umbo, paler pileus, hollow stem and
hot or peppery taste. The cuticule
is separable from the pileus. Peck.
In his Report for 1902, page 39, Prof. Peck redescribes the species
712
'/z nat
Supplement
(Plate CXC.)
and includes it under his rubric of " Edible Fungi." He remarks that
the flesh has no decided odor and that it is sometimes acrid and some-
times mild.
Tricholoma unifactum Pk. Rep., 1905 : 36. Pileus fleshy but thin,
convex, often irregular, sometimes eccentric from its crowded mode of
growth, whitish. Flesh whitish, taste mild. Lamellae thin, narrow,
close, rounded behind, slightly ad-
nexed, sometimes forked near the
base, white. Stem equal or thicker
at the base, solid, fibrous, white,
united at the base in a large fleshy
mass. Spores white, subglobose,
.00016 to .0002 of an inch broad.
Pileus 1—2 inches broad ; stem
1—2 inches long, 3—5 lines thick.
Under hemlock trees. Horicon,
Warren county, New York. July.
The united tricholoma belongs to
the section Guttata and is closely
related to the northern tricholoma
(Tric/wloma boreale} and to the
whitish tricholoma (Tricholoma al-
belluin}. From the former it is
separated by its different color, mode
of growth and lack of odor ; and
from the latter by its color, the ab- y2nat
sence of spots on the cap and by its
smaller subglobose spores. The stem and gills are white, the cap is;
nearly so. It has a watery white appearance when moist. The plants
grow in clusters, several stems arising from a large whitish fleshy mass,
by which character it is at once distinguished from all our other species
of Tricholoma.
The taste is mild and there is no decided odor. The flesh is tender
and of excellent flavor when properly cooked. Peck.
Clitocybe adirondackensis Pk. Rep., 1900: 174. Adirondack
Clitocybe. Pileus thin, convex or nearly plane and umbilicate, or
713
Supplement
(Plate CXCI.)
centrally depressed and funnel-form, glabrous, moist, white or pale tan
color. (Appearing like Clitocybe infundibuliformis membranacea Fr.)
Flesh white. Lamellae thin, narrow, close, very decurrent, white. Stem
nearly equal, glabrous, stuffed or hollow,
colored like the pileus. Spores subglo-
bose or broadly elliptic, 4-5^ long, 3-41*
broad.
The Adirondack clitocybe is common
in the northern forests of the state, but
is not limited to them. Its cap is thin,
and soon becomes nearly flat with a de-
curved margin and a central depression
or umbilicus; or very concave by the
elevation of the margin, and then it re-
sembles a wineglass in shape. Its mar-
gin is sometimes wavy or irregular. In
color it varies from white to a very pale
red or tan color. White specimens some-
times have the center slightly darker
than the rest.
The gills are very narrow, being scarcely broader than the thickness
of the flesh of the cap. They are closely placed, white and decurrent.
The stem is nearly cylindric, smooth and stuffed or hollow. It is col-
ored like the cap. Often there is a white tomentum or cottony sub-
stance at its base.
The cap varies in size and is 1-2 inches broad; the stem 1.5-3 inches
long and 1-2 lines thick. It may be found from July to October. Its
flavor is suggestive of that of the common mushroom. Peck.
Agaricus adirondackensis Pk. Rep., 1908: 77
Clitocybe maculosa Pk. Rep., 1900: 174. Spotted Clitocybe. Pileus
fleshy, convex, often centrally depressed, glabrous, centrally marked
with numerous small round spots, yellowish-white, the young margin
involute and minutely downy. Flesh white, taste mild. Lamellae nar-
row, close, very decurrent, whitish or slightly yellowish, some of them
forked. Stem equal or slightly tapering upward, glabrous or sparingly
fibrillose, stuffed, sometimes becoming hollow, whitish. Spores subglo-
bose or orbicular, 4-5^ broad.
714
Supplement
(Plate CXCII.)
The peculiar mark by which the spotted clitocybe may be distin-
guished consists in the small round definite spots in the central part of
the cap. They have a slightly darker or watery or yellowish color and
appear as if depressed below the rest of the
surface. The cap is smooth and whitish or
yellowish white and is generally depressed
in the center and decurved on the margin.
The margin is usually adorned with slight,
short radiating ridges. The flesh is white
and the taste mild.
Agaricus maculosus Pk. Rep., 1908 : 78.
The gills are closely placed side by side,
narrow and prolonged downward on the
stem. They have nearly the same color as
the cap. The stem is nearly cylindric,
smooth or adorned with a few silky fibrils,
(Plate CXCIII.)
Vi nat
whitish and spongy within or some-
times hollow when old.
The cap is from 1-3 inches broad;
the stem 2—3 inches long and 2—4
lines thick. This mushroom grows
among fallen leaves in woods. It ap-
pears in August and September. I
have found it in the Adirondack for-
ests only. Its range is probably north-
ward, and its rarity detracts from its
importance as an edible species. Peck.
Vz nat
Hygrophoms laurae Morg. Jour. Cincin. Soc. Nat. Hist., 4: 180.
(1883). Pk. Rep., 1901 : 967. Pileus fleshy, convex and umbonate,
then expanded and depressed, more or less irregular, glutinous, white,
715
Supplement
(Plate CXCIV.)
clouded with a reddish or a brownish tinge especially on the disk. Stem
solid, more or less curved or crooked, tapering downward, yellowish-
white; the apex scabrous with scaly points. Lamellae unequally ad-
nate-decurrent, distant, white. Spores pellucid, elliptic, apiculate,
. 0083 x. 005 5 p..
Growing in rich soil among the leaves in hilly woods. Pileus 2—4 in.
broad, stipe 2-4 in. long and % an inch thick. This is a much larger
plant than H. eburneus, has a wash of red or brown upon the disk, and is
covered with a thick gluten. It is more like H '. cossus, but has no odor.
Edible. Peck
Lactarius distans Pk. Rep., 1872: 117. Distant-gilled Lactarius.
Pileus firm, broadly convex or nearly plane, umbilicate or slightly de-
pressed in the center, with a minute velvety pruinosity, yellowish tawny
or brownish orange. Lamellae rather
broad, distant, adnate or slightly de-
current, white or creamy yellow, the
interspaces venose, milk white, mild.
Stem short, equal or tapering down-
ward, solid, pruinose, colored like
the pileus. Spores subglobose. g-np-
broad.
The distant-gilled Lactarius is sim-
ilar to the orange Lactarius in color,
but in other respects it is quite dis-
tinct. The short stem, widely sepa-
rated gills and pruinose surface of the
cap are distinctive features. The cap
is broadly convex and often has a
small central depression or umbilicus.
In some cases it becomes nearly plane
or even slightly funnel-shape by the
spreading or elevation of the margin. The surface, specially in young
and in well-developed specimens, has a soft pruinose or almost velvety
appearance to the naked eye, and when viewed through a magnifying
glass it is seen to be covered with minute persistent granules. The sur-
face is sometimes wrinkled and frequently it cracks in such a way as to
form small angular or irregular areas. The color is a peculiar one, vary-
716
Vanat
Supplement
(Plate CXCV.)
mg somewhat in shade, but with tawny hues prevailing. It has been
described as yellowish tawny, and brownish orange. The flesh is white
or whitish and has a mild taste.
The gills are wide apart, somewhat arched in specimens having a con-
vex cap and slightly decurrent in those with fully expanded or centrally
depressed caps. Their color is white or creamy yellow and in old and
dried specimens they have a white pruinosity as if frosted by the spores.
The milk is white and mild.
The stem is short, rarely more than an inch long, and is cylindric or
tapering downward. It is solid and colored and clothed like the cap.
The cap is I to 4 in. broad; the stem is usually about I in. long, 4
to 8 lines thick. It is found in thin woods, bushy places and pastures
from July to September. It is similar to the orange Lactarius, L. vol-
emus, in its edible qualities. Peck, Rep. 1878: 678.
Lactarius subpurpureus Pk. Rep., 1875: 43. In his report of
1900, page 176, Prof. Peck redescribes the species and adds interesting
notes concerning its forms and color.
Remarking upon its relationship, habitat
and edibility, he says: "This lactarius
is distinguished from all our other spe-
cies by the dark red milk that issues
from wounds of the flesh or gills. It
belongs to the same group of species as
L. deliciosus, L. indigo and L. cJieli-
doninm. It is also allied to the Euro-
pean L. sanguifluus. The plants grow
in woods and swamps among mosses and
fallen leaves, and occur from July to
October. When fresh their taste is
slightly acrid, but when they are cooked
it is scarcely inferior to that of L . delici-
osus. Peck.
I had not seen this species when the
first edition of this work went to press,
consequently could not report its edible
qualities. The favorable testing by Professor Peck 'adds weight to the
opinion I have frequently expressed, that acridity of species when
717
t/2 nat
Supplement
raw is no evidence whatever that they are harmful,
disappears in cooking. Mcllvaine.
Acridity usually
(Plate CXCVI.)
Eussula abietina Pk. Rep., 1900: 180. Fir Tree Russula. Pileus
thin, fragile, convex, becoming nearly plane or slightly depressed in
the center, viscid when moist, the viscid pellicle separable, tuberculate
striate on the margin. Flesh white,
taste mild. Lamellae subdistant, ven-
tricose, narrowed toward the stem,
rounded behind and nearly free, whit-
ish, becoming pale yellow, the inter-
spaces venose. Stem equal or taper-
ing toward the top, stuffed or hollow,
white. Spores bright yellowish och-
raceous, subglobose, rough, 8-io/u.
broad.
The fir tree russula is closely related
to the youthful russula, R. pnellaris
Fr., from which it is separated by the
viscid cap, the gills rather widely
separated from each other and nearly
free, the stem never yellowish nor
becoming yellow where wounded, and
the spores having an ochraceous hue. They are much brighter and
more highly colored in the mass than the mature gills. The cap
varies much in color, but the center is generally darker than the rest.
It may be dull purple or greenish purple with a brownish or blackish
center, or sometimes with an olive green center, or it may be olive green
or smoky green with a brownish center. Olive green and purplish hues
of various shades are variously combined, but sometimes the margin is
grayish and the center olive green. The flesh is white and its taste
mild. The gills are white when young, or barely tinged with yellow,
but they become pale yellow with age. They are neither crowded nor
widely attached to the stem, and are connected with each other by cross
veins, which can be seen at the bottom of the interspaces. The stems
are rather slender, soft or spongy, sometimes becoming hollow and oc-
casionally tapering 'upward. They are very constantly and persistently
white. The cap is 1-2.5 inches broad, the stem 1-2.5 inches long,
718
Va nat
Supplement
(Plate CXCVII.)
3-5 lines thick. This russula grows under or near pine, spruce or bal-
sam fir trees. It occurs from July to October. It is tender and palat-
able. The stems also are tender and may be cooked with the caps.
Peck.
RllSSUla crustosa Pk. Rep., 1885: 40. Pileus at first convex,
then nearly plane or centrally depressed, slightly viscid when moist,
striate on the margin, brownish-yellow, greenish or subolivaceous, the
cuticle cracking and forming small
spot-like areolae or pseudo-verrucae.
Lamellae nearly entire, some of them
forked at the base, narrowed behind
and nearly free, white. Stem cylin-
drical, stuffed or hollow, white.
Spores white, subglobose, .0003 to
.00035 in. broad. Flesh white, taste
mild.
Pileus 3 to 5 in. broad; stem I to
2.5 in. long, 6 to 12 lines thick.
Rocky ground in thin woods and
in woods and open ground. New
York. July and August.
In his Report for 1902, page 45,
Prof. Peck redescribes the species
with some slight changes and addi-
tions due to later accessions of ma-
terial, and adds:
The crusted russula is closely re-
lated to the greenish russula (R. vir-
escens}, and the cracked russula {R. cutefracta). From the former it
differs in its slightly viscid cap, of which the cuticle cracks and forms
small, crust-like patches or scales on the margin, but usually remains
entire in the center. From the latter it is distinct by the absence of
any red or purplish tints in the flesh and the stem. Even in purplish
specimens the flesh and stem are wholly white.
The cap is very convex or almost hemispheric when young, nearly
plane or centrally depressed when mature. The surface cracks toward
the margin as in R. cutefracta, while the center nearly always remains
719
Supplement
(Plate CXCVIII.)
entire. These surface chinks form small areolae or scales, which appear
like fragments of a crustaceous cuticle.
The color varies greatly. It may be straw-yellow, pale ochraceous,
brownish ochraceous, greenish with a yellowish ochraceous center or a
dull brownish purple. The center is sometimes paler, sometimes darker
than the margin. The gills are white, narrowed toward the stem and
nearly free. They are sometimes forked, especially near the stem, and
intervening short ones occur near the margin. They are white and un-
changeable. The stem is also white. This mushroom is more common
with us than the greenish russula, which it resembles in size and flavor.
Edible. The flesh is white and the taste mild or sometimes slightly
and tardily acrid. The acridity if present is destroyed by cooking. Peck.
Russula rugulosa Pk. Rep., 1900: 179. Rugulose Russula. Pileus
rather thin, fragile, convex, becoming nearly plane or centrally depressed,
viscid when moist, roughened or uneven with small tubercles and rugae,
even on the margin when young, becoming
tuberculate striate with age, the viscid pellicle
separable on the margin. Flesh white, reddish
under the cuticle, taste tardily acrid . Lamellae
rather close, adnate or slightly rounded be-
hind, white. Stem nearly equal, spongy
within, white. Spores white, rough, sub-
globose, 8— IO/A broad, shining in trans-
mitted light.
The rugulose russula is closely related to
the emetic russula, but differs from it in the
uneven or rugulose surface of the cap, in the
tardily acrid taste and in its closer adnate
gills. Its cap is red, varying from pale-red
to dark-red, viscid when moist, even on the
margin when young, but somewhat tuber-
culate and striate when old. Its surface is
roughened by minute tubercles or pimples,
which sometimes appear to run together and form short ridges. These
are sometimes absent from the center of the cap. The viscid cuticle
easily peels from the margin of the cap, but not from the center. The
flesh is white, except just under the cuticle, where it is reddish. It is
720
'/2 nat
Supplement
(Plate CXCIX.)
soft and fragile, and its taste is slowly and much less sharply acrid than
in the emetic russula. Its gills are closely placed, attached to the stem
and persistently white. The stem is brittle, soft and spongy within,
smooth and white. The cap is 2—4 inches broad, the stem 2—3 inches
long, 4-8 lines thick.
It grows in woods among mosses and fallen leaves or on the bare
ground, and appears in August and September. It is an inhabitant of
the Adirondack forests. Its slightly acrid flavor is destroyed in cook-
ing, and k affords a harmless, tender and agreeable food. Peck.
llussula variata Banning, in Pk. Rep., 1905 : 41. PileilS firm, con-
vex becoming centrally depressed or somewhat funnel form, viscid even
on the thin margin, reddish purple or brownish purple often variegated
with green, pea-green sometimes
varied with purple. Flesh white,
taste acrid or tardily acrid. Lam
ellae thin, narrow, close, often
forked, tapering toward each end,
adnate or slightly decurrent, white.
Stem equal or nearly so, solid,
sometimes cavernous, white.
Spores white, subglobose, .0003—
.0004 of an inch long, .0003
broad.
Cap 2-4 inches broad ; stem
i . 5—3 inches long, 5—8 lines thick.
In woods. July and August.
The variable russula is appro-
priately named, for its caps are
very variable in color. They are
dark purple or reddish purple
variously intermingled or variegated with green, or wholly pale green.
The viscid pellicle is closely attached to the cap in the center, but it is
separable on the margin. In drying it sometimes forms obscure spots.
Notwithstanding the variations in the color of the caps, the species is
easily recognized, for the gills are very constant in their characters.
Their narrowness, closeness and numerous bifurcations are peculiar and
very constant features. They are sometimes slightly decurrent, especi-
721
1/2 nat
Supplement
(Plate CC.)
ally in mature specimens, whose upcurved margin gives the cap a more
or less funnel shape. The stem is white and solid, or sometimes with
central cavities arranged one above another. It belongs to the section
Furcatae, as shown by the even margin of the cap and the gills tapering
toward each end.
The acrid taste of the fresh cap is destroyed in cooking, and the
flavor is then very good. Peck.
Cantharellus cinnabarinus Schw., Pk. Rep., 1898: 679. Cin-
nabar Chantarelle. (Plate CC.) Pileus firm, convex or slightly de-
pressed in the center, often irregular with a wavy or lobed margin,
glabrous, cinnabar red. Flesh white.
LamellSB narrow, distant, branched,
decurrent, red. Steill equal or ta-
pering downward, glabrous, solid or
stuffed, red. Spores elliptic, S-IO/A
long, 4-5/u. broad.
The cinnabar Chantarelle is readily
recognized by its color. It is exter-
nally red in all its parts, the interior
only being white. It is a small spe-
cies, but often quite irregular in
shape. Small specimens are more
likely to be regular than large ones.
Sometimes the cap is more fully
developed on one side than on the
other. This makes the stem eccen-
tric or in some cases almost lateral.
The color is quite constant, but in
some instances it is paler and ap-
proaches a pinkish hue. It is apt
to fade or even disappear in dried
specimens. The gills are blunt on
the edge as in other species of this genus. They are forked or branched,
narrow and decurrent.
The stem is small, smooth and usually rather short. It is generally
solid, but in the original description it is characterized as stuffed. The
cap is 8 to 1 8 lines broad, the stem 6 to 12 lines long and I to 3 broad.
722
nat
Supplement
(Plate CCI.)
It grows gregariously in thin woods and open places, and may be found
from July to September. It sometimes occurs in great abundance,
which adds to its importance as an edible species. The fresh plant has
a tardily and slightly acrid flavor, but this disappears in cooking. In
Epicrisis, Fries referred this species to the genus Hygrophorus, and in
Sylloge also it is placed in that genus, but it is a true Cantharellus and
belongs in the genus in which Schweinitz placed it. Peck,
CantharellllS dicllOtomilS Pk. Rep., 1902:46. (Original descrip-
tion Rep. 23: 123. 1872.) PileilS fleshy, soft and flexible, subconic
when young, with the margin involute and downy or flocculent, convex,
nearly plane or centrally depressed when ma-
ture, even or with a small pointed umbo, dry,
glabrous, variable in color. Flesh white, taste
Lamellae narrow, close, dichotomous,
mild.
decurrent, white or yellowish. Stem equal or
tapering upward, solid, glabrous or slightly
fibrillose. Spores narrowly elliptic, .0003—
.0004 of an inch long, .00016 broad.
Pileus 6-18 lines broad; stem 1—3 inches
long, 2—4 lines thick.
This dichotomous chantarelle is a small but
common species in our hilly and mountainous
districts. It grows in woods among mosses or
in pastures and bushy places among grasses
and fallen leaves. It is gregarious and ap-
pears from July to September.
The cap is generally broadly convex with
decurved margin, but sometimes it becomes centrally depressed by the
elevation of the margin. The umbo is small and usually acute, or
papillalike, but it is often entirely absent. The margin is involute and
minutely flocculent or downy when young, but it soon becomes naked.
The surface is smooth or obscurely silky and occasionally becomes min-
utely rimose areolate. The color is very variable and may be grayish
white, grayish brown, yellowish brown, blackish brown or bluish gray.
The gills are narrow, thin, close, decurrent and 1-3 times forked. They
are white or whitish sometimes tinged with yellow. In moist weather
wounds on gills and stem sometimes become reddish. The stem is equal
723
Supplement
(Plate CCII.)
in diameter or slightly tapering upward. It is glabrous or slightly
fibrillose, solid, whitish, or pallid, or colored like the pileus, and when
growing among mosses is clothed below with a soft, dense, white to-
mentum, which binds it so closely to the mosses that it is difficult to take
a specimen without breaking the stem unless the mosses are taken with it.
It is related so closely to CantJiarcllus umbonatns that it has sometimes
been regarded as a variety of it or has even been confused with it, but
the gills of that species are described as straight, and in our plant they
are constantly repeatedly forked as in C. aurantiacus and C ' . albidus.
The umbo in our plant is small and pointed and often wholly wanting,
but in C. umbonatns it is represented as broad and blunt. Because of
these discrepancies it seems best to keep our plant distinct.
As an edible mushroom it is not as tender as some nor as highly
flavored, but it is satisfactory and enjoyable. Peck.
Entoloma graveolens Pk. Rep., 1899: 844. Pileus thick, firm but
brittle, convex, often irregular, glabrous, slightly flocculent on the
margin, whitish, sometimes with
a violaceous tint. Flesh white,
taste unpleasant, odor strong,
disagreeable, earthy. Lamellae
narrow, close, adnexed, grayish
white, becoming pale salmon
color. Stem short, stout, solid,
thickened or bulbous at the base,
downy above, white, the bulb
usually clothed with a soft, white
tomentum. Spores pale salmon
color, elliptic, .00024 to .0003
of an inch long, .00016 broad,
commonly uninucleate.
Pileus 2 to 4 inches broad ;
stem 1.5 to 4 inches long, 8 to
12 lines thick. Black muck soil
in low woods. Meadowdale,
New York, October.
In size and shape this mush-
room resembles TricJioloma personatum, and when it is tinged with a
724
Supplement
violaceous hue the resemblance is increased. Its strong unpleasant odor
is very persistent and remains in the dried specimens, and its disagree-
able flavor is not destroyed by cooking. It grows in dense clusters and
in lines or arcs of circles. The color of its spores and the strong dis-
agreeable odor easily distinguish the species from the masked tricho-
loma, with which it might otherwise be confused. Peck.
Entoloma Peckianum Burt, in Pk. Rep., 1900: 146. Pileus thin,
conical, becoming convex or subcampanulate, moist or subhygrophan-
ous, dark brown or blackish brown and shining when moist, paler with
(Plate CCIII.)
the escape of moisture, umbonate, obscurely rough-
ened by the matted ends of minute adnate fibrils.
Lamellae close, ascending, broad, abruptly rounded
behind, adnexed, whitish, becoming pink or salmon
color. Stem fleshy, slender, equal, hollow, fibril-
lose striate, pale brown, often whitish at the base,
white within. Spores angular, uninucleate, .0004
to .0005 of an inch long, .0003 to .0004 broad.
Pileus 8 to 1 5 lines broad ; stem 2 to 4 inches
long, i to 2 lines thick. Among sphagnum in
marshes. Floodwood, New York. August.
This species was associated with E. Variabile.
It has the general appearance of Nolanea infula
Fr. from which it differs in its fleshy stem and
broad lamellae. In the dried specimens these as-
sume a bright yellowish salmon color and the pileus ,/2nat
becomes black.
The fresh plant has no decided taste or ordor.
Peck.
Plants of this genus often prove poisonous, and should not be at-
tempted as edible except by those who are able to carefully test them.
Oortinarius COrmgatus Pk. Rep., 1898: 674. Corrugated Cortin-
arius. (Plate CCIV.) Pileus fleshy, broadly campanulate or very
convex, viscid when moist, coarsely corrugated, bright yellow, reddish
yellow, tawny or ochraceous. Flesh white. Lamellae close, pallid
when young, becoming tawny with age. Stem rather long, equal, hol-
low, bulbous, pallid or yellowish, the bulb viscid and usually colored
725
Supplement
(Plate CCIV.)
like the pileus. Spores broadly elliptical, rough, ii-i6/u, long, 8-io/x
broad.
The corrugated Cortinarious is a well-marked and easily-recognized
species, quite distinct from its allies.
Although the color of the pileus is vari-
able, its viscid, corrugated surface and
the viscid bulb of the stem afford dis-
tinctive and easily-recognized charact-
ers. Sometimes the corrugations or
wrinkles anastomose with each other in
such a way as to give a reticulated ap-
pearance. The color varies from yellow
to reddish tawny or reddish ochraceous.
The margin in young plants is incurved.
There is a variety in which the cap is
adorned with darker colored spots or
scales. This bears the name, variety
subsquamosus. In all other respects it
is like the species.
The gills are closely placed side by
side. They are at first of a pale hue,
but assume a darker and more definite
tawny color with age. They are usually
minutely uneven or eroded on the edge
and transversely striate on the sides. They are slightly narrowed toward
the stem.
The stem is generally a little longer than the width of the cap. It is
commonly smooth, but sometimes sprinkled near the top with minute
yellowish particles and adorned below with a few fibrils. It is hollow
and has a distinct viscid bulbous base, the viscidity of which is a pecu-
liar feature. This bulb in the very young plant is even broader than
the young cap, that at this stage of development appears to rest upon
it. The color of the bulb is usually like that of the cap, but the stem
is commonly paler than either.
The cap is 2 to 4 inches broad ; the stem 3 to 5 inches long, 3 to 8 lines
thick. The plants are gregarious in woods and bushy places, and may
be found from June to September. It sometimes grows in considerable
abundance, and as an edible species it is not to be despised. Peck.
726
V-i nat
Supplement
(Plate CCV.)
Cortinarius ferrugineo-griseus Pk. Rep., 1909: 46. Pileus con-
vex or nearly plane, sometimes with the thin margin upcurved and then
appearing centrally depressed, hygrophanous, brownish ferruginous
when moist, gray or whitish gray
when the moisture has escaped.
Flesh whitish. Lamellae 4-6 lines
broad, moderately close, adnexed,
appearing free in the dried plant,
pale cinnamon or clay color when
young, brownish cinnamon when
mature. Stem equal, abruptlybulb-
ous at the base, solid or stuffed,
silky fibrillose, sometimes colored
like but paler than the pileus, some-
times shining, variable in color,
whitish below and violet tinted
above or entirely violaceous, viola-
ceous within. Spores ellipsoid
and commonly uninucleate, 10-12
x 7-8/t.
Pileus 3.5-iocm. broad. Stem
3. 5-8. 5cm. long, 6-2omm. thick.
Under pine trees near Natick
swamp, Massachusetts.
The growing plant is often covered with pine needles. It belongs to
subgenus Hydrocybe and is closely allied to Cortinarius saturninus Fr.,
from which it may be separated by its pileus fading to grayish white,
and by its solid stem often abruptly bulbous. It also differs in its habit
and in its larger spores. Peck.
As to the edibility of this species, the remarks under C. submargin-
alis will doubtless apply to this as well.
Cortinarius submarginalis Pk. Rep., 1901: 950. Pileus fleshy,
firm, convex, becoming nearly plane or concave by the elevation of the
margin, viscid when moist, yellowish brown, generally a little paler on
the rather definite and commonly fibrillose margin. Flesh whitish.
Lamellae thin, close, adnate, creamy yellow when young, soon cinna-
mon. Stem rather long, equal or slightly thickened at the base, solid,
727
'/snat
Supplement
(Plate CCVI.)
VSnat
silky fibrillose, slightly viscid, whitish or pallid. Spores subelliptic,
.0004 to .0005 of an inch long, .0002 to .00024 broad.
Pileus 2 to 4 inches broad. Stem 3 to 6 inches long, 4 to 6 lines
thick. Low moist places in woods.
Bolton, New York. August.
The margin of the pileus is generally
'paler than the rest and separated from it
by a definite line. It is from 3 to 6 lines
broad and is sometimes curved upward
and conspicuously fibrillose. The dif-
ference between the margin and the rest
of the pileus is not clearly shown in the
dried specimens. The species belongs
to the section Myxacium. Peck.
As to edible qualities we have no
available report concerning this species.
None in this genus has been found to be
harmful, even though several are bitter and many unpleasant. The flesh
is apt to be dry and of a strong woody flavor, and cooking does not
dissipate either of these characteristics.
Agaricus abruptibulbus Pk. Rep., 1908: 60. (A. silvicola Vitt.,
A. arvensis var. abruptus Pk). (Plate CCVII.) Agaricus abruptns
Pk. is described on page 343 as A. silvicola Vitt. It is very common
in the woods of West Virginia, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. In the
summer of 1901 I found it in Rockingham county, North Carolina.
The probabilities are that its spread is extensive.
Being the wood cousin of the field mushroom (A. campester) it de-
serves more than ordinary attention. It is found during months which
do not favor the growth of the mushroom. It is equally good, though
not so fleshy. It gives the true mushroom flavor to less flavored edible
species when cooked with them.
When seen at a distance, growing in the woods, it has the appearance
of an Amanita, but the color of the gills, which are never white after the
cap opens and become as the spores ripen a blackish brown, distin-
guishes it at once. Neither has it a volva.
The excellent photograph of the species, taken by the late Dr. J. R.
Weist, Richmond, Ind., presents a life-like picture of it. Mcllvaine.
728
t»LATE CCVII.
o
n
c
DO
70
C
DO
C
r
DO
C
Supplement
Ajraricus hsemorrlioidarius Schulz, Pk. Rep., 1900: 183. Bleed-
ing Mushroom. Pileus fleshy, ovate or hemispheric, becoming broadly
convex or nearly plane, fibrillose or squamose, brown with darker scales.
(Plate CCVIII.)
Flesh white or whitish, turning red
where wounded ; taste and odor agree-
able, Lamellae rather broad, close,
free, pink, becoming brown. Stem
equal or slightly tapering upward,
sometimes bulbous, hollow, fibrillose,
slightly squamulose toward the base,
white, becoming darker with age.
Spores brown, elliptic.
The bleeding mushroom is easily
recognized, when fresh, by the red
color assumed by wounds of the flesh
either of the cap or stem. This char-
acter is also found in the seashore
mushroom, A. maritimus , a species
that has a solid stem and has not yet
been found growing far from the sea.
The cap is generally some shade of
brown, but sometimes when young it
is white. It is adorned with darker
fibrils or scales, though these sometimes become obscure or disappear
with age. When young it is hemispheric or very convex, but it soon
becomes broadly convex or nearly flat, with the center either slightly
depressed or somewhat prominent. The flesh is generally whitish or
grayish white when first exposed to the air. It assumes the red color
rather slowly and after a time loses it again.
The gills are pink or rarely whitish when young, but become brown
or blackish brown with age. The stem is long or short, cylindric or
tapering upward, sometimes slightly thickened or bulbous at the base,
sometimes not. It is hollow, but the cavity small, at first fibrillose and
more or less adorned with floccose scales toward the base, but these
generally disappear with age, and the primary white color of the stem
is 'apt to become darker with age. The collar is membranaceous and
at first conceals the gills. It is persistent, silky and white or whitish,
sometimes tinged with brown.
729
Vsnat
Supplement
The cap is 2—4 inches broad ; the stem 2—4 inches long, 3—5 lines
thick. It grows in woods or bushy places and seems to prefer damp
soil rich in vegetable mold. It may be found from August to October.
It sometimes grows in clusters. It gives to milk in which it is stewed a
brownish color. Its flavor is similar to that of the common mushroom.
A variety in which the stem is commonly shorter and the pileus of a
darker smoky brown color is sometimes abundant in low damp ground
on Long Island. It may be called variety fumosus. Peck.
Agaricus Morgan! Pk. Bot. Gaz., 4: 137. The majority of my-
cophagists are immune to the poison of this species. (See page 738.)
Yet many cases of severe, but not fatal poisoning by ;t came within the
writer's knowledge during the season of 1900-1901.
A valuable report is contained in a letter from George B. Clementson,
attorney, Lancaster, Wis. :
" * * Agaricus Morgani has grown in this locality this season in
unusual abundance. While I was absent last week, my father picked a
number, mistaking them for L. procera, and my mother, in preparing
them for the table, ate a small piece of the cap of one — a piece, she
assures me, no larger than a hickory nut. About two hours afterward
and shortly after dinner (at which the mushrooms were not served, and
at which nothing indigestible was eaten) she experienced a peculiar
numbness and nausea, with constriction of the throat. Vomiting set in
within half an hour and was excessive, lasting several hours and giving
no relief. She was very greatly weakened and thought herself dying,
being so reduced at one time that she was unable to see. Purging set
in not long after the vomiting. The constriction of the throat did not
disappear until after the vomiting stopped.
"Whisky and nitroglycerine (by the stomach) were given to keep up
the heart's action.
"It seems probable that the poison itself did not directly affect the
heart, but that the alarming weakness was due to the vomiting and
purging. That is my mother's own opinion. After being in bed for a
day she was able to get around, but suffered considerable pain in the
abdomen for forty-eight hours.
" I presume that owing to the fact that my mother is not very strong
and has a weak stomach, she was more violently affected than many
might be. But a poison that in any person can produce such symp-
730
Supplement
toms, when taken in so small a quantity, ought to be labeled decidedly
dangerous.
"There can be no question that the specimens were A. Morgani,
as I examined some that were left of those picked, and also gathered
others from the same patch where these were obtained.
"As everything relating to mushroom poisoning should be of interest
to the mycologist and mycophagist, I take the liberty of reporting this
case."
The Agaricus Morgani appears to be spreading. In 1901 I found
large specimens of it outside a stable in Lebanon, Pa. Its appearance
and luxuriance are so much in its favor, that the toadstool lover will be
tempted to try it. Experiments in eating it should be conducted with
the greatest caution. Mcllvaine. (See page 738.)
For description of the species, and illustration, see under Lepiota
Morgani, pages 37-39 and plate Vila and XIV.
Agaricus naucinoides Pk. Rep., 1871: 72. This valuable food
species is spreading and rapidly increasing in many of the states. Prof.
Charles H. Peck (Rep., 1900: 162) says of it: "It has shown con-
siderable variability in some of its characters. Usually its pileus is very
white and smooth, clean and attractive, but specimens have been found
this year having the pileus dingy or smoky brown, others have been
seen in which the cuticle of the pileus was cracked in such a way as to
form minute squamules, and in one or two instances plants were ob-
served having the surface of the pileus adorned with minute granules, a
character attributed to L. naucina Fr. In such cases the importance of
recognizing the spore characters is shown. By disregarding this char-
acter our plant has sometimes been referred to L. naucina and some-
times to Agarictis cretaceus Fr., both of which it closely resembles, and
with which it appears to be confused by European mycologists, some
referring it to one species and some to the other."
For description and illustrations see Lepiota naucinioides Pk., pages
45 and 46, and plates XII and XV.
Agaricus patuloides Pk. Rep., 1908: 79. Clitocybe patuloides Pk.
Rep., 1900: 163 Pileus fleshy, firm, rather thick, convex, becoming
nearly plane or somewhat centrally depressed, glabrous, even and white
when young, with the margin incurved, becoming pale ochraceous with
(Plate CCIX.)
age and often squamose or rimosely areolate. Flesh white, taste mild,
odor like that of mushrooms. Lamellae thin, close, slightly or strongly
decurrent, forked or anastomosing at the base, white. Stem usually
short, equal or slightly tapering
upward, solid, white. Spores
broadly elliptic, 6-8 p. long, 5ft
broad.
Pileus 1-4 inches broad ; stem
1-3 inches long, 4-12 lines thick.
Gregarious or cespitose. Close-
ly allied to Trickoloma patnlum
Fr. Woods, especially of pine.
Brewerton and Westport, New
York.
When growing in tufts the stem
is often eccentric and the pileus
irregular. The base of the stem
is often white tomentose. Its
agreeable odor and mild taste led
to a trial of its edible qualities,
but it developed a bitter taste in
cooking. Peck.
3/s nat
Stropharia bilamellata Pk. Bull.
Torr. Club, 22 : 204. Pileus fleshy,
convex, even, whitish or yellowish.
Flesh pure white. Lamellae close, ad-
nate, purplish brown when mature. Stem
short, solid, white, with a well developed
pure white annulus which is striately
lamellate on the upper surface. Spores
elliptical, purplish brown, .0004 of an
inch long, .0002 to .00024 broad.
Pileus i to 2 inches broad ; stem about
i inch long, 3 to 4 lines thick.
Streets of Pasadena, California. Mc-
Clatchie.
This species is remarkable for the
732
(Plate CCX.)
Wsnat
Supplement
lamellated upper surface of the rather thick membranous annulus.
These lamellae are uneven on the edge, and in some cases they appear
to extend upward on the stem till they meet the true lamellae.
From further gatherings made in Washington, D. C., and Newark,
Wayne county, New York, Prof. Peck draws another description (Rep.,
1907: 139) as follows:
Pileus fleshy, convex, becoming nearly plane in larger plants, even,
obtuse, glabrous, whitish or yellowish. Flesh white. Lamellae thin,
close, adnate, purplish brown in the mature plant. Stem commonly
short, solid, sometimes hollow in large plants, white, annulate, the
annulus thick, white, with la'mellae on the upper surface. Spores
elliptic, .0004 to .0005 of an inch long, .0002 to .0003 broad.
Prof. Peck further remarks upon this characteristic species as follows :
"The species is well marked by the peculiar character of its collar. On
the upper surface are miniture gills which radiate from the stem to the
margin of the collar. These are narrow, white and uneven or dentate
on the margin. They are sometimes stained by the spores, but these
have probably fallen from the true gills above. In some instances the
inner extremity of the false gills extends upward on the stem and ap-
pears to connect with the gills above. This peculiar character of the
collar seems to be shown in Stropliaria coronilla (Bull.) Fr. and forcibly
suggests the thought that our plant is specifically the same as the
European."
Prof. Peck, loc. cit. draws a table of comparative characters between
the American and the European species, and concludes that while there
is a strong similarity between them, it seems to him best to retain the
species above described.
Prof. Peck secured enough material of the species to test it as to its
edibility, and includes it under the heading Edible Fungi, but does not
describe the edible qualities.
Hypholoma Bonghtoni Pk. Rep., 1909: 23. Pileus fleshy, thin
except in the center, broadly convex or subhemispheric, rarely with a
slight umbo, glabrous or slightly fibrillose, often concentrically and
areolately cracking, pale reddish brown or grayish brown. Flesh
whitish, taste disagreeable. Lamellae unequal, moderately close, ad-
nate, purplish brown, seal brown or blackish, obscurely spotted, whitish
on the edge. Stem equal, floccosely fibrillose, striate at the top, hol-
733
Supplement
low, white or whitish. Spores black on white paper, broadly elliptic,
10-12 x 7-8/t.
Pileus 2.5-7cm. broad, stem 2.5-6cm. long, 4-iomm. thick.
(Plate CCXI.)
Ground in woods and in open places.
Near Pittsford, Monroe county, and at
Menands, New York. August.
This species is closely allied to Hy-
pJioloma vclutinnm (Pcrs.) Fr., from
which it may be separated by its dry,
not hygrophanous, pileus, its whitish
flesh and stem, the absence of cystidia
and the larger spores. The spore print
of both this and Hypholoma rigidipes
Pk. is black on white paper. This
would indicate a close relationship to
the Melanosporae, not only of these
(Plate CCXII.)
Vanat
two species, but probably also of the
closely related species, H. velutinum
(Pers.) Fr. and H. lachrymabundum
Fr. Peck.
There is no report on the edibility of
this species. It is, however, doubtless
safe.
Boletus acidus Pk. Rep., 1905 : 15.
Pileus fleshy, rather thin, firm, con-
vex, very glutinous when moist, yel-
lowish white, the margin of the young
plants often appendiculate with frag-
ments of the whitish floccose and glu-
tinous veil. Flesh whitish, taste acid and disagreeable. Tubes short,
adnate, concave in the mass in young plants, becoming plane with age,
the mouths minute, subrotund, pale yellow, becoming darker with age.
734
1/2 nat.i
Supplement
Stem firm, equal or slightly tapering upward, subflexuous, solid,
minutely dotted with brown or brownish glands both above and below
the slight, mostly glutinous and evanescent annulus. Spores subferru-
gineous, oblong elliptic, .0003-. 0004 of an inch long, .000 12-. 00016
broad.
Pileus 1-2 inches br»ad. Stem 1.5-3 inches long, 2-3 lines thick.
Under pine and hemlock trees. Port Henry, New York. August.
This species belongs to the section Viscipelles. It is closely related
to Boletus punctipes and B. americamis, from which it is separated by
its slight but mostly evanescent annulus, and by its acid taste. Peck
The edible qualities of this species are unknown. Whatever may be
its innocence, its acidity renders it at least forbidding.
Boletus AtkinSOni Pk. Rep., 1904: 20. Pileus fleshy, convex or
nearly plane, dry, grayish brown or yellowish brown, sometimes min-
utely rimosely squamulose. Flesh white, taste mild. Tubes convex,
plane or slightly concave in the mass,
adnate or slightly depressed around the
stem, 3-4 lines long, the mouths min-
ute, at first whitish and stuffed, soon
open and yellow or subochraceous.
Stem stout, equal or slightly thickened
at one or both ends, solid reticulated
wholly or at the top only with fine
anastomosing brownish lines, pallid.
Spores fusiform or oblong, .0004 to
.0005 of an inch long, .00016 to .0002
broad.
Pileus 3—4 inches broad ; stem 2-4
inches long, 6—12 lines thick.
Woods. Port Jefferson, New York.
August.
The species belongs to the section
Edules. The reticulations of the stem
are so delicate that they sometimes
nearly disappear in drying. Peck.
There is no report available as to the edible qualities of this form.
(Plate CCXIII.)
735
Supplement
(Plate CCXIV.)
Boletus laricinus Berk., Pk. in Rep., 1904: 46. Pileus flesh}-,
broadly convex or nearly plane, viscid when moist, sometimes squam-
ose, dingy white or grayish white. Flesh white. Tubes short, adnate
or slightly decurrent, whitish when
young, becoming darker and brown
with age, their mouths large, angu-
lar, subcompound. Stem short,
solid, annulate, reticulate above the
ring, grayish or brownish below.
Spores brown, oblong, .0004 to
.0005 of an inch long. .00016 to
.0002 broad.
Under or near larch trees. New
York. October.
The larch boletus takes its name
from its place of growth. It is
closely related to the Elba boletus
(B. elbensis Pk.) which is found
under or near tamarack trees in the
northern part of our state. In the
n ^giifiH^ ^Sl^^i larch boletus the cap is paler and
^ i/2nal has no pinkish brown tint which
often is seen on the cap of the Elba
boletus. The cap is sometimes adorned by brown or blackish scales
which are easily rubbed or washed away, leaving the whitish cap en-
tirely naked. The flesh is soft and white or whitish. The tubes are at
first whitish, but they change with age to brownish and then to a dark
sepia color. The mouths are large and angular. In some cases shorter
dissepiments within the larger tubes give them the appearance of being
composed of two or more smaller ones. The tube walls extend down-
ward on the stem to the ring and by anastomosing give the reticulated
appearance called cribose in the older descriptions. This is one of the
distinguishing characters between the larch boletus and the Elba boletus.
The larch boletus is worthy of a place among our esculent species. I
have not yet tested the edible qualities of the Elba boletus. Peck.
Boletus multipunctllS Pk. Rep , 1901 : 952. Pileus fleshy, convex
or nearly plane, dry, brownish ochre, sometimes with a slight reddish
736
Supplement
(Plate CCXV.)
tint, the central part adorned with many minute slightly darker areolate
spots or dots. Flesh whitish, taste mild. Tubes small, adnate or
depressed about the stem, ventricose
in the mass, the mouths subrotund,
at first whitish, becoming greenish yel-
low. Stem equal or tapering upward,
pallid, solid, fibrose striate. Spores
dark olive green, oblong, .00045 to
.0006 of an inch long, .00016 to .0002
broad.
Pileus 3 to 4 inches broad ; stem 3 to
5 inches long, 4 to 8 lines thick.
In woods. Bolton, New York. August.
This species belongs to the section
Edules. It was not found in sufficient
quantity for testing its edibility, but it
is probably edible. Peck. **&&• y9nat
Scleroderma verrucosum maculatum Pk. Rep., 1899: 848. Sub-
sessile, globose or depressed globose, I to 3 inches broad. Peridium
thick, firm, brown, adorned with minute, thin, dark brown squamules
which often fall from the upper part,
leaving it dotted with small, round, pale
or yellowish spots. Spores blackish in
the mass, globose, warted, .0006 to
.0007 of an inch broad. Tramal walls
yellowish brown.
Mucky soil in woods. Rosendale,
New York. September.
The specimens found were too old to
show the interior color of the young
plant, and not old enough to show the
manner in which the peridium ruptures.
The general color of the peridium is
Vandyke brown, and the scales are so
minute that at first sight it appears to be
smooth. On close inspection it is seen to be abundantly dotted with
minute flattened scales, which are so loosely attached that they are apt
47 737
(Plate CCXVI.)
Supplement
to fall away, each one leaving a small pale spot or dot on the peridium
similar to those left by the falling of the warts from the peridium of
Lycoperdon gemmatum. Scleroderma verrucosum is said to be very
variable in size and color and in the degree of roughness of the exterior.
Its warts are described as persistent and adnate. Authors do not agree
in their description of the spores, one describing them as minute and
another saying that they are larger than those of any other species of
this genus. But in no description do I find any reference to the decidu-
ous character of the scales and the consequent dotting of the surface of
the peridium which is shown by our specimens. For this reason it has
seemed best to separate our plant as a variety worthy of recognition.
Possibly a more complete knowledge of it may show it to be worthy
even of specific distinction. Peck.
All North American species of this genus, so far as known at present,
are edible. Care should be taken however to pare them well; to see
that the specimens are not wilted; to cut away the bases, and to cook
them thoroughly.
Agaricus Morgani Pk. Since the remarks concerning this species
on pages 730 and 731 were set in type, Mr. O. E. Lansing, Jr. (who
collected, in 1902, the material which I then photographed and which
now forms the upper half of Plate Vila.) reports that: At about 6 p.
m. he ate a bit, about the size of a silver quarter, of one of the plants
photographed. In about two hours he was attacked with numbness of
the legs, faintness, burning in the throat and nausea; followed soon by
excessive vomiting and purging which continued at intervals until 4 a.
m. accompanied by great fear of death. Lassitude and weakness super-
vened but he was able to go about his duties that morning, and no fur-
ther unpleasant effects followed so far as he now remembers.
In both the case of Mr. Lansing and that of Mrs. Clementson (page
730) the poisoning resulted from eating a small piece of the raw plant.
It is possible that those who have found the species inocuous ate the
cooked plant only. However, the species is one that should be carefully
diagnosed, well separated in the mind from A. procerus, and its collec-
tion as a food rigidly avoided. Millspaugh.
738
INDEX TO GENERA, SPECIES AND ILLUSTRATIONS
[The Roman numerals refer to the plates.]
PAGE
abietina (Russula), CXCVI, 718
abortivus (Clitopilus), LXIV, 257
abortive form (Clitopilus),
LXIV, 257
abrupta (Amanita), 23
abruptibulbus (Agaricus), CCVII, 728
abruptus (Agaricus), 343
acervata (Collybia), XXXIa, 122
ACETABULARIA, LXXI, 268
acetabulum (Peziza), 553
achimenes (Agaricus), 340
acidus (Boletus), CCXII, 734
acuminatum ( Lycoperdon ) ,
CLXXVI, 607
acutesquamosa (Lepiota), 40
adiposa (Pholiota), LXXIV, 276
adirondackensis (Clitocybe),
CXCI, 713
admirabilis (Pluteus), 248
var. fuscus (Pluteus), 248
adnata (Amanitopsis), 30
adusta (Russula), 188
jfiruginosa (Stropharia), XCVI, 349
asstivalis (Boletus), 449
aestivum (Tuber), CLIV, 566
affinis (Boletus), CXX, 448
var. maculosus, 449
AGARICUS, HI, XCII, 331
agglutinata (Amanitopsis), 32
aggregatum (Hypholoma), 361
albella (Russula), 194
albellum (Tricholoma), 77
albellus (Boletus), 464
albida (Tremella), 531
albido-tomentosus (Panus), 235
albidum (Hydnum), CXXXIII, 499
alboater (Boletus), 460
albo-griseus (Clitopilus), 259
aibo-nigrum (Hydnum), 498
albo-violaceus (Cortinarius),
LXXXIV, 316
album (Tricholoma), 79
albus (Boletus), 415
ALDRIDGEA, 506
aliena (Flammula), 288
alliaceus (Marasmius), 227
alligatus (Polyporus), 488
alluvina (Lepiota), 43
alnicola (Flammula), LXXVIb. 290
alutacea (Russula),
alutaceus (Boletus),
alutarius (Boletus),
alveolatus (Boletus),
AMANITA,
AMANITOPSIS,
Americana (Lepiota),
Americanus (Boletus),
PAGE
207
426
468
455
V, 2
V, 28
XII, XVa, 48
413
amethystina (Clavaria), CXXXIX, 516
amethystina (Clitocybe), XXIV, 107
Ananas (Boletus), 473
anax (Polyporus), 482
ANELLARIA, CI, 388
angusticeps (Morchella), 544
annulatus (Cortinarius), 319
appendiculata (Armillaria), 54
appendiculatum (Hypholoma),
XCVII, 363
var. lanatum, 363
appendiculatus (Boletinus), 400
APYRENIUM, 527
aquifluus (Lactarius), 176
var. brevissimus, 177
argenteus (Agaricus), 339
ARMILLARIA, V, 52
armillatus (Cortinarius),
LXXXII, LXXXVIII, 323
arvensis (Agaricus), 341
asper (Cortinarius), LXXXV, 317
aspera (Amanita), 23
asterospermuin (Lycoperdon), 594
ASTR^EUS, 578
Atkinsoni (Boletus), CCXIII, 735
atomata (Psathyrella), 390
atramentarius (Coprinus), CHI, 373
atropurpurea (Russula), 206
atropurpureum (Lycoperdon), 593
var. hirtellum, 593
var. stellare, 593
atro-tomentosus (Paxillus), 329
aurantia (Peziza), C XXXV I, 557
aurantiacus (Cantharellus),
C XXXV I, 216
var. pallidus, 217
aurantio-cinnabarino (Clavaria), 523
aurata (Russula), 206
aurea (Clavaria), CXXXIX, 520
var. rufescens, 520
auricula-Judea (Hirneola),
CXLIII, 528
739
Index to Genera, Species and Illustrations
AURICULARIA,
auriflammeus (Boletus),
auripes (Boletus),
auriporus (Boletus),
autumnalis (Cortinarius),
LXXXVIa
badia (Peziza), CLII,
badiceps (Boletus), CXVI,
badius (Boletus),
basifurcata (Russula),
BATARREA,
Berkeleyi (Polyporus),
Betula (Boletus),
betulinus (Panus),
betulinus (Polyporus),
bicolor (Boletus),
bilamellata (Stropharia),
bispora (Morchella),
var. truncata,
blennius (Lactarius), XL/a,
BOLBITIUS, LXXI,
BOLETINUS, 396,
BOLETUS, 396,
Boltoni (Bolbitius),
bombycina (Volvaria), LIX, LIXa,
borealis (Boletinus),
borealis (Hygrophorus),
botrytes (Clavaria),
bovinus (Boletus),
bovinus (Mutinus),
BOVISTA, 579,
bovisto (Scleroderma),
BOVISTELLA, 578,
brevipes (Boletus),
brevipes (Cantharellus),
XLVI, XLIX,
brevipes (Russula), XLVI),
brevipes Tricholoma),
brevis (Mutinus),
Boughtoni (Hypholoma), CCXI,
brumalis (Clitocybe),
brunnea (Gyromitra), CXLIX,
butyracea (Collybia), XXX,
PAGE
526
423
450
426
, 319
554
436
418
205
577
484
437
235
488
425
732
544
544
165
302
398
404
302
240
403
154
515
419
575
610
616
608
416
219
189
81
576
733
105
547
117
cselata (Calvatia),
casrulescens (Cortinarius),
Csesarea (Amanita),
caespitosus (Boletus),
caespitosus (Clitopilus),
CALDESIELLA,
Californica (Helvella),
Californicum (Terfezia),
Calif ornicus (Agaricus),
CALOCERA,
calopus (Boletus),
calopus (Marasmius),
CALVATIA,
calvescens (Lycoperdon),
calycina (Peziza),
calyptrata (Amanita),
585
311
12
434
261
492
537
566
338
527
440
226
578, 582
605
560
26
PAGE
calyptrata albescens (Amanita),
CLXXXIII, 707
calyptriforme (Lycoperdon), 603
campanella (Omphalia), 134
campanulatus (Paneeolus), 386
canipester (Agaricus),
XCIII, XCIIIa, 332
var. albus, 332
var. Buchani, 333
var. elongatus,
var. griseus, 332
var. hortensis,
var. praticola, 332
var. rufescens,
var. umbrinus,
var. vaporarius, 333
var. villaticus, 333
camphoratus (Lactarius), 184
candicans (Clitocybe), 92
Candida (Amanita), 20
Candolleanum (Hypholoma), 363
caninus (Mutinus), CLIX, 575
CANTHARELLUS, 214
cantharellus (Craterellus), 508
cantharellus (Hygrophorus),
XXXVII, 156
var. flava,
var. flavipes,
var. flaviceps,
var. Rosea,
caperata (Pholiota),
156
156
156
156
LXXIa, 270
capnoides ((Hypholoma), 356
caput-Medus* (Hydnum), CXXXV, 502
caput-ursi (Hydnum), CXXXIVa, 501
carneo-albus (Clitopilus), 258
carneo-grisea (Eccilia), LXIX, 265
carneus (Irpex), 504
Caroliniana (Gyromitra), 547
castaneus (Boletus), CXIV, 472
castaneus (Cortinarius), 325
CATASTOMA, 579, 609
catina (Clitocybe), 104
cavipes (Boletinus), 399
cepaesf orme ( Lycoperdon ) ,
CLXXVa, 606
cepsestipes (Lepiota), XII, 46
ceraceus (Hygrophorus), 155
cerodes (Naucoria), 295
cerussata (Clitocybe), 91
cervinus (Pluteus), LXI, 243
var. albus, 244
var. albipes, 244
var. viscosus, 244
var. Bullii, LXI, 245
var. petasatus, 246
chamaeolentina (Russula), 212
chelidonium (Lactarius), 172
chioneus (Polyporus), 488
CHITONIA, XCI, XCII, 330
chlorinosina (Amanita), IX, 25
740
Index to Genera, Species and Illustrations
PAGE
chlorocephala (Leotia), 540
chlorophanus (Hygrophorus), 160
chromapes (Boletus), 464
chrysenteroides (Tricholoma), 75
chrysenteron (Boletus), 431
chrysodon (Hygrophorus),
var. leucodon, 149
chrysophaeus (Pluteus), 249
cibarius (Cantharellus,
XLVI. XLVII, 215
cinnabarinus (Cantharellus), CC, 722
cinnabarinus (Cortinarius), 320
var. 1, 321
cinnamomeus ( Cortinarius ) ,
LXXXVII, 322
var. semi-sanguineus, 323
cinerea (Clavaria), XCL, 517
circinans (Clavaria), CXLII, 521
circinatus (Pleurotus), 140
circinatus (Polyporus), 480
var. proliferus, 480
circumscissum (Catastoma),
CLXXVIII, 609
citrina (Amanita), 7
citrina (Russula), 203
CLADODERRIS, 507
CLATHRUS, 571
CLAUDOPUS, LVIHa, LXX, 266
CLAVARIA, 511, 513
clavata (Clavaria), 525
clavata (Spathularia), CXXXVI, 549
clavatus (Craterellus), 509
clavipes (Clitocybe), XXV, 86
Clintonianus (Boletus), 410
CLITOCYBE, V, 83
CLITOPILUS, LVIIIa, 254
clypeatum (Entoloma), 252
clypeolaria (L,epiota),CLXXXVIII, 711
coccinea (Peziza), CXXXVI, 559
coccineus (Hygrophorus),
CXXXVI, 156
cochleata (Peziza), 555
cochleatus (Lentinus), 231
collariata (Mycena), 130
collinitus (Boletus), 417
collinitus (Cortinarius), LXXXIII, 313
COLLYBIA, V, 112
coloratum (Lycoperdon),CrZ/XXy&, 607
columbetta (Tricholoma), XVIII, 68
var. A, 69
var. B, 69
var. C, 69
comatus (Coprinus), CII, 370
var. breviceps, 370
comitialis (Clitocybe), 88
compressipes (Clitocybe), 110
comptulus (Agaricus), 334
conchatus (Panus), 232
confluens (Collybia), 119
confluens (Polyporus), 484
PAGE
congregatus (Coprinus), 379
conica (Morchella), 543
conicus (Boletus), 466
conicus (Hygrophorus), 160
CONIOPHORA, 506
conissans (Clitopilus), 261
connexa (Clitocybe), 97
constellatum (Lycoperdon), CLXV, 592
controversus (Lactarius), 164
COPRINUS, 07, 368
coralloides (Clavaria), 517
coralloides (Hydnum), CXXXIV, 501
cornucopoides (Craterellus),
CXXXVI, 509
corrugatus (Cor-tinarius), CCIV, 725
corrugis (Lactarius), 178
CORTICIUM, 507
CORTINARIUS, LXXI, 306
coryphasum (Tricholoma), 62
craniiformis (Calvatia), CLXHI, 586
crassipes (Boletus), CXVI, 452
crassipes (Morchella), 543
CRATERELLUS, 507, 508
crenulata (Amanita), 27
CREPIDOTUS, LXXI, LXXXI, 304
cretaceus (Agaricus), 344
crispa (Helvella), CXLVI, 536
var. alba, 536
var. Grevillei, 536
var. incarnata, 536
var. fulva, 536
crispa (Sparassis), CXXXVII, 512
cristata (Clavaria), CXLI, 518
cristata (Lepiota), 42
cristatus (Polyporus), 484
crustosa (Russula), CXCVII, 719
crustuliniforme (Hebeloma), 286
var. minor, 286
cupricum (Lycoperdon), 594
curtipes (Gyromitra), 547
Curtisii (Boletus), 442
Curtisii (Lycoperdon), CLXX, 601
(L. Wrightii, var. typicum)
cyanescens (Boletus), 471
cyanophaea (Clitocybe), 88
cyanoxantha (Russula), XLIV, 198
cyathiformis (Calvatia), CLXII, 584
(L. cyathiforme)
cyathiformis (Clitocybe), 104
var. cinerascens, 105
CYCLOMYCES, 398
CYPHELLA, 507
DACRYOMYCES,
DACRYOPSIS
DAEDALEA,
daemonum (Phallus),
daucipes (Amanita),
dealbata (Clitocybe),
decastes (Clitocybe),
527
527
397
572
25
93
94
741
Index to Genera, Species and Illustrations
PAGE
deceptivus (Lactarius), 168
decipiens (Boletinus), 401
decolorans (Russula), 205
DECONICA, XCII, 367
decorosum (Tricholoma), XX, 67
decorus OBoletus), 450
deformis (Irpex), 505
delica (Russula), 190
delicata (Lepiota), 49
delicatum (Lycoperdon), 595
deliciosa (Morchella), 543
deliciosus (Lactarius), XLI, 170
deliquescens (Coprinus), 379
densa (Clavaria), 519
depallens (Russula), 192
dichotoma (Clavaria), 522
dichotomus (Cantharellus), CCI, 723
dichrous (Boletus), 417
dictyocephalus (Boletus), 428
digitaliformis (Verpa), 539
diminutivus (Agaricus), 335
discolor (Pholiota), 279
var. discolor minor, 280
dispersus (Hypholoma), 358
disseminata (Psathyrella), CXI, 391
distans (Cortinarius), 325
distans (Lactarius), CXCIV, 716
distans (Hygrophorus), 154
DITIOLA, 527
ditopa (Clitocybe), 109
domesticus (Coprinus), CVI, 381
dryinus (Pleurotus), 137
dryophila (Collybia), XXIXa, 120
dubius (Craterellus), 509
duplicatus (Phallus), 572
dura. (Pholiota), 271
duriusculus (Boletus), 463
eburneus (Hygrophorus), 149
eccentricus (Boletus), CXVI, 470
ECCILIA, LVIII, LXVIIIa, 265
echinatuym (Lycoperdon), CLVI, 591
edulis (Boletus), CXVIII, CXIX, 445
var. clavipes, CXIX, 445
edulis, var. clavipes (Boletus), 446
edulis (Plammula), 289
elaeodes (Hypholoma), 358
elastica (Helvella), 538
var. alba, 538
elata (Calvatia), CLXIV, 588
Elbensis (Boletus), 408
elegans (Boletus), 409
elegans (Lycoperdon), 596
elegans (Russula), 200
elongatum (Lycoperdon), 596
Elvensis (Agaricus), 338
emetica (Russula), XLIV, 201
ENTOLOMA, LVIIIa, 250
ephemerus (Coprinus),
epixanthum (Hypholoma), 357
PAGE
equestre (Tricholoma), 61
var. pinastreti, 62
erinaceum (Hydnum), 502
erubescens (Hygrophorus). 150
erythrosporus (Clitopilus), 261
esculenta (Collybia), 120
esculenta (Gyromitra), VI, 546
var. crispa, 54G
esculenta (Morchella), XLVI, 542
esculentoides (Collybia), 120
excelsa (Amanita), 17
excipuliforme (Lycoperdon), 599
excoriata (Lepiota), 36
EXIDIA, 526
eximium (Lycoperdon), CLXIX, 601
eximius (Boletus), 447
EXOBASIDIUM, 507
fabaceus (Agaricus),
farinaceus (Panus),
var. albido-tomentosus,
farinosa (Amauitopsis),
farinosa (Lepiota),
341
235
235
31
47
fascicularis (Hypholoma), XCVIa, 357
fastibile (Hebeloma), LXXVIa, 284
var. alba, 285
var. elegans, 285
fastigiata (Clavaria), 516
FAVOLUS, 398
felina (Lepiota), 41
felleus (Boletus), CXXII, 469
var. obesus, 469
fennicum (Hydnum), 500
f errugineo-griseus ( Cortinari us ) ,
CCV, 727
ferrugineum (Hydnum), 498
ferrugineus (Boletus), 443
flmbriata (Tremella), 530
fimetarius (Coprinus), CT, 376
var. pullatus, 376
var. cinereus, 377
var. macrorhiza, 377
var. silvicola, 377
flmicola (Panaeolus), 385
firma (Hepatica), 477
firmus (Boletus), 457
FISTULINA, 397, 477
fistulosus (Boletus), 411
flaccida (Clavaria), 521
flaccida (Clitocybe), 103
flammans (Pholiota), 277
FLAMMULA, LXXI, 287
flava (Clavaria), 514
flava (Galera), 301
flavescens (Tricholoma), 67
flavida (Flammula), 291
flavida (Russula), XLIV, 197
flavidus (Boletus), 413
flavo-brunneum (Tricholoma), 65
742
Index to Genera, Species and Illustrations
PAGE
flavo-discus (Hygrophorus),
XXXIX, 157
llavus (Boletus), 411
flexuosipes (Boletus), 443
floccopus (Strobilomyces), 476
floccosus (Cantharellus), XLVI, 218
foedoratus (Agaricus), 339
fcetens (Russula), 199
var. granulata, 200
FOMES, 397
formosa (Clavaria), CXXXIX, 520
fragilis (Bolbitius), LXXX, 303
fragilis (Calvatia), 584
fragilis (Russula), 203
var. nivea, 204
fragrans (Boletus), 451
fragrans (Clitocybe), 110
fraternus (Boletus), 433
Friesii (Lepiota), 39
frondosus (Polyporus), CXXVIII, 483
Frostiana (Amanita), VI, 16
var. pallidipcs (Amanita), 707
Frostii (Boletus), 458
Frostii (Lycoperdon), 591
frumentaceum (Tricholoma), 66
frustulosus (Boletus), 452
fuligineum (Tricholoma), 70
fuligineus (Hygrophorus), XL, 158
fuliginosus (Lactarius), 174
fulvo-tomentosus (Crepidotus), 305
fulvus (Boletus), CXVI, 465
fumescens (Tricholoma), 72
fumidellum (Tricholoma), 78
fumosa (Clitocybe), 97
var. polius, 97
fumosipes (Boletus), 432
fumosus (Lactarius), 175
furcata (Russula), 191
furfurellus (Cortinarius), 325
fuscescens (Coprinus), 374
fusco-violaceus (Irpex), 505
fusiformis (Clavaria), CXXXVIII, 523
fuscipes (Clitocybe), 92
fusipes (Collybia), XXIXa, 116
GALERA, LXXI, 299
galericulata (Mycena), X, XXXII, 127
var. calopus, 128
var. longipes, 128
var. expansus, 128
gallinacea (Clitocybe), 94
gambosum (Tricholoma), 76
gangrsenosa (Clitocybe), 86
var. nigrescens, 87
GEASTER, 578, 580
geaster (Scleroderma), 617
gelatinosum (Hydnum), 501
gelatinosum (Tremelledon),
CXLV, 533
PAGE
gemrnatum ( Lycoperdon ) ,
CLXVIIa, 598
var. hirtum, 598
var. papillatum, 598
GEOGLOSSUM, 535, 550
geotropa (Clitocybe), 102
Gerardii (Lactarius), 179
gigantea (Clitocybe), 98
gigantea (Calvatia), 583
giganteus (Polyporus), 485
gilva (Clitocybe), 101
glabellum (Lycoperdon), CLXVI, 595
glabellus (Boletus), 425
glabriceps (Amanita), CLXXXIV, 708
gloiocephala (Volvaria), 242
glutinosum (Geoglossum), CLI, 550
glutinosum (Hebeloma), LXXIa, 285
glutinosus (Gomphidius), 393
var. roseus, 393
glyciosmus (Lactarius), 175
GOMPHIDIUS, CI, 392
gracilenta (Lepiota), 37
gracilis (Boletus), CXIV, 467
var. laevipes, 467
gracilis (Psathyrella), 389
graciloides (Psathyrella), CX, 390
grammopodium (Tricholoma), 80
grande (Entoloma), 251
grande (Tricholoma), 68
GRANMNIA, 493
granularis (Pluteus), 247
granulatus (Boletus), 416
granulosa (Lepiota), 49
var. rufescens, 49
var. albida, 49
graveolens (Entoloma), CCII, 724
griseus (Boletus), 442
GUEPINIA, 527
GYROCEPHALUS, 527
GYROMITRA, 535, 546
haematopa (Mycena), 130
hasmorrhoidarius (Agaricus),
CCVIII, 336, 729
hamadryas (Naucoria), 295
HEBELOMA, LXXI, 283
HELIOMYCES, V, 228
HELVELLA, 534, 536
hemichrysus (Boletus), 421
var. mutabilis, 422
hepatica (Fistulina), CXXV, 477
var. monstrosa, 478
Herbstii (Sparassis), 512
Herveyi (Clavaria), 517
heteroclitus (Polyporus), 486
heterophylla (Russula), 199
HEXAGONIA, 398
HIATULA, V, 132
hiemalis (Clavatia), 585
HIRNEOLA, 526, 528
743
Index to Genera, Species and Illustrations
PACE
hirtellus (Boletus), 414
hirtum (Lycoperdon), 592
hispida (Lepiota), 41
holosericea (Lepiota), 44
humile (Tricholoma), XVIII, 81
hybrida (Flammula), 291
HYDNUM, 492, 494
hygrometricus (Geaster), CLX, 580
hygrophoroides (Lactarius), XL//, 180
HYGROPHORUS, V, 147
HYMENOCH.ETE, 507
HYPHOLOMA, XCII, 352
HYPOMYCES, 561
hypothejus (Hygrophorus), 151
hysginus (Lactarius), 166
ignoratus (Boletus),
illinita (Lepiota),
illudens (Boletus),
419
50
CXVIII, 439
illudens (Clitocybe), Frontispiece, 96
imbricatum (Hydnum), 495
imbricatum (Tricholoma), XXIII, 73
immitis (Polyporus), 487
impolitus (Boletus), 449
impudicus (Phallus), 573
inaequalis (Clavaria), 523
incertum (Hypholoma), XCVIII, 362
indecisus (Boletus), CXXII, 468
indigo (Lactarius), XLI, 171
inflexus (Boletus), 410
infula (Helvella), 538
inf undibulif ormis ( Clitocybe ) ,
XXIV, 100
innixus (Boletus), 427
INOCYBE, LXXI, LXXV, 281
insulsus (Lactarius),
Integra (Russula),
intrusus ( Cortinarius ) ,
intumescens ( Tremella ) ,
intybaceus (Polyporus),
inversus (Clitocybe),
involutus (Lactarius),
involutus (Paxillus),
iodes (Cortinarius),
IRPEX,
Isabellinus (Boletus),
KNEIPFIA,
LACCARIA,
165
204
310
532
CXXIX, 483
103
170
XC, 328
314
493, 504
472
493
XXIV,
laccata (Clitocybe),
var. pallidifolia,
var. striatula,
lachrymabundum ( Hypholoma ) ,
LACTARIUS, V, 107,
lactea (Russula),
lactifluorum (Hypomyces),
CXXXVI,
lacunosa (Helvella),
107
107
107
107
361
161
194
562
637
PAGE
laevigatum (Hydnum), 495
laevis (Panus), 234
lagopus (Coprinus), 380
var. nemorum, 380
var. viarum, 380
laminosa (Sparassis), 512
laricinus (Boletus), CCXIV, 736
LATERNA, 571
latifolia (Mycena), 129
lateritia (Galera), 299
laurae (Hygrophorus), CXCIII, 715
Lecomtei (Lentinus), 229
lenticularis (Amanita), 25
lenticularis (Lepiota), 50
LENTINUS, V, LII, 228
LENZITES, V, 238
leonis (Terfezia), CLIII, 566
LEOTIA, 535, 540
lepida (Russula), 195
lepideus (Lentinus), XVI, 230
LEPIOTA, V, 33
lepista (Paxillus), 327
leporina (Peziza), 556
leprosus (Boletus), 448
leptocephalus (Boletus), 451
LEPTONIA, LVIIIa, LXVI, 263
leucocephalum (Tricholoma), 78
leucomelas (Polyporus), 480
lignatilis (Pleurotus), 140
var. abscondens, 140
lignyotus (Lactarius), 177
var. tenuipes, 177
lilacinus (Cortinarius), 316
limacinus (Hygrophorus), 151
limatulus (Boletus), 450
Linnaei (Russula), 196
lividus (Paxillus), 327
longipes (Collybia), 115
lubrica (Leotia), CXLVII, 540
luridus (Boletus), 455
var. erythropus, 456
lutea (Russula), 211
luteofolia (Pholiota), 277
luteolus (Lactarius), 178
lutescens (Cantharellus),CZX.TF/, 218
lutescens (Tremella), 530
luteus (Boletus), 412
LYCOPERDON, 578, 589
macropus (Peziza), 553
macrosporus (Coprinus), CIV, 374
maculata (Collybia), 116
var. immaculata, 117
maculatus (Polyporus), 486
maculosa (Clitocybe), CXCII, 714
magna (Flammula), 292
magnificus (Agaricus), XCIV, 342
magnisporus (Boletus), 458
magnivelaris (Amanita), 10
mappa (Amanita), 10
744
Index to Genera, Species and Illustrations
PAGE
MARASMIUS, V, 221
marginata (Pholiota), 279
Mariae (Russula), 209
maritimus (Agaricus), 337
niastoidea (Lepiota), 37
mastrucatus (Pleurotus), 146
maxima (Clitocybe), XXIV, 99
media (Clitocybe), XXVI, 87
mellea (Armillaria),
abortive forms,
var. albida,
var. bulbosa,
var. exannulata,
var. flava,
var. glabra,
var. obscura,
var. radicata,
MERULIUS,
XVI, XVII, 55
56
56
56
XVI, 56
56
56
56
56
398, 490
mesenterica (Tremella), CXLIV, 530
nietachroa (Clitocybe), 109
metulsespora (Lepiota), 43
micaceus (Coprinus), CHI, 378
var. granularis, 378
micropus (Clitopilus), 259
miniato-olivaceus (Boletus), 424
var. sensibilis, 424
miniatus (Hygrovborus), XXXVII, 159
var. lutescens, 159
minor (Bovista), CLXXIX, 612
minor (Cantharellus), 216
mitis (Boletus), 418
mitissimus (Lactarius), 181
MITRBMYCES, 578
MITRULA, 535, 548
modestus (Boletus), 442
molle (Lycoperdon), 602
monadelpha (Clitocybe), XXVII, 89
MONTAGNITES, CI, 395
Montana (Bovista), 611
monticulosa (Amanita), 25
morbifera (Clitocybe), 106
MORCHELLA, 535, 541
Morgani (Agaricus),
Vila, XIV, 37, 730, 738
Morgani (Boletus), 437
Morrisii (Amanita), CLXXXV, 709
mucida (Armillaria), 58
MUCRONELLA, 493
MUCRONOPORUS, 397
multiceps (Clitocybe), XXVIII, 95
multipunctus (Boletus), CCXV, 736
multisquamosa (Amanita),
CLXXXVI, 709
Murrayi (Boletus), 472
muscaria (Amanita),
VI, Vila, VIII, 14
var. regalis, 14
var. formosa, 14
var. umbrina, 14
var. alba, 15
PAGE
muscoides (Clavaria), 516
muscorum (Lycoperdon), 602
mussivum (Hebeloma), 283
mutabilis (Boletus), 435
mutabilis (Pholiota), 278
mutabilis (Lactarius), 183
MUTINUS, 570, 575
MYCENA, T7. 124
MYCENASTRUM, 579, 613
mycetophila (Tremella), CXLIVa, 531
MYRISOTOMA, 577
NyEMATELIA, 527
nardosmia (Armillaria), 57
naucina (Lepiota), 44
naucinioides (Agaricus), XII, XV, 731
naucinoides (Lepiota), XII, XV, 45, 731
var. squamosa, 45
NAUCORIA LXXI, 294
nauseosa (Russula), 211
nebularis (Clitocybe), XXIV, 85
nebulosus (Boletus), 465
nidulans (Claudopus), 267
nigrellus (Boletus), 470
nigrescens (Bovista), 611
nigricans (Russula), 187
var. albonigra, 188
nitida (Amanita), 24
iiitidus (Hygrophorus), 151
nivalis (Amanitopsis), X, 29
niveum (Tuckahoe), CLIII, 565
(Terfezia leonis)
niveus (Coprinus), 378
niveus (Hygrophorus), XXXVII, 153
nobilis (Bolbitius), LXXXa, 303
NOLANEA, LVIIIa, LXVII, 264
Noveboracensis (Clitopilus), 262
var. brevis, 262
nudum (Tricholoma), 80
NYCTALIS, V, 220
obliquus (Irpex), 504
oblongisporum (Lycoperdon), 606
ochracea (Russula), 210
ochraceus (Cortinarius), LXXXII, 319
ochroleuca (Russula), 202
ochrophylla (Russula), 193
ochropurpurea (Clitocybe), XXIV, 108
ODONTIA, 493
odora (Clitocybe), XXIV, 90
odorata (Peziza), 558
Ohiensis (Bovistella), CLXXVIa, 608
olivacea (Russula), 197
OMPHALIA, V, 132
oniscus (Omphalia), 133
onotica (Peziza), 556
opicum (Tricholoma), 75
orcella (Clitopilus), LXV, 256
oreades (Marasmius), LI, 224
Oregonensis (Gomphidius), 393
745
Index to Genera, Species and Illustrations
ornatipes (Boletus),
or»ella (Pholiota),
ostreatus (Pleurotus),
var. glandulosus,
var. euosmus,
ovatus (Coprinus),
ovinus (Polyporus),
pachyderma (Calvatia),
pachypus (Bolotus),
paedidum (Tricholoma),
pallida (Fistulina),
pallidus (Boletus),
pallidus (Lactarius),
paluster (Boletinus),
PAGE
440
278
XXXV, 142
143
143
372
479
583
441
82
478
CXVII, 429
173
CXIIa, 401
PANJEOLUS, CI, CVIII, 384
pantherina (Amanita), 17
PANUS, V, 232
papilionaceus (Panaeolus), 386
parabolica (Mycena), 128
parasiticus (Boletus), 427
parasiticus (Nyctalis), L, 220
parvus (Boletus), 459
pascuensis (Clitopilus), 256
patuloides (Agaricus), CCIX, 731
PAXILLUS, LXXI, 326
Peckianum (Entoloma), CCIII, 725
Peckii (Boletus), 440
var. laevipes, 440
pectinata (Russula), 202
pediades (Naucoria), 296
pedicellatum (Lycoperdon),
CLXVIII, 600
pellitus (Pluteus), 247
penarius (Hygrophorus), 150
PENIOPHORA, 507
pergamenus (Lactarius), 167
perlatum (Lycoperdon), 599
peronatus (Marasmius), 223
perplexum (Hypholoma), XCVII, 354
personatum (Tricholoma), XVIII, 79
pessundatum (Tricholoma), 66
petaloides (Pleurotus), 144
PEZIZA, 552
phalloides (Amanita), VI, VII, 7
PHALLUS, 570, 571
PHLEBIA, 493
PHOLIOTA, LXXI, 269
phyllophila (Clitocybe), 91
picaceus (Coprinus), 375
var. ebulbosus, 376
picipes (Polyporus), 481
pictus (Boletinus), 400
pila (BovisU,), 610
PILOSACE, XCII, XCV, 348
pinophila (Clitocybe), 110
piperatum (Tricholoma), 76
piperatus (Boletus), 420
piperatus (Lactarius), XLI, 168
PAGE
pisocarpium ( Polysaccum ) ,
CLXXXII, 618
PISTILLARIA, 511
pistillaris (Clavaria), C XXXVIII, 524
pithyophylla (Clitocybe), 91
placomyces (Agaricus), XCIII, 345
platyphylla (Collybia), XXIXa, 114
var. repens, 115
platysperma (Naucoria), 297
PLEUROTUS, V, 135
plicatilis (Coprinus), 383
plumbea (Bovista), 612
plumbeus (Lactarius), 167
PLUTEOLUS, LXXI, 282
PLUTEUS, LVIIIa, 243
Pocono (Boletus), 474
POLYPLOCIUM, 577
POLYPORUS, 397, 479
POLYSACCUM, 618
POLYSTICTUS, 397
pometi (Pleurotus), 142
ponderosa (Armillaria), 54
popinalis (Clitopilus), 258
PORIA, 397
poripes (Polyporus), 487
porosus (Boletinus), CXIII, 402
var. opacus, 402
POROTHELIUM, 493
portentosum (Tricholoma), 64
praecox (Pholiota), LXXII, 272
var. minor, 272
var. sylvestris, 272
praiicola (Amanita), 24
pratensis (Agaricus), 340
pratensis (Hygrophorus).
XXXVII, XXXVIII, 152
procera (Lepiota), XIII, 35
prolifera (Mycena), X, 126
prunuloides (Entoloma), 252
prunulus (Clitopilus),
LXIII, LXIV, 255
abortive form, LXIV, 256
PSATHYRA, XCII, C, 367
PSATHYRELLA, CI, 389
PSILOCYBE, XCII, 365
PTERULA, 511
pubescens (Amanitopsis), 32
pubescens (Pleurotus), 141
puellaris (Russula), XLIV, 208
var. intensior, 208
var. roseipes, 208
pulcherrimum (Lycoperdon), 591
(L. Frostii)
pulmonarius (Pleurotus), 146
punctata (Russula), 204
punctipes (Boletus), 415
puniceus (Hygrophorus), 159
purpurascens (Cortinarius), 311
var. subpurpurascens, 312
purpureus (Boletus), 456
746
Index to Genera, Species and Illustrations
PAGE
purpureus (Hypomyces), 563
purpurina (Russula), XLVa, 188
pusilla (Amanitopsis),
pusilla (Russula), 208
pusillum (Lycoperdon), CLXXV, 605
pyriforme (Lycoperdon), CLXXII, 603
pyxidata (Clavaria), 519
quietus (Lactarius),
rachodes (Lepiota),
var. puellaris,
radicans (Boletus),
radicata (Collybia),
var. furfuracea,
var. pusilla,
radicosus (Boletus),
RADULUM,
Ravenelii (Amanita),
Ravenelii (Boletus),
Ravenelii (Phallus),
recutita (Amanita),
repanda (Peziza),
173
35
36
435
XXIX, 113
114
114
473
493
18
422
CLVIII, 573
12
557
repandum (Hydnum), C XXXII, 497
resplendens (Tricholoma), 63
reticulatus (Pluteolus), LXXVI, 282
retipes (Boletus), 441
retirugis (Panaeolus), 384
rhodopolium (Entoloma), 253
rhodoxanthus (Gomphidius),
XCVII, 394
rimosellus (Boletus), 442
rimulatum ( Lycoperdon ),CLXVII, 597
rivulosa (Clitocybe), 90
robusta (Armillaria), 52
var. minor, 53
robusta (Clitocybe), 93
Rodmani (Agaricus), 336
roseipes (Russula), XLIV, 209
rosellus (Cantharellus), XLVIII, 217
Roxanae (Boletus), 431
var. auricolor, 431
rubellus (Merulius), 490
rubescens (Amanita), IX, XIII, 21
rubeus (Boletus), 432
rubiginosus (Boletus), 443
rubinellus (Boletus), 419
rubra (Russula), 196
rubro-flava (Calvatia), 587
rubropunctus (Boletus), CXVII, 429
rufescens (Hydnum), 497
rufus (Lactarius), 175
rugosa (Clavaria), 519
rugosa (Mycena), 127
rugulosa (Lepiota), 51
rugulosa (Russula), CXCVIII, 720
Russelli (Boletus), CXVIII, 436
RUSSULA, V, XLV, 185
Russula (Tricholoma), XVIII, 65
russuloides (Amanita), 18
rutilans (Tricholoma),
saccata (Calvatia),
salignus (Pleurotus),
salmonicolor (Boletus),
sanguinea (Russula),
sanguineus (Cortinarius),
PAGE
XXI, 69
587
143
409
191
321
sapidus (Pleurotus), XXXVI, 141
saponaceum (Tricholoma), 74
Satanus (Boletus), 454
scaber (Boletus), CXXI, 461
var. alutaceus, 462
var. areolatus, CXVIII, 463
var. aurantiacus, 462
var. fuligineus, 462
var. fuscus, 462
var. gracilipes, 463
var. mutabilis, 463
var. niveus, 462
var. olivaceus, 462
var. testaceus, 462
scabrosum (Hydnum), CXXXI, 496
SCHIZOPHYLLUM, V, LVH, 238
SCLERODERMA, 615
scorodonius (Marasmius), 226
sebaceus (Cortinarius), 308
sejunctum (Tricholoma), 63
semiglobata (Stropharia), 351
semilanatus (Coprinus), 382
semilanceata (Psilocybe), 366
var. cserulescens, 366
semilibera (Morchella), CXLVIII, 545
semi-orbicularis (Naucoria),
LXXVIII, 297
separans (Boletus), CXVIII, 445
separata (Anellaria), CIX, 388
septentrionale (Hydnum), 503
serotinus (Boletus), 409
serotinus (Pleurotus), 145
Seymourianus (Clitopilus), 262
sigillata (Calvatia), 585
silvaticus (Agaricus), 334
silvaticus (Coprinus), OF/7, 381
silvicola (Agaricus), XCIII, 343
var. abruptus, 343
SIMBLUM, 571
sinuaturn (Entoloma), LXII, 251
sinuosus (Craterellus), 510
var. crispus, CXXXVI. 510
sinuosus. (Polyporus), 489
S1STOTREMA, 493
soboliferus (Coprinus), 371
socialis (Clitocybe), 89
SOL.ENIA, 507
solid ipes (Panseolus), CHI, 385
solitaria (Amanita), 19
SOPP1TTIELLA, 506
sordida (Russula), XLIV, 190
sordidus (Boletus), 461
spadicea (Psilocybe), XCIX, 365
747
Index to Genera, Species and Illustrations
PAGE
spadicea (Psilocybe), XCIX, 365
var. hygrophilus, 366
var. polycephalus, 366
spadiceus (Boletus), 434
SPARASSIS, 511, 512
SPATHULARIA, 535, 549
spathulatus (Pleurotus), 145
speciosa (Volvaria), 242
speciosus (Boletus), 439
spectabilis (Boletus), CXV, 408
sphserosporus (Boletus), 411
sphaerosporus (Hygrophorus), 155
spinosa (Terfezia), 566
spinulifera (Collybia), 122
spinulosa (Clavaria), 521
spinulosum ( Mycenastrum ) ,
CLXXX, 613
spissa (Amanita),
splendens (Clitocybe), 102
spongiosipes (Hydnum), 500
spreta (Amanita), VI, 11
squamosum (Hydnum), 496
squamosus (Polyporus), C XXVII, 480
squamulosus (Cortinarius),
LXXXII, LXXXVI, 318
squarrosa (Pholiota),
LXXIa, LXXIII, 273
squarrosoides (Pholiota), 274
stercoraria (Stropharia), 350
STEREUM, 507
sterquillnus (Coprinus), 372
stipticus (Panus), 236
strangulata (Amanitopsis), X, 30
(A. Cecilise)
strisepes (Boletus), 431
striapes JNaucoria), LXXVIIIa, 296
stricta '( Clavaria),
var. fumida, 522
strigosus (Panus), LV, LVa, 234
strobilaceus (Strobilomyces),
CXXIV, 475
strobiliformis (Amanita), IX, 19
STROBILOMYCES, 397, 475
STROPHARIA, XCII, 348
subacutum (Tricholoma),
CLXXXIX, 712
subaquilum (Hypholoma), 364
subaureus (Boletus), CXIV, 414
subdepallens (Russula), 192
subdulcrs (Lactarius), XLIII, 182
var. cinnamomeus, 182
var. rufus, 182
var. badius, 182
subglabripes (Boletus), 428
subincarnatum ( Lycoperdon ) ,
CLXXIII, 604
subinvoluta (Clitocybe), 102
sublateritium (Hypholoma),
XOVII, 359
var. squamosum, 359
PAGE
subluteus (Boletus), CXVa, 412
submarginalis (Cortinarius),
CCVI, 727
subpalmatus (Pleurotus), 139
subpulverulentum (Tricholoma), 82
subpurpureus ( Lactarius ) ,
CXCV, 172, 717
subrufescens (Agaricus), 344
subsanguineus (Boletus), CXVI, 420
subsquamosum (Hydnum), 496
subsquarrosa (Pholiota), LXXIa, 275
subtilis (Clavaria), 519
subtomentosus (Boletus), 433
subvelutipes (Boletus), 457
subvilis (Clitopilus), 260
subzonalis (Clitocybe), 101
sulcata (Helvella), 537
var. minor, 537
Sullivantii (Boletus), 458
sulphureum (Tricholoma), 74
sulphureus ( Polyporus ) ,
CXXV, CXXIXa, 485
tabacinus (Boletus), 443
tabularis (Agaricus), 347
Taylori (Volvaria), 241
tenera (Galera), LXXIX, 300
var. pilosella, 300
var. obscurior, 300
tenuiculus (Boletus), 426
terreum (Tricholoma),
XVIII, XXII, 71
var. fragrans, 71
terriferum (Tricholoma), 64
tessulatus (Pleurotus), 139
tetragona (Clavaria), 518
theiogalus (Lactarius), 174
THELEPHORA, 506
tigrinum (Tricholoma), 77
tigrinus (Lentinus), LIU, 229
togularis (Pholiota), 271
tomentosus (Coprinus), 377
torminosus (Lactarius), 163
tortilis (Clitocybe), 108
torulosus (Panus), LIV, 233
TRAMETES, 397
transmutans (Tricholoma), 63
TREMELLA, 527, 529
TREMELLODON, 527, 533
tremellosus (Merulius), 490
TRIffHOLOMA, V, XIX, 59
TROGIA, V, LVII, 237
trullisata (Clitocybe), 106
truncicola (Clitocybe), 94
TUBARIA, LXXI, LXXVII, 293
TUBERACE^E, 565
tumulosa (Clitocybe), 98
turbinatus (Cortinarius), 312
turmalis (Cortinarius), LXXXII, 309
Turneri (Lycoperdon), CLXXI, 602
748
Index to Genera, Spades ard Illustrations
turpis (Lactarius),
TYLOSTOMA,
TYPHULA,
ulmarius (Pleurotus),
var. acericola,
var. populicola,
ULOCOLLA,
umbellatus ( Polyporus ) ,
umbellifera (Omphalia),
umbonatus vCantharellus)
umbrosus (Pluteus),
Underwoodii (Boletus),
Underwoodii (Clitopilus)
Underwoodii (Lentinus)
unicisa (Peziza),
unicolor (Boletus),
unifactum (Tricholoma)
unitinctus (Clitopilus ) ,
var. albidus,
urens (Marasmius),
ustale (Tricholoma),
vaccinum ( Tricholoma ) ,
vaginata (Amanitopsis),
var. livida,
var. fulva,
variabilis (Agaricus),
variata (Russula),
variegatus (Boletus),
variipes (Boletus),
var. albipes,
var. pallidipes,
var. tenuipes,
varius (Cortinarius),
velatum (Lycoperdon),
vellereum (Hydnum),
vellereus (Lactarius),
velosa (Amanitopsis),
velutinus ( Hypholoma ) ,
var. leiocephalus,
velutipes (Collybia),
venosa (Peziza),
vermicularis ( Clavaria ) ,
vermiculosus (Boletus),
PAGE
PAGE
163
var. Spraguei, 457
CLXI, 578, 582
verna (Amanita), 9
511
VERPA, 535, 539
verrucosum (Scleroderma),
138
CCXVI, 616, 737
138
versipellis (Boletus), 461
138
vesca (Russula), 198
526
vesiculosa t. Peziza), 558
482
var. cerea, 558
1, XXXIV, 133
vilescens (Clitocybe), 88
us), 217
violaceus (Cortinarius), LXXXII, 314
246
virescens (Amanita), 8
459
virescens (Russula), XLIV, 194
3), 260
virescens (Tricholoma), 78
), 231
Virgineus (Coprinus), 380
556
virgineus (Hygrophorus),
418
XXXVII, ,153
), CXC, 713
viridis (Amanita), 8
257
virosa (Amanita), 6
257
viscidipes (Armillaria), 53
223
viscidus (Gomphidius), CXII, 394
62
vitellina (Mitrula), CL, 548
vitellina (Russula), 212
70
Vittadini (Lepiota), 44
X, 28
vittaeformis (Galera), 301
X, 29
volemi (Hypomyces), 564
29
volemus (Lactarius), XLI, 180
XCIII, 346
var. subrugosus, 180
CXCIX, 721
volvacea (Volvaria), LX, 240
430
VOLVARIA, LVIIIa, 239
446
volvata (Amanitopsis), 31
447
var. elongata, CLXXXVII, 710
447
vulgare (Scleroderma), CLXXXI, 615
447
309
Woodianus (Clitopilus), 260
597
Wrightii (Lycoperdon), 604
499
var. typicum, 605
169
var. separans, CLXXIV, 605
29
var. atropunctum, 605
360
Wynnei (Marasmius), XXXIII, 225
360
XXXI, 118
XEROTUS, V, LVI, 237
554
xylogenus (Agaricus), 339
524
456
zonatam (Hydnum), 498
749
RETURN TO the circulation desk of any
University of California Library
or to the
NORTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY
Bldg. 400, Richmond Field Station
University of California
Richmond, CA 94804-4698
ALL BOOKS MAY BE RECALLED AFTER 7 DAYS
• 2-month loans may be renewed by calling
(510)642-6753
• 1-year loans may be recharged by bringing
books to NRLF
• Renewals and recharges may be made
4 days prior to due date
DUE AS STAMPED BELOW
02 2003
DD20 15M 4-02
LIBRARY, BRANCH OF THE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE
Live Music Archive
Librivox Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Internet Arcade
Console Living Room
Books to Borrow
Open Library
TV News
Understanding 9/11