inches high. It occurs in large clusters and the rich saffron color of
the entire plant compels our admiration and we are reminded that "not
all is gold that glitters." It will be interesting to gather a large
cluster to show its phosphorescence and the heat which the plant will
generate. You can show the phosphorescence by putting it in a dark room
and by placing a thermometer in the cluster you can show the heat. It is
frequently called "Jack-o'-lantern."
I have known people to eat it without harm, but the chances are that it
will make most persons sick. It ought to be good, since it is so
abundant and looks so rich. Found from July to October.
_Clitocybe multiceps. Pk._
THE MANY-HEADED CLITOCYBE. EDIBLE.
[Illustration: Figure 68.--Clitocybe multiceps. One-half natural size.
Caps grayish-white.]
Multiceps means many heads; so called because many caps are found in one
cluster. It is a very common plant around Chillicothe. It has been found
within the city limits. It is quite a typical species, too, having all
the characteristics of the genus. I have often seen over fifty caps in
one cluster.
The pileus is white or gray, brownish-gray or buff; smooth, thin at the
margin, convex, slightly moist in rainy weather.
The gills are white, crowded, narrow at each end, decurrent.
The stem is tough, elastic, fleshy, solid, tinged with the same color as
the cap.
The pileus is one to three inches broad; grows in dense tufts. Spores
are white, smooth and globose.
When found in June the plants are a shade whiter than in the fall. The
fall plants are very much the oyster color. The early plant is a more
tender one and better for table use, however, I do not regard it as
excellent. They are found in woods, in old pastures by logs and stumps,
and in lawns. June to October.
_Clitocybe clavipes. Pers._
[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd._
Figure 69.--Clitocybe clavipes.]
Clavipes is from _clava_, a club, and _pes_, a foot.
The pileus is one to two and a half inches broad, fleshy, rather spongy,
convex to expanded, obtuse, even, smooth, gray or brownish, sometimes
whitish toward the margin.
The gills are decurrent, descending, rather distant, nearly entire,
rather broad, white.
The stem is two inches long, swollen at the base, attenuated upward,
stuffed, spongy, fibrillose, livid sooty. Spores are elliptical,
6-7x4u.
I found specimens on Cemetery Hill underneath pine trees. I sent some to
Dr. Herbst and Prof. Atkinson; both pronounced them C. clavipes. They
resemble quite closely C. nebularis. I have also found this plant in
mixed woods. Edible and fairly good.
_Clitocybe tornata. Fr._
Tornata means turned in a lathe; so called because of its neat and
regular form.
The pileus is orbicular, plane, somewhat depressed, thin, smooth,
shining, white, darker on the disk, very regular.
The gills are decurrent adnate, rather crowded, white.
The stem is stuffed, firm, slender, smooth, pubescent at the base.
The spores are elliptical, 4-6x3-4u.
These are small, very regular, and inodorous plants. They are found in
open fields in the grass about elm stumps. July to September. They are
edible and cook readily.
_Clitocybe metachroa. Fr._
THE OBCONIC CLITOCYBE. EDIBLE.
[Illustration: Figure 70.--Clitocybe metachroa. Caps dark gray. Gills
pale gray.]
Metachroa means changing color.
The pileus is one to two and a half inches broad, somewhat fleshy,
convex, then plane, depressed, smooth, hygrophanous, brownish-gray, then
livid, growing pale.
The gills are attached to the stem, crowded, pale gray, slightly
decurrent.
The stem is one to two inches long, stuffed, then hollow, apex mealy,
equal, gray.
It differs from C. ditopa in being inodorous and having a thicker and
depressed pileus.
The caps are quite smooth and are frequently concentrically cracked or
wrinkled, much as in Clitopilus noveboracensis.
It is found growing on leaves in mixed woods, after a rain, in August
and September. When young the margin is incurved but wavy in age. It is
quite a hardy plant.
_Clitocybe adirondackensis. Pk._
[Illustration: Figure 71.--Clitocybe adirondackensis. Three-fourths
natural size. Caps white.]
Adirondackensis, so called because the plant was first found in the
Adirondack Mountains of New York.
The pileus is thin, submembranaceous, funnel-form, with the margin
decurved, nearly smooth, hygrophanous, white, the disk often darker.
The gills are white, very narrow, scarcely broader than the thickness of
the flesh of the pileus, crowded, long, decurrent, subarcuate, some of
them forked.
The stem is slender, subequal, not hollow, whitish, mycelio-thickened at
the base. _Peck._
The pileus is one to two inches broad and the stem is one to two and a
half long. This is quite a pretty mushroom and has the Clitocybe
appearance in a marked degree. The long, narrow, decurrent gills,
sometimes tinged with yellow, some of them forked, margin of the pileus
sometimes wavy, will assist in distinguishing it. I have no doubt of its
edibility. Found among leaves in woods after heavy rains. With us it is
confined to the wooded hillsides. The specimens in Figure 71 were found
in Michigan and photographed by Dr. Fischer. Found in July and August.
_Clitocybe ochropurpurea. Berk._
THE CLAY-PURPLE CLITOCYBE. EDIBLE.
[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd._
Plate XI. Figure 72.--Clitocybe ochropurpurea.]
Ochropurpurea is from _ochra_, ocher or clay color; _purpureus_, purple;
it is so called because the caps are clay-color and the gills are
purple. The caps are convex, fleshy, quite compact, clay-colored,
sometimes tinged with purple around the margin, cuticle easily
separating, margin involute, often at first tomentose, old forms often
repand or wavy.
The gills are purple, sometimes whitish in old specimens from the white
spores, broad behind, decurrent, distant.
The stem is paler than the cap, often tinted with purple, solid,
frequently long and swollen in the middle, fibrous. The spores white or
pale yellow.
The first time I found this species I never dreamed that it was a
Clitocybe. It was especially abundant on our wooded clay banks or
hillsides, near Chillicothe, during the wet weather in July and August
of 1905. It is a hardy plant and will keep for days. Insects do not seem
to work in it readily. When cooked carefully it is rather tender and
fairly good.
_Clitocybe subditopoda. Pk._
Subditopoda is so called because it is nearly (sub) like Fries' C.
ditopus, which means living in two places, perhaps referring to the stem
being sometimes central and sometimes eccentric.
The pileus is thin, convex or nearly plane, umbilicate, hygrophanous,
grayish-brown, striate on the margin when moist, paler when dry, flesh
concolorous, odor and taste farinaceous.
The gills are broad, close, adnate, whitish or pale cinereous.
The stem is equal, smooth, hollow, colored like the pileus. The spores
are elliptical, .0002 to .00025 inch long, .00012 to .00016 broad.
_Peck._
It is found on mossy ground in woods. I have found them under pine trees
on Cemetery Hill. Dr. Peck says he separated this species from C.
ditopoda because of the "striate margin of the pileus, paler gills,
longer stem, and elliptical spores." The plant is edible. September and
October.
_Clitocybe ditopoda. Fr._
Ditopoda is from two Greek words, _di-totos_, living in two places, and
_pus_ or _poda_, foot, having reference to the stem being central at
times and again eccentric.
The pileus is rather fleshy, convex, then plane, depressed, even,
smooth, hygrophanous.
The gills are adnate, crowded, thin, dark, cinereous.
The stem is hollow, equal, almost naked.
This species resembles in appearance C. metachroa but can be separated
by the mild taste and farinaceous odor. Its favorite habit is on pine
needles. August and September. I found this species in various places
about Chillicothe and on Thanksgiving day I found it in a mixed wood in
Gallia County, Ohio, along with Hygrophorus laurae and Tricholoma
maculatescens. I sent some specimens to Dr. Herbst, who pronounced it C.
ditopoda.
_Clitocybe pithyophila. Fr._
THE PINE-LOVING CLITOCYBE.
[Illustration: Figure 73.--Clitocybe pithyophila. Two-thirds natural
size. Cap white and showing the pine needles upon which they grow.]
Pithyophila means pine-loving. This plant is very abundant under pine
trees on Cemetery Hill. They grow on the bed of pine needles. The pileus
is very variable in size, white, one to two inches broad; fleshy, thin,
becoming plane, umbonate, smooth, growing pale, at length irregularly
shaped, repand, wavy, sometimes slightly striate.
The stem is hollow, terete, then compressed, smooth, equal, even, downy
at the base.
The gills are adnate, somewhat decurrent, crowded, plane, always white.
The spores are 6-7x4u. The plants in Figure 73 are small, having been
found during the cold weather in November. They are said to be good, but
I have not eaten them.
_Clitocybe candicans. Fr._
Candicans, whitish or shining white. Pileus is one inch broad, entirely
white, somewhat fleshy, convex, then plane, or depressed, even, shining,
with regularly deflexed margin.
The gills are adnate, crowded, thin, at length decurrent, narrow.
The stem is nearly hollow, even, waxy, shining, nearly equal,
cartilaginous, smooth, incurved at the base. The spores are broadly
elliptical, or subglobose, 5-6x4u. Found in damp woods on leaves.
_Clitocybe obbata. Fr._
THE BEAKER-SHAPED CLITOCYBE. EDIBLE.
Obbata means shaped like an obba or beaker.
The pileus is somewhat membranaceous, umbilicate, then rather deeply
depressed, smooth, inclined to be hygrophanous, sooty-brown, margin at
length striate.
The gills are decurrent, distant, grayish-white, pruinose.
The stem is hollow, grayish-brown, smooth, equal, rather tough.
I found plants growing on Cemetery Hill under pine trees. I had some
trouble to identify the species until Prof. Atkinson helped me out.
August to September.
_Clitocybe gilva. Pers._
THE YELLOW CLITOCYBE. EDIBLE.
Gilva means pale yellow or reddish yellow.
The pileus is two to four inches broad, fleshy, compact, soon depressed
and wavy, smooth, moist, dingy ocher, flesh same color, sometimes
spotted, margin involute.
The gills are decurrent, closely crowded, thin, sometimes branched,
narrow but broader in the middle, ochraceous yellow.
The stem is two to three inches long, solid, smooth, nearly equal,
somewhat paler than the cap, and inclined to be villous at the base.
The spores are nearly globose, 4-5u.
This plant is sometimes found in mixed woods, but it seems to prefer
pine trees. It has a wide distribution, found in the east and south as
well as the west. I have found it in several localities in Ohio. Found
from July to September.
_Clitocybe flaccida. Sow._
THE LIMP CLITOCYBE. EDIBLE.
[Illustration: Figure 74.--Clitocybe flaccida. One-half natural size.]
Flaccida means flabby, limp.
The pileus is two to three inches broad, rather fleshy, thin, limp,
umbilicate, then funnel-shaped, even, smooth, sometimes cracking into
minute scales, tawny or rust-colored, margin broadly reflexed.
The gills are strongly decurrent, yellowish, to whitish, close, arcuate.
The stem is tufted, unequal, rusty, somewhat wavy, tough, naked, villous
at the base. The spores are globose or nearly so, 4-5x3-4u.
This resembles the C. infundibuliformis very closely, both in its
appearance and its habit. It grows among leaves in mixed woods during
wet weather. It is gregarious, often many stems growing from one mass of
mycelium. The plants in Figure 74 were collected in Ackerman's woods
near Columbus, Ohio, and were photographed by Dr. Kellerman. They are
found on all the hillsides about Chillicothe. Found from July to late in
October.
_Clitocybe monadelpha. Morg._
THE ONE-BROTHERHOOD CLITOCYBE. EDIBLE.
[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd._
Plate XII. Figure 75.--Clitocybe monadelpha.]
Monadelpha is from _monos_, one and _adelphos_, brother.
Prof. Morgan of Preston, Ohio, gives the following description of the
One-Brotherhood Clitocybe in the Mycological Flora of the Miama Valley:
"Densely cespitose. Pileus fleshy, convex, then depressed, at first
glabrous, then scaly, honey-colored, varying to pallid-brown or reddish.
The stem elongated, solid, crooked, twisted, fibrous, tapering at the
base, pallid-brownish or flesh color. Spores white, a little irregular,
.0055MM."
It might be easily taken for the ringless Armillaria mellea, but the
decidedly decurrent gills and the solid stem ought to set any one right.
In very wet weather it soon becomes water-soaked, and is then not good.
It is found in woods about stumps, and in newly cleared fields about
roots or stumps. From spring to October. See Plate XII, Figure 75, for
an illustration. Bresadola of Europe has determined this to be the same
as that described by Scoparius in 1772 as Agaricus (Clitocybe)
tabescens. I have preferred to retain the name given by Prof. Morgan.
_Clitocybe dealbata. Sow._
THE WHITE CLYTOCYBE. EDIBLE.
Dealbata means whitewashed; so called from its white color.
The pileus is about one inch broad, rather fleshy, convex, then plane,
upturned and wavy, smooth, shining, even.
The gills are crowded, white, attached to the stem.
The stem is fibrous, thin, equal, stuffed. Spores are 4-5x2.5u.
This is a beautiful plant and widely distributed. Found among leaves and
sometimes in the grass. It makes a delicious dish.
_Clitocybe phyllophila. Fr._
THE LEAF-LOVING CLITOCYBE. EDIBLE.
Phyllophila means leaf and fond of. It is so called because it is found
on leaves in the woods during wet weather.
The pileus is one and a half to three inches in diameter, whitish-tan,
rather fleshy, convex, then plane, at length depressed, even, dry,
noticeably white around the margin.
The gills are attached to the stem, decurrent especially after the cap
is depressed, somewhat distant, rather broad, white, becoming yellowish
or ocher tinged, thin.
The stem is two to three inches long, stuffed, becoming hollow, silky,
rather tough, whitish. The spores are elliptical., 6x4u.
The whitish-tan cap with its white, silvery zone near the margin will
serve to identify the species. August to October.
_Clitocybe cyathiformis. Bull._
THE CUP-SHAPED CLITOCYBE. EDIBLE.
Cyathiformis is from _cyathus_, a drinking cup; _formis_, form or shape.
The pileus is two to three inches broad, fleshy, rather thin; at first
depressed, then funnel-shaped; even, smooth, moist, hygrophanous; the
margin involute, sooty or dark brown when moist, becoming pale when dry,
often dingy ochraceous or tan-color, inclined to be wavy.
The gills are attached to the stem, decurrent from the depressed form of
the pileus, united behind, somewhat dingy, sparingly branched.
The stem is stuffed, elastic, tapering upward, fibrillose, base villous.
The spores are elliptical, 9x6u.
This plant has a wide distribution and is found in woods or wood
margins. I found some very fine specimens on Ralston's Run, near
Chillicothe. September to October.
_Clitocybe laccata. Scop._
WAXY CLITOCYBE. EDIBLE.
[Illustration: Figure 76.--Clitocybe laccata. Two-thirds natural size.
Caps violet or reddish-brown. Gills broad and distant.]
Laccata means made of shellac or sealing-wax. This is a very common,
variable plant. Sometimes of a bright amethyst but usually of a reddish
brown. The pileus is from one to two inches broad, almost membranaceous,
convex, then plane, depressed in the center, downy with short hairs,
violet or reddish-brown.
The gills are broad, distant, attached to the stem by the entire width;
pale fleshy-red in hue which is more constant than the color of the cap
and which forms an ear-mark to tell the species; adnate with a decurrent
tooth, plane, the white spores being very abundant.
The stem is tough, fibrous, stuffed, crooked, white-villous at the base,
rather long and slender, dull reddish yellow or reddish-flesh-colored,
sometimes pallid or dull ochraceous, slightly striate; when the season
is wet it is often watery.
This waxy Clitocybe has a wide range and is frequently very abundant. It
is found through almost the entire season. It will grow almost anywhere,
in woods, pastures, and lawns, and sometimes on naked ground. The plants
in Figure 76 were found in tall grass in a grove in August. Those in
Figure 77 were found the last of November on Cemetery Hill, under pine
trees.
[Illustration: Figure 77.--Clitocybe laccata. Two-thirds natural size.
Specimens growing late in the fall.]
Prof. Peck gives the following varieties:
Var. amethystina--in which the cap is much darker in color.
Var. pallidifolia--gills much paler than usual.
Var. striatula--cap smooth, thin, so that shadowy lines are seen on cap,
radiating from near the center to the margin. This grows in damp places.
Some authors make Clitocybe laccata a type for a new genus and call it
Lacaria laccata.
_Collybia. Fr._
Collybia is from a Greek word meaning a small coin or a small round
cake. The ring and volva are both wanting in this genus. The pileus is
fleshy, generally thin, and when the plant is young the margin of the
pileus is incurved.
The gills are adnate or nearly free, soft, membranaceous. Many species
of Collybia will revive to some extent when moistened, but they are not
coriaceous.
The stem differs in substance from the pileus, cartilaginous or has a
cartilaginous cuticle, while the inside is stuffed or hollow. This is
quite a large genus, containing fifty-four American species.
_Collybia radicata. Rehl._
THE ROOTING COLLYBIA. EDIBLE.
[Illustration: Plate XIII. Figure 78.--Collybia radicata.]
This, in its season, is one of the most common mushrooms in the woods.
It grows in the ground, frequently around old stumps, sometimes on
lawns.
Those in Figure 78 were found in the woods on the ground. One plant, as
will be seen by the square, is a foot high.
It is easily recognized by its long root and flat cap. The root extends
into the ground and will frequently break before pulling up. This root
gives name to the species.
The pileus is fleshy, rather thin, convex, then plane, often with margin
upturned in old plants as in Figure 78, and frequently wrinkled at and
toward the umbo, smooth, viscid when moist.
The color is quite variable, from almost white to gray, grayish-brown;
flesh thin, very white, elastic.
The gills are usually snow white, broad, rather distant, broad in the
middle, joined to the stem by the upper angle, unequal.
The stem is frequently long, of the same color as the cap, yet sometimes
paler; smooth, firm, sometimes grooved, often twisted, tapering upward,
ending in a long tapering root, deeply planted in the soil.
The spores are elliptical, 15x10u.
They grow singly, but generally have many neighbors. They are found in
open woods and around old stumps. I seldom have any trouble in getting
enough for a large family and some for my neighbor, who may not know
what to get but does know how to appreciate them. Found from June to
October and from the New England states through the middle west. They
differ from C. hariolarum in the densely tufted habit of the latter.
_Colybia ingrata. Schum._
Ingrata means unpleasant; from its somewhat unpleasant odor.
The pileus is one to two inches broad, globose, bell-shaped, then
convex, umbonate, even, brownish-tan.
The gills are free, narrow, crowded, pallid.
The stem is twisted, subcompressed, sprinkled with a mealy tomentum
above, umber below, hollow, rather long, unequal.
I found this plant quite abundant on Cemetery Hill, growing under pine
trees, from the mass of pine needles. Found in July and August.
_Collybia platyphylla. Fr._
BROAD-GILLED COLLYBIA. EDIBLE.
[Illustration: Figure 79.--Collybia platyphylla. One-third natural
size.]
Platyphylla is from two Greek words meaning broad and leaf, referring to
the broad gills. It is a much larger and stouter plant than Collybia
radicata. It is found in new ground on open pastures about stumps, also
in woods, on rotten logs and about stumps.
The pileus is three to four inches broad, at first convex, then
expanded, plane, margin often upturned, smoky brown to grayish, streaked
with dark fibrils, watery when moist, flesh white.
The gills are adnexed, very broad, obliquely notched behind, distant,
soft, white, in age more or less broken or cracked.
The stem is short, thick, often striated, whitish, soft, stuffed,
sometimes slightly powdered at the apex, root blunt. The spores are
white and elliptical.
It is easily distinguished from C. radicata by the blunt base of the
root and the very broad gills. Like C. radicata they need to be cooked
well or there is a slightly bitter taste to them. They are found from
June to October.
_Collybia dryophila. Bull._
OAK-LOVING COLLYBIA. EDIBLE.
[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd._
Figure 80.--Collybia dryophila. Natural size. Caps bay-brown.]
Dryophila is from two Greek words, oak and fond of. The pileus is
bay-brown, bay red, or tan color, one or two inches broad, convex,
plane, sometimes depressed and the margin elevated, flesh thin and
white.
The gills are free with a decurrent tooth, crowded, narrow, white, or
whitish, rarely yellow.
The stem is cartilaginous, smooth, hollow, yellow, or yellowish, equal,
sometimes thickened at the base as will be seen in Figure 80. The color
of the stem is usually the same as the cap. This is a very common
plant about Chillicothe. They are found in woods, especially under oak
trees, but are also found in open places. I found them on the High
School lawn in Chillicothe. Some very fine specimens that were found
growing in a well marked ring, in an old orchard, were brought to me
about the first of May. Their season is from the first of May to
October.
_Collybia zonata. Pk._
THE ZONED COLLYBIA. EDIBLE.
[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd._
Plate XIV. Figure 81.--Collybia Zonata.]
Zonata, zoned; referring to the concentric zones on the cap which show
faintly in Figure 81.
The pileus is about one inch broad, sometimes more, sometimes less;
rather fleshy, thin, convex, when expanded nearly plane, slightly
umbilicate, covered with fibrous down; tawny or ochraceous tawny,
sometimes marked with faintly darker zones; even in the very young
specimens the umbilicate condition is usually present.
The gills are narrow, close, free, white or nearly white, usually with a
pulverulent edge.
The stem is one to three inches long, rather firm, equal, hollow,
covered like the cap with a fibrous down, tawny, or brownish tawny. The
spores are broadly elliptical, .0002 inch long, .00016 broad.
This species closely resembles C. stipitaria, but is easily
distinguished from it because of its habits of growth, different gills,
and shorter spores. It is found on or near decaying wood in mixed woods.
I have found it frequently on Ralston's Run but always only a few
specimens in one place. It does not grow in a cespitose manner with us.
Found in August.
_Collybia maculata. Alb. & Schw._
THE SPOTTED COLLYBIA. EDIBLE.
[Illustration: Figure 82.--Collybia maculata. Two-thirds natural size.
Reddish-brown spots on caps and stems.]
Maculata, spotted; referring to the reddish spots or stains both on the
cap and on the stem. The pileus is two to three inches broad, at first
white, then spotted (as well as the stem) with reddish brown spots or
stains, fleshy, very firm, convex, sometimes nearly plane, even, smooth,
truly carnose, compact, at first hemispherical and with an involute
margin, often repand.
The gills are somewhat crowded, narrow, adnexed, often free, linear,
white or whitish, often brownish cream, gills not reaching to the margin
of the cap.
The stem is three to four inches long, nearly solid, more or less
grooved, stout, unequal, sometimes ventricose, frequently partially
bulbous, lighter than the gills, usually spotted in age, white at first.
The spores are subglobose, 4-6u. The plant is a hardy one. It will keep
for several days. The plants in Figure 82 grew in the woods where a log
had rotted down.
Var. immaculata, Cooke, differs from the typical form in not changing
color or being spotted, and in the broader and serrated gills. This
variety delights in fir woods. September to November.
_Collybia atrata. Fr._
CHARCOAL COLLYBIA.
[Illustration: Figure 83.--Collybia atrata. One-half natural size. Caps
dull blackish-brown. Gills grayish-white.]
Atrata, clothed in black; from the pileus being very black when young.
The pileus is from one to two inches broad, at first regular and convex,
when expanded becoming, as a rule, irregular in shape, sometimes
partially lobed or wavy; in young plants the cap is a dull blackish
brown, faded in older specimens to a lighter brown, umbilicate, smooth,
shining.
The gills are adnate, slightly crowded, with many short ones, rather
broad, grayish-white.
The stem is smooth, equal, even, hollow, or stuffed, tough, short, brown
within and without, but lighter than the cap. The plant grows in
pastures where stumps have been burned out, always, so far as I have
noticed, on burned ground. Spores .00023x.00016.
_Collybia ambusta. Fr._
THE SCORCHED COLLYBIA.
Ambusta, burned or scorched, from its being found on burned soil.
The pileus is nearly membranaceous, convex, then expanded, nearly plane,
papillate, striatulate, smooth, livid brown, hygrophanous, umbonate.
The gills are adnate, crowded, lanceolate, white, then of a smoky tinge.
The stem is somewhat stuffed, tough, short, livid. Spores 5-6x3-4.
This species differs from C. atrata in having an umbonate pileus.
_Collybia confluens. Pers._
THE TUFTED COLLYBIA. EDIBLE.
[Illustration: Figure 84.--Collybia confluens. Natural size, showing
reddish stems.]
Confluens means growing together; so called from the stems often being
confluent or adhering to each other.
The pileus is from an inch to an inch and a quarter broad,
reddish-brown, often densely cespitose, somewhat fleshy, convex, then
plane, flaccid, smooth, often watery, margin thin, in old specimens
slightly depressed and wavy.
The gills are free and in old plants remote from the stem, rather
crowded, narrow, flesh colored, then whitish.
The stem is two to three inches long, hollow, pale red, sprinkled with a
mealy pubescence. The spores are slightly ovate, inclined to be pointed
at one end, 5-6x3-4u.
These plants grow among leaves in the woods after warm rains, growing in
tufts, sometimes in rows or lines. They are not as large as C.
dryophylla, the stem is quite different and the plants seem to have the
ability to revive like a Marasmius. They can be dried for winter use.
_Collybia myriadophylla. Pk._
MANY-LEAVED COLLYBIA.
[Illustration: Figure 85.--Collybia myriadophylla.]
Myriadophylla is from two Greek words, meaning many leaves. It has
reference to its numerous gills.
The pileus is very thin, broadly convex, then plane or centrally
depressed, sometimes umbillicate, hygrophanous, brown when moist,
ochraceous or tan-color when dry.
The gills are very numerous, narrow, linear, crowded, rounded behind or
slightly adnexed, brownish-lilac.
The stem is slender, but commonly short, equal, glabrous, stuffed or
hollow, reddish-brown. The spores are minute, broadly elliptical, .00012
to .00016-inch long, .0008-inch broad. _Peck_, 49th Rep.
I found only a few specimens in Haynes's Hollow. The caps were about an
inch broad and the stems were an inch and a half long. It will be easily
identified if one has the description of it, because of its peculiarly
colored gills. I found my plants on a decayed stump in August. In the
dried specimens the gills assume a more brownish-red hue, as in the next
following species.
Collybia colorea. Pk. They sometimes appear to have a glaucous
reflection, probably from the abundance of the spores. The stem is more
or less radicated and often slightly floccose-pruinose toward the base.
The basidia are very short, being only .0006 to .0008-inch long.
_Collybia atratoides. Pk._
THE BLACKISH COLLYBIA.
[Illustration: Figure 86.--Collybia atratoides. Two-thirds natural size.
Caps blackish to grayish-brown.]
Atratoides means like the species _atrata_, which means black; so called
because the caps when fresh are quite black. Atratoides has a different
habitat and is not so dark.
The pileus is thin, convex, subumbilicate, glabrous, hygrophanous,
blackish-brown when moist, grayish-brown and shining when dry.
The gills are rather broad, subdistant, adnate, grayish-white, often
transversely veiny above and venosely connected.
The stem is equal, hollow, smooth, grayish-brown with a whitish
mycelioid tomentum at the base. The spores are nearly globose, about
.0002-inch broad. The pileus is six to ten lines broad and the stem is
about one inch long. _Peck._
The plant is gregarious, growing on decayed wood and on mossy sticks in
mixed woods. The margin of the cap is often serrated, as you will see in
Figure 86, yet this does not seem to be a constant characteristic of the
species. It is closely related to C. atrata, but its habitat and the
color of its pileus and gills differ very greatly. I have not eaten it,
but have no doubt of its good qualities.
Found in August and September. Quite common in all our woods.
_Collybia acervata. Fr._
THE TUFTED COLLYBIA. EDIBLE.
[Illustration: Figure 87.--Collybia acervata. Two-thirds natural size.
Caps pale, tan or dingy pink.]
Acervata, from acervus, a mass, a heap.
Pileus fleshy but thin, convex, or nearly plane, obtuse, glabrous,
hygrophanous, pale, tan-color or dingy pinkish-red, and commonly striate
on the margin when moist, paler or whitish when dry.
Gills narrow, close, adnexed or free, whitish or tinged with
flesh-color.
The stem slender, rigid, hollow, glabrous, reddish, reddish-brown or
brown, often whitish at the top, especially when young, commonly with a
matted down at the base. Spores elliptical, 6x3-4u.
The plant is cespitose. Pileus one-half inch broad. Stem two to three
inches long. _Peck's_ 49th Report.
This is a beautiful plant when growing in large tufts. The entire plant
is tender and has a delicate flavor. I found the plant figured here on
the Frankfort pike where an old saw mill had formerly stood. It grew
abundantly there, along with Lepiota Americana and Pluteus cervinus.
Found from August to October.
_Collybia velutipes. Curtis._
THE VELVET-FOOT COLLYBIA. EDIBLE.
[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd._
Plate XV. Figure 88.--Collybia velutipes.
Natural size, showing the velvet stems, which give name to the
species.]
Velutipes, from _vellum_, velvet and _pes_, foot.
Pileus from one to four inches broad, tawny yellow, fleshy at the
center, thick on the margin, quite sticky or viscid when moist, margin
slightly striate, sometimes inclined to be excentric.
Gills rounded behind, broad, slightly adnexed, tan or pale-yellow,
somewhat distant.
The stem is cartilaginous, tough, hollow, umber, then becoming blackish,
with a velvety coat. Spores are elliptical, 7x3-3.5u.
It grows on stumps, logs and roots, in the ground. It grows almost the
year round. I have gathered it to eat in February. Plate XV gives a very
correct notion of the plant. It is most plentiful in September, October
and November, yet found throughout the winter months.
_Mycena. Fr._
Mycena is from a Greek word, meaning a fungus. The plants of this genus
are small and rather fragile.
Pileus more or less membranaceous, generally striate, with the margin
almost straight, and at first pressed to the stem, never involute,
expanded, campanulate, and generally umbonate.
The stem is externally cartilaginous, hollow, not stuffed when young,
confluent with the cap. Gills never decurrent, though some species have
a broad sinus near the stem.
Most species are small and inodorous, but some which have a strong
alkaline odor are probably not good. Some are known to be edible.
A few species exude a colored or watery juice when bruised. The Mycena
resembles the Collybia, but never has the incurved margin of the latter.
The plants are usually smaller, and the caps are more or less conical.
This genus might be mistaken for Omphalia, in which the gills are but
slightly decurrent, but in Omphalia the cap is umbilicate while in
Mycena it is umbonate.
Their being so small makes the determination of species somewhat
difficult. Some have characteristic odors which greatly assist in
establishing their identity.
_Mycena galericulata. Scop._
THE SMALL PEAKED-CAP MYCENA. EDIBLE.
[Illustration: Plate XVI. Figure 89.--Mycena galericulata.
Natural size.]
Galericulata, a small peaked-cap.
The pileus is campanulate, whitish or grayish, center of the disk darker
and lighter toward the margin, smooth, dry, margin striated nearly to
the peak of the umbo, sometimes slightly depressed.
The gills are adnate with a tooth, connected by veins, whitish, then
gray, often flesh color, rather distant, ventricose, edge sometimes
entire, sometimes serrate.
The stem is rigid, cartilaginous, hollow, tough, straight, polished,
smooth, hairy at the base.
It grows on logs and stumps in the woods. It is very common and
sometimes found in abundance. The plants are frequently densely
clustered, the numerous stems matted together by a soft hairy down at
the base. There are many forms of this plant. Found from September to
frost. The plants in Figure 89 were photographed by Prof. G. D. Smith,
Akron, O.
_Mycena rugosa. Fr._
THE WRINKLED MYCENA. EDIBLE.
Rugosa means wrinkled. The pileus is somewhat fleshy, darker and smaller
than the galericulata, quite tough, bell-shaped, then expanded, with
unequal elevated wrinkles, always dry, striate on the margin.
The gills are adnate, with a tooth, united behind, connected by veins,
somewhat distant, whitish, then gray, edge sometimes entire, sometimes
serrate.
The stem is short, tough, rooted with a hairy base, strongly
cartilaginous, hollow, rigid, smooth. It is found on stumps or decayed
logs during September and October.
_Mycena prolifera. Sow._
THE PROLIFEROUS MYCENA. EDIBLE.
Prolifera is from _proles_, offspring, and _fero_, to bear. The pileus
is somewhat fleshy, campanulate, then expanded, dry, with a broad, dark
umbo; margin at length sulcate or furrowed and sometimes split,
pale-yellowish or becoming brownish-tan.
The gills are adnexed, subdistant, white, then pallid.
The stem is firm, rigid, smooth, shining, minutely striate, rooting.
_Fries._
This species, as well as M. galericulata, is closely related to M.
cohaerens. I have found it in dense tufts or clusters, sometimes on
lawns, on the bare ground, and in the woods. It is one of the plants in
which the stems may be cooked with the caps.
_Mycena capillaris. Schum._
Capillaris means hair-like. This is a very small but beautiful white
plant.
The pileus is bell-shaped, at length umbilicate, smooth.
The gills are attached to the stem, ascending, rather distant.
The stem is thread-like, smooth, short.
The spores are 7-8x4. _Fries._
These plants are very small and easily overlooked. They grow on leaves
in the woods after a rain. July and August. Quite common.
_Mycena setosa. Sow._
Setosa means full of setae or hairs.
The pileus is very delicate, hemispherical, obtuse, smooth.
The gills are distant, white, almost free.
The stem is short, slender, and covered with spreading hairs which gives
rise to its specific name.
Commonly found on dead leaves in the woods after a rain. Found in July
and August.
_Mycena haematopa. Pers._
THE BLOOD-FOOT MYCENA. EDIBLE.
[Illustration: Figure 90.--Mycena haematopa. Brownish-red or flesh-color.
A dull red juice exudes from the stem. Margin dentate by sterile flap.]
Haematopa is from two Greek words, meaning blood and foot.
The pileus is fleshy, one inch broad, conic, or bell-shaped, somewhat
umbonate, obtuse, whitish to flesh-color, with more or less dull red,
even, or slightly striate at the margin, the margin extending beyond the
gills and is toothed.
The gills are attached to the stem, often with a decurrent tooth,
whitish. Spores, 10x6-7.
The stem is two to four inches long, firm, hollow, sometimes smooth,
sometimes powdered with whitish, soft hairy down, in color the same as
the pileus, yielding a dark red juice which gives name to the species.
The color varies quite a little in these plants, owing to some having
more of the red juice than others. The genus is readily identified by
the dull blood-red juice, hollow stem, the crenate margin of the cap,
and its dense cespitose habits. It is found on decayed logs in damp
places from August to October. The plants in Figure 90 were found in
Haynes' Hollow, September 8. The plant is widely distributed over the
United States. No one will have the slightest difficulty in recognizing
this species after seeing the plants in the figure above.
_Mycena alkalina. Fr._
THE STUMP MYCENA.
[Illustration: Figure 91.--Mycena alkalina. Two-thirds natural size,
often larger. Young specimens.]
Solitary or cespitose; pileus one-half to two inches broad, rather
membranaceous, campanulate, obtuse, naked, deeply striate, moist,
shining when dry, when old expanded or depressed, but little changed in
color, though occasionally with a pink or yellow hue, whitish or
grayish, the center of the disk darker.
The gills are adnate, rather distant, slightly ventricose, at first
pale, then glaucous, pinkish, or yellow, more or less connected by
veins.
The stem is smooth, slightly sticky, shining, villous at the base with a
sometimes tawny-down, sometimes firm and tenacious, hollow, attenuated
upward. The plant is rigid, but brittle, and strong-scented. Found on
decayed stumps and logs, you will meet it frequently. August to
November.
_Mycena filopes. Bull._
THREADY-STEMMED MYCENA.
Pileus membranaceous, obtuse, campanulate, then expanded, striate, brown
or umber, tinged with pink.
The gills are free or minutely adnexed, slightly ventricose, white or
paler than the pileus, crowded.
The stem is hollow, juicy, smooth, filiform, rather brittle, whitish or
brownish. Found in woods on leaves, after a rain, from July to October.
_Mycena stannea. Fr._
THE TIN-COLORED MYCENA.
[Illustration: Figure 92.--Mycena stannea. Natural size. Caps white,
sometimes smoky.]
Stannea pertaining to the color of tin. This is a delicate species that
grows in the woods in tufts on rotten wood in damp places. The general
character is shown in the illustration, being nearly white but many of
the pilei are somewhat smoky.
The pileus is firm, membranaceous, bell-shaped, then expanded, smooth,
very slightly striate, hygrophanous, quite silky, tin-color.
The gills are firmly attached to the stem, with a decurrent tooth,
connected by veins, grayish-white.
The stem is smooth, even, shining, becoming pale, at length compressed.
This species differs from Mycena vitrea in having a tooth to the gills.
May, June, and July.
_Mycena vitrea. Fr._
Vitrea, glassy. This plant is quite fragile. The pileus is
membranaceous, bell-shaped, livid-brown, finely striate, no trace of
umbo.
The gills are firmly attached to the stem, not connected by veins,
distinct, linear, whitish.
The stem is slender, slightly striate, polished, pale, base fibrillose.
This species differs from M. aetites and M. stannea in gills not having a
decurrent tooth and not being connected by veins.
_Mycena corticola. Fr._
[Illustration: Figure 93.--Mycena corticola.]
Corticola means dwelling on bark.
It is one of the smallest of the Mycenas, the pileus being about two to
four lines across, thin, hemispherical, obtuse, becoming slightly
umbilicate, deeply striate, glabrous or flocculosely pruinose, gray,
tan, or brownish.
The gills are attached to the stem, with slight decurrent tooth, broad,
rather ovate, pallid.
The stem, is short, slender, incurved, glabrous or minutely scurfy,
somewhat paler than the pileus. The spores are elliptical, 5-6x3u;
cystidia obtusely fusiform, 50-60x8-10u.
These plants are found on the bark of living trees. After rains I have
seen the bark on the shade trees along the walks in Chillicothe,
literally covered with these beautiful little plants. The plants in
Figure 93 were taken from a maple tree the 4th of December. They are
very close allied to M. hiemalis but can be distinguished by the broad,
ovate gills bearing cystidia, and smaller spores.
_Mycena hiemalis. Osbeck._
THE WINTER MYCENA.
Hiemalis, of, or belonging to, winter. The pileus quite thin,
bell-shaped, very slightly umbonate, margin striate; pinkish, rufescent,
white, sometimes pruinose.
The gills are adnate, linear, white or whitish.
The stem is slender, curved, base downy, whitish, pinkish-red. The
spores are 7-8x3.
This is a more delicate species than M. corticola and differs from it in
its narrow gills, and striate, not sulcate, pileus, also in the color of
the stem. Found on stumps and logs. October and November.
_Mycena Leaiana. Berk._
[Illustration: Figure 94.--Mycena leaiana. Natural size. Caps bright
orange and very viscid.]
Leaiana named in honor of Mr. Thomas G. Lea, who was the first man to
study mycology in the Miami Valley. This is a very beautiful plant
growing on decayed beech logs in rainy weather. The pileus is fleshy,
very viscid, bright orange, the margin slightly striate as will be seen
in the one whose cap shows.
The gills are distant, not entire, broad, notched at the stem, attached,
the edge a dusky orange, or vermilion, the short gills beginning at the
margin.
The stem is in most cases curved, attenuated toward the cap, smooth,
hollow, rather firm, quite hirsute or strigose at the base. The spores
are elliptical, apiculate, .0090x.0056 mm.
They are caespitose, growing in dense tufts on logs somewhat decayed. It
is extremely viscid, so much so that your hands will be stained yellow
if you handle it much. It grows from spring to fall but is usually more
abundant in August and September. Very common.
_Mycena iris. B._
Pileus is small, convex, expanded, obtuse, slightly viscid, striate,
quite [blue?] when young, growing brownish with blue fibrils.
The gills are free, tinged with gray.
The stem is short, bluish below, tinged with brown above, somewhat
pruinose. Found in damp woods after a rain, in August.
_Mycena pura. Pers._
[Illustration: _Photo by Prof. G. D. Smith._
Figure 95.--Mycena pura.]
Pura means unstained, pure.
The pileus is fleshy, thin, bell-shaped, expanded, obtusely umbonate,
finely striate on the margin, sometimes having margin upturned, violet
to rose.
The gills are broad, adnate to sinuate, in older plants sometimes free
by breaking away from the stem, connected by veins, sometimes wavy and
crenate on the edge, the edge of the gills sometimes almost or quite
white, violet, rose.
The stem is even, nearly naked, somewhat villous at the base, sometimes
almost white when young, later assuming the color of the cap, hollow,
smooth.
The spores are white and oblong, 6-8x3-3.5. M. Pelianthina differs
from this in having dark-edged gills. It differs from M. pseudopura and
M. zephira in having a strong smell. M. ianthina differs in having a
conical cap.
This plant is quite widely distributed. Our plants are light-violet in
color, and the color seems constant. I have found it in mixed woods. It
is found in September and October.
_Mycena vulgaris. Pers._
Vulgaris means common.
The pileus is small, convex, then depressed, papillate, viscid,
brownish-gray, finely striate on the margin.
The gills are subdecurrent, thin, white; the depressed cap and decurrent
gills make the plant resemble an Omphalia. Spores, 5x2.5u.
The stem is viscid, pale, tough, fibrillose at the base, rooting,
becoming hollow. It differs from M. pelliculosa in not having a
separable cuticule and the fold-like gills.
This plant will be recognized by its smoky or grayish color, umbilicate
pileus, and viscid stem. It is found in woods on leaves and decayed
sticks. August and September.
_Mycena epipterygia. Scop._
[Illustration: Figure 96.--Mycena epipterygia.]
Epipterygia is _Epi_, upon, and _Pterygion_, a small wing.
These are small, the pileus being one-half to one inch broad,
membranaceous, bell-shaped, then expanded, rather obtuse, not depressed,
striate, the cuticule separable in every condition and viscid in damp
weather, gray, often pale yellowish-green near the margin often minutely
notched when young.
The gills are attached to the stem with a decurrent tooth, thin, whitish
or tinged with gray.
The stem is two to four inches long, hollow, tough, rooting, viscid,
yellowish, sometimes gray or even whitish. The spores are elliptical,
8-10x4-5u.
These plants have a wide distribution and [are?] found on branches,
among moss and dead leaves. They are found in clusters and solitary.
They resemble in many ways M. alcalina but do not have the peculiar
smell.
The plants in Figure 96 were photographed by Prof. G. D. Smith of Akron.
_Omphalia. Fr._
Omphalia is from a Greek word meaning the navel; referring here to the
central depression in the cap.
The pileus from the first is centrally depressed, then funnel-shaped,
almost membranaceous, and watery when moist; margin incurved or
straight. Stem cartilaginous and hollow, often stuffed when young,
continuous with the cap but different in character. Gills decurrent and
sometimes branched.
They are generally found on wood, preferring a damp woody situation and
a wet season. It is easily distinguished from Collybia and Mycena by its
decurrent gills. In some of the species of the Mycena where the gills
are slightly decurrent, the pileus is not centrally depressed as it is
in corresponding species of Omphalia. There are a few species of
Omphalia whose pileus is not centrally depressed but whose gills are
plainly decurrent.
_Omphalia campanella. Batsch._
THE BELL OMPHALIA. EDIBLE.
[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd._
Plate XVII. Figure 97.--Omphalia campanella.]
Campanella means a little bell.
The pileus is membranaceous, convex to extended, centrally depressed,
striate, watery, rusty-yellow in color.
The gills are moderately close, decurrent, bow-shaped, connected by
veins, rigid, firm, yellowish. The spores elliptical, 6-7x3-4u.
The stem is hollow, clothed with down, and paler above.
This plant is very common and plentiful in our woods and is widely
distributed in the states. It grows on wood or on ground very heavily
charged with decaying wood. It is found through the summer and fall. It
is delicious if you have the patience to gather them.
_Omphalia epichysia. Pers._
The pileus is thin, convex to expanded, depressed in the center,
sooty-gray with a watery appearance, pallid to nearly white when dry.
The gills are slightly decurrent, whitish then gray, somewhat crowded.
The stem is slender, hollow, gray. The spores are elliptical,
8-10x4-5u.
It grows in decayed wood. Its smoky color, funnel-shaped pileus, and
gray short stem will distinguish it. I have some plants sent me from
Massachusetts which seem to be much smaller than our plants.
_Omphalia umbellifera. Linn._
THE UMBEL OMPHALIA. EDIBLE.
Umbellifera--_umbella_, a small shade; _ferro_, to bear. Pileus one-half
inch broad, membranaceous, whitish, convex, then plane, broadly obconic,
slightly umbilicate even in the smallest plants, hygrophanous in wet
weather, rayed with darker striae.
The gills are decurrent, very distant, quite broad behind, triangular,
with straight edges.
The stem is short, not more than one inch long, dilated at the apex, of
same color as the pileus, at first stuffed, then hollow, firm, white,
villous at the base.
It is a common plant in our woods, growing on decayed wood or ground
largely made up of rotten wood. Decayed beech bark is a favorite
habitat. Found from July till October.
_Omphalia caespitosa. Bol._
[Illustration: Figure 98.--Omphalia caespitosa. Natural size.]
Caespitosa means growing in tufts; _caespes_, turf. The pileus is
submembranaceous, very small, convex, nearly hemispherical, umbilicate,
thin, sulcate, light-ochre, margin crenate, smooth.
The gills are distant, rather broad, shortly decurrent, whitish.
The stem is curved, hollow, colored like the pileus, slightly bulbous at
the base. The spores are 6x5.
This species is very much like Omphalia oniscus and they can only be
distinguished by their habitats and color. It is found in August and
September. It delights in well rotted wood. I have seen millions in one
place.
_Omphalia oniscus. Fr._
BOLTON'S OMPHALIA. EDIBLE.
Oniscus, a name given to a species of codfish by the Greeks, so named
because of their gray color. The pileus is flaccid, irregular, about one
inch broad, convex, plane, or depressed, slightly fleshy, wavy,
sometimes lobed, margin striate, dark cinereous, paler when dry.
The gills are adnate, decurrent, livid or whitish, arranged in groups of
four, somewhat distant.
The stem is about one inch long, rather firm, straight or curved,
sometimes unequal, nearly hollow. The spores are 12x7-8u.
This is found in damp places from August to November.
_Omphalia pyxidata. Bull._
THE BOX OMPHALIA.
Pyxidata means made like a box, from _pyxis_, a box.
The pileus is somewhat membranaceous, clearly umbilicate, then
funnel-shaped, smooth when moist, margin often striate, brick-red.
The gills are decurrent, rather distant, triangular, narrow, reddish
gray, often yellowish.
The stem is stuffed, then hollow, even, tough, pale-tawny. The spores
are 7-8x5-6u.
The plants are usually hygrophanous, but when dry, floccose or slightly
silky. This is a small plant growing usually on lawns, nearly hidden in
the grass. I found some very fine specimens on Dr. Sulzbacher's lawn on
Second Street, Chillicothe. The plant is, however, widely distributed. I
found many specimens on the 3d of November.
_Omphalia fibula. Bull._
[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd._
Figure 99.--Omphalia fibula.]
Fibula means a buckle or pin, from the pin-like stem.
The pileus is membranaceous, at first top-shaped, expanded, slightly
umbilicate, striate, margin inclined to be inflexed, yellow or tawny,
with a dusky center, minutely pilose.
The gills are deeply decurrent, paler, distinct.
The stem is slender, nearly orange color with a violet-brown apex, the
whole minutely pilose. The spores are elliptical, 4-5x2u.
They are found on mossy banks where it is more or less damp. I have only
found it in October.
_Omphalia alboflava. Moy._
THE GOLDEN-GILLED OMPHALIA.
[Illustration: Figure 100.--Omphalia alboflava. Cap yellowish-brown,
sometimes a greenish tinge. Gills golden yellow.]
Alboflava is from two Greek words meaning whitish-yellow, from the
yellow gills.
The pileus is one to two inches broad, thin, somewhat membranaceous,
umbilicate, flaccid, covered with fine woolly material, yellow-brown,
lighter when dry, margin reflexed.
The gills are distant, deep golden-yellow, occasionally forked.
The stem is hollow, equal, smooth, shining, egg-yellow.
The spores are elliptical, 8x4u.
This plant, is found quite frequently on decayed branches and logs about
Chillicothe. I have never had the opportunity to test its edibility but
I have no doubt of its being good.
The plants in Figure 100 were found in Haynes' Hollow and were
photographed by Dr. Kellerman. Found from July to October.
_Marasmius. Fr._
_Marasmius is a Greek participle meaning withered or shriveled_; it is
so called because the plant will wither and dry up, but revive with the
coming of rain.
The spores are white and subelliptical. The pileus is tough and fleshy
or membranaceous.
The stem is cartilaginous and continuous with the pileus, but of a
different texture. The gills are thick, rather tough and distant,
sometimes unequal, variously attached or free, rarely decurrent, with a
sharp entire edge. It is quite a large genus and many of its species
will be of great interest to the student.
_Marasmius oreades. Fr._
THE FAIRY-RING MUSHROOM. EDIBLE.
[Illustration: Figure 101.--Marasmius oreades. Two-thirds natural size.]
_Oreades, mountain nymphs._ Pileus is fleshy, tough and pliable when
moist, brittle when dry, convex, becoming flat, somewhat umbonate,
brownish-buff at first, becoming cream-color; when old it is usually
quite wrinkled.
The gills are broad and wide apart, creamy or yellowish, rounded at the
stem end, unequal in length.
The stem is solid, equal, tough, fibrous, naked and smooth at base,
everywhere with a downy surface. The spores are white, 8x5.
To my mind there is no more appetizing mushroom than the "Fairy Ring"
mushroom. Figure 101 will give an accurate notion of the plant and
Figure 102 will show how they grow in the grass. It is found in all
parts of Ohio. Every old pasture field or lawn will be full of these
rings. The plant is small but its plentifulness will make up for its
size.
There are many conjectures why this and many other mushrooms grow in a
circle. The explanation is quite obvious. The ring is started by a clump
or an individual mushroom. The ground where the mushroom grew is
rendered unfit for mushrooms again, the spores fall upon the ground and
the mycelium spreads out from this point, consequently each year the
ring is growing larger. Sometimes they appear only in a crescent form.
One can tell, by looking over a lawn or pasture, where the rings are,
because, from the decay of the mushroom, the grass is greener and more
vigorous there.
Long ago, in England and Ireland, before the peasantry had begun to
question the reality of the existence of the fairy folk and their
beneficent interference in the affairs of life, these emerald-hued rings
were firmly believed to be due to the fairy footsteps which nightly
pressed their chosen haunts, and to mark the "little people's" favorite
dancing ground. "They had always fine music among themselves, and danced
in a moonshiny night around or in a ring, as one may see to this day
upon every common in England where mushrooms grow," quaintly says one
old writer. And the Rev. Gerard Smith still further voices the belief of
the people as to the nature of these grassy rings:
"The nimble elves
That do by moonshine green sour ringlets make,
Whereof the ewe bites not; whose pastime 'tis
To make these midnight mushrooms."
It is a very common plant, and it will pay any one to know it, as we
cannot find anything in the markets that will equal it as a table
delicacy.
Found in pastures and lawns during rainy weather from May till frost.
[Illustration: Figure 102.--Marasmius oreades. Showing a fairy ring.]
_Marasmius urens. Fr._
THE STINGING MARASMIUS.
Urens means burning; so called from its acrid taste.
The pileus is pale-buff, tough, fleshy, convex or flat, becoming
depressed and finally wrinkled, smooth, even, one to two inches broad.
The gills are unequal, cream-colored, becoming brownish, much closer
than in the Fairy Ring, hardly reaching the stem proper, joined behind.
The stem is solid above and hollow below, fibrous, pale, its surface
more or less covered with flocculent down, and densely covered with
white down at the base.
It will be well for collectors to pass by this and M. peronatus, or to
exercise the greatest caution in their use. They have been eaten without
harm, but they also have so long been branded as poisonous that too
great care cannot be taken. Its taste is acrid, and it grows in lawns
and pastures from June to September.
_Marasmius androsaceus. Linn._
[Illustration: Figure 103.--Marasmius androsaceus. Natural size.]
Androsaceus is from a Greek word which means an unidentified sea plant
or zoophyte.
The pileus is three to six lines broad, membranaceous, convex, with a
slight depression, pale-reddish, darker in the center, striate, smooth.
The gills are attached to the stem, frequently quite simple and few in
number, about fifteen, with shorter ones between, sometimes forked,
whitish.
The stem is one to two inches long, horny, filiform, hollow, quite
smooth, black, often twisted when dry. The spores are 7x3-4u.
This is a very attractive little plant found on the leaves in the woods
after a rain. They are quite abundant. Found from July to October.
_Marasmius foetidus. Sow._
[Illustration: Figure 104.--Marasmius foetidus.]
Foetidus means stinking or foetid.
The pileus is submembranaceous, tough, convex, then expanded, umbilicate
striato-plicate, turning pale when dry, subpruinose.
The gills are annulato-adnexed, distant, rufescent with a yellow tinge.
The stem is hollow, minutely velvety, bay, base flocculose.
The caps are light brownish-red in color, fading when dry. When fresh it
has a foetid odor quite perceptible for such small plants. It is found
on decayed sticks and leaves in woods. During wet weather or after heavy
rains it is quite common in the woods about Chillicothe.
Found from July to October.
This is also called Heliomyces foetens (Pat.) and is so classified by
Prof. Morgan in his very excellent Monogram on North American Species of
Marasmius.
_Marasmius velutipes. B. & C._
[Illustration: Figure 105.--Marasmius velutipes.]
Velutipes means velvet-footed, from the velvety stem. The pileus is
thin, submembranaceous, smooth, convex, or expanded, grayish-rufous when
moist, cinereous when dry, a half to one and a half inches broad.
The gills are very narrow, crowded, whitish or grayish.
The stem is slender, three to five inches long, equal, hollow, clothed
with a dense grayish velvety tomentum. _Peck._
They usually grow in a very crowded condition, many plants growing from
one mat of mycelium. It is quite a common plant with us, found in damp
woods or around a swampy place. The pileus with us is convex. Some
authorities speak of an umbilicate cap. The plant is quite hardy and
easily identified because of its long and slender stem, with the grayish
tomentum at the base. Found from July to October.
The specimens in Figure 105 were found at Ashville, Ohio.
_Marasmius cohaerens. (Fr.) Bres._
THE STEMMED-MASSED MARASMIUS. EDIBLE.
[Illustration: Figure 106.--Marasmius cohaerens. Two-thirds natural size,
showing how the stems are massed together.]
Cohaerens means holding together, referring to the stems being massed
together.
The pileus is fleshy, thin, convex, campanulate, then expanded,
sometimes slightly umbonate, in old specimens the margin upturned or
wavy, velvety, reddish tan-color, darker in the center, indistinctly
striate.
The gills are rather crowded, narrow, adnate, sometimes becoming free
from the stem, connected by slight veins, pale cinnamon-color, becoming
somewhat darker with age, the variation of color due to the number of
cystidia scattered over the surface of the gills and on their edge.
Spores, oval, white, small, 6x3u.
The stem is hollow, long, rigid, even, smooth, shining, reddish-brown,
growing paler or whitish toward the cap, a number of the stems growing
together at the base with a whitish myceloid tomentum present.
The plant grows in dense clusters among leaves and in well rotted wood.
I have found it quite often about Chillicothe. It is called Mycena
cohaerens, Fr., Collybia lachnophylla, Berk., Collybia spinulifera, Pk.
The plants in Figure 106 were found near Ashville, Ohio. September to
frost.
_Marasmius candidus. Bolt._
THE WHITE MARASMIUS.
[Illustration: Figure 107.--Marasmius candidus. Natural size.]
Candidus means shining white. This delicate species grows in moist and
shady places in the woods. It grows on twigs, its habitat and structure
are fully illustrated in the Figure 107.
The pileus is rather membranaceous, hemispherical, then plane or
depressed, pellucid, wrinkled, naked, entirely white.
The gills are adnexed, ventricose, distant, not entire.
The stem is thin, stuffed, whitish, slightly pruinose, base tinged with
brown. Spores are elliptical, 4x2u.
This plant has a wide distribution in this country. The specimens
figured were collected by H. H. York near Sandusky, Ohio, and were
photographed by Dr. Kellerman. I have found them at various points in
Ohio.
_Marasmius rotula. Fr._
THE COLLARED MARASMIUS.
[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd._
Figure 108.--Marasmius rotula. Natural size. Caps white or pale-buff.]
Rotula means a little wheel.
The pileus is one to three lines broad, hemispherical, umbilicate, and
minutely umbonate, plaited, smooth, membranaceous, margin crenate,
white, or pale buff, with a dark umbilicus.
The gills are broad, distant, few, equal, or occasionally with a few
short ones, of the color of the pileus, attached to a free collar
behind.
The stem is setiform, slightly flexuous, white above, then tawny, deep
shining brown at the base, striate, hollow, frequently branched and
sarmentose, with or without abortive pilei.--M. J. B. This plant is very
common in woods on fallen twigs. The plants in Figure 108 were collected
near Cincinnati. This plant has a wide distribution. It is in all our
Ohio woods.
_Marasmius scorodonius. Fr._
STRONG-SCENTED MARASMIUS. EDIBLE.
[Illustration: Figure 109.--Marasmius scorodonius.]
Scorodonius is from a Greek word meaning like garlic.
The pileus is one-half inch or more broad, reddish when young, but
becoming pale, whitish; somewhat fleshy, tough; even, soon plane,
rugulose even when young, at length rugulose and crisped.
The gills are attached to the stem, often separating, connected by
veins, crisped in drying, whitish.
The stem is at least one inch long, hollow, equal, quite smooth,
shining, reddish. The spores are elliptical, 6x4u.
It is found in woods growing on sticks and decayed wood. It is
strong-smelling. It is frequently put with other plants to give a flavor
of garlic to the dish. Found from July to October.
_Marasmius calopus. Fr._
Calopus is from two Greek words meaning beautiful and foot, so called
because of its beautiful stem.
The pileus is rather fleshy, tough, convex, plane then depressed, even,
at length rugose, whitish.
The gills are emarginate, adnexed, thin, white, in groups of 2-4.
The stem is hollow, equal, smooth, not rooting, shining, reddish-bay. It
is found growing on twigs and fallen leaves, in the woods. Smaller than
M. Scorodonius but with longer stem.
_Marasmius prasiosmus. Fr._
THE LEEK-SCENTED MARASMIUS.
Prasiosmus means smelling like a leek; from, _prason_, a leek. The
pileus is one-half to one inch broad, somewhat membranaceous, tough,
bell-shaped, pale yellow or whitish, disk often darker, wrinkled.
The gills are adnexed, somewhat close, white.
The stem is tough, hollow, pallid and smooth above, dilated at the base,
tomentose and brown. It is found in woods adhering to oak leaves after
heavy rains. It is very near M. porreus but differs from it in its gills
being white and caps not being striated. It differs from M. terginus
mainly in its habitat and leek-like scent.
_Marasmius anomalus. Pk._
Anomalus, not conforming to rule, irregular. The pileus is one to two
inches broad, somewhat fleshy, tough, convex, even, reddish-gray.
The stem is two to three inches long, hollow, equal, smooth, pallid
above, reddish-brown below.
The gills are rotundate-free, close, narrow, whitish or pallid.
_Morgan._
This is quite a pretty plant, growing on sticks among leaves in the
woods. It is larger than most of the small Marasmii found in similar
habitats.
_Marasmius semihirtipes. Pk._
Semihirtipes means a slightly hairy foot or stem.
The pileus is thin, tough, nearly plane or depressed, smooth, sometimes
striate on the margin, hygrophanous, reddish-brown when moist,
alutaceous when dry, the disk sometimes darker.
The gills are subdistant, reaching the stem, slightly venose-connected,
sub-crenulate on the edge, white.
The stem is equal, even or finely striate, hollow, smooth above,
velvety-tomentose toward the base, reddish-brown. _Peck._
These plants are very small, often no doubt overlooked by the collector.
They are gregarious in their mode of growth.
_Marasmius longipes. Pk._
Longipes means long stem or foot.
The pileus is thin, convex, smooth, finely striate on the margin,
tawny-red.
The gills are not crowded, attached, white.
The stem is tall, straight, hollow, equal, covered with a downy meal,
rooting, brown or fawn-color, white at the top.
These plants are quite small and slender, sometimes four to five inches
high. They are rather common in our woods after a rain.
_Marasmius graminum. Berk._
Graminum is the gen. pl. of _gramen_, which means grass.
The pileus small, membranaceous, convex, then nearly plane, umbonate,
deeply and distinctly striate or sulcate, tinged with rufous, the
furrows paler, disc brown.
The gills are attached to a collar that is free around the stem, few in
number, slightly ventricose, cream-color.
The stem is short, slender, equal, smooth, shining, black, whitish
above.
The spores are globose, 3-4u.
This species is very near M. rotula but it can be easily distinguished
by the pale rufescent, distinctly sulcate pileus, and its growing on
grass. I have frequently found it on the Chillicothe high school lawn.
_Marasmius siccus. Schw._
THE BELL-SHAPED MARASMIUS.
[Illustration: Plate XVII. Figure 110.--Marasmius siccus.
Natural size. The cap ochraceous red, the disks somewhat darker, the
stems shining and blackish-brown.]
[Illustration: Figure 111.--Marasmius siccus. Natural size. Caps deeply
furrowed and pinkish.]
This is a very beautiful plant found in the woods after a rain, growing
from the leaves. They are found singly, but usually in groups.
The pileus is at first nearly conical, then campanulate, membranaceous,
dry, smooth, furrows radiating from almost the center, growing larger as
they approach the margin, ochraceous-red, the disk a little darker.
The gills are free or slightly attached, few, distant, broad, narrowed
toward the stem, whitish.
The stem is hollow, tough, smooth, shining, blackish-brown, two to three
inches long. The pileus is about a half inch broad.
The plant is quite common in our woods. I have not found it elsewhere.
The plants in the photograph represent the pink form, which is not so
common as the ochraceous-red. In the pink form the center of the cap and
the apex of the stem is a delicate pink, which gives the plant a
beautiful appearance.
Found from June to October. I have not tested it but have no doubt of
its esculent qualities.
_Marasmius fagineus. Morgan._
Fagineus means belonging to beech.
Pileus a little fleshy, convex then plane or depressed, at length
somewhat repand, rugose-striate, reddish-pallid or alutaceous.
The gills are short-adnate, somewhat crisped, close, pale reddish.
The stem is short, hollow, pubescent, thickened upward, concolorous; the
base somewhat tuberculose. _Morgan_, Myc. Flora M. V.
This plant is quite frequently found in our woods growing on the bark at
the base of living beech trees. Its habitat, its reddish or alutaceous
cap, and its paler gills will clearly identify the species.
_Marasmius peronatus. Fr._
THE MASKED MARASMIUS.
[Illustration: Figure 112.--Marasmius peronatus. Natural size. Cap
reddish-buff. Gills creamy or light reddish-brown.]
Peronatus is from _pero_, a boot.
The pileus is reddish-buff, convex, slightly flattened at the top, quite
wrinkled when old; diameter, at full expansion, between one and two
inches, margin striate.
The gills are thin and crowded, creamy, becoming light reddish-brown,
continuing down the stem by a short curve.
The stem is fibrous-stuffed, pale, densely clothed at the base with
stiff yellowish hairs.
It grows in the woods, among dead leaves, from May till frost.
It is usually solitary yet is sometimes found in clusters. It has been
eaten frequently without injury, but by most writers is branded
poisonous. It is quite acrid, but that disappears in cooking. The dense
yellow hairs at the base of the stem appear to constitute the
distinguishing characteristic. Found from July to October.
_Marasmius ramealis. Fr._
[Illustration: Figure 113.--Marasmius ramealis. Natural size.]
Ramealis means a branch or stick; so called because the plant is found
growing on sticks, in open woods.
The pileus is very small, somewhat fleshy, plane or a trifle depressed,
obtuse, not striate, slightly rugulose, opaque.
The gills are attached to the stem, somewhat distant, narrow, white.
The stem is about one inch long, stuffed, mealy, white, inclined to be
rufescent at the base.
The spores are elliptical, 4x2u.
This is a very pretty plant, but easily overlooked. It is found on oak
and beech branches, frequently in large groups. Figure 113 illustrates
their mode of growth and will assist the collector in identifying the
species. Not poisonous, but too small to gather. Found from July to
October. The specimens in Figure 113 were found in Haynes' Hollow near
Chillicothe and photographed by Dr. Kellerman.
_Marasmius saccharinus. Batsch._
GRANULAR MARASMIUS. EDIBLE.
Saccharinus is from _saccharum_, sugar; it is so called because the
white pileus looks very much like loaf sugar.
The pileus is entirely white, membranaceous, convex, somewhat papillate,
smooth, sulcate and plicate.
The gills are broadly and firmly attached to the stem, narrow, thick,
very distant, united by veins, whitish.
The stem is quite thin, thread-form, attenuated upward, at first
flocculose, at length becoming smooth, inserted obliquely, reddish, pale
at the apex. Spores, 5x3u.
Quite common in wet weather on dead oak limbs in woods. This plant
differs from M. epiphyllus in its habitat, in the papillate form of its
pileus and the stem's being flocculose, then smooth; also in that the
gills are united in a reticulated manner. Common. July to October.
_Marasmius epiphyllus. Fr._
THE LEAF MARASMIUS. EDIBLE.
Epiphyllus means growing on leaves.
The pileus is white, membranaceous, nearly plane, at length umbilicate,
smooth, wrinkled, plicate.
The gills are firmly attached to the stem, white, connected by veins,
entire, distant, few.
The stem is rather horny, bay, minutely velvety, apex pale, inserted.
The spores are 3x2u. This plant is abundant everywhere, on fallen leaves
in woods during rainy weather. July to October.
_Marasmius delectans. Morgan._
[Illustration: Figure 114.--Marasmius delectans. Natural size. Caps
white. Gills broad and distant.]
Delectans means pleasing or delightful.
The pileus is subcoriaceous, convex, then expanded and depressed,
glabrous, rugulose, white, changing in drying to pale alutaceous.
The gills are moderately broad, unequal, rather distant, trabeculate
between, white, emarginate, adnexed; the spores are lance-oblong,
hyaline, 7-9x4u.
The stem, arising from an abundant white-floccose mycelium, is long,
slender, tapering slightly upward, smooth, brown and shining, white at
the apex.
It is found growing on old leaves in woods. The plants in the figure
were collected in the woods at Sugar Grove, Ohio, by R. A. Young, July
28, 1906, and photographed by Dr. Kellerman. Found from July to October.
_Marasmius nigripes. Schw._
[Illustration: Figure 115.--Marasmius nigripes. Natural size. Caps and
gills white, stems black.]
Nigripes means black foot, so called because the stems are black.
Tremmelloid. Pileus very thin, pure white, pruinose, rugulose-sulcate,
convex then expanded.
The gills are pure white, unequal, some of them forked, adnate, the
interstices venulose.
The stem is thickest at the apex, tapering downward, black,
white-pruinose, the base insititious. _Morgan_.
It is found on old leaves, sticks, and old acorns and hickory-nuts. When
dry, the stem loses its black color and the gills become flesh-color. It
is quite common in thin and open woods. The spores are hyaline and
stellate, 3-5-rayed. Found from July to October.
This is called Heliomyces nigripes by some authors.
_Pleurotus. Fr._
Pleurotus is from two Greek words meaning side and ear, alluding to its
manner of growth on a log. This genus is very common everywhere in Ohio,
and is easily determined by its eccentric, lateral, or even absent stem,
but it must have white spores, and the characteristics of the Agaricini.
Pileus fleshy in the larger species and membranaceous in the smaller
forms, but never becoming woody. Stem mostly lateral or wanting; when
present, continuous with cap. Gills with sinus or broadly decurrent,
toothed.
Grows in woods.
_Pleurotus ostreatus. Jacq._
THE OYSTER MUSHROOM. EDIBLE.
[Illustration: Figure 116.--Pleurotus ostreatus. Two-thirds natural
size. Often growing very large.]
Pileus two to six inches broad, soft, fleshy, convex, or slightly
depressed behind, subordinate, often cespitosely imbricated, moist,
smooth, margin involute; whitish, cinereous or brownish; flesh white,
the whole surface shining and satiny when dry.
[Illustration: Plate XVIII. Figure 117.--Pleurotus ostreatus.
Two-thirds natural size.]
Gills broad, decurrent, subdistant, branching at the base, white or
whitish. The stem when present is very short, firm, lateral, sometimes
rough with stiff hair, hairy at the base. Spores oblong, white, .0003 to
.0004 inch long, .00016 inch broad.
This is one of our most abundant mushrooms, and the easiest for the
beginner to identify. In Figures 116 and 117, you will see the plant
growing in imbricated form apparently without any stem. In Figure 118 is
a variety that has a pronounced stem, showing how the stems grow
together at the base, the slight grooving on the stems, also the
decurrent gills. In most of these plants the stems are plainly lateral,
but a few will appear to be central. It will be difficult to distinguish
it from the Sapid mushroom and for table purposes there is little need
to separate them. In Ohio the Oyster mushroom is very common everywhere.
I have seen trees sixty to seventy feet high simply loaded with this
mushroom. If one will locate a few logs or stumps upon which the Oyster
mushroom grows, he can find there an abundant supply (when conditions
are right for fungus growth) during the entire season. It is almost
universally a favorite among mushroom eaters, but it must be carefully
and thoroughly cooked. It grows very large and frequently in great
masses. I have often found specimens whose caps were eight to ten inches
broad. It is found from May to December.
[Illustration: Figure 118.--Pleurotus ostreatus. One-half natural size,
showing gills and stems.]
_Pleurotus salignus. Fr._
THE WILLOW PLEUROTUS. EDIBLE.
[Illustration: Figure 119.--Pleurotus ulmarius. One-third natural size.]
Salignus, from _salix_, a willow. Pileus is compact, nearly halved,
horizontal, at first cushion-shaped, even, then with the disk depressed,
substrigose, white or fuliginous. The stem, eccentric or lateral,
sometimes obsolete, short, white-tomentose. The gills are decurrent,
somewhat branched, eroded, distinct at the base, nearly of the same
color. Spores .00036 by .00015 inch. Fries.
I found this species near Bowling Green on willow stumps. About every
ten days the stumps offered me a very excellent dish, better than any
meat market could afford. September to November.
_Pleurotus ulmarius. Bull._
THE ELM PLEUROTUS. EDIBLE.
Ulmarius, from _ulmus_, an elm. It takes its name from its habit of
growing on elm trees and logs. It appears in the fall and may be found
in company with the Oyster mushroom, late in December, frozen solid.
This species is frequently seen on elm trees, both dead and alive, on
live trees where they have been trimmed or injured in some way. It is
often seen on elms in the cities, where the elm is a common shade tree.
Its cap is large, thick and firm, smooth and broadly convex, sometimes
pale yellow or buff. Frequently the epidermis in the center of the cap
cracks, giving the surface a tessellated appearance as in Figure 119.
The flesh is very white and quite compact. The gills are white or often
becoming tawny at maturity, broad, rounded or notched, not closely
placed, sometimes nearly decurrent. The stem is firm and solid, various
in length, occasionally very short, inclined to be thick at the base and
curved so that the plant will be upright, as will be seen in Figure 119.
The cap is from three to six inches broad. A specimen that measured over
ten inches across the cap, was found some thirty feet high in a tree.
While it was very large, it was quite tender and made several meals for
two families. But this species is not limited entirely to the elm. I
found it on hickory, about Chillicothe. There are a few elm logs along
my rambles that afford me fine specimens with great regularity. Insects
do not seem to infest it as they do the ostreatus and the sapidus.
Sometimes, when the plant grows from the top of a log or the cut surface
of a stump, the stem will be longer, straight, and in the center of the
cap. This form is called by some authors var. verticalis.
For my own use I think the Elm mushroom, when properly prepared, very
delicious. Like all tree mushrooms it should be eaten when young. It is
easily dried and kept for winter use. Found from September to November.
_Pleurotus petaloides. Bull._
THE PETALOID PLEUROTUS. EDIBLE.
[Illustration: Figure 120.--Pleurotus petaloides.]
This species is so called from its likeness to the petals of a flower.
Pileus fleshy, spathulate, entire; margin at first involute, finally
fully expanded; villous, depressed. The stem is compressed and villous,
often channelled, nearly erect. The gills are strongly decurrent,
crowded, narrow, and white or whitish. Spores minutely globose, .0003 by
.00015.
The plant varies very greatly in form and size. Its chief characteristic
is the presence of numerous short white cystidia in the hymenium, which
dot the surface of the hymenium, and under an ordinary pocket lens give
to the gills a sort of fuzzy appearance. Frequently it will have the
appearance of growing from the ground, but a careful examination will
reveal a piece of wood of some kind, which serves as a host for the
mycelium. I have found this plant but a few times, It seems to be quite
rare in our state, especially in the southern part of the state. The
plants in Figure 120 were photographed by Prof. G. D. Smith of Akron,
Ohio.
_Pleurotus sapidus. Kalchb._
THE SAPID PLEUROTUS. EDIBLE.
[Illustration: Figure 121.--Pleurotus sapidus. One-third natural size,
showing imbricated growth. Spores lilac.]
[Illustration: Figure 122.--Pleurotus sapidus.]
Sapidus, savory. This plant grows in clusters whose stems are more or
less united at the base as in Figure 121. The caps when densely crowded
are often irregular. They are smooth and vary much in color, being
whitish, ash-gray, brownish, yellowish-gray.
The flesh is thick and white. The gills are white or whitish, rather
broad, running down on the stem, and slightly connected, at times, by
oblique or transverse branches. The stem is generally short, solid,
several usually springing from a thickened base, white or whitish and
either laterally or eccentrically connected with the cap.
This plant is classed with the white-spored species, yet its spores,
after a short exposure to the air, really exhibit a pale lilac tint.
This can only be seen when the spores are in sufficient quantity and
resting on a suitable surface.
The size of the plant varies, the cap being commonly from two to five
inches long. It grows in woods and open places, on stumps and logs of
various kinds. Its edible quality is quite as good as the Oyster
mushroom. The only way by which it can be distinguished from the P.
ostreatus is by its lilac-tinted spores. It is found from June to
November.
[Illustration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd._
Plate XX. Figure 123.--pleurotus Sapidus.]
_Pleurotus serotinoides. Pk._
THE YELLOWISH PLEUROTUS. EDIBLE.
[Illustration: Figure 124.--Pleurotus serotinoides. One-third natural
size.]
Serotinoides, like serotinus, which means late-coming; from its
appearing in the winter.
The pileus is fleshy, one to three inches broad, compact, convex or
nearly plane, viscid when young and moist, half-kidney-shaped, roundish,
solitary or crowded and imbricated, variously colored, dingy-yellow,
reddish-brown, greenish-brown or olivaceous, the margin at first
involute.
The gills are close, determinate, whitish or yellowish.
The stem is very short, lateral, thick, yellowish beneath, and minutely
downy or scaly with blackish points.
The spores are minute, elliptical, .0002 inch long, .0001 inch broad.
There is probably no difference between this and P. serotinus, the
European species. It is a beautiful plant. The color and size are quite
variable. I found it on Ralston's Run and in Baird's woods on Frankfort
Pike. It is found from September to January.
_Pleurotus applicatus. Batsch._
LITTLE GRAY PLEUROTUS.
[Illustration: Figure 125.--Pleurotus applicatus. Natural size.]
Applicatus means lying upon or close to; so named from the sessile
pileus. The pileus is one-third of an inch across, when young
cup-shaped, dark cinereous, somewhat membranaceous, quite firm,
resupinate, then reflexed, somewhat striate, slightly pruinose, villous
at the base.
The gills are thick, broad in proportion to the size of the cap,
distant, radiating, gray, the margin lighter, sometimes the gills are as
dark as the pileus.
Sometimes it is attached only by the center of the pileus; sometimes,
growing on the side of a shelving log, it is attached laterally. It is
not as abundant as some other forms of Pleurotus. It differs from P.
tremulus in absence of a distinct stem.
_Pleurotus cyphellaeformis. Berk._
Cyphellaeformis means shaped like the hollows of the ears. The pileus is
cup-shaped, pendulous, downy or mealy, upper layer gelatinous, gray,
very minutely hairy, especially at the base, margin paler.
The gills are narrow, rather distant, pure white, alternate ones being
shorter. These are very small plants, found only in damp places on dead
herbaceous plants. They resemble a Cyphella griseo-pallida in habit.
_Pleurotus abscondens. Pk._
[Illustration: Figure 126.--Pleurotus abscondens. Entire plant white.]
Abscondens means keeping out of view. It is so called because it
persists in growing in places where it is hidden from sight.
The pileus is often two and a half inches broad, delicate-white, strong
stringent odor, usually pruinose, margin slightly incurved.
The gills are attached to the stem, rather crowded, very white, somewhat
narrow.
The stem is short, solid, pruinose, usually lateral, and curved.
The plant usually grows in hollow stumps or logs, and in this case the
stem is always lateral and the plant grows very much as does the P.
ostreatus, except that they are not imbricated. Occasionally the plant
is found on the bottom of a hollow log and in that case the cap is
central and considerably depressed in the center. I have never seen it
growing except in a hollow stump or log. Its manner of growth and its
delicate shape of white will serve to identify it. It is found from
August to November.
_Pleurotus circinatus. Fr._
Circinatus means to make round, referring to the shape of the pileus.
The pileus is two to three inches broad, white, plane, orbicular, convex
at first, even, covered over with silky-pruinose lustre.
The gills are adnate-decurrent, rather crowded, quite broad, white.
The stem is equal, smooth, one to two inches long, stuffed, central or
slightly eccentric, rooted at the base.
The form of these plants is quite constant and the round white caps will
at first suggest a Collybia. The white gills and its decurrent form
will distinguish it from P. lignatilis. It makes quite a delicious dish
when well cooked. I found some beautiful specimens on a decayed beech
log in Poke Hollow. Found in September and October.
_Lactarius. Fr._
Lactarius means pertaining to milk. There is one feature of this genus
that should easily mark it, the presence of milky or colored juice which
exudes from a wound or a broken place on a fresh plant. This feature
alone is sufficient to distinguish the genus but there are other points
that serve to make the determination more certain.
The flesh, although it seems quite solid and firm, is very brittle. The
fracture is always even, clean cut, and not ragged as in more fibrous
substances.
The plants are fleshy and stout, and in this particular resemble the
Clitocybes, but the brittleness of the flesh, milky juice, and the
marking of the cap, will easily distinguish them.
Many species have a very acrid or peppery flavor. If a person tastes one
when raw, he will not soon forget it. This acridity is usually lost in
cooking.
The pileus in all species is fleshy, becoming more or less depressed,
margin at first involute, often marked with concentric zones.
The stem is stout, often hollow when old, confluent with the cap.