Figure 58.—Amanita phalloides, volva circumscissile, concave bulb margined by definite short limb of volva; upper part of volva has disappeared from cap; cap whitish, tinged with brown.
Figure 58.—Amanita phalloides, volva circumscissile, concave bulb margined by definite short limb of volva; upper part of volva has disappeared from cap; cap whitish, tinged with brown.
Figure58and the small plant in Fig.56, both from photographs of the sooty form ofAmanita phalloides, show in a striking manner the typical condition of thecircumscissilevolva margining the broad saucer-like bulb as described forAmanita mappa. The color ofA. mappais usually said to be straw color, but Fries even says that the color is as inA. phalloides, "now white, now green, now yellow, now dark brown" (Epicrisis, page 6). According to this, Fig.58would representA. mappa.
The variable condition in this one speciesA. phalloides, now splitting at the apex, now tearing up irregularly, now splitting in a definitely circumscissile manner, seems tobid defiance to any attempt to separate the species ofAmanitainto groups based on the manner in which the volva ruptures. While it seems to be quite fixed and characteristic in certain species, it is so extremely variable in others as to lead to the suspicion that it is responsible in some cases for the multiplication and confusion of species. At the same time, the occurrence of some of these forms at certain seasons of the year suggests the desirability of prolonged and careful study of fresh material, and the search for additional evidence of the unity of these forms, or of their definite segregation.
Figure 59.—Amanita verna, white (natural size). Copyright.
Figure 59.—Amanita verna, white (natural size). Copyright.
Since theAmanita phalloidesoccurs usually in woods, or along borders of woods, there is little danger of confounding it with edible mushrooms collected in lawns distant from the woods, and in open fields. However, it does occur in lawns bordering on woods, and in the summer of 1899 I found several of the white forms of this species in a lawn distant from the woods. This should cause beginners and those not thoroughly familiar with the appearance of the plant to be extremely cautious against eating mushrooms simply because they were not collected in or near the woods. Furthermore, sometimes the white form of the deadly amanita possesses a faint tinge of pink in the gills, which might lead the novice to mistake it for the commonmushroom. The bulb of the deadly amanita is usually inserted quite deep in the soil or leaf mold, and specimens are often picked leaving the very important character of the volva in the ground, and then the plant might easily be taken for the common mushroom, or more likely for the smooth lepiota,Lepiota naucina, which is entirely white, the gills only in age showing a faint pink tinge. It is very important, therefore, that, until one has such familiarity with these plants that they are easily recognized in the absence of some of these characters, the stem should be carefully dug from the soil. In the case of the specimens of the deadly amanita growing in the lawn on the campus of Cornell University, the stems were sunk to three to four inches in the quite hard ground.
Amanita vernaBull.Deadly Poisonous.—TheAmanita vernais by some considered as only a white form of theAmanita phalloides. It is of a pure white color, and this in addition to its very poisonous property has led to its designation as the "destroying angel."
Figure 60.—Amanita verna, "buttons," cap bursting through the volva; left hand plant in section (natural size). Copyright.
Figure 60.—Amanita verna, "buttons," cap bursting through the volva; left hand plant in section (natural size). Copyright.
Thepileusis smooth and viscid when moist; the gills free; thestemstuffed or hollow in age; theannulusforms a broad collar, and thevolvais split at the apex, and being quite stout, the free limb is prominent, and it hugs more or less closely to the base of the stem. Figure59represents the form of the plant which Gillet recognizes asA. verna; thepileusconvex, the annulus broad and entire, and the stem scaly. These floccose scales are formed as a result of the separation of the annulus from the outer layer of the stem.
The characters presented in the formation of the veil and annulus in this species are very interesting, and sometimes present two of the types in the formation of the veil and annulus found in the genusAmanita. In the very young plant, in the button stage, as the young gills lie with their edges close against the side of the stem,loose threads extend from the edges of the gills to the outer layer of the stem. This outer layer of the stem forms the veil, and is more or less loosely connected with the firmer portion of the stem by loose threads. As the pileus expands, the threads connecting the edges of the gills with the veil are stronger than those which unite the veil with the surface of the stem. The veil is separated from the stem then, simultaneously, or nearly so, throughout its entire extent, and is not ripped up from below as inAmanita velatipes.
As the pileus expands, then, the veil lies closely over the edges of the gills until finally it is freed from them and from the margin of the pileus. As the veil is split off from the surface of the stem, the latter is torn into numerous floccose scales, as shown in Fig.59.
In other cases, in addition to the primary veil which is separated from the stem in the manner described above, there is a secondary veil formed in exactly the same way as that described forAmanita velatipes.
Figure 61.—Amanita verna, small form, white (natural size). Copyright.
Figure 61.—Amanita verna, small form, white (natural size). Copyright.
In such cases there are two veils, or a double veil, each attached to the margin of the pileus, the upper one ascending over the edges of the gills and attached above on the stem, while the lower one descends and is attached below as it is being ripped up from a second layer of the stem. Figures 59–61 are from plants collected at Blowing Rock, N. C., in September, 1899.
Amanita virosaFr.Deadly Poisonous.—This plant also by some is regarded as only a form ofAmanita phalloides. It is a pure white plant and the pileus is viscid as in theA. vernaandA. phalloides. The volva splits at the apex as inA. verna, but the veil is very fragile and torn into shreds as the pileus expands, portions of it clingingto the margin of the cap as well as to the stem, as shown in Fig.62. The stem is also adorned with soft floccose scales. Gillet further states that the pileus is conic to campanulate, not becoming convex as inA. vernaandA. phalloides.
The variability presented in the character of the veil and in the shape of the pileus suggests, as some believe, that all these are but forms of a single variable species. On the other hand, we need a more careful and extended field study of these variations. Doubtless different interpretations of the specific limits by different students will lead some to recognize several species where others would recognize but one. Since species are not distinct creations there may be tolerably good grounds for both of these views.
Figure 62.—Amanita virosa, white (natural size). Copyright.
Figure 62.—Amanita virosa, white (natural size). Copyright.
Amanita floccocephalaAtkinson.Probably Poisonous.—This species occurs in woods and groves at Ithaca during the autumn. The plants are medium sized, 6–8 cm. high, the cap 3–6 cm. broad, and the stems 4–6 mm. in thickness.
Thepileusis hemispherical to convex, and expanded, smooth, whitish, with a tinge of straw color, and covered with torn, thin floccose patches of the upper half of the circumscissile volva. Thegillsare white and adnexed. Thesporesare globose, 7–10 µ. Thestemis cylindrical or slightly tapering above, hollow or stuffed,floccose scaly and abruptly bulbous below. Theannulusis superior, that is, near the upper end of the stem, membranaceous, thin, sometimes tearing, as inA. virosa. Thevolvais circumscissile, the margin of the bulb not being clear cut and prominent, because there is much refuse matter and soil interwoven with the lower portion of the volva. The bulb closely resembles those in Cooke's figure (Illustrations, 4) ofA. mappa. Figure63shows these characters well.
Figure 63.—Amanita floccocephala (natural size). Copyright.
Figure 63.—Amanita floccocephala (natural size). Copyright.
Amanita velatipesAtkinson.Properties Unknown.—This plant is very interesting since it shows in a striking manner the peculiar way in which the veil is formed in some of the species ofAmanita. Though not possessing brilliant colors, it is handsome in its form and in the peculiar setting of the volva fragments on the rich brown or faint yellow of the pileus. It has been found on several occasions during the month of July in a beech woods on one of the old flood plains of Six-mile creek, one of the gorges in the vicinity of Ithaca, N. Y. The mature plant is from 15–20 cm. high, the cap from 8–10 cm. broad, and the stem 1–1.5 cm. in thickness.
Thepileusis viscid when moist, rounded, then broadly oval and convex to expanded, striate on the margin, sometimes in oldplants the margin is elevated. It is smooth throughout, and of a soft, rich hair brown, or umber brown color, darker in the center. Sometimes there is a decided but dull maize yellow tinge over the larger part of the pileus, but even then the center is often brown in color, shading into the yellow color toward the margin; the light yellow forms in age, often thinning out to a cream color. The flesh of the pileus is rather thin, even in the center, and becomes very thin toward the margin, as shown in Fig.67. The scales on the pileus are more or less flattened, rather thin, clearly separated from the pileus, and easily removed. They are more or less angular, and while elongated transversely at first, become nearly isodiametric as the pileus becomes fully expanded, passing from an elongated form to rectangular, or sinuous in outline, the margin more or less upturned, especially in age, when they begin to loosen and "peel" from the surface of the cap. They are lighter in color than the pileus and I have never observed the yellow tint in them. Thegillsare white, broad at the middle, about 1 cm., and taper gradually toward each end. Thesporesare usually inequilaterally oval, 8–10 × 6–7 µ, granular when young, when mature with a large oil drop.
Plate 15, Figure 64.—Amanita velatipes (3/4 natural size). Cap hair-brown, or umber-brown, sometimes with tinge of lemon yellow, or entirely maize-yellow. Scales, gills, and stem white. Copyright.
Plate 15, Figure 64.—Amanita velatipes (3/4 natural size). Cap hair-brown, or umber-brown, sometimes with tinge of lemon yellow, or entirely maize-yellow. Scales, gills, and stem white. Copyright.
Figure 65.—Amanita velatipes. Different stages of "buttons," in the right-hand plant the upper part of the volva separating to form the scales (natural size). Copyright.
Figure 65.—Amanita velatipes. Different stages of "buttons," in the right-hand plant the upper part of the volva separating to form the scales (natural size). Copyright.
Thestemis cylindrical, somewhat bulbous, the bulb often tapering abruptly, as shown in Figs.64,66. The stem is white, smooth, or floccose scaly where the veil has been ripped off from it. It ishollow and stuffed with loose cottony threads, as shown in Fig.67. Theveilis formed by the ripping up of the outer layer of the stem as the latter elongates and as the pileus expands. When it is freed from the margin of the cap it collapses and hangs downward as a broad collar (Fig.64). Theannulusis inferior, its position on the stem being due to the peculiar way in which it is formed.
Figure 66.—Amanita velatipes. Three plants natural size, the left-hand one sectioned, showing stuffed center of stem. Others show how veil is ripped up from the stem. For other details see text. Copyright.
Figure 66.—Amanita velatipes. Three plants natural size, the left-hand one sectioned, showing stuffed center of stem. Others show how veil is ripped up from the stem. For other details see text. Copyright.
Some of the stages of development are illustrated in Figs. 64–67. The buttons are queer looking objects, the bulb being the most prominent part. It tapers abruptly below, and on the upper side is the small rounded young cap seated in the center. The volva is present as a rough floccose layer, covering the upper part of the bulband the young cap. As the stem elongates and the pileus enlarges and expands, the volva is torn into areolate patches. The lower patches, those adjoining the margin of the cap and the upper part of the bulb, are separated in a more or less concentric manner. One or more of them lie on the upper part of the bulb, forming the "limb" of the "ocreate" volva. Others lie around the margin of the pileus. Sometimes an annular one bordering the pileus and bulb is left clinging part way up on the stem, as shown in Fig.66. The concentric arrangement on the pileus is sometimes shown for a considerable time, as in Fig.67, the elongated areas being present in greater number at this age of the pileus. However, as the pileus expands more, these are separated into smaller areas and their connection with the surface of the pileus becomes less firm.
The formation of the veil and annulus can be easily followed in these figures. The margin of the cap in the button stage is firmly connected with the outer layer of the stem at its lower end. This probably occurs by the intermingling growth of the threads from the lower end of the stem and the margin of the cap, while the edges of the gills are quite free from the stem. Now as the stem elongates and the cap expands the veil is "ripped" up from the outer part of the stem. This is very clearly shown in Fig.66, especially where two strips on the stem have become disconnected from the margin of the cap and are therefore left in position on the outside of the stem.
This species is related toA. excelsaFr., which is said to have a superior ring.
Plate 16, Figure 67.—Amanita velatipes. The right-hand plant shows how the veil is ripped up from the stem and also shows the transversely elongate scales on the cap. For details see text (natural size). Copyright.
Plate 16, Figure 67.—Amanita velatipes. The right-hand plant shows how the veil is ripped up from the stem and also shows the transversely elongate scales on the cap. For details see text (natural size). Copyright.
Amanita cothurnataAtkinson.Probably Poisonous.—The booted amanita,Amanita cothurnata, I have found in two different years in the Blue Ridge mountains at Blowing Rock, N. C., once in 1888, during the first week of September, and again during the three first weeks in September, 1899. It occurs sparingly during the first week or so of September, and during the middle of the month is very abundant. The species seems to be clearly distinct from other species ofAmanita, and there are certain characters so persistent as to make it easily recognizable. It ranges in height from 7–12 cm. and the caps are 3–7 cm. or more broad, while the stems are 4–10 mm. in thickness. The entire plant is usually white, but in some specimens the cap has a tinge of citron yellow, or in others tawny olive, in the center.
Plate 17, Figure 68.—Amanita cothurnata. Different stages of development; for details see text. Entire plant white, sometimes tinge of umber at center of cap, and rarely slight tinge of lemon-yellow at center (natural size). Copyright.
Plate 17, Figure 68.—Amanita cothurnata. Different stages of development; for details see text. Entire plant white, sometimes tinge of umber at center of cap, and rarely slight tinge of lemon-yellow at center (natural size). Copyright.
Thepileusis fleshy, and passes, in its development, from nearly globose to hemispherical, convex, expanded, and when specimens are very old sometimes the margin is elevated. It is usually white, though specimens are found with a tinge of citron yellow in thecenter, or of tawny olive in the center of other specimens. The pileus is viscid, strongly so when moist. It is finely striate on the margin, and covered with numerous, white, floccose scales from the upper half of the volva, forming more or less dense patches, which may wash off in heavy rains. Thegillsare rounded next the stem, and quite remote from it. The edge of the gills is often eroded or frazzly from the torn out threads with which they were loosely connected to the upper side of the veil in the young or button stage. Thesporesare globose or nearly so, with a large "nucleus" nearly filling the spore.
Figure 69.—Amanita cothurnata. Different stages opening up of plant, the two center ones showing veil being ripped from stem, but veil narrow. The right-hand illustration has been scratched transversely, these marks not being characteristic of the plant (natural size). Copyright.
Figure 69.—Amanita cothurnata. Different stages opening up of plant, the two center ones showing veil being ripped from stem, but veil narrow. The right-hand illustration has been scratched transversely, these marks not being characteristic of the plant (natural size). Copyright.
Thestemis cylindrical, even, and expanded below into quite a large oval bulb, the stem just above the bulb being margined by a close fitting roll of the volva, and the upper edge of this presenting the appearance of having been sewed at the top like the rolled edge of a garment or buskin. The surface of the stem is minutely floccose scaly or strongly so, and decidedly hollow even from a very young stage, or sometimes when young with loose threads in the cavity.
Figures 68–70, from plants (No. 3715, C. U. herbarium) collected at Blowing Rock, N. C., during September, 1899, illustrate certain of the features in the form and development of this plant.
Figure 70.—Amanita cothurnata. Two plants in section showing clearly hollow stem, veil attachment, etc. (natural size). Copyright.
Figure 70.—Amanita cothurnata. Two plants in section showing clearly hollow stem, veil attachment, etc. (natural size). Copyright.
InAmanita frostianathe remains of the volva sometimes form a similar collar, but not so stout, on the base of the stem. The variations inA. frostianawhere the stem, annulus and gills are white might suggest that there is a close relationship betweenA. frostianaandA. cothurnata, and that the latter is only a form of the former. From a careful study of the two plants growing side by side theevidence is convincing that the two are distinct.Amanita frostianaoccurs also at Blowing Rock, appearing earlier in the season thanA. cothurnata, and also being contemporary with it.A. frostianais more variable, not nearly so viscid, nor nearly so abundant, the stem is solid or stuffed, the annulus is more frail and evolved from the stem in a different manner. The volva does not leave such a constant and well defined roll where it separated on the stem transversely, and the pileus is yellow or orange. WhenA. cothurnatais yellowish at all it is a different tint of yellow and then only a tinge of yellow at the center. Albino or faded forms ofA. frostianamight occur, but we would not expect them to appear at a definite season of the year in great abundance while the normal form, showing no intergrading specimens in the same locality, continued to appear in the same abundance and with the same characters as before. The dried plants ofA. cothurnataare apt to become tinged with yellow on the gills, the upper part of the stem and upper part of the annulus during the processes of drying, but the pileus does not change in like manner, nor do these plants show traces of yellow on these parts when fresh. The spores are also decidedly different, though the shape and size do not differ to any great extent. InA. frostianaand the pale forms of the species the spores are nearly globose or oval, rarely with a tendency to become elliptical, butthe content is quite constantly finely granular, while the spores ofA. cothurnataare perhaps more constantly globose or nearly so, but the spore isnearly filled with a highly refractive oil globule or "nucleus."The pileus ofA. frostianais also thinner than that ofA. cothurnata. It is nearer, in some respects, to specimens ofAmanita pantherinareceived from Bresadola, of Austria-Hungary.
Figure 71.—Amanita spreta. The two outside plants show the free limb of the volva lying close against the stem (natural size, often larger). Copyright.
Figure 71.—Amanita spreta. The two outside plants show the free limb of the volva lying close against the stem (natural size, often larger). Copyright.
Amanita spretaPk.Said to be Poisonous.—According to Peck this species grows in open or bushy places. The specimens illustrated in Fig.71grew in sandy ground by the roadside near trees in the edge of an open field at Blowing Rock, N. C., and others were found in a grove. The plants are 10–15 cm. high, the caps 6–12 cm. broad, and the stems 8–12 mm. in thickness. Thepileusis convex to expanded, gray or light drab, and darker on the center, or according to Dr. Peck it may be white. It is smooth, or with only a few remnants of the volva, striate on the margin, and1—.5 cm.thick at the center. Thegillsare white, adnexed, that is they reach the stem by their upper angle. Thestemis of the same color as the pileus, but somewhat lighter, white to light gray or light drab, cylindrical, not bulbous, hollow or stuffed. Theannulusis thin and attached above the middle of the stem. Thevolvais sordid white, and sheathes the stem with a long free limb of 3–5 lobes. It splits atthe apex, but portions sometimes cling to the surface of the pileus.
Figure71is from plants (No. 3707, C. U.) collected at Blowing Rock, N. C., September, 1899.
Amanita cæsareaScop.Edible,but use great caution.—This plant is known as the orange amanita, royal agaric, Cæsar's agaric, etc. It is one of the most beautiful of all the agarics, and is well distributed over the earth. With us it is more common in the Southern States. It occurs in the summer and early autumn in the woods. It is easily recognized by its usually large size, yellow or orange color of the cap, gills, stem and ring, and the prominent, white, sac-like volva at the base of the stem. It is usually 12–20 cm. high, the cap 5–10 cm. broad, and the stems 6–10 mm. in thickness, though it may exceed this size, and depauperate forms are met with which are much smaller.
Thepileusis ovate to bell-shaped, convex, and finally more or less expanded, when the surface may be nearly flat or the center may be somewhat elevated or umbonate and the margin curved downward. The surface is smooth except at the margin, where it is prominently striate. The color varies from orange to reddish or yellow, usually the well developed and larger specimens have the deeper and richer colors, while the smaller specimens have the lighter colors, and the color is usually deeper on the center of the pileus. Thegillsare yellow, and free from the stem. Thestemis hollow, even in young plants, when it may be stuffed with loose threads. It is often very floccose scaly below the annulus. It is cylindrical, only slightly enlarged below, where it is covered by the large, fleshy, sac-like white volva. Theannulusis membranaceous, large, and hangs like a broad collar from the upper part of the stem. The stem and ring are orange or yellow, the depth of the color varying more with the size of the plant than is the case with the color of the cap. In small specimens the stem is often white, especially in depauperate specimens are the stem and annulus white, and even the gills are white when the volva may be so reduced as to make it difficult to distinguish the specimens from similar specimens of the poisonous fly agaric.
Plate 18, Figure 72.—Amanita cæsarea. Different stages of development (2/3 natural size). Cap, stem, gills, veil orange or yellow. Volva white. Copyright.
Plate 18, Figure 72.—Amanita cæsarea. Different stages of development (2/3 natural size). Cap, stem, gills, veil orange or yellow. Volva white. Copyright.
In the button stage the plant is ovate and the white color of the volva, which at this time entirely surrounds the plants, presents an appearance not unlike that of an egg. The volva splits open at the apex as the stem elongates. The veil is often connected by loose threads with the outer portion of the stem and as the pileus expands this is torn away, leaving coarse floccose scales on the stem. Some of the different stages in the opening of the plant are shown in Fig.72. This illustration is taken from a photograph of plants (No. 3726, C.U. herbarium) collected at Blowing Rock, N. C., September, 1899. The plant is said to be one of the best esculents, and has been prized as an article of food from ancient times. Great caution should be used in distinguishing it from the fly agaric and from other amanitas.
PLATE 19.Fig. 1.—Amanita rubescensFig. 2.—A.cæsarea.Copyright 1900.
Amanita rubescensFr.Edible,but use great caution.—The reddish amanita,Amanita rubescens, is so called because of the sordid reddish color diffused over the entire plant, and especially because bruised portions quickly change to a reddish color. The plant is often quite large, from 12–20 cm. high, the cap 8–12 cm. broad and the stem 8–12 mm. in thickness, but it is sometimes much smaller. It occurs during the latter part of the summer and in early autumn, in woods and open places.
Figure 73.—Amanita rubescens. Plant partly expanded. Dull reddish brown, stains reddish when bruised; for other details see text (natural size). Copyright.
Figure 73.—Amanita rubescens. Plant partly expanded. Dull reddish brown, stains reddish when bruised; for other details see text (natural size). Copyright.
Thepileusis oval to convex, and becoming expanded when old. It is smooth or faintly striate on the margin, and covered with numerous scattered, thin, floccose, grayish scales, forming remnants of the larger part of the volva or outer veil. The color of the cap varies correspondingly, but is always tinged more or less distinctly with pink, red, or brownish red hues. Thegillsare white or whitish and free from the stem. Thestemis nearly cylindrical, tapering someabove, and with a prominent bulb which often tapers abruptly below. In addition to the suffused dull reddish color the stem is often stained with red, especially where handled or touched by some object. There are very few evidences of the volva on the stem since the volva is so floccose and torn into loose fragments, most of which remain on the surface of the cap. Sometimes a few of these loose fragments are seen on the upper portion of the bulb, but they are easily removed by handling or by rains. Theannulusis membranous, broad, and fragile.
Since the plant has become well known it is regarded as excellent and wholesome for food and pleasant to the taste. In case of the larger specimens there should be no difficulty in distinguishing it from others by those who care to compare the descriptions closely with the fresh specimens. But as in all cases beginners should use extreme caution in eating plants they have not become thoroughly familiar with. Small specimens of this species sometimes show but little of the reddish color, and are therefore difficult to determine.
Figures 73 and 74 are from plants (No. 3727 C. U. herbarium) collected at Blowing Rock, N. C., during September, 1899.
Amanita solitariaBull.Edible,but use caution.—The solitary amanita, like many other plants, is not always true to its name. While it often occurs solitary, it does occur sometimes in groups. It is one of the largest of the amanitas. Its large size, together with its chalky white or grayish white color, and ragged or shaggy appearance, makes it a striking object in the woods, or along roadsides in woods where it grows. Frequently parts of the cap, the entire stem and the gills are covered with a white, crumbly, floccose substance of a mealy consistency which often sticks to the hands or other objects. The plant ranges from 15–20 cm. or more high, the cap from 8–15 cm. broad, and the stems are 1–2 cm. or more in thickness.
In form thepileusranges from nearly globose in the button stage, to hemispherical, convex and expanded, when quite old the margin becoming more or less elevated. It is covered either with flaky or floccose portions of the volva, or with more or less distinct conic white scales, especially toward the center. The conic scales are easily rubbed off in handling or are easily washed off by rains. Many of them are loosened and fall because of the tension produced by the expanding pileus on the surface of which they rest. These scales vary in size from quite small ones, appearing like granules, to those fewer in number and larger, 3 mm. high and nearly as broad at the base. In other cases the scales are harder and stouter and dark colored. These forms will be discussed after the description of the other parts of the plant.
Plate 20, Figure 74.—Amanita rubescens. Under and side view. Dull reddish brown, stains reddish where bruised (3/4 natural size). Copyright.
Plate 20, Figure 74.—Amanita rubescens. Under and side view. Dull reddish brown, stains reddish where bruised (3/4 natural size). Copyright.
Plate 21, Figure 75.—Amanita solitaria. Entirely white, or cap and scales sordid buff, dull brown, or grayish in some plants. For details see text (1/2 natural size). Copyright.
Plate 21, Figure 75.—Amanita solitaria. Entirely white, or cap and scales sordid buff, dull brown, or grayish in some plants. For details see text (1/2 natural size). Copyright.
Thegillsare free, or are only attached by the upper inner angle; the edges are often floccose where they are torn from the slight union with the upper surface of the veil. Thestemis cylindrical, solid or stuffed when old, enlarged usually below into a prominent bulb which then tapers into a more or less elongated root-like process, sometimes extending 5–10 cm. in the ground below the bulb. In rare cases the bulb is not present, but the cylindrical stem extends for a considerable distance into the ground. Theveilis a very interesting part of the plant and the manner in which it forms and disappears as the cap expands is worth a careful study. This is well shown in Figs.75,76, from photographs of plants (No. 3731 C. U. herbarium) made at Blowing Rock, N. C., during September, 1899.
During the latter part of August and the first three weeks of September the plants were quite common in the mountain woods at Blowing Rock. In certain features there was close agreement in the case of all the specimens examined, especially in the long rooting character of the base of the stem. The veil and annulus were also quite constant in their characters, though sometimes a tendency was manifested to split up more irregularly than at other times. In the character of the warts of the pileus there was great variation, showing typical forms ofAmanita solitariaand grading into forms which might be taken for typicalAmanita strobiliformis. Especially is this so in the case of some of my specimens (No. 3733), where the scales are pyramidal, dark brown, surrounded by a sordid buff or grayish area, and these latter areas separated by narrow chinks whitish in color. The scales in this specimen are fixed quite firmly to the surface of the pileus. In other specimens (No. 3732) these hard scales remove quite easily, while in still another the pileus is almost smooth, even the floccose scales having been obliterated, while a very few of the hard angular warts are still present. In another half expanded plant (of No. 3732) the warts are pyramidal, 4–6 mm. long at the center of the pileus and rather closely imbricated, hard, and firmly joined to the surface of the cap. In Nos. 3733 and 3731 the spores measure 7–9 × 4–6 µ. In 3732 they are longer, varying from 7–11 µ.
The specimens with the long hard scales suggestAmanita strobiliformisVittad., but the long rooting base of the stem does not agree with the description of that plant, but does clearly agree withAmanita solitariaBull. A study of the variations in these plants suggests thatAmanita solitariaandstrobiliformisVittad., represent only variations in a single species as Bulliard interpreted the species more than a century ago. Forms of the plant are also found which suggest thatA. polypyramisB. & C., collected in North Carolina, is but one of the variations ofA. solitaria.
Figures 75, 76 show well certain stages in the development of this plant. The conical or pyramidal warts are formed in a very young stage of the plant by the primary separation of the outer part of the volva, and as the pileus expands more, and the cessation of growth of the outer veil proceeds inward, the scales become more widely separated at the apex and broader at the base. In some cases the volva is probably thinner than in others, and with the rapid expansion of the pileus in wet weather the scales would be smaller, or more floccose. But with different conditions, when it is not so wet, the plant expands less rapidly, the surface of the pileus becomes drier, the volva layer does not separate so readily and the fissures between the scales proceed deeper, and sometimes probably enter the surface of the pileus, so that the size of the warts is augmented. A similar state of things sometimes takes place on the base of the stem at the upper margin of the bulb, where the concentric fissures may extend to some distance in the stem, making the scales here more prominent in some specimens than in others. A similar variation in the character of the scales on the bulb ofAmanita muscariais sometimes presented.
The veil is often loosely attached to the edges of the gills, and so is stripped off from the stem quite early. Sometimes it is more strongly adherent to the stem, or portions of it may be, when it is very irregularly ruptured as it is peeled off from the stem, as shown in the plant near the left side in Fig.75. The veil is very fragile and often tears a little distance from the margin of the cap, while the portion attached to the stem forms the annulus. This condition is shown in the case of three plants in Fig.75. The plant is said to be edible.
This genus has white spores, and a volva, but the annulus and inner veil are wanting. In other respects it agrees withAmanita. It is considered as a sub-genus ofAmanitaby some.
Plate 22, Figure 76.—Amanita solitaria. Three plants, 3/4 natural size. Copyright.
Plate 22, Figure 76.—Amanita solitaria. Three plants, 3/4 natural size. Copyright.
Amanitopsis vaginata(Bull.) Roz.Edible.—The sheathed amanitopsis,A. vaginata, is a quite common and widely distributed plant in woods. It is well named since the prominent volva forms a large sheath to the cylindrical base of the stem. The plant occurs in several forms, a gray or mouse colored form, and a brownish or fulvous form, and sometimes nearly white. These forms are recognizedby some as varieties, and by others as species. The plants are 8–15 cm. high, the caps 3–7 cm. broad, and the stems 5–8 mm. in thickness.
Plate 23, Figure 77.—Amanitopsis vaginata. Tawny form (natural size). Copyright.
Plate 23, Figure 77.—Amanitopsis vaginata. Tawny form (natural size). Copyright.
Thepileusis from ovate to bell-shaped, then convex and expanded, smooth, rarely with fragments of the volva on the surface. The margin is thin and marked by deep furrows and ridges, so that it is deeply striate, or the terms sulcate or pectinate sulcate are used to express the character of the margin. The term pectinate sulcate is employed on account of a series of small elevations on the ridges, giving them a pectinate, or comb-like, appearance. The color varies from gray to mouse color, brown, or ochraceous brown. The flesh is white. Thegillsare white or nearly so, and free. Thesporesare globose, 7–10 µ in diameter. Thestemis cylindrical, even, or slightly tapering upward, hollow or stuffed, not bulbous, smooth, or with mealy particles or prominent floccose scales. These scales are formed by the separation of the edges of the gills from the surface of the stem, to which they are closely applied before the pileus begins to expand. Threads of mycelium growing from the edge of the lamellæ and from the stem intermingle. When the pileus expands these are torn asunder, or by their pull tear up the outer surface of the stem. Thevolvaforms a prominent sheath which is usually quite soft and easily collapses (Fig.77).
The entire plant is very brittle and fragile. It is considered an excellent one for food. I often eat it raw when collecting.
Authors differ as to the number of species recognized in the plant as described above. Secretan recognized as many as ten species. The two prominent color forms are quite often recognized as two species, or by others as varieties; the gray or mouse colored form asA. lividaPers., and the tawny form asA. spadiceaPers. According to Fries and others thelividaappears earlier in the season thanspadicea, and this fact is recognized by some as entitling the two to specific rank. Plowright (Trans. Brit. Mycol. Soc., p. 40, 1897–98) points out that in European forms ofspadiceathere is a second volva inside the outer, and inlividathere are "folds or wrinkles of considerable size on the inner surface of the volva." He thinks the two entitled to specific rank. At Ithaca and in the mountains of North Carolina I have found both forms appearing at the same season, and thus far have been unable to detect the differences noted by Plowright in the volva. But I have never found intergrading color forms, and have not yet satisfied myself as to whether or not the two should be entitled to specific rank.
Some of the other species ofAmanitopsisfound in this countryareA. nivalisGrev., an entirely white plant regarded by some as only a white form ofA. vaginata. Another white plant isA. volvataPk., which has elliptical spores, and is striate on the margin instead of sulcate.
Figure 78.—Amanitopsis farinosa. Cap grayish (natural size). Copyright.
Figure 78.—Amanitopsis farinosa. Cap grayish (natural size). Copyright.
Amanitopsis farinosaSchw.—The mealy agaric, or powdery amanita, is a pretty little species. It was first collected and described from North Carolina by de Schweinitz (Synop. fung. Car. No. 552, 1822), and the specimens illustrated in Fig.78were collected by me at Blowing Rock, N. C., during September, 1899. Peck has given in the 33rd Report N. Y. State Mus., p. 49, an excellent description of the plant, though it often exceeds somewhat the height given by him. It ranges from 5–8 or 10 cm. high, the cap from 2–3 cm. broad, and the stem 3–6 mm. in thickness.
Thepileusis from subglobose to convex and expanded, becoming nearly plane or even depressed by the elevation of the margin in old specimens. The color is gray or grayish brown, or mouse colored. The pileus is thin, and deeply striate on the margin, covered with a grayish floccose, powdery or mealy substance, the remnant of the evanescent volva. This substance is denser at the center and is easily rubbed off. Thegillsare white and free from the stem. Thesporesare subglobose and ovate to elliptical, 6–7 µ long. Thestemis cylindrical, even, hollow or stuffed, whitish or gray and very slightly enlarged at the base into a small rounded bulb which is quite constant and characteristic, and at first is covered on its upper margin by the floccose matter from the volva.
Plate 24, Figure 79.—Lepiota naucina. Entirely white (natural size).
Plate 24, Figure 79.—Lepiota naucina. Entirely white (natural size).
At Blowing Rock the plants occurred in sandy soil by roadsides or in open woods. In habit it resembles strikingly forms ofAmanitopsis vaginata, but the volva is entirely different (Fig.78). AlthoughA. vaginatawas common in the same locality, I searched in vain for intermediate forms which I thought might be found. Sometimes the floccose matter would cling together more or less, and portions of it remained as patches on the lower part of the stem, while depauperate forms ofA. vaginatawould have a somewhat reduced volva, but in no case did I find intermediate stages between the two kinds of volva.
The genusLepiotalacks a volva, but the veil is present forming a ring on the stem. The genus is closely related toAmanita, from which it differs in the absence of the volva, or perhaps more properly speaking in the fact that the universal veil is firmly connected (concrete with) with the pileus, and with the base of the stem, so that a volva is not formed. The gills are usually free from the stem, some being simply adnexed, but in some species connected with a collar near the stem. The stem is fleshy and is easily separable from the cap. A number of the species are edible. Peck, 35th Report N. Y. State Mus., p. 150–164, describes 18 species. Lloyd, Mycol. Notes, November, 1898, describes 9 species.
Lepiota naucinaFr. (Lepiota naucinoidesPk.,Annularia lævisKrombh.)Edible.—The smooth lepiota,L. naucina, grows in lawns, in pastures and by roadsides, etc. It occurs during the latter part of summer and during autumn, being more abundant in September and early October. It is entirely white, or the cap is sometimes buff, and in age the gills become dirty pink in color. It is from 8–12 cm. high, the cap 5–10 cm. broad, and the stem 8–15 mm. in thickness.
Thepileusis very fleshy, nearly globose, then convex to nearly expanded, smooth, or rarely the surface is broken into minute scales. Thegillsare first white, free from the stem, and in age assume a dull pink tinge. Thesporesare usually white in mass, but rarely when caught on white paper they show a faint pink tinge. The spores are elliptical to oval. Thestemis nearly cylindrical, gradually enlarging below so that it is clavate, nearly hollow or stuffed with loose threads.