Figure 40.Figure 40.—Armillaria mellea. Two-thirds natural size, showing double ring present.
Figure 40.—Armillaria mellea. Two-thirds natural size, showing double ring present.
Marginate-bulbed Armillaria.
Figure 41.Figure 41.—Armillaria bulbigera. Reddish-gray caps and short bulbous stems.
Figure 41.—Armillaria bulbigera. Reddish-gray caps and short bulbous stems.
Bulbigera is frombulbus, a bulb, andgero, to bear.
The pileus is fleshy, three to four inches across, convex, then expanded, obtuse, even, brownish, gray, sometimes reddish, dry, fibrillose near the margin.
The gills are notched at the stem, pallid, crowded at first, at length rather distant, becoming slightly colored.
The stem is distinctly bulbous, two to three inches long, stuffed, pallid, fibrillose, ring oblique, fugacious. The spores are 7–10×5µ.
I have found some very fine specimens in Poke Hollow, near Chillicothe. The stems were short and very bulbous, having hardly any trace of the ring on the older specimens. The caps were obtusely convex and of a grayish rufescent color. This species can readily be distinguished by the distinctly marginate bulb at the base of the stem. The specimens in Figure 41 were found in Poke Hollow, near Chillicothe, October 2d. I have no doubt of their edibility but I have not eaten them.
Spikenard-Smelling Armillaria. Ellis.
Figure 42.Figure 42.—Armillaria nardosmia. One-half natural size, showing the veil and incurved margin.
Figure 42.—Armillaria nardosmia. One-half natural size, showing the veil and incurved margin.
Nardosmia is fromnardosmius, the odor of nardus or spikenard.
The pileus is quite thick, firm and compact, thinner toward the margin, strongly involute when young, grayish white and beautifully variegated with brown spots, like the breast of a pheasant, rather tough, with a separable epidermis, flesh white.
The gills are crowded, slightly notched or emarginate, somewhat ventricose, white.
The stem is solid, short, fibrous, sheathed by a veil forming a ring more or less evanescent. The spores are nearly round, 6µ in diameter.
This is the most beautiful species of the genus, and from itspheasant-like spotted cap, as well as its strong odor and taste of spikenard or almonds, it is easily determined. The almond taste and odor disappears in cooking. I found some very fine specimens around a pond in Mr. Shriver's woods, east of Chillicothe. In older specimens the cuticule of the caps frequently breaks into scales. Found in woods in September and October.
Appendiculata, bearing small appendages. Pileus is broadly convex, glabrous, whitish, often tinged with rust-color or brownish rust-color on the disk. Flesh white or whitish. Gills close, rounded behind, whitish. Stem equal or slightly tapering upward, solid, bulbous, whitish, the veil either membraneous or webby, white, commonly adhering in fragments to the margin of the pileus. Spores subelliptical, 8×5.
Pileus two to four inches broad. Stem 1.5–3.5 inches long; 5–10 lines thick.
The general appearance of this species is suggestive of Tricholoma album, but the appearance of a veil separates it from that fungus and places it in the genus Armillaria. The veil, however, is often slightly lacerated, or webby, and adherent to the margin of the pileus. Peck's Report.
I have found this at Salem and Chillicothe.
Tricholoma is from two Greek words meaning hair and fringe. This genus is known by its stout, fleshy stem, without any evidence of a ring, and by the gills being attached to the stem and having a notch in their edges near or at the extremity. The veil is absent, or, if present, it is downy and adherent to the margin of the cap. The cap is generally quite fleshy; the stem is homogeneous and confluent with the pileus, central and nearly fleshy, without either ring or volva, and with no distinct bark-like coat. The spores are white or grayish-white.
The distinguishing features are the fleshy stem, continuous with the flesh of the pileus, and the sinuate or notched gills. This is quite a universal genus. All the species grow on the ground, so far as I know them.
There are many edible species under this genus, there being only two, so far as I know, not edible; and no one is likely to touch those on account of their strong odor. They are T. sulphureum and T. saponaceum.
The Changing Tricholoma. Edible.
Transmutans means changing, from changes of color in both stem and gills in different stages of the plant. This species has a cap two to four inches broad, viscid or sticky when moist. It is at first tawny-brown, especially with advancing age. The flesh is white and has a decided farinaceous odor and taste.
The gills are crowded, rather narrow, sometimes branched, becoming reddish-spotted with age.
The stem is equal or slightly tapering upward; bare, or slightly silky-fibrillose; stuffed or hollow; whitish, often marked with reddish stains or becoming reddish-brown toward the base, white within. Spores subglobose, 5µ.
The species grows in woods and open places, also in clover pastures, either singly or in tufts. I have seen large tufts of them, and in that case the caps are more or less irregular on account of their crowded condition. I found it frequently about Salem, and this fall, 1905, I found it quite plentiful in a clover pasture near Chillicothe. Found in wet weather from August to September.
The Knightly Tricholoma. Edible.
Figure 43.Figure 43.—Tricholoma equestre.
Figure 43.—Tricholoma equestre.
Equestre means belonging to a horseman; so called from its distinguished appearance in the woods.
The pileus is three to five inches broad, fleshy, compact, convex, expanded, obtuse, viscid, scaly, margin incurved at first, pale yellowish, with sometimes a slight tinge of green in both cap and gills. Flesh white or tinged with yellow.
The gills are free, crowded, rounded behind, yellow.
The stem is stout, solid, pale yellow or white, white within. The spores are 7–8×5µ.
It differs from T. coryphæum in having gills entirely yellow, while the edges only of the latter are yellow. It differs from T. sejunctum in the latter having pure white gills and a more slender stem.
It is found but occasionally here, and then only a specimen or two. It is an attractive plant and no one would pass it in the woods without admiring it. Found from August to October.
Figure 44.Figure 44.—Tricholoma sordidum.
Figure 44.—Tricholoma sordidum.
Sordidum means dingy, dirty.
The pileus is two to three inches broad, rather tough, fleshy, convex, bell-shaped, then depressed, subumbonate, smooth, hygrophanous, margin slightly striate, brownish lilac, then dusky.
The gills are rounded, rather crowded, dingy violet then dusky, notched with a decurrent tooth.
The stem is colored like the pileus, fibrillose striate, usually slightly curved, stuffed, short, often thickened at the base.
The spores are 7–8×3–4, minutely rugulose.
This species differs from T. nudum in being smaller, tougher, and often hygrophanous.
It is found in richly manured gardens, about manure piles, and in hot-houses. The specimens in Figure 44 were found in a hot-house near Boston, Mass., and sent to me by Mrs. E. Blackford. They are found in September and October.
The Grooved Stem Tricholoma. Edible.
Figure 45.Figure 45.—Tricholoma grammopodium. Natural size.
Figure 45.—Tricholoma grammopodium. Natural size.
Grammopodium is from two Greek words meaninglineandfoot.
The pileus is three to six inches broad, flesh thick at the center, thin at the margin, solid yet tender; brownish, blackish-umber, almost a dingy-lavender when moist, whitish when dry; at first bell-shaped, then convex, sometimes slightly wavy, obtusely umbonate; margin at first inclined to be involute, and extending beyond the gills.
The gills are attached to the stem, broadly notched as will be seen in the specimen, closely crowded, quite entire, shorter ones numerous, a few branched, white or whitish.
The stem is three to four inches long, thickened at the base, smooth, firm, longitudinally grooved from which it gets its specific name, whitish.
The spores are nearly round, 5–6µ.
It closely resembles T. fuligineum but can be distinguished by the groovedstem and crowded gills. The specimens in Figure 45 were found near Boston, and were sent to me by Mrs. Blackford. The plants keep well and are easily dried. They were found the first of June. They have an excellent flavor.
Paedidum means nasty, stinking.
The pileus is small, about one and a half inches broad, rather fleshy, tough; convex, then flattened, soon depressed around the conical umbo; fibrillose, becoming smooth; smoky gray, somewhat streaked; moist; margin involute, naked.
The gills are adnexed, crowded, narrow, white, then grayish, somewhat sinuate with a slight decurrent tooth.
The stem is short, slightly striate, dingy gray, thickened at the base. The spores are elliptical or fusiform, 10–11×5–6µ.
The specific name, "nasty" or "stinking," has really no application to the plant. It is said to be very good when cooked. It is found in well manured gardens and fields, or about manure piles.
It differs from T. sordidum in having no trace of violet color. T. lixivium differs in the free truncate gills.
Lixivium means made into lye; hence, of the color of ashes and water.
The pileus is two to three inches broad; flesh thin; convex then plane; umbonate, never depressed; even; smooth; grayish-brown when moist, then umber; margin membranaceous, at length slightly striate, sometimes wavy.
The gills are rounded behind and adnexed, free, soft, distant, often crisped, gray.
The stem is about two inches long, fibrous, hollow, or stuffed, equal, at first covered with a white down, fragile, gray.
The spores are elliptical, 7×4–5µ.
The umbonate pileus and the nearly free, broad, gray gills will distinguish it. They are a late grower and are found under pine trees in November.
Sulphury Tricholoma. Poisonous.
Figure 46.Figure 46.—Tricholoma sulphureum.
Figure 46.—Tricholoma sulphureum.
Sulphureum, sulphur; so called from the general color of the plant.
The pileus is one to three inches broad, fleshy, convex, then expanded, plane, slightly umbonate, sometimes depressed, or flexuous and irregular, margin at first involute, dingy or reddish-yellow, at first silky, becoming smooth and even.
The gills are rather thick, narrowed behind, emarginate or acutely adnate, sulphur-colored.
The stem is two to four inches long, somewhat bulbous, sometimes curved, frequently slightly striate; stuffed, often hollow; sulphur-yellow, yellow within; furnished at the base occasionally with many rather strong, yellow, fibrous roots. Odor strong and disagreeable. Flesh thick and yellow. Spores are 9–10×5µ.
It grows in mixed woods. I find it frequently where logs have decayed. The specimen in Figure 46 was found in Haynes' Hollow and photographed by Dr. Kellerman. Found in October and November.
Quinquepartitum means divided into five parts. There is no apparent reason for the name. Fries could not identify Linnæus' Agaricus quinquepartitus and he attached the name of this species.
The pileus is three or four inches broad, slightly fleshy; convex, rather involute, then flattened, somewhat repand; viscid, smooth, even, pale yellowish.
The gills are notched at the point of attachment to the stem, broad, white.
The stem is three to four inches long, solid, striate or grooved, smooth. The spores are 5–6×3–4.
This species differs from T. portentosum in the pileus not being virgate, and from T. fucatum in the smooth, striate or grooved stem. This plant is found in thin woods where logs have decayed. I have not eaten this species but I have no doubt of its edibility. The taste is pleasant. Found in October and November.
Figure 47.Figure 47.—Tricholoma laterarium.
Figure 47.—Tricholoma laterarium.
Laterarium is fromlater, a brick; so called because there is nearly always a slight tinge of brick red on the disk.
The pileus is two to four inches broad, convex, then expanded, sometimes slightly depressed in the center; pruinose, whitish, the disk often tinged with red or brown, the thin margin marked with slight subdistant, short, radiating ridges.
The gills are narrow, crowded, white, prolonged in little decurrent lines on the stem. The stem is nearly equal, solid, white. The spores are globose, .00018 inch in diameter.Peck's26th Rep.
This plant is quite widely distributed in the United States. It is found quite frequently in Ohio and is rather abundant on the hillsides about Chillicothe, where it is frequently somewhat bulbous. The tinge of brownish-red on the disk, and the short radiating ridges on the margin of the pileus will serve to identify the plant. It is edible and fairly good. Found on leaf-mold in rather damp woods from July to November.
Figure .Figure 48.—Tricholoma panæolum.
Figure 48.—Tricholoma panæolum.
Panæolum, all variegated. The pileus is from three to four inches broad, deeply depressed, dusky with a gray bloom, hygrophanous; margin at first inrolled, sometimes wavy or irregular when fully expanded.
The gills are quite crowded, adnate, arcuate, white at first,turning to a light gray tinged with an intimation of red, notched with a decurrent tooth.
The stem is short, slightly bulbous, tapering upward, solid, smooth, about the same color as the cap. The spores are subglobose, 5–6.
I found the specimens in Figure 48 under pine trees, growing on a bed of pine needles, on Cemetery Hill. They were found on the 9th of November.
Var. calceolum, Sterb., has the pileus spongy, deformed, thin, soft, expanded, edge incurved, sooty-gray; gills smoky; stem excentric, fusiform, very short.
The Dove-Colored Tricholoma. Edible.
Figure 49.Figure 49.—Tricholoma columbetta. One-third natural size. Caps white. Stems bulbous.
Figure 49.—Tricholoma columbetta. One-third natural size. Caps white. Stems bulbous.
Columbetta is the diminutive ofcolumba, a dove; so called from the color of the plant. The pileus is from one to four inches broad, fleshy, convex, then expanded; at first smooth, then silky; white, center sometimes a dilute mouse color shading to a white, frequently a tinge of pink will be seen on the margin, which is at first inrolled, tomentose in young plants, sometimes cracked.
The gills are notched at the junction of the stem, crowded, thin, white, brittle.
The stem is two inches or more long, solid, white, cylindrical, unequal, often compressed, smooth, crooked, silky especially in young plants, bulbous. Spores .00023 by .00018 inch. Flesh white, taste mild.
This is a beautiful plant, seeming to be quite free from insects, and will remain sound for several days on your study table. I had no end of trouble with it till Dr. Herbst suggested the species. It is quite plentiful here. Dr. Peck gives quite a number of varieties. Curtis, McIlvaine, Stevenson, and Cooke all speak of its esculent qualities. Found in the woods in September and October.
The Changeable Tricholoma.
Figure 50.Figure 50.—Tricholoma melaleucum. Two-thirds natural size.
Figure 50.—Tricholoma melaleucum. Two-thirds natural size.
Melaleucum, black and white; from contrasted colors of the cap and gills.
This Tricholoma grows in abundance in northern Ohio. I have found it in the woods near Bowling Green, Ohio. The specimens in the halftone were found near Sandusky, Ohio, and were photographed by Dr. Kellerman. It is usually found in sandy soil, growing singly in shady woods.
The pileus fleshy, thin, from one to three inches broad, convex, rather broadly umbonate, smooth, moist, with variable color, usually pale, nearly white at first, later much darker, sometimes slightly wavy.
The gills are notched, adnexed, ventricose, crowded, white.
The stem is stuffed, then hollow, elastic, from two to four inches long, somewhat smooth, whitish, sprinkled with afew fibrils, usually thickened at the base. The flesh is soft and white. There is no report, so far as I know, regarding its edibility, and I have no doubt as to this, but would advise caution.
The Tarry Tricholoma.
Lascivum, playful, wanton; so called because of its many affinities, none of which are very close. The pileus is fleshy, convex, then expanded, slightly obtuse, somewhat depressed, silky at first, then smooth, even. The gills are notched, adnexed, crowded, white; the stem is solid, equal, rigid, rooting, white, tomentose at the base. Found in the woods, Haynes' Hollow near Chillicothe. September and October.
The Reddish Tricholoma. Edible.
Figure 51.Figure 51.—Tricholoma Russula. Natural size. Caps reddish or flesh color.
Figure 51.—Tricholoma Russula. Natural size. Caps reddish or flesh color.
Russula is so named because of its likeness in color to some species of the genus Russula.
The pileus is three to four inches broad, fleshy, convex, then depressed, viscid, even or dotted with granular scales, red or flesh color, the margin somewhat paler, involute and minutely downy in the young plant.
The gills are rounded or slightly decurrent, rather distant, white, often becoming red-spotted with age.
The stem is two to three inches long, solid, firm, whitish rosy-red, nearly equal, scaly at the apex. The spores are elliptical, 10×5µ.
This plant is quite variable in many of its peculiar characteristics, yet it usually has enough to readily distinguish it. The cap may be flesh-color and the stem rosy-red, the cap may be red and the stem white or whitish with stains of red. During wet weather the caps of all are viscid; when dry, all may be cracked more or less. The stems may not be scaly at the apex, often rosy when young. They are found in the woods solitary, in groups, or frequently in dense clusters. The specimens in Figure 51 were found in Michigan and photographed by Dr. Fischer.
I found this plant in Poke Hollow. The gills were quite decurrent.
The Bitter Tricholoma.
Acerbum means bitter to the taste.
The pileus is three to four inches broad, convex to expanded, obtuse, smooth, more or less spotted, margin thin, at first involute, rugose, sulcate, viscid, whitish, often tinged rufous, or yellow, quite bitter to the taste.
The gills are notched, crowded, pallid or rufescent, narrow.
The stem is solid, rather short, blunt, yellowish, squamulose above or about the apex. The spores are subglobose, 5–6µ.
These plants were found growing in a thick bed of moss along with Armillaria nardosmia. They were not perfect plants but I judged them to be T. acerbum from their taste and involute margin. I sent some to Prof. Atkinson, who confirmed my classification. They grow in open woods in October and November.
Cinerascens means becoming the color of ashes.
The pileus is two to three inches broad, fleshy, convex to expanded, even, obtuse, smooth, white, then grayish, margin thin.
The gills are emarginate, crowded, rather undulate, dingy, reddish often yellowish, easily separating from the pileus.
The stem is stuffed, equal, smooth, elastic.
They grow in clusters in mixed wood. They are mild to the taste.
The White Tricholoma. Edible.
Figure 52.Figure 52.—Tricholoma album. Entirely white.
Figure 52.—Tricholoma album. Entirely white.
Album means white.
The pileus is two to four inches broad, fleshy, entirely white, convex, then depressed, obtuse, smooth, dry, disc frequently tinged with yellow, margin at first involute, at length repand.
The gills are rounded behind, rather crowded, thin, white, broad.
The stem is two to four inches long, solid, firm, narrowed upwards, smooth.
This plant is quite plentiful in our woods, growing usually in groups. It grows upon the leaf mould and is frequently quite large. It is quite acrid tothe taste when raw, but this is overcome in cooking. It is found from August to October.
These plants are quite plentiful on the wooded hillsides about Chillicothe. Those in Figure 52 were found on Ralston's Run and photographed by Dr. Kellerman.
The Imbricated Tricholoma. Edible.
Figure 53.Photo by C. G. LloydFigure 53.—Tricholoma imbricatum.
Photo by C. G. Lloyd
Figure 53.—Tricholoma imbricatum.
Imbricatum means covered with tiles,imbreces, referring to the lacerated condition of the cap. This species is very closely related to T. transmutans in size, color and taste. It is, however, easily separated by its dry cap and solid stem. Its cap is reddish-brown or cinnamon-brown, and its surface often presents a somewhat scaly appearance because the epidermis becomes lacerated or torn into small irregular fragments which adhere and seem to overlap like shingles on a roof. The flesh is firm, white, and has a farinaceous taste as well as odor. The gills are white, becoming red or rusty spotted, rather close, and notched. The stem is solid, firm, nearly equal,except slightly swollen at the base, colored much like the cap but usually paler. When old it is sometimes hollow on account of the insects mining it. The spores are white and elliptical, .00025 inch long.
I found this mushroom near Salem, Ohio, Bowling Green, Ohio, and on Ralston's Run near Chillicothe. Found in mixed woods from September to November.
The Earth-bearing Tricholoma. Edible.
Terriferum, earth-bearing, alluding to the viscid cap's holding particles of loam and pine needles to it as it breaks through the soil. This is a meaty mushroom, and when properly cleaned makes an appetizing dish.
The pileus is convex, irregular, wavy on the margin and rolled inward, smooth, viscid, pale yellow, sometimes whitish, generally covered with loam on account of the sticky surface of the cap, flesh white.
The gills are white, thin, close, slightly adnexed.
The stem is short, fleshy, solid, equal, mealy, very slightly bulbous at the base.
Found near Salem, Ohio, on Hon. J. Thwing Brooks' farm September to October.
The Smoky Tricholoma. Edible.
Fumidellum—smoky, because of the clay-colored caps clouded with brown.
The pileus is one to two inches broad, convex, then expanded, subumbonate, bare, moist, dingy-white or clay-color clouded with brown, the disk or umbo generally smoky brown.
The gills are crowded, subventricose, whitish.
The stem is one and a half to two and a half inches long, equal, bare, solid whitish. The spores minute, subglobose, 4–5×4µ.Peck, 44 Rep.
The specimens I found grew in a mixed woods in the leaf-mold. They are found only occasionally in our woods in September and October.
The White-capped Tricholoma. Edible.
Leucocephalum is from two Greek words meaning white and head, referring to the white caps.
The pileus is one and a half to two inches across, convex, then plane; even, moist, smooth when the silky veil is gone, water-soaked after a rain; flesh thin, tough, smell mealy, taste mild and pleasant.
The gills are rounded behind and almost free, crowded, white.
The stem is about two inches long, hollow, solid at the base, smooth, cartilaginous, tough, rooting. The spores are 9–10×7–8µ.
It differs from T. album in having the odor of new meal strongly marked. It is found in open woods during September and October.
Smoky Tricholoma. Edible.
Figure 54.Figure 54.—Tricholoma fumescens.
Figure 54.—Tricholoma fumescens.
Fumescens means growing smoky.
Pileus convex or expanded, dry, clothed with a very minute appressed tomentum, whitish.
The gills are narrow, crowded, rounded behind, whitish or pale cream color, changing to smoky blue or blackish where bruised.
The stem is short, cylindrical, whitish. Spores are oblong-elliptical, 5–6×5µ. Pileus is one inch broad. Stem one to one and a half inches high.Peck, 44th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
The caps are quite a bit larger in the specimens found in Ohio than those described by Dr. Peck. So much so that I was in doubt as to the correct identification. I sent some specimens to Dr. Peck for his determination. The species will be readily identified by the fine crowded gills and the smoky blue or blackish hue they assume when bruised. The caps are frequently wavy, as will be seen in Figure 54.
I found the plants in Poke Hollow near Chillicothe, September to November.
The Gray Tricholoma. Edible.
Figure 55.Figure 55.—Tricholoma terreum. Cap grayish-brown or mouse color.
Figure 55.—Tricholoma terreum. Cap grayish-brown or mouse color.
Terreum is fromterra, the earth; so called from the color. This is quite a variable species in color and size, as well as manner of growth.
The pileus is one to three inches broad, dry, fleshy, thin, convex, expanded, nearly plane, often having a central umbo; floccose-scaly, ashy-brown, grayish-brown or mouse-color.
The gills are adnexed, subdistant, white, becoming grayish, edges more or less eroded. Spores, 5–6µ.
The stem is whitish, fibrillose, equal, paler than the cap, varying from solid to stuffed or hollow, one to three inches high.
I find this plant on north hillsides, in beech woods. It is not plentiful. There are several varieties:
Var. orirubens. Q. Edge of gills reddish.
Var. atrosquamosum. Chev. Pileus gray with small black scales; g. whitish.
Var. argyraceum. Bull. Entirely pure white, or pileus grayish.
Var. chrysites. Jungh. Pileus tinged yellowish or greenish.
The plants in Figure 55 were found in Poke Hollow near Chillicothe. Their time is September to November.
Figure 56.Figure 56.—Tricholoma saponaceum.
Figure 56.—Tricholoma saponaceum.
Saponaceum is fromsapo, soap, so called from its peculiar odor.
The pileus is two to three inches broad, convex, then plane, involute at first as will be seen in Figure 56, smooth, moist in wet weather but not viscid, often cracked into scales or punctate, grayish or livid-brown, often with a tinge of olive, flesh firm, becoming more or less red when cut or wounded.
The gills are uncinately emarginate, thin, quite entire, not crowded, white, sometimes tinged with green. Spores subglobose, 5×4µ.
The stem is solid, unequal, rooting, smooth, sometimes reticulated with black fibrils or scaly.
This species is found quite frequently about Chillicothe. It is quite variable in size and color, but can be readily recognized from its peculiar odor and the flesh's becoming reddish when wounded. It is not poisonous but its odor will prevent any one from eating it. Found in mixed woods from August to November.
The Cartilaginous Tricholoma. Edible.
Figure 57.Figure 57.—Tricholoma cartilagineum. Two-thirds natural size.
Figure 57.—Tricholoma cartilagineum. Two-thirds natural size.
Cartilagineum means gristly or cartilaginous.
The pileus is two to three inches broad, cartilaginous, elastic, fleshy, convex, soon expanded, wavy, as seen in Figure 57, margin incurved, smooth, inclined to be blackish at first, then broken up into small black spots.
The gills are slightly notched, adnexed, somewhat crowded, grayish.
The stem is one to two inches long, rather firm, stuffed, equal, smooth, white, often striate and mealy. Taste and odor pleasant.
A number of my friends ate it because of its inviting taste and odor. It grew in quantities among the clover in our city park during the wet weather of the last of May and the first of June.
Figure 58.Figure 58.—Tricholoma squarrulosum. Caps showing black squamules.
Figure 58.—Tricholoma squarrulosum. Caps showing black squamules.
Squarrulosum means full of scales.
The pileus is two to three inches broad, convex, then expanded, umbonate, dry; fuscous then lurid tan, center black, with black squamules; edge fibrillose, exceeding gills.
The gills are broad, crowded, whitish-gray, reddish when bruised.
The stem is of the same color as the pileus, punctato-squamulose. The spores are elliptical, 7–9×4–5µ.
This is a beautiful plant, growing in mixed woods among the leaves. The stem is short and apparently the same color as the pileus. The latter is covered with black squamules which give rise to the name of the species. I have succeeded in finding the plants only in October. The specimens in Figure 58 were found in Poke Hollow, near Chillicothe.
Spotted Tricholoma.
Figure 59.Figure 59.—Tricholoma maculatescens. One-third natural size.
Figure 59.—Tricholoma maculatescens. One-third natural size.
Maculatescens means growing spotted; so called because when the specimen is dried the cap becomes more or less spotted.
The pileus is one and a half to three inches broad, compact, spongy, reddish-brown, convex, then expanded, obtuse, even, slightly viscid when wet, becoming rivulose and brown spotted in drying, flesh whitish, margin inflexed, exceeding the gills.
The gills are slightly emarginate, rather narrow, cinereous.
The stem is spongy-fleshy, equal, sometimes abruptly narrowed at the base, solid, stout, fibrillose, pallid or whitish. The spores are oblong or subfusiform, pointed at the ends, uninucleate, .0003 inch long, .00016 broad.Peck.
I found the plant on several occasions in the month of November, but was unable to fix it satisfactorily until Prof. Morgan helped me out. The specimens in Figure 59 were found on Thanksgiving day in the Morton woods, in Gallia County, Ohio. I had found several specimens about Chillicothe, previous to this.
This species seems to be very near T. flavobrunneum, T. graveolens, and T. Schumacheri, but may be distinguished from them by the spotting of the pileus when drying and the peculiar shape of the spores.
It is found among the leaves in mixed woods even during freezing weather. It is no doubt edible, but I should try it cautiously for the first time.
The Yellow-Brown Tricholoma. Edible.
Flavobrunneum is from flavus, yellow; brunneus, brown; so called from the brown caps and yellow flesh.
The pileus is three to four or more inches broad, fleshy, conical, then convex, expanded, subumbonate, viscid, brownish-bay, scaly-streaked, flesh yellow, then tinged with red.
The gills are pale yellow, emarginate, slightly decurrent, somewhat crowded, and often tinged with red.
The stem is three to four inches long, hollow, slightly ventricose, brownish, flesh yellow, at first viscid, sometimes reddish-brown. The spores are 6–7×4–5. Found in mixed woods among leaves.
Schumacheri in honor of C. F. Schumacher, author of "Plantarum Sællandiæ." The pileus is from two to three inches broad, spongy, convex, then plane, obtuse, even, livid gray, moist, edge beyond gills incurved.
The gills are narrow, close, pure white, slightly emarginate.
The stem is three to four inches long, solid, fibrillosely-striate, white and fleshy.
This seems to be a domestic plant, found in greenhouses.
The Large Tricholoma. Edible.
Grande, large, showy. This was quite abundant in Haines' Hollow and on Ralston's Run during the wet weather of the fall of 1905. It seems to be very like T. columbetta and is found in the same localities.
The pileus is thick, firm, hemispherical, becoming convex, often irregular, dry, scaly, somewhat silky-fibrillose toward the margin, white, the margin at first involute. Flesh grayish-white, taste farinaceous.
The gills are close, rounded behind, adnexed, white.
The stem is stout, solid, fibrillose, at first tapering upward, then equal or but slightly thickened at the base, pure white. The spores are elliptical, 9–11×6µ.
The pileus is four to five inches broad, the stem two to four inches long, and an inch to an inch and a half thick.Peck, 44th Rep.
This is a very large and showy plant, growing among leaves after heavy rains. Both this and T. columbetta, as well as a white variety of T. personatum,were very plentiful in the same woods. They grow in groups so closely crowded that the caps are often quite irregular. The darker and scaly disk and larger sized spore will help you to distinguish it from T. columbetta. The very large specimens are too coarse to be good. Found in damp woods, among leaves, from August to November.
The Separating Tricholoma. Edible.