Figure 281.Figure 281.—Psathyrella hirta.
Figure 281.—Psathyrella hirta.
Hirta means hairy, rough or shaggy.
Pileus thin, hemispherical or convex, adorned when young with erect or spreading tufts of white, easily determined and quickly evanescent hairs; hygrophanous, brown or reddish-brown and slightly striatulate when moist, pale grayish-brown or dingy-whitish when dry, flesh subconcolorous; lamellæ broad, moderately close, adnate and often furnished with a decurrent tooth, at first pallid, becoming blackish-brown or black; stem flexuose, squamose, hollow, shining, white; spores elliptical, black, .0005 to .00055 inch long, .00025 to .0003 broad.
Subcæspitose; pileus 4 to 6 lines broad; stem 1 to 2 inches long to 1 1-5 lines thick. The specimens in Figure 281 were found in the greenhouse at the State University. When quite young tufts of white hair were very conspicuous. They are scarcely observed in mature specimens. The plants were photographed by Dr. Kellerman.
Gomphidius is from a Greek word meaning a wooden bolt or peg.
The hymenophore is decurrent on the stem. The gills are decurrent, distant, soft, somewhat mucilaginous; edge acute, pruinate with the blackish fusiform spores; veil viscoso-floccose, forming an imperfect ring around the stem.
A small, but distinct, genus, with great difference among species; intermediate by its habits between Cortinarius and Hygrophorus.
Viscid Gomphidius.
The pileus is two to three inches broad, viscid, convex, then depressed round the disk, obtusely umbonate, margin acute, reddish-brown to yellowish-brown in the center, the margin liver-color, flesh yellowish-brown.
The gills are decurrent, distant, somewhat branched, firm, elastic, rather thick, purple-brown with an olive tinge.
The stem is two to three inches high, subequal or slightly ventricose; pale yellowish-brown, fibrillose, firm, solid, slimy from the remains of the veil, which form an obsolete filamentose ring.
The spores are elongato-fusiform, 18–20×6µ.
Its favorite habitat is under pine and fir trees. Its taste is sweet and it has the mushroom smell. It is edible, but not first-class.
Found in September and October.
In this family the cap has no gills on the upper surface, but, instead, there are small tubes or pores. This class of plants may be naturally divided into two groups: The perishable fungi with the pores easily separating from the cap and from each other, which may be called Boletaceæ; and the leathery, corky, and woody fungi, with pores permanently united to the cap and with each other, making the family Polyporaceæ.
In each group the spores are borne on the lining of the pore. A spore print may be made in the same manner as from mushrooms having gills. The color of the spores does not enter into the classification as in the case of the Agaricini.
The distinctive characteristics of these genera may be stated as follows:
Pores compacted together and forming a continuous stratum1Pores each a distinct tube, standing closely side by sideFistulina1.Stem central, and stratum of spores easily separable from the capBoletus1.Stratum of tubes not separating easily, cap covered with coarse scalesStrobilomycesStratum of tubes separating, but not easily; tubes arranged in distinct, radiating lines. In Boletinus porosus the tubes do not separate from the capBoletinusStratum of pores not separable from cap; plant soft when young, but becoming hard, corky, stipitate, shelvingPolyporus
Boletus, a clod. There are very many species under this genus and the beginner will experience much trouble in separating the species with any degree of assurance. The Boletus is distinguished from the other pore-bearing fungi by the fact that the stratum of tubes is easily separable from the cap. In the Polyporus the stratum of tubes cannot be separated.
Nearly all Boleti are terrestrial and have central stems. They grow in warm and rainy weather. Many are very large and ponderous; fleshy and putrescent, decaying soon after maturity. It is important to note whether the flesh changescolor when bruised and whether the taste is pleasant or otherwise. When I first began to study the Boleti there were but few species that were thought to be edible, but the ban has been removed from very many, even from the most wicked, Boletus Satanus.
The Rough-Stemmed Boletus. Edible.
Figure 282.Figure 282.—Boletus scaber. Two-thirds natural size.
Figure 282.—Boletus scaber. Two-thirds natural size.
The pileus is from two to five inches in diameter, rounded convex, smooth, viscid when moist, minutely woolly, velvety or scaly, color from nearly white to almost black, the flesh white.
The tubes are free from the stem, white, long, mouths minute and round.
The stem is solid, tapering slightly upward, long, dingy-white; roughened with blackish-brown or reddish dots or scales, this being the most pronounced characteristic by which to distinguish the species; three to five inches long. The spores are oblong fusiform and brown.
Prof. Peck has described a number of varieties under this species, most of which depend on the color of the cap. All are edible and good.
This is a common plant, usually found in woods and shady waste places, from June to October. Photographed by Prof. H. C. Beardslee.
The Granulated Boletus. Edible.
Figure 283.Figure 283.—Boletus granulatus. One-half natural size.
Figure 283.—Boletus granulatus. One-half natural size.
The pileus is two to three inches broad, hemispherical, then convex; at first covered with a brownish gluten, then turning yellowish; flesh thick, yellowish, does not turn blue; margin involute at first.
The tubes are adnate; at first white, then light yellow; the margin distilling a pale watery fluid which when dry gives the granulated appearance.
The stem is short, one to two inches high, thick, solid, pale yellow above, white below, granulated. The spores are spindle-shaped, rusty-yellow.
This plant grows abundantly in pine regions, but I have found it where only a part of the trees were pine. The brownish gluten, always constant on the pileus, and the gummy juice drying upon the stem, like granules of sugar, will be strong features by which to identify the species.
They are found from July to October.
The Two-colored Boletus. Edible.
The pileus is convex, smooth or merely downy, dark red, fading when old, often marked with yellow; flesh yellow, slowly changing to blue when bruised.
The tubes are bright yellow, attached to the stem, the color changing to blue when bruised.
The stem is solid, red, generally red at the top, one to three inches long.
The spores are pale, rusty-brown color.
Found in woods and open places, from July to October.
The Yellow-Cracked Boletus. Edible.
Figure 284.Figure 284.—Boletus subtomentosus. One-half natural size.
Figure 284.—Boletus subtomentosus. One-half natural size.
Subtomentosus, slightly downy. The pileus is from three to six inches broad, convex, plane; yellowish-brown, olive or subdued tan color; cuticle soft and dry, with a fine pubescence; the cracks in the surface become yellow. The flesh is creamy white in mature specimens, changing to blue, and at length leaden, on being bruised.
The tube surface is yellow or yellowish green, becoming bluish when bruised; opening of tubes large and angular.
The stem is stout, yellowish, minutely roughened with scurvy dots or faintly striped with brown. The spores are a rusty-brown.
The cracks in the cap become yellow, on which account this species is called the Yellow-cracked Boletus. The taste of the flesh is sweet and agreeable. Palmer compares it with the taste of a walnut. The plant should not be fearedbecause the flesh turns blue when bruised. I first found this species in Whinnery's woods, Salem, Ohio. The specimens in Figure 284 grew near Chillicothe and was photographed by Dr. Kellerman. July to August.
The Red-cracked Boletus. Edible.
Figure 285.Figure 285.—Boletus chrysenteron. One-half natural size. Caps yellowish to red. Flesh yellow.
Figure 285.—Boletus chrysenteron. One-half natural size. Caps yellowish to red. Flesh yellow.
Chrysenteron means gold or golden within. The pileus is two to four inches broad, convex, becoming more flattened, soft to the touch, varying from light to yellowish-brown or bright brick-red, more or less fissured with red cracks; the flesh yellow, changing to blue when bruised or cut, red immediately beneath the cuticle.
The tube surface is olive-yellow, becoming bluish when bruised, tube-openings rather large, angled and unequal in size.
The stem is generally stout, straight, yellowish, and more or less streaked or spotted with the color of the cap. The spores are light brown and spindle-shaped. This species will be easily distinguished from B. subtomentosus because of its bright color and the cracks in the cap turning red, whence the name of the "Red-cracked Boletus."
The cap of this species strongly resembles Boletus alveolatus, but the latter has rose-colored spores and a red pore surface, while the former has light brown spores and an olive-yellow pore surface. Tolerton's and Bower's woods, Salem, Ohio, July to October.
The Edible Boletus.
Figure 286.Plate XLII. Figure 286.—Boletus edulis.Pileus light brown, tubes yellowish or greenish-yellow. Stem bulbous and faintly reticulate. Natural size.
Plate XLII. Figure 286.—Boletus edulis.Pileus light brown, tubes yellowish or greenish-yellow. Stem bulbous and faintly reticulate. Natural size.
This is quite a large and handsome plant and one rather easily recognized. The firm caps of the young plant and the white tubes with their very indistinct mouths, and the mature plants with the tubes changing to a greenish yellow with their mouths quite distinct, are enough to identify the plant at once.
The pileus is convex or nearly plane; variable in color, light brown to dark brownish-red, surface smooth but dull, cap from three to eight inches broad. The flesh is white or yellowish, not changing color on being bruised or broken.
The tube-surface is whitish in very young plants, at length becoming yellow and yellowish-green. Pore openings angled. The tubes depressed around the stem, which is stout, bulbous, often disproportionately elongated; pale-brown; straight or flexuous, generally with a fine raised net-work of pink lines near junction of cap, sometimes extending to the base. The taste is agreeable and nutty, especially when young. Woods and open places. July and August. Common about Salem and Chillicothe, Ohio.
It is one of our best mushrooms. Captain McIlvaine says: "Carefully sliced, dried, and kept where safe from mold, it may be prepared for the table at any season."
The Handsome Boletus. Edible.
Figure 287.Figure287.—Boletus speciosus. Natural size. Cap red or deep scarlet. Tubes bright lemon-yellow.
Figure287.—Boletus speciosus. Natural size. Cap red or deep scarlet. Tubes bright lemon-yellow.
Speciosus means handsome.
The pileus is three to six inches broad, at first very thick, subglobose, compact, then softer, convex, glabrous or nearly so, red or deep scarlet. The flesh is pale yellow or bright lemon-yellow, changing to blue where wounded.
The tubes are adnate, small, subrotund, plane, or slightly depressed around the stem; bright lemon-yellow, becoming dingy-yellow with age, changing to blue where bruised.
The stem is two to four inches long, stout, subequal or bulbous, reticulated, bright lemon-yellow without and within, sometimes reddish at the base. The spores are oblong-fusiform, pale, ochraceous-brown, 10–12.5×4–5µ.
The young specimen can be recognized by the whole plant's being of a vivid lemon-yellow except the surface of the cap. The plant quickly turns to green, then blue, wherever touched. It has a wide distribution in the Eastern and Middle states. The plant in Figure 287 was found in Haynes' Hollow by Dr. Chas. Miesse and photographed by Dr. Kellerman.
As an edible it is among the best. Found from August to October.
Figure 288.Figure288.—Boletus cyanescens.
Figure288.—Boletus cyanescens.
Cyanescens is fromcyaneus, deep blue, so called the moment you touch it, it turns a deep blue.
Pileus is two to four inches across, convex, then expanded, sometimes nearly plane, frequently wavy, covered with an appressed tomentum; opaque, pale-buff, grayish-yellow, or yellowish, flesh thick, white, quickly changing to a beautifulazure-blue where cut or wounded.
The tubes are quite free, openings small, white, then pale-yellow, round, changing color the same as the flesh.
The stem is two to three inches long, ventricose, hoary with fine hair, stuffed at first, then becoming hollow, colored like the pileus.
The spores are subelliptical, 10–12.5×6–7.5µ.
The specimens in Figure 288 were found on rather steep wooded hillsides, Sugar Grove, Ohio. They were all solitary. I have found a few specimens about Chillicothe. They are widely distributed in the Eastern states.
Captain McIlvaine says in his book the caps make an excellent dish cooked in any way. I have never tried them. Found on hilly ground in August and September.
The Undecided Boletus. Edible.
Figure 289.Figure289.—Boletus indecisus. One-half natural size.
Figure289.—Boletus indecisus. One-half natural size.
Indecisus means undecided; so called because it favors very closely Boletus felleus. There is a difference in the style of the two plants by which, after continued tasting, the student can readily separate them.
The pileus is three to four inches broad, dry, slightly downy, convex, ochraceous-brown, plane, often irregular on the margin, sometimes wavy, flesh white, and unchangeable, taste mild or sweet.
The tube surface is nearly plane and firmly set against the stem, grayish, becoming tinged with flesh color in age, changing to a brown when bruised; the mouths small and nearly round. The stem is covered with a fine mealy substance, straight or flexuous, sometimes reticulated above. The spores are oblong, brownish flesh color, 12.5–15×4µ.
The B. indecisus can be readily told from B. felleus by its sweet taste and brownish spores. It is my favorite of all the Boleti, indeed I think it equals the best of mushrooms. Its favorite habitat is under beech trees in the open. It is widely distributed from Massachusetts to the west. Found in July and August.
Club-Footed Boletus. Edible.
Figure 290.Figure290.—Boletus edulis, var. clavipes. Two-thirds natural size. Note confluent caps on right.
Figure290.—Boletus edulis, var. clavipes. Two-thirds natural size. Note confluent caps on right.
Clavipes means club-footed. Pileus fleshy, convex, glabrous, grayish-red or chestnut-color. Flesh white, unchangeable. The tubes at first concave or nearly plane, white and stuffed, then convex, slightly depressed around the stem, ochraceous-yellow. Stem mostly obclavate, inversely club-shaped, and reticulate to the base. The spores oblong-fusiform, 12–15×4–5µ.Peck.51st Rep.
The club-footed Boletus is very closely related to B. edulis. It differs, perhaps, in a more uniform color of the cap, and in having tubes less depressed around the stem, and less tinted with green when mature. The stem is more club-shaped and more completely reticulated.
The pileus in the young plant is much more highly colored and fades out in age, but the margin does not become paler than the disk as is often the case with B. edulis. The specimens in Figure 290 were found in Michigan and photographed by Dr. Fischer. They are quite as good as B. edulis.
Figure 291.Figure291.—Boletus sullivantii.
Figure291.—Boletus sullivantii.
Sullivantii is named in honor of Professor Sullivant, an early Ohio botanist.
The pileus is three to four inches broad, hemispherical at first, glabrous, reddish-tawny or brown, brownish when dry, cracked in squares.
The tubes are free, convex, medium size, angular, longer toward the margin, their mouths reddish.
The stem is solid, violaceous at the thickened base, red-reticulated at the apex, expanded into the pileus.
The spores are pallid to ochraceous, oblong-fusiform, 10–20µ long.Peck'sBoleti in U. S.
This species is very close to Boletus scaber and Boletus edulis. It differs from B. scaber in its reticulated stem and from B. edulis in its larger tubes. The specimens in Figure 291 were found by Hambleton Young near Columbus, and were photographed by Dr. Kellerman.
Parvus means small; so named from the smallness of the plant.
The pileus is one to two inches broad, convex, becoming plane, often slightly umbonate, subtomentose, reddish. Flesh yellowish-white, slowly changing to pinkish when bruised.
The tubes are nearly plane, adnate, their mouths rather large, angular, at first bright-red, becoming reddish-brown.
The stem is equal or slightly thickened below, red, from one to two inches long. The spores are oblong, 12.5×4µ.
They are found in thin woods, July and August.
The Select Boletus. Edible.
Figure 292.Figure292.—Boletus eximius. Two-thirds natural size.
Figure292.—Boletus eximius. Two-thirds natural size.
Eximius means select.
The pileus at first is very compact, nearly round, somewhat covered with a mealy substance, purplish-brown, or chocolate color, sometimes with a faint tinge of lilac, becoming convex, soft, smoky red, or pale-chestnut, flesh grayish or reddish-white.
The tube surface is at first concave or nearly plane, stuffed, colored nearly like the pileus, becoming paler with age and depressed around the stem, the mouths minute, round.
The stem is stout, generally short, equal or tapering upward, abruptly narrowed at the base, minutely branny, colored like or a little paler than the cap, purplish-gray within.
The spores are subferruginous, 12.5–15×5–6µ. This plant is found in open woods where there are beech trees. I found it frequently on Cemetery Hill, Chillicothe. It is widely distributed, being found from the east to the west. July and August.
The Pallid Boletus. Edible.
Pallidus, pale. The pileus is convex, becoming plane or centrally depressed, soft, smooth, pallid or brownish-white, sometimes tinged with red. Flesh is white. Tubes plane or slightly depressed around the stem, nearly adnate, very pale or whitish-yellow, becoming darker with age, changing to blue where wounded, the mouths small. The stem is equal or slightly thickened toward the base, rather long, smooth, often flexuous; whitish, sometimes streaked with brown, often tinged with red within. Spores pale ochraceous-brown. Pileus two to four inches broad. Stem three to five inches long.Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
This species is very good, tender, and appetizing. I found it quite abundant in the woods of Gallia County and near Chillicothe, Ohio.
The Alveolate Boletus.
Figure 293.Figure293.—Boletus alveolatus.
Figure293.—Boletus alveolatus.
Alveolatus is fromalveolus, a small hollow, referring to the pitted form of the pore-surface, which is one of the characters of this species. The pileus is convex, smooth, polished, usually rich crimson or maroon, sometimes varied with paler yellowish tints; substance solid, changing to blue on being fractured or bruised, three to six inches broad.
The tube-surface reaches the stem proper, undulate with uneven hollows, maroon, the tubes in section being yellow beyond their dark red mouths.
The stem is usually quite long, covered with depressions or pitted dentations, with intermediate coarse net-work of raised ridges, red and yellow. The spores are yellowish-brown. I found this species in the woods near Gallipolis, Ohio, also near Salem, Ohio. The bright color of its cap will command the attention of any one passing near it. It has been branded as a reprobate, but Captain McIlvaine gives it a good reputation. Found in the woods, especially along streams, August and September. Photographed by Prof. H. C. Beardslee.
The Bitter Boletus.
Figure 294.Photo by Prof. Atkinson.Figure294.—Boletus felleus. Natural size.
Photo by Prof. Atkinson.
Figure294.—Boletus felleus. Natural size.
Felleus is fromfel, gall, bitter. The pileus is convex, nearly plane, at first rather firm in substance, then becoming soft and cushion-like, smooth, without polish, varying in color from pale ochre to yellowish or reddish-brown or chestnut, flesh white, changing to flesh-color when bruised, taste exceedingly bitter, cap three to eight inches in diameter.
The tube-surface is white at first, becoming dull pinkish with age or upon being cut or broken; rounded upward as it reaches the stem, attached to the stem, mouths angular.
The stem is variable, tapering upward, rather stout, quite as smooth as thecap and a shade paler in color, toward the apex covered with a net-work which extends to the base, often bulbous.
The flesh is not poisonous but intensely bitter. No amount of cooking will destroy its bitterness. I gave it a thorough trial, but it was as bitter after cooking as before. It is a common Boletus about Salem, Ohio. I have seen plants there eight to ten inches in diameter and very heavy. They grow in woods and wood margins, usually about decaying stumps and logs, sometimes in the open fields. July to September.
The Orange-Cap Boletus. Edible.
Figure 295v.Figure295.—Boletus versipellis. Natural size.
Figure295.—Boletus versipellis. Natural size.
Versipellis is fromverto, to change, andpellis, a skin. The pileus is two to six inches in diameter, convex, orange-red, dry, minutely woolly or downy, then scaly or smooth, margin containing fragments of the veil, flesh white or grayish.
The tube-surface is grayish-white, tubes long, free, mouths minute and gray.
The stem is equal or tapering upward; solid, white with scaly wrinkles; three to five inches long; and is frequently covered with small reddish or blackish dots or scales. The spores are oblong spindle-shaped.
This plant can be easily distinguished by the remnant of the veil which adheres to the margin of the cap and is of the same color. It is frequentlyturned under the margin adhering to the tubes. It is a large and imposing plant found in sandy soil and especially among the pines. I found it in J. Thwing Brooke's woods, Salem, Ohio. August to October.
The Slender-Stemmed Boletus. Edible.
Figure 296.Figure 296.—Boletus gracilis. Two-thirds natural size.
Figure 296.—Boletus gracilis. Two-thirds natural size.
Gracilis means slender, referring to the stem.
The pileus is one to two inches broad, convex, smooth or minutely tomentose, the epidermis frequently cracked as in the illustration; ochraceous-brown, tawny, or reddish brown; flesh white.
The tube surface is convex to plane, depressed around the stem, nearly free, whitish, becoming flesh-colored.
The stem is long and slender, equal or slightly tapering upward, usually curved; pruinose or mealy. The spores are subferruginous, .0005 to .0007 inch long, .0002 to .00025 inch broad.
This is quite a pretty plant, but at first sight it will not be taken for a Boletus. They are not plentiful in our woods. I find them only occasionally and then sparsely. They are found in July and August, the months for the Boleti. They grow in leaf mold in mixed woods, especially among beech timber.
Striæpes means striate stem.
The pileus is convex or plane, soft, silky, olivaceous, the cuticle rust-color within, flesh white, yellow next the tubes, sparingly changing to blue.
The tubes are adnate, greenish, their mouths minute, angular, yellow.
The stem is firm, curved, marked with brownish-black striations, yellow, and brownish-rufescent at the base.
The spores are 10–13×4µ.Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
I found some beautiful specimens in a mixed woods on the Edinger hillside, near Chillicothe. I located them here, but observing that this species was not common I sent some to Prof. Atkinson, who placed them under this species. August.
The pileus is convex, dry, subtomentose, olivaceous-cinereus, becoming pale-yellowish, the margin thin, involute. Flesh pale-yellow, taste bitterish.
The tubes are adnate, their mouths large, unequal; lemon-yellow.
The stem is two to three inches long, even, tapering downward and radiating, flocculose with a reddish bloom, pale-yellow, becoming naked and dark with a touch.
The spores are fusiform, olive, 10–12.5×5µ.Peck, Boleti of the U. S.
I found these specimens in the same locality with the B. striæpes.
The olivaceous cap with its peculiar involute margin and its radiating stem will greatly assist in its determination. August.
The Yellow Boletus. Edible.
Figure 297.Figure 297.—Boletus subluteus. Natural size.
Figure 297.—Boletus subluteus. Natural size.
Subluteus is fromsub, under, nearly;luteus, yellow.
Pileus is two to three inches broad, convex, becoming plane, quite viscid when moist, dull yellowish to reddish brown, frequently more or less streaked. The flesh is whitish or dull yellow.
The tube surface is plane or convex, the tubes set squarely against the stem, being small, nearly round, yellowish or ochraceous, becoming darker in age.
The stem is rather long, nearly equal, about the color of the cap, dotted both above the ring and below it; the ring is membranaceous, quite variable and persistent, usually collapsing as a narrow ring on the stem. The spores are ochraceous-brown, oblong or elliptical, 8–10×4–5.
Prof. Atkinson has made a careful study of both the American and the European plants called in this country B. luteus and B. subluteus, and has come to the conclusion that they should all be called B. luteus. In distinguishing the two we usually say those having much gluten and dotted above the ring are B. luteus, and those dotted both above and below the ring are B. subluteus. The specimens in Figure 297 were collected at the State Farm at Lancaster, Ohio, and photographed by Dr. Kellerman. They are found in July and August.
Figure 298.Figure 298.—Boletus parasiticus.
Figure 298.—Boletus parasiticus.
Parasiticus means a parasite; so called because it grows on a Scleroderma. It is a small plant and quite rare.
The pileus is one to two inches broad, convex, or nearly plane, dry, silky,becoming glabrous, soon tessellately cracked, grayish or dingy yellow. Tubes decurrent, medium size, golden yellow.
The stem is equal, rigid, incurved, yellow within and without. The spores are oblong-fusiform, pale-brown, 12.5–15×4µ.Peck.
The tubes are rather large and unequal, and inclined to run down upon the stem.
This plant was found near Boston, Mass., by Mrs. E. B. Blackford and photographed by Dr. Kellerman. Captain McIlvaine says it is edible but not of good flavor. It is found in July and August.
The Separating Boletus. Edible.
Figure 299.Figure 299.—Boletus separans. One-half natural size.
Figure 299.—Boletus separans. One-half natural size.
Separans, separating, alluding to the tubes sometimes separating from the stem by the expansion of the pileus.
The pileus is convex, thick, smooth, subshining, often pitted or corrugated; brownish-red or dull-lilac, sometimes fading to yellowish on the margin; flesh white and unchangeable.
Tubes at first are nearly plane, adnate, white and stuffed, then convex, depressed around the stem, ochraceous-yellow or brownish-yellow and sometimes separating from the stem by the expansion of the pileus.
The stem is equal or slightly tapering upward; reticulated, either wholly or in upper part only; colored like the pileus or a little paler, sometimes slightly furfuraceous. Spores subfusiform, brownish-ochraceous.Peck, Boleti of U. S.
The specimens in Figure 299 were found at Londonderry, about fifteen miles east of Chillicothe, in a grassy woods near a stream. The taste is agreeable when raw and quite good when cooked. This might appropriately have been called the lilac Boletus, for that shade of color is usually present in it, somewhere. August to October.
Yellow-stemmed Boletus. Edible.
Figure 300.Figure 300.—Boletus auripes. One-half natural size. Caps yellowish-brown. Tube surface and stem yellow.
Figure 300.—Boletus auripes. One-half natural size. Caps yellowish-brown. Tube surface and stem yellow.
Auripes is fromaureus, yellow or golden;pes, foot; so called from its yellow stem.
The pileus is three to four inches broad, convex, nearly smooth, yellowish-brown, the flesh often cracking in areas in old plants; flesh yellow at first, fading to a lighter color, in age.
The tubes are nearly plane, their mouths small, nearly round, at first stuffed, yellow.
The stem is two to four inches long, nearly equal, often reticulated, solid, a bright yellow on the surface and a light yellow within. The spores are ochraceous-brown, tinged with green, 12×5µ.
The whole plant, except the upper surface of the cap, is a golden yellow, and even the surface of the cap is more or less yellow. It favors one form of the B. edulis. It is sometimes found in mixed woods, especially if there are mountain laurels in the woods (Kalmia latifolia). It is found in July and August.
The Beautiful-stemmed Boletus. Edible.
Figure 301.Figure 301.—Boletus retipes. Natural size.
Figure 301.—Boletus retipes. Natural size.
Retipes is fromrete, a net;pes, a foot; so called from the delicate net-work seen on the stem.
The pileus is convex, dry, powdered with yellow, sometimes rivulose or cracked in areas. The tubes are adnate, yellow.
The stem is subequal, cespitose, reticulate to the base, pulverulent below. The spores are greenish-ochraceous, 12–15×4–5µ.Peck, Boleti.
B. retipes is very close to B. ornatipes, but its manner of growth, its pulverulent cap, and its greenish-ochraceous spores will at once distinguish it. I have found them on Ralston's Run, a number from the same mycelial cluster, as in Figure 301. The caps only are good. The specimens in the figure were found near Ashville, N. C., and photographed by Prof. H. C. Beardslee.
The Gray Boletus.
Figure 302.Figure 302.—Boletus griseus. Two-thirds natural size.
Figure 302.—Boletus griseus. Two-thirds natural size.
Griseus means gray. The pileus is broadly convex, firm, dry, almost smooth, gray or grayish black. The flesh is whitish or gray.
The tubes are attached to the stem and slightly depressed around the stem, nearly plane, their mouths being small, nearly round, white or whitish.
The stem is slightly unequal, tapering downward, distinctly reticulated, whitish or yellowish, sometimes reddish toward the base. The spores are ochraceous-brown, 10–14×4–5µ.Peck.
This plant, with us, grows singly and it is infrequently found. I have found it always in beech woods along Ralston's Run. It is found in August and September.
The Blackish Boletus. Edible.
Figure 303.Figure 303.—Boletus nigrellus. Two-thirds natural size.
Figure 303.—Boletus nigrellus. Two-thirds natural size.
Nigrellus is a diminutive ofniger, black. The entire plant is blackish except the pore surface.
The pileus is three to six inches broad, rather broadly convex or nearly plane, dry, blackish. The flesh is soft and unchangeable.
The tube-surface is rather plane, adhering to the stem, sometimes slightly depressed around the stem, the mouths being small, nearly round; whitish, becoming flesh-colored, changing to black or brown when wounded.
The stem is equal, short, even, black or blackish. The spores are dull flesh-color, 10–12×5–6µ.
When I first found this specimen I was inclined to call it B. alboater, but its flesh-colored tubes served to distinguish it. I found the specimens in Figure 303 on Edinger's Hill, near Chillicothe. The taste is mild and fairly good. August and September.
Figure 304.Figure 304.—Boletus Americanus. One-half natural size.
Figure 304.—Boletus Americanus. One-half natural size.
This species will attract the attention of the collector because of its very viscid cap. I found the specimens in Figure 304 growing on Cemetery Hill, near Chillicothe, in company with Lactarius deliciosus. They were growing near and under pine trees, both in dense groups and separately. The caps were very viscid, yellow with a slight tinge of red. The stem is covered with numerous reddish-brown dots.
The pileus is one to three inches broad, thin; at first rather globose, convex,then expanded, sometimes broadly umbonate; very viscid when moist, especially on the margin; yellow or becoming dingy or streaked with red in age.
The tube-surface is nearly plane and the tubes join squarely against the stem; quite large, angular, pale yellow, becoming a dull ochraceous.
The stem is slender, equal or tapering upward, firm, with no trace of a ring; yellow, often brownish toward the base, covered with numerous brown or reddish-brown quite persistent granular dots; yellow within. The spores are oblong, ochraceous-ferruginous, 9–11×4–5µ.
The veil is only observed in the very young specimens. Only caps are good to eat. The specimens were photographed for me by Dr. Kellerman.
Morgan's Boletus. Edible.