Figure 260.Photo by C. G. Lloyd.Figure260.—Stropharia semiglobata.
Photo by C. G. Lloyd.
Figure260.—Stropharia semiglobata.
Semiglobata—semi, half; globus, a ball. The pileus is somewhat fleshy at the center, thin at the margin, hemispherical, not expanded, even, viscid when moist.
The stem is hollow, slender, straight, smooth, glutinous, yellowish, veil abrupt.
The gills are firmly attached to the stem, broad, plane, sometimes inclined to be ventricose, clouded with black.
This plant is very common on the Dunn farm on the Columbus Pike, north of Chillicothe, but is found everywhere in grassy places recently manured, or on dung.
This plant has been under the ban for a number of years, but like many others its bad reputation has been outlived. Found from May to November.
Figure 261.Figure261.—Stropharia Hardii.
Figure261.—Stropharia Hardii.
Hardii is named for the collector and author of this book.
Plant 10 cm. high; pileus 9 cm. broad; stem 1½ cm. thick.
Pileus pale bright ochraceous; gills brownish, near Prout's brown (R); stem pale-yellow tinge.
Pileus convex to expanded, thick at the center, thin toward the margin, smooth; flesh tinged yellow.
Gills subelliptical to subventricose behind, broadly emarginate, adnexed. Basidia 4-spored. Spores suboblong, smooth, 5–9×3–5µ, purple-brown under the microscope.
Cystidia not very numerous on side of gills, varying from clavate to subventricose and sublanceolate, the free end more or less irregular when narrow, rarely branching below the apex, and usually with a prominent broad apiculus or with two or several short processes. Similar cells on edge of gills, but somewhat smaller and more regular.
Stem even at the base, tapering to a short root, transversely floccose, scaly both above and below the ring. The ring membranaceous, not prominent but still evident, about 2 cm. from the apex.Atkinson.
The specimens in Figure 261 are very old plants. While the plant was in season I did not photograph it, but when Prof. Atkinson named it I hastened to find some good specimens but only two had survived sufficiently to photograph. They were found October 15, 1906, on Mr. Miller's farm in Poke Hollow near Chillicothe.
The Dung Stropharia. Edible.
Stercoraria is from stercus, dung. The pileus is slightly fleshy at the center but thin at the margin; hemispherical, then expanded, even, smooth, discoid, slightly striate on the margin.
The gills are firmly attached to the stem, slightly crowded, broad, white, umber, then olive-black.
The stem is three inches or more long, stuffed with a fibrous pith, equal, ring close to cap, flocculose below the ring, viscid when moist, yellowish.
This species is distinguished from the S. semiglobata by the distinct pithy substance with which the stem is stuffed, also by the fact that the cap is never fully expanded. It is found on dung and manure piles, in richly manured fields, and sometimes in woods.
The Green Stropharia.
Æruginosa is from ærugo, verdigris. The pileus is fleshy, plano-convex, subumbonate, clothed with a green evanescent slime, becoming paler as the slime disappears.
The gills are firmly attached to the stem, soft, brown, tinged with purple, slightly ventricose, not crowded.
The stem is hollow, equal, fibrillose or squamose below the ring, tinged with blue.
This species is quite variable in form and color. The most typical forms are found in the fall, in very wet weather and in shady woods. This is one of the species from which the ban has not been removed but its appearance will lead no one to care to cultivate its acquaintance further than name it. It is claimed by most writers that it is poisonous. Found in meadows and woods, from July to November.
Hypholoma is from two Greek words, meaning a web and a fringe, referring to the web-like veil which frequently adheres to the margin of the cap, not forming a ring on the stem and not always apparent on old specimens.
The pileus is fleshy, margin at first incurved. The gills are attached to the stem, sometimes notched at the stem. The stem is fleshy, similar in substance to the cap.
They grow mostly in thick clusters on wood either above or under the ground. The spores are brown-purple, almost black.
This genus differs from the genus Agaricus from the fact that its gills are attached to the stem and its stem is destitute of a ring.
The Uncertain Hypholoma. Edible.
Figure 262.By the courtesy of Captain McIlvaine.Plate XXXVII. Figure 262.—Hypholoma incertum.
By the courtesy of Captain McIlvaine.
Plate XXXVII. Figure 262.—Hypholoma incertum.
Incertum, uncertain. Prof. Peck, who named this species, was uncertain whether it was not a form of H. candolleanum, to which it seemed to be very closely related; but as the gills of that plant are at first violaceous and of this one white at first, he concluded to risk the uncertainty on a new species.
The pileus is thin, ovate, broadly spreading, fragile, whitish, margin often wavy and often adorned with fragments of the woolly white veil, opaque when dry, transparent when moist.
The gills are thin, narrow, close, fastened to the stem at their inner extremity, white at first, then purplish-brown, edges often uneven.
The stem is equal, straight, hollow, white, slender, at least one to three inches long. The spores are purplish-brown and elliptical. It is found in lawns, gardens, pastures, and thin woods. It is small but grows in such profusion that one can obtain quantities of it. The caps are very tender and delicious. It appears as early as May.
The Appendiculate Hypholoma. Edible.
Appendiculatum, a small appendage. This is so called from the fragments of the veil adhering to the margin of the cap.
The pileus is thin, ovate, expanded, watery, when dry, covered with dry atoms; margin thin and often split, with a white veil; the color when moist dark-brown, when dry nearly white, often with floccose scales on the cap.
The gills are firmly attached to the stem, crowded, white, then rosy-brown, and at length dingy-brown.
The stem is hollow, smooth, equal, white, fibrous, mealy at the apex. The veil is very delicate and only seen in quite young plants.
The plant grows in the spring and the summer and is found on stumps and sometimes on lawns. It is a favorite mushroom with those who know it. The plant can be dried for winter use and retains its flavor to a remarkable degree.
Hypholoma candolleanum, Fr., resembles the H. appendiculatum in many features, but the gills are violaceous, becoming cinnamon-brown and in old plants nearly free from the stem. It has more substance. The caps, however, are very tender and delicious. Found in clusters.
The Weeping Hypholoma.
Figure 263.Figure 263.—Hypholoma lachrymabundum. Two-thirds natural size.
Figure 263.—Hypholoma lachrymabundum. Two-thirds natural size.
Figure 264.Figure 264.—Hypholoma lachrymabundum.
Figure 264.—Hypholoma lachrymabundum.
Lachrymabundum—full of tears. This plant is so called because in the morning or in damp weather the edge of the gills retain very minute drops of water. The plant in Figure 263 was photographed in the afternoon yet there can be seen a number of these minute drops.
The pileus is fleshy, campanulate, then convex, sometimes broadly umbonate, spotted with hairy scales; flesh white.
The gills are closely attachedto the stem, notched, crowded, somewhat ventricose, unequal, whitish, then brown-purple, distilling minute drops of dew in wet weather or in the morning.
The stem is hollow, somewhat thickened at the base, quite scaly with fibrils, often becoming brownish-red, two to three inches long. The spores are brownish-purple.
I have never found the plant elsewhere than on the Chillicothe high school lawn, and then not in sufficient numbers to test its edible qualities. When I do, I shall try it cautiously, but with full faith that I shall be permitted to try others. Found on the ground and on decayed wood. It often grows in clusters. September to October.
The Brick-Red Hypholoma. Edible.
Figure 265.Figure 265.—Hypholoma sublateritium. Natural size.
Figure 265.—Hypholoma sublateritium. Natural size.
Sublateritium is from sub, under, and later, a brick.The pileus is brick-red, with pale yellowish border; the surface is covered with fine silky fibres; fleshy, moist, and firm; the cap is from two to four inches broad; remnants of the veil are often seen on the margin; flesh creamy, firm, and bitter.
The gills are creamy when young, olive when old; attached to the stem at inner extremity, rather narrow, crowded, and unequal.
The stem is creamy when young, lower part slightly tinged with red, hollow or stuffed, having silky fibres on the surface, two to four inches long, often incurved because of position. The spores are sooty-brown and elliptical.
It grows in large clusters around old stumps. It is especially plentiful about Chillicothe. It is not equal to many others of the Hypholomas as an esculent. Sometimes it is bitter even after it is cooked. Captain McIlvaine gives a plausible reason when he says it may be due to the passage of larvæ through the flesh of the plant. It is found from September to early winter.
The Perplexing Hypholoma. Edible.
Figure 266.Figure 266.—Hypholoma perplexum. One-half natural size. Caps brown, with a pale yellow margin.
Figure 266.—Hypholoma perplexum. One-half natural size. Caps brown, with a pale yellow margin.
Perplexum means perplexing; so called because it is quite difficult to distinguish it from H. sublateritium, also from H. fascicularis. From the latter it may be known by its redder cap, its whitish flesh, purple-brown tint of the mature gills and mild flavor. Its smaller size, the greenish and purplish tint of the gills, and the slender hollow stem will aid in distinguishing it from H. perplexum.
The pileus is complex, fleshy, expanded, smooth, sometimes broadly and slightly umbonate, brown with a pale-yellow margin, disk sometimes reddish.
The gills are rounded, notched, easily separating from the stem, pale-yellow, greenish ash-color, finally purplish-brown, thin, quite close.
The stem is nearly equal, firm, hollow, slightly fibrillose, yellowish or whitish above and reddish-brown below. The spores are elliptical and purplish brown.
This plant is very abundant in Ohio. It grows about old stumps, but a favorite habitat seems to be upon old sawdust piles. I have found it after we have had considerable freezing weather. The plants in the figure were frozen whenI found them, the 27th of November. Dr. McIlvaine says in his book, "If the collector gets puzzled, as he will, over one or all of these species, because no description fits, he can whet his patience and his appetite by calling it H. perplexum and graciously eating it."
Psilocybe is from two Greek words, naked and head.The spores are purple-brown or slate color. The pileus is smooth, at first incurved, brownish or purple. The stem is cartilaginous, ringless, tough, hollow, or stuffed, often rooting. Generally growing on the ground.
The Brown Psilocybe.
Figure 267.Photo by C. G. Lloyd.Figure 267.—Psilocybe fœnisecii. One-half natural size.
Photo by C. G. Lloyd.
Figure 267.—Psilocybe fœnisecii. One-half natural size.
Fœnisecii means mown hay.
The pileus is somewhat fleshy, smoky-brown or brownish, convex, campanulate at first, then expanded; obtuse, dry, smooth.
The gills are firmly attached to the stem, ventricose, not crowded, brownish-umber.
The stem is hollow, straight, even, smooth, not rooting, white, covered with dust, then brownish.
Quite common in grassy lawns and fields after summer rains. I have never eaten it, but I have no doubt of its esculent qualities.
The Bay Psilocybe. Edible.
Spadicea means bay or date-brown.
The pileus is fleshy, convex-plane, obtuse, even, moist, hygrophanous, bright bay-brown, paler when dry.
The gills are rounded behind, attached to stem, easily separating from it, narrow, dry, crowded, white, then rosy-brown or flesh-color.
The stem is hollow, tough, pallid, equal, smooth, one to two inches long. They grow in dense clusters where old stumps have been or where wood has decayed. The caps are small but very good. They are found from September to frost or freezing weather.
Figure 268.Figure 268.—Psilocybe ammophila. Two-thirds natural size, showing the sand on the base.
Figure 268.—Psilocybe ammophila. Two-thirds natural size, showing the sand on the base.
Ammophila is from two Greek words; ammos, sand, and philos, loving; so called because the plants seem to delight to grow in sandy soil.
The pileus is small, convex, expanded, umbilicate, at first hemispherical, rather fleshy, yellow, tinged with red, fibrillose.
The gills are smoky in color, with a decurrent tooth, powdered with the blackish spores.
The stem is soft, rather short, hollow, lower half clavate and sunk into the sand, striate. The spores are 12×8.
They are found in August and September. They delight in sandy soil, as the specific name indicates. The plants in the photograph were found near Columbus and photographed by Dr. Kellerman. It is quite common in sandy soil. I do not think it is edible. I should advise great caution in its use.
The genera belonging to this series have black spores. There is an entire absence of purple or brown shades. The genus Gomphidius, placed in this series for other reasons, has dingy-olivaceous spores.
Coprinus is from a Greek word meaning dung. This genus can be readily recognized from the black spores and from the deliquescence of the gills and cap into an inky substance. Many of the species grow in dung, as the name implies, or on recently manured ground. Some grow in flat rich ground, or where there has been a fill, or on dumping grounds; some grow on wood and around old stumps.
The pileus separates easily from the stem. The gills are membranaceous, closely pressed together. The spores, with few exceptions, are black. Most of the species are edible, but many are of such small size that they are easily overlooked.
The Shaggy Mane Coprinus. Edible.
Figure 269.Photo by Prof Shaftner.Figure 269.—Coprinus comatus.
Photo by Prof Shaftner.
Figure 269.—Coprinus comatus.
Figure 270.Figure 270.—Coprinus comatus. One-half natural size.
Figure 270.—Coprinus comatus. One-half natural size.
Comatus is from coma, having long hair, shaggy. It is so called from a fancied resemblance to a wig on a barber's block. A description is hardly necessary with a photograph before us. They always remind us of a congregation of goose eggs standing on end. This plant cannot be confounded with any other, and the finder is the happy possessor of a rich, savory morsel that cannot be duplicated in any market.
The pileus is fleshy, moist, at first egg-shaped, cylindrical, becoming bell-shaped, seldom expanded, splitting at the margin along the line of the gills, adorned with scattered yellowish scales, tinged with purplish-black, yet sometimes entirely white; surface shaggy.
The gills are free, crowded, equal, creamy white, becoming pink, brown, then black, and dripping an inky fluid.
The stem is three to eight inches long, hollow, smooth, or slightly fibrillose, tapering upward, creamy-white, brittle, easily separating from the cap, slightly bulbous at the base. The ring is rarely adherent or movable in young plants, later lying on the ground at the base of the stem or disappearing altogether. The spores are black and elliptical, and are shed in liquid drops.
Found in damp rich ground, gardens, rich lawns, barnyards, and dumping grounds. They often grow in large clusters. They are found everywhere in great abundance, from May till late frost. A weak stomach can digest any of the Coprini when almost any other food will give it trouble. I am always pleased to give a dish of any Coprini to an invalid.
The Inky Coprinus. Edible.
Figure 271.Figure 271.—Coprinus atramentarius. Two-thirds natural size.
Figure 271.—Coprinus atramentarius. Two-thirds natural size.
Atramentarius means black ink. The pileus is at first egg-shaped, gray or grayish-brown, smooth, except that there is a slight scaly appearance; often covered with a marked bloom, margin ribbed, often notched, soft, tender, becoming expanded, when it melts away in inky fluid.
The gills are broad, close, ventricose, creamy-white in young specimens, becoming pinkish-gray, then black, moist, melting away in inky drops.
The stem is slender, two to four inches in length, hollow, smooth, tapering upward, easily separating from the cap, with slight vestige of a collar near thebase when young but soon disappearing. The spores are elliptical, 12×6µ., and black, falling away in drops.
I have found it abundantly all over the state, from May till late frost. In Figure 271 the one in the center will show the spot-like scales; on the others the bloom referred to is quite apparent; the section to the right shows the broad, ventricose gills—cream-white though slightly tinged with pink—also the shape of the stem. The plant at the extreme right has expanded and begun to deliquesce. C. atramentarius is very abundant, growing in rich soil, lawns, filled places, and gardens.
Figure 272.Plate XXXVIII. Figure 272.—Coprinus atramentarius.
Plate XXXVIII. Figure 272.—Coprinus atramentarius.
The Glistening Coprinus. Edible.
Figure 273.Figure 273.—Coprinus micaceus. Two-thirds natural size.
Figure 273.—Coprinus micaceus. Two-thirds natural size.
Micaceus is frommicare, to glisten, and refers to the small scales on the pileus which resemble mica scales. The pileus is tawny-yellow, tan or light buff, ovate, bell-shaped; having striations radiating from near the center of the disk to the margin; glistening mica-like scales covering undisturbed young specimens; the margin somewhat revolute or wavy.
The gills are crowded, rather narrow, whitish, then tinged with pinkish or purplish-brown then black.
The stem is slender, fragile, hollow, silky, even, whitish, often twisted, one to three inches long. The spores are blackish, sometimes brown, elliptical, 10×5µ.
The Glistening Coprinus is a small but common and beautiful species. One cannot fail to recognize a Coprinus from a photograph. It is somewhat bell-shaped and marked with impressed lines or striations from the margin to or beyond the center of the disk and sprinkled with fugacious micaceous granules all of which show in Figure 273. For eating, this is without doubt the best mushroom that grows. The specimens in Figure 273 grew around an old peach stump in Dr. Miesse's yard, in Chillicothe. You will find them around any stump, especially just before a rain. If you secure a good supply and wish to keep them, partially cook them and warm them for use.
Figure 274.Figure 274.—Coprinus ebulbosus. One-half natural size.
Figure 274.—Coprinus ebulbosus. One-half natural size.
Ebulbosus, without being bulbous. This seems to be the difference between the American and the European plants, the latter being bulbous.
The pileus is membranaceous, at first ovate, bell-shaped, striate, variegated with broad white scales, or white patches; one to two inches broad.
The gills are free, broad, ventricose, grayish-black, soon deliquescing.
The stem is hollow, equal, fragile, smooth, four to five inches long.
Usually found where old stumps have been cut off under the ground, leaving the roots in the ground. It is very abundant. The collector will have no trouble to recognize it from Figure 274. They are found from June to October. Edible, but not as good as C. atramentarius.
The Ephemeral Coprinus. Edible.
Ephemerus, lasting for a day. This plant lasts only for a short time. It comes up in the early morning or at night and as soon as the sun's rays touch it it deliquesces into an inky fluid.
The pileus is membranaceous, very thin, oval, slightly covered with bran-like scales, disk elevated, even.
Gills are adnexed, distant, whitish, brown, then black. The stem is slender, equal, pellucid, smooth, from one to two inches high.
When this plant is fully developed it is quite a beautiful specimen, striated from margin to center. Found on dung and dung heaps and in well manured grass plots from May to October. It must be cooked at once. Its chief value is its excellent mushroom flavor.
The Ovate Coprinus. Edible.
Ovatus is from ovum, an egg. It is so called from the shape of the pileus, which is somewhat membranaceous, ovate, then expanded, striate; at first woven into densely imbricated, thick, concentric scales; is bulbous, rooting, flocculose, hollow above, the ring deciduous; gills free, remote, slightly ventricose, for sometime white, then umber-blackish.
This plant is much smaller and less striking than the C. comatus, yet its edible qualities are the same. I have eaten it and found it delicious. It is found in about the same locality in which you would expect to find the C. comatus.
The Shaggy Dung Coprinus.
Figure 275.Photo by C. G. Lloyd.Plate XXXIX. Figure 275.—Coprinus fimetarius.
Photo by C. G. Lloyd.
Plate XXXIX. Figure 275.—Coprinus fimetarius.
Fimetarius is from fimetum, a dunghill.The pileus is somewhat membranaceous, clavate, then conical, at length torn and revolute; at first rough with floccose scales, then naked; longitudinally cracked and furrowed, even at the apex. The stem is inclined to be scaly, thickened at the base, solid. The gills are free, reaching the stem, at first ventricose, then linear, brownish-black.Fries.
This is quite a variable plant. There are a number of varieties classed under this species. It is said to be of excellent flavor. I have never eaten it.
Panæolus is from two Greek words, all; variegated. This genus is so called from the mottled appearance of the gills. The pileus is somewhat fleshy, margin even, but never striate. The margin always extends beyond the gills and the gills are not uniform in color. The mottled appearance of the gills is due to the falling of the black spores. The gills do not deliquesce.
The stem is smooth, sometimes scaly, at times quite long, hollow. The veil, when present, is interwoven.
This plant is found on rich lawns recently manured, but principally on dung.
There are only two edible species, P. retirugis and P. solidipes. The other species would not be likely to attract the attention of the ordinary collector.
The Ribbed Panaeolus. Edible.
Figure 276.Photo by C. G. Lloyd.Plate XL. Figure 276.—Panaeolus retirugis.Natural size, showing portions of the veil on the margin.
Photo by C. G. Lloyd.
Plate XL. Figure 276.—Panaeolus retirugis.Natural size, showing portions of the veil on the margin.
Retirugis is from rete, a net; ruga, a wrinkle. The pileus is about one inch in diameter, inclined to be globose, then hemispherical, slightly umbonate, center darker, with united raised ribs, sometimes sprinkled with opaque atoms; veil torn, appendiculate.
The gills are fixed, ascending, broad in middle; and in the expanded forms the gills are separated more and more from the stem and finally appear more or less triangular; cinereous-black, frequently somewhat clouded.
The stem is equal, covered with a frost-like bloom, cylindrical, sometimes tortuous, cartilaginous, becoming hollow, pinkish-purple, always darker below and paler above, bulbous.
The veil in young and unexpanded plants is quite strong and prominent; as the stem elongates it loosens from the stem, and as the cap expands it breaksinto segments, frequently hanging to the margin of the cap. By close observation one will sometimes detect a black band on the stem, caused by the falling of the black spores, when the plant is damp, before the pileus has separated from the stem. The spores are black and elliptical.
I have found it a number of times on the Chillicothe high school lawn, especially after it was fertilized in the winter. It is found mostly on dung from June to October. I do not recommend it as a delicacy.
Figure 277.Figure 277.—Panæolus epimyces. Note black spores in central foreground. Note also huge masses of abortive stuff upon which it grows.
Figure 277.—Panæolus epimyces. Note black spores in central foreground. Note also huge masses of abortive stuff upon which it grows.
Epimyces is fromepi, upon;myces, a mushroom; so called because it is parasitic on fungi. There are a number of species of mushrooms whose habitat is on other mushrooms or fungus growths; such as Collybia cirrhata, C. racemosa, C. tuberosa, Volvaria loveiana and the species of Nyctalis.
The pileus is fleshy, at first subglobose, then convex, white, silky, fibrillose, flesh white or whitish, soft.
The gills are rather broad, somewhat close, rounded behind, adnexed, dingy-white, becoming brown or blackish, with a white edge.
The stem is short, stout, tapering upwards, strongly striate and minutely mealy or pruinose; solid in the young plant, hollow in the mature, but with thecavity small; hairy, or substrigose at the base. The spores elliptical and black, .0003 to .00035 of an inch long, .0002 to .00025 broad.Peck.
The plants are small, about two thirds to an inch broad and from an inch to an inch and a half high. It is referred to this genus because of its black spores. It has other characteristics which would seem to place it better among Hypholomas. It is not common. Found in October and November. The specimens in Figure 277 were found in Michigan and photographed by Dr. Fisher.
Bell-Shaped Panaeolus.
Campanulatus is fromcampanula, a little bell.
The pileus is an inch to an inch and a quarter broad, oval or bell-shaped, sometimes slightly umbonate, smooth, somewhat shining, grayish-brown, sometimes becoming reddish-tinted, the margin often fringed with fragments of the veil.
The gills are attached, not broad, ascending, variegated with gray and black.
The stem is three to five inches long, hollow, slender, firm, straight, often covered with frost-like bloom and often striate at the top, the veil remaining only a short time. The spores are subellipsoid, 8–9×6µ.
The gills do not deliquesce. It is widely distributed and is found in almost any horse pasture.
Captain McIlvaine says in his book that he has eaten it in small quantities, because larger could not be obtained, and with no other than pleasant effect. I have found it about Chillicothe quite frequently but have never eaten it. It is found from June to August.
The Dung Panaeolus.
Fimicolus is from fimus, dung; colo, to inhabit. The pileus somewhat fleshy, convex-bell-shaped, obtuse, smooth, opaque; marked near the margin with a narrow brown zone; the stem is fragile, elongated, equal, pallid, covered with frost-like bloom above; the gills are firmly attached to the stem, broad, variegated with gray and brown.Fries.
The plant is very small and unimportant. It is found on dung, as its name indicates, from June to September. The caps appear lighter in color when dry than when wet.
The Solid Foot Panaeolus. Edible.
Figure 278.Photo by C. G. Lloyd.Plate XLI. Figure 278.—Panaeolus solidipes.
Photo by C. G. Lloyd.
Plate XLI. Figure 278.—Panaeolus solidipes.
Solidipes is from solidus, solid; pes, foot; and is so called because the stem of the plant is solid. The pileus is two to three inches across; firm; at first hemispherical, then subcampanulate or convex; smooth; white; the cuticle at length breaking up into dingy-yellowish, rather large, angular scales. The gills are broad, slightly attached, whitish, becoming black. The stem is five to eight inches long and two to four lines thick, firm, smooth, white, solid, slightly striate at the top. The spores are very black with a bluish tint.Peck.23d Rep. N. Y. State Bot.
This is a large and beautiful plant and easily distinguished because of its solid stem, growing on dung. Sometimes minute drops of moisture will be seen on the upper part of the stem. The plant is said to be one of the best of mushrooms to eat.
The Butterfly Panaeolus.
Figure 279.Figure 279.—Panæolus papilionaceus. Natural size.
Figure 279.—Panæolus papilionaceus. Natural size.
Papilionaceus is frompapilio, a butterfly.
The pileus is about an inch broad, somewhat fleshy, at first hemispherical, sometimes subumbonate, the cuticle breaking up into scales when dry, as will be seen in the photograph, pale-gray with a tinge of reddish-yellow especially on the disk, sometimes smooth.
The gills are broadly attached to the stem, quite wide, at length plane, blackish or with varying tints of black.
The stem is three to four inches long, slender, firm, equal, hollow, powdered above, whitish, sometimes tinged with red or yellow, slightly striate at the top, as will be seen in the photograph with a glass, generally stained with the spores.
The specimens in Figure 279 were found in a garden that had been strongly manured. It is usually found on dung and on grassy lawns during May and June. Captain McIlvaine in his book speaks of this mushroom producing hilarity or a mild form of intoxication. I should advise against its use.
Anellaria is fromanellus, a little ring. This genus is so called because of the presence of a ring on the stem.
The pileus is somewhat fleshy, smooth, and even. The gills are adnexed, dark slate-colored, variegated with black spores. The stem is central, smooth, firm, shining, ring persistent or forming a zone around the stem.
Separata means separate or distinct.
The pileus is somewhat fleshy, bell-shaped, obtuse, even, viscid, at first ochraceous, then dingy-white, shining, smooth, wrinkled when old.
The gills are firmly attached to the stem, broad, ventricose, thin, crowded, clouded, cinereous, margin nearly white, slightly deliquescent.
The stem is long, straight, shining, white, thickened downward, ring distant, top somewhat striate, bulbous at the base. The spores are broadly elliptic-fusiform, black, opaque, 10×7µ.
It is found on dung from May to October. It is not poisonous.
Bolbitius is from a Greek word meaning cow-dung, referring to its place of growth.
The pileus is membranaceous, yellow, becoming moist; gills moist but not deliquescing, finally losing their color and becoming powdery; stem hollow and confluent with the hymenophore. As the generic name implies the plant usually grows on dung, but sometimes it is found growing on leaves and where the ground had been manured the year before. The spores are of a rusty-red color.
Fragilis means fragile.
The pileus is membranaceous, yellow, then whitish, viscid, margin striate, disk somewhat umbonate.
The gills are attenuated, adnexed, nearly free, ventricose, yellowish, then pale cinnamon.
The stem is two to three inches long, naked, smooth, yellow. The spores are rust-colored, 7×3.5, Massee. 14–15×8–9µ. Saccardo.
This species is much more delicate and fragile than B. Boltoni. I find it often in dairy pastures. It is well flavored and cooks readily. Found from June to October.
Bolton's Bolbitius. Edible.
The pileus is somewhat fleshy, viscid, at first smooth, then the margin sulcate, disk darker and slightly depressed.
The gills are nearly adnate, yellowish, then livid-brown.
The stem is attenuated, yellowish, ring fugacious. This is rather common in dairy pastures and is found from May to September.
Psathyrella is from a Greek word meaning fragile. The members of this genus are mebranaceous, striated, margin straight, at first pressed to the stem, not extending beyond the gills. Gills adnate or free, sooty-black, not variegated. The stem is confluent with, but different in character from, the spore-bearing surface. Veil inconspicuous and generally absent.
The Clustered Psathyrella. Edible.
Figure 280.Photo by C. G. Lloyd.Figure 280.—Psathyrella disseminata. Natural size.
Photo by C. G. Lloyd.
Figure 280.—Psathyrella disseminata. Natural size.
Disseminata is fromdissemino, to scatter. Pileus is about a half inch across, membranaceous, ovate, bell-shaped, at first scurvy, then naked; coarsely striated, margin entire; yellowish then gray. Gills adnate, narrow, whitish, then gray, finally blackish. Stem one to one and a half inches long, rather curved, mealy then smooth, fragile, hollow.Massee.
This is a very small plant, growing on grassy lawns, and very common on old trunks, and about decaying stumps.
A cluster about two yards square shows itself at intervals all summer on the Chillicothe High School lawn. The grass shows itself to be greener and thriftier there on account of fertilization by the mushroom. The entire plant is very fragile and soon melts away. I have eaten the caps raw many times and they have a rich flavor. They are found from May till frost.