Chapter 44

(Plate CLXIII.)Calvatia craniiformis.(After Morgan.)

(Plate CLXIII.)

Calvatia craniiformis.(After Morgan.)

C. craniifor´misSchw.—cranion, a skull.Peridiumvery large, obovoid or turbinate, depressed above, the base thick and stout, with a cord-like root. Cortex a smooth continuous layer, very thin and fragile, easily peeling off, pallid or grayish, sometimes with a reddish tinge, often becoming folded in areas; the inner peridium thin, ochraceous to bright brown, velvety, extremely fragile, after maturity the upper part breaking up into fragments and falling away. Subgleba occupying about one-half of the peridium, cup-shaped above and a long time persistent; mass of spores and capillitium greenish-yellow then ochraceous or dirty olivaceous; the threads very long, about as thick as the spores, branched.Sporesglobose, even, 3–3.5µ in diameter, with a minute pedicel.

Growing on the ground in woods.Peridiumcommonly 3–6 in. indiameter and 4–5 in. in height, but much larger specimens are sometimes met with. This species abounds in the woods of southern Ohio, growing in great patches of numerous individuals. I do not know that the edible qualities of this species have been tested.Morgan.

Chester county, Pa. Springton Hills. On ground in mixed woods. August to October.McIlvaine.

Not a frequent species with us. I have seen it only in the locality named. The substance is very like that of L. pyriforme. When white it has a strong but pleasant odor, and in this condition it is an excellent fungus. The slightest change to yellow makes it bitter.

C. rubro-fla´vaCragin—reddish-yellow.Peridiumobconic, tapering gradually downward to the rooting mycelium. Cortex a very thin furfuraceous or granulose coat, with a few short, scattered spinules above; inner peridium thin and fragile, at first whitish, soon becoming orange-red to orange-brown in color, after maturity the upper part breaking up into fragments and falling away. Subgleba occupying about a third part of the peridium; mass of spores and capillitium reddish-ocher then olivaceous-orange; the threads very long, rather thicker than the spores, branched.Sporesglobose, even, 3–3.5µ in diameter, sometimes with a minute pedicel.

Growing on the ground. Kansas,Cragin,Kellerman.Peridium1½-3 in. in height with a breach of 1–2 in. The peculiar orange or rather reddish-ocher color with which the whole plant is pervaded at maturity is very remarkable.Morgan.

Peridium depressed, globose above, abruptly contracted below into a long stem-like base; subgleba not definitely limited above, continuous with the capillitium, persistent.

C. sacca´ta(Vahl.) Fr.—saccus, a bag or pouch. Medium size, 2–4 in. high, 1–2 in. broad.Peridiumdepressed-globose or somewhat lentiform, supported by a long stem-like base, furfuraceous with minute persistent mealy or granular warts or spinules, often plicate beneath, white or creamy-white, at maturity becoming brown or olive-brown, subshining and very thin or membranous, breaking up into irregular fragments which sometimes adhere to the capillitium for a considerable time, the stem-like base cylindrical or narrowed downward, sometimes thick;capillitium rather dense, subpersistent, and with the spores dingy-olive or dingy-brown, sometimes verging toward purplish-brown.Sporesrough, 4–5µ in diameter. Edible.

Low mossy grounds and bushy swamps, especially under alders. Sandlake, Center and Adirondack mountains. August to October.Peck, 32d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

West Virginia, 1881–1885; Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina. Frequent, thin moist woods. July to November.McIlvaine.

C. saccata, the long-stemmed puff-ball, is a common and pleasing species. Shape, color, feel, combine to make it attractive. It is one of the very best we have. When white inside and otherwise in good condition it is delicious.

(Plate CLXIV.)Calvatia elata.(After Morgan.)

(Plate CLXIV.)

Calvatia elata.(After Morgan.)

C. ela´taMassee.Peridiumglobose or depressed-globose above, plicate below and abruptly contracted into a long stem-like base; the base slender, cylindric or tapering downward, sometimes pitted; mycelium fibrous and filamentous. Cortex a very thin coat of minute persistent spinules or granules; inner peridium white or cream-colored, becoming brown or olivaceous, very thin and fragile, after maturity the upper part soon breaking up into fragments and falling away. Subgleba occupying the stem-like base, a long time persistent; mass of spores and capillitium brown or brownish-olivaceous; the threads very long, branched, the main stem as thick as the spores, the branches more slender.Sporesglobose, even or very minutely warted, 4–5µ in diameter with a short or minute pedicel.

Growing among mosses in low grounds and bushy places. New England,Humphrey; New York,Peck.Peridium1–2 in. in diameter and 3–6 in. in height, the stem-like base ½-¾ of an inch in thickness. This American form of Lycoperdon saccatum has lately been separated from it, and named, figured and described as Lycoperdon elatum by George Massee.Morgan.

Edible.

Mycelium fibrous, rooting from the base.Peridiumsmall, globose, obovoid or turbinate, with a more or less thickened base; cortex a subpersistent coat of soft spines, scales, warts or granules; inner peridium thin, membranaceous becoming papyraceous, dehiscent by a regular apical mouth.Morgan.

When the plant sits (without stem) directly upon the ground or wood it issessile. The outer layer of the two parts of its covering is theexterior peridium(sometimes spoken of ascortex). This frequently breaks up into scales, spines, bristles, minute flocculent or powdery masses, and these vary in size and in many species disappear as the plant matures. These are of determining value in several species of Lycoperdaceæ. Plants with coarse, long spines areechinatebecause they bristle. When the spines incline together and form a point they arestellate. Various formations of this outside covering are also calledwarts. The inner rind or skin is the trueperidium.

The mass of thread-like filaments which fills the interior of the plant is called thecapillitium. The filaments are deftly interlaced. At times filaments springing from the base do not interlace with the others; these are calledcolumellæ. These filaments bear the spores—the dust which puffs out in such quantity and gives the common name to the plant—puff-ball—and its Mephistophelian one—The Devil’s Snuff-box. In some species the filaments at the base of the plant aresterile—they do not bear spores. These filaments are more contracted and form the neck, stem orsubgleba. Theglebais the upper interior of the plant, in which the spores are contained. See plateCLVI.

Dehiscentis said of an organ which opens of itself at maturity. A plant is dehiscent at the discharging point of its spores. If this is at the summit it isapically dehiscent.

The descriptions herein given of American representatives of European species are in many instances those of A.P. Morgan, who has made special study of this genus, and those of Professor C.H. Peck, whose interstate experience acquaints him with every varying form. Mr. Morgan has kindly given permission to use his text and drawings.

No one has yet had reason to doubt the harmlessness of any puff-ball. There are a few I have not eaten, but believing that these will be proven edible, descriptions of all species occurring in America are given.

There are first and second-class puff-balls. Usually the small species are slightly strong, and if a shade of yellow appears upon breaking any puff-ball, it will be more or less bitter and will spoil a whole dish. The larger species are milder. The flavor of puff-balls appears to be issued to them as a ration. It is all there in a little fellow, and in a big one it is simply spread through more substance.

Lafayette B. Mendel in Am. Jour. of Physiology, March, 1898, gives the nitrogenous compounds in L. bovista as:

TABLE OF THE SPECIES OF LYCOPERDON.

I.—Purple-Spored Series.Mature spores purplish-brown.

I.—Purple-Spored Series.

Mature spores purplish-brown.

a.Cortex consisting of very long convergent spines. Page591.

b.Cortex composed of long slender convergent spines. Page592.

c.Cortex composed of minute spinules. Page594.

d.Cortex a furfuraceous persistent coat. Page595.

e.Cortex a smooth, continuous layer, becoming areolate. Page597.

II.—Olive-Spored Series.Mature spores usually brownish-olivaceous.

II.—Olive-Spored Series.

Mature spores usually brownish-olivaceous.

A.Peridium Obovoid or Turbinate, the Subgleba Well Developed.

f.Cortex of long spines mingled with shorter ones, the former at length fall away, leaving a reticulate surface to the inner peridium. Page 598.

g.Cortex of stout spines which fall away and leave a tomentose or furfuraceous surface to the inner peridium. Page 599.

h.Cortex of long spines, curved and convergent at the apex, which fall away and leave a smooth surface to the inner peridium. Page 600.

i.Cortex of minute spinules and granules or furfuraceous scales. Terrestrial. Page 602.

k.Cortex of minute spinules, scales or granules. Lignatile. Page603.

B.Peridium Very Small, Globose, the Subgleba Nearly Obsolete.

l. Cortex a thin coat of minute spinules, scales or granules. Page604.

Morgan.

(a)Cortex consisting of very long convergent spines; denudedperidium smooth.

(a)Cortex consisting of very long convergent spines; denuded

peridium smooth.

L. echina´tumPers.—prickly. (L. Peck´iiMorg.) (PlateCLVI, fig. 2, p. 568.)Peridium¾-1½ in. broad, subglobose, generally narrowed below into a short stem-like base, whitish brownish or pinkish-brown, echinate above with rather stout spines, which at length fall off and leave the surface smooth; toward the base spinulose or furfuraceous; capillitium and spores dingy-olive.Sporesminutely rough, 4µ in diameter.

Ground and decaying wood in woods. Albany, Forestburg and Adirondack mountains. August to October.

The whole plant is generally obovate, pyriform or turbinate, and the spines are larger and more or less curved at and near the apex, diminishing in size toward the base where they are more persistent. In the immature condition it is difficult to distinguish it from L. pedicellatum; but when mature its smooth peridium and spores destitute of pedicels separate it.Peck, 32d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

L. echinatum appears to be common to all the states. August to frost. It is frequent but not abundant. Raw the taste is slight. Cooked it is tender and of good flavor.

L. pulcher´rimumB. and C. (L. Frost´iiPk.)Peridiumusually obovoid, sometimes subturbinate, with a short stout base; the mycelium forming a thick cord-like root. Cortex consisting of very long white spines, converging and often coherent at the apex; the spines at length fall away from the upper part of the peridium, leaving the inner peridium with a smooth purplish-brown shining surface, sometimes faintly reticulated. Subgleba occupying about a third part of the peridium; mass of spores and capillitium at first olivaceous, then brownish-purple; the threads much branched, the main stem thicker than the spores, thebranches long, slender and tapering.Sporesglobose, minutely warted, 4.5–5.5µ in diameter.

Peridium1–2½ in. in diameter and 1–2 in. in height.

The fresh specimens of this plant have a strong and not unpleasant fragrance.

Growing in low grounds, in fields and woods. September, October.

L. pulcherrimum is frequent, but not abundant. It ranks with second-class puff-balls. It is good when young and fresh.

(Plate CLXV.)Lycoperdon constellatum.(After Peck.)

(Plate CLXV.)

Lycoperdon constellatum.(After Peck.)

L. constella´tumFr.—grouped.Peridiumsubglobose or obovate, sometimes depressed, 10–18 lines broad, echinate with rather long stout crowded brown spines which are either straight curved or stellately united and which at length fall off and leave the surface reticulate with brown lines; capillitium and spores brown or purplish-brown, columella present.Sporesrough, 5–6.5µ in diameter.

Ground in dense shades and groves. Oneida,Warne. Rare. Autumn.Peck, 32d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

(b)Cortex composed of long, slender convergent spines; denuded peridium smooth.

L. hirtumMart.—hairy.Peridiumbroadly turbinate, depressed above, contracted below into a short, thick, tapering or pointed base, with a cord-like root. Cortex a dense coat of soft spines, long, slender and convergent above, becoming shorter downward, gray or brownish in color; these finally fall away, leaving the inner peridium with a brown or purplish-brown, smooth, shining surface. Subgleba occupying from one-third to one-half of the peridium; mass of spores and capillitium olivaceous, then brownish-purple; the threads branched, the main stem about as thick as the spores, with slender, tapering branches.Sporesglobose, distinctly warted, 5–6µ in diameter.

Growing on the ground in woods.Peridium1–2½ in. in diameter and 1½-2 in. in height. This species in this country heretofore has been included with L. atropurpureum. I have followed Mr. Massee inkeeping them separate. This is perhaps L. bicolor W. and C., of the Pacific Coast Catalogue.Morgan.

New York,Peck, 46th Rep.; West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. Ground in woods. August to October.McIlvaine.

It is edible. Good when young and fresh.

L. atropurpur´eumVitt.—ater, black;purpureus, purple—of the spores.Peridiumglobose depressed-globose or obovate, 6–30 lines broad, generally narrowed below into a short stem-like base, white cinereous or brownish, mealy-spinulose, hairy-spinulose, echinate or stellately echinate, when denuded smooth and subshining; capillitium and spores finally purplish-brown, columella present.Sporesrough, 5–6µ in diameter.

Sandy pastures, woods and bushy places. Common. August to October.

This appears to be one of the most polymorphous species we have. It is so variable that I have been obliged to modify the usual description very much, in order to include forms which are quite diverse, yet which appear to me to run together in such a way that I am unable to draw any satisfactory line of distinction between them.

There are three principal varieties which I have referred to this species. The first is usually 1–2 in. broad, sessile, or with a very short stem, nearly smooth, being mealy or pruinose, and having a few minute, weak, scattered spinules or scales. Its color is generally whitish or white slightly clouded with brown. It grows in sandy pastures and cleared lands, and is probably the nearest of the three in its resemblance to the type.

I regard the second and third as worthy of a name and designate and define them as follows:

Var.hirtel´lum.Peridiumhairy-spinulose with erect or curved sometimes stellately united spinules, which are often of a blackish color.

Ground and decaying vegetable matter in woods.

Var.stella´re.Peridiumechinate or stellately echinate with rather stout easily deciduous spines.

Ground in woods and bushy places.

In this species the capillitium and spores are at first greenish-yellow, olive-tinted or brownish; but when fully mature they are purple-tinted. Some care will, therefore, be necessary, lest the last variety be confusedwith the Echinate Puff-ball, L. echinatum.Peck, 32d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Spores6–7µMassee; globose, distinctly warted, 5.5–6µ,Morgan.

Ohio, West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. On ground in woods. August to October.McIlvaine.

L. atropurpureum is frequent, not abundant. It is edible, good.

(c)Cortex composed of minute spinules; denuded peridium smooth.

L. cu´pricumBon.—coppery.Peridiumobconic, depressed above and tapering downward, the base plicate, with a fibrous mycelium. Cortex gray or flesh-color, composed of minute spinules circularly arranged and convergent and coherent at the apex; these dry up, becoming dark purplish in color, and finally fall away from the smooth, shining, copper-colored surface of the inner peridium. Subgleba occupying nearly a third part of the peridium; mass of spores and capillitium, at length purplish-brown; the threads branched, the main stem thinner than the spores, with long, tapering branches.Sporesglobose, distinctly warted, 6–7µ in diameter.

Growing in sandy soil in woods. New Jersey,Ellis.

Peridium about 1 in. in diameter and an inch or more in height. The microscopic features are given from specimens received from Mr. Ellis.Morgan.

Near Haddonfield, N.J., 1891–1896. Sandy woods.McIlvaine.

Not frequent. Those found upon several occasions were eaten and found good.

L. asterosper´mumD. and M.—aster, star;sperma, seed.Peridiumobovoid or pyriform (pear-shaped), the base short and pointed, with a slender fibrous mycelium. Cortex a thin coat of minute spinules with intermingled granules, gray or brownish above, paler below; these dry up and are a long time persistent, but they finally fall away, leaving the inner peridium with a pale brown, smooth, shining surface. Subgleba obconical, occupying nearly a third part of the peridium; mass of spores and capillitium olivaceous, then brownish-purple; the threads about as thick as the spores, with slender tapering branches.Sporesglobose, distinctly warted, 5.5–6.5µ in diameter.

Peridium1–1½ in. in diameter. A very pretty species of regular form; its glossy cortex is quite persistent.Morgan.

Growing on the ground in open woods. Ohio,Morgan; Nebraska,Webber.

New York,Peck, 46th, 51st Rep.; Ohio,Lloyd.

L. delica´tumBerk.Peridiumsubglobose, plicate underneath, with a fibrous mycelium. Cortex a thin coat of minute spinules and granules, gray or brownish above, whitish below, finally falling away from the smooth, shining, pale or brownish surface of the inner peridium. Subgleba very small or quite obsolete; mass of spores and capillitium olivaceous, then pale or brownish-purplish; the threads rather thinner than the spores, with slender tapering branches.Sporesglobose, distinctly warted, 5–6µ in diameter.

Peridium1–2 in. in diameter.Morgan.

Growing on the ground. Pennsylvania,Gentry; Missouri,Professor Trelease(Peck, Rep. 40); Louisiana,Langlois.

(d)Cortex a furfuraceous persistent coat.

(Plate CLXVI.)Lycoperdon glabellum.(After Morgan.)

(Plate CLXVI.)

Lycoperdon glabellum.(After Morgan.)

L. glabel´lumPk.—smooth, bare. Subglobose or subturbinate, 1–1.5 in. broad, sometimes narrowed below into a short stem-like base, furfuraceous with very minute nearly uniform persistent warts, which appear to the naked eye like minute granules or papillæ, yellow, opening by a small aperture; inner mass purplish-brown, capillitium with a central columella.Sporespurplish-brown, globose, rough, 5–6.5µ in diameter.

Ground in copses and in pine woods. West Albany and North Greenbush. Autumn.Peck, 31st Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Ohio,Morgan; Wisconsin,Trelease; West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey. Frequent. Autumn.McIlvaine.

One of the prettiest Lycoperdons. Symmetrical, and otherwise attractive. Sweet, firm, solid. It is not high in flavor, but is delicate.

L. elonga´tumBerk.—elongated.Peridiumglobose above, contracted below into a stout thick base, more or less elongated and cylindric or tapering downward; mycelium composed of thick fibers. Cortex a loose flocculose white or yellowish coat, drying up into a mealy or furfuraceous persistent layer, which scarcely reveals the pale shining surface of the inner peridium. Subgleba occupying more than half the interior of the peridium; mass of spores and capillitium pale olivaceous, then pale brown or finally purplish; the threads much branched, the main stem much thicker than the spores, the branches tapering.Sporesglobose, distinctly warted, 5.5–6.5µ in diameter.

Growing on the ground in damp woods. Ohio,Morgan.Peridium1–2 in. in diameter and 2–3 in. in height, the base ¾-1 in. in thickness. In form it somewhat resembles L. gemmatum, but it has a cortex like that of L. glabellum.Morgan.

New York,Peck, 49th Rep. Closely allied to L. glabellum. Its stout elongated base serves as a mark of distinction.

Ohio,Morgan; Pennsylvania, Washington, Pa., Myc. Club.

Not common. Sometimes tufted, three or four together. Edible, good.

L. el´egansMorgan—elegant.Peridiumlarge, depressed globose, plicate underneath and sometimes with a narrow umboniform base, which is continuous with the thick root. Cortex at first flocculose, white or yellowish, drying up into a dense furfuraceous persistent coat, which becomes ochraceous or brownish in color, and sometimes obscurely areolate. Subgleba broad, convex above, occupying a third part or more of the peridium; mass of spores and capillitium olivaceous, then pale-brown or finally purplish-brown; the threads much branched, the main stem thicker than the spores, the branches long and tapering.Sporesglobose, distinctly warted, 5–6µ, in diameter.

Growing on rich soil on the open prairie about Iowa City, Ia.,Prof. T.H. McBride.Peridium1½-3 in. in diameter. In form and size this species somewhat resembles Calvatia fragilis, but the threads are arranged in two sets as in Lycoperdon; the cortex is similar to that of L. glabellum; the mycelium forms a remarkably thick root.Morgan.

(e)Cortex a smooth, continuous layer, becoming areolate.

(Plate CLXVII.)Lycoperdon rimulatum.With magnified spores.(After Morgan.)

(Plate CLXVII.)

Lycoperdon rimulatum.With magnified spores.(After Morgan.)

L. rimula´tumPk.—rimula, a small chink.Peridiumdepressed—globose or broadly obovoid, plicate underneath with a slender fibrous mycelium. Cortex at first a thin, smooth, continuous fibrillose layer, gray or bluish-gray, sometimes with a purplish tinge; this at length breaks into a network of fine lines or fissures, gradually dries up into minute thin adnate scales, and finally falls away from the smooth grayish or purplish-brown surface of the inner peridium. Subgleba broad, but distinct, plane above, occupying about a fourth part of the peridium; mass of spores and capillitium purplish-gray, then brownish-purple; the threads simple or scarcely branched, variable in thickness, but always thinner than the spores.Sporesglovose, distinctly warted, 6–7µ in diameter, often pedicellate.

Growing on the ground in fields and open woods. New York,Peck; South Carolina,Atkinson; Ohio,Morgan; Wisconsin,Trelease.Peridium¾-1½ in. in diameter, scarcely an inch in height.Morgan.

New Jersey,T.J. Collins; Pennsylvania. Autumn.McIlvaine.

A pretty species, generally in groups. Frequent. It is not common, but occasionally generous patches of it are found. Edible, good.

L. vela´tumVitt.—velatus, having a velum.Peridiumglobose or obovoid, with a cord-like root. Cortex white or yellowish, at first a thickish continuous layer, then breaking up into circular or irregular persistent patches with fimbriate margins. Subgleba occupying about a third part of the peridium; mass of spores and capillitium olivaceous, then purplish-brown; the threads branched, the main stem nearly as thick as the spores, the branches long and tapering.Sporesglobose, distinctly warted, 5–6µ in diameter.

Growing on the ground in woods. South Carolina,Ravenel.

Peridium1–2 in. in diameter.Morgan.

New Jersey,T.J. Collins; Chester county, Pa., sometimes clustered,McIlvaine.

Good.

A.Peridium Top-Shaped, the Subgleba Well Developed.

(f)Cortex of long spines, etc.

L. gemma´tumBatsch.—gemmed.Peridiumturbinate, depressed above, the base short and obconic or more elongated and tapering or subcylindric, arising from a fibrous mycelium. Cortex consisting of long, thick, erect spines or warts of irregular shape, with intervening smaller ones, whitish or gray in color, sometimes with a tinge of red or brown; the larger spines first fall away, leaving pale spots on the surface, and giving it a reticulate appearance. Subgleba variable in amount, usually more than half the peridium; mass of spores and capillitium greenish-yellow, then pale-brown; threads simple or scarcely branched, about as thick as the spores.Sporesglobose, even or very minutely warted, 3.5–4.5µ in diameter.

Peridium1–2 in. in diameter and 1–3 in. in height. This species is distinguished from all others by the peculiar large erect terete spines or warts, the so-called gems which stud its upper surface.Morgan.

Growing on the ground and sometimes on rotten trunks in woods, often cespitose.Frost.New York,Peck.

Found in every part of the world.

New York,Peck, Rep. 22; Indiana,H.I. Miller; West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. On the ground and on logs.McIlvaine.

Edible, but not pleasant.Peck.Edible,H.I. Miller.

Professor Peck gives two varieties:

Var.hir´tum. Turbinate, subsessile, hairy with soft, slender warts which generally become blackish.

Var.papilla´tum. Subrotund, sessile, papillose, furfuraceous-pulverulent.

Very common and known in all countries. It is, to my thinking, our prettiest puff-ball. Its beautifully studded surface, reminding of exquisite settings, is in itself worth studying for the designs. It is usually solitary or in small groups, but at times these groups contain scores ofindividuals. It grows in the open on the ground or from both ground and wood, in woods.

I think it equal to any other puff-ball. But great care must be taken to examine each specimen before putting it into the pan. A single one, which has turned yellow in the slightest degree, will spoil a whole dish. And this is the case with any of the small puff-balls. One ageing L. pyriforme will embitter a hundred.

L. perla´tumPers.—perfero, to endure. (Enduring through winter.)Peridiumturbinate, broad and depressed above, plicate underneath and contracted into a short and pointed or sometimes elongated and tapering base; mycelium fibrous. Cortex of long slender spines, mingled with smaller spinules and warts, gray brown or blackish in color; the longer spines first fall away, leaving a reticulate surface to the inner peridium. Subgleba occupying one-third to one-half of the peridium; mass of spores and capillitium greenish-yellow, then brownish-olivaceous; the threads mostly simple, some of them thicker than the spores.Sporesglobose, even or very minutely warted, 3.5–4.5µ in diameter.

Growing on the ground in woods.Peridium1–2 in. in diameter and 1–2 in. in height. This isL. gemmatum, var.hirtum, of Peck’s United States species of Lycoperdon.Morgan.

New York,Peck, 46th Rep.; Maryland,James; West Virginia, New Jersey. Occasional. On ground and decaying wood.McIlvaine.

Edible. Same habit and quality as L. gemmatum.

(g)Cortex of stout spines which fall away, etc.

L. excipulifor´meScop.—excipula, a receptacle.Peridiumturbinate, depressed above, plicate below and contracted into a more or less elongated base. Cortex of large stout spines, convergent above, becoming smaller downward, which at length fall away, leaving a tomentose surface to the inner peridium. Subgleba occupying one-half or more of the peridium; mass of spores and capillitium greenish-yellow, then brownish-olivaceous; the threads about as thick as the spores, scarcely branched.Sporesglobose, minutely warted, 4–5µ in diameter.

Peridium1–2 in. in diameter and 1–4 in. in height.Morgan.

Growing on the ground in meadows and woods. Pennsylvania, North Carolina,Schweinitz; Canada,Saccardo.

(h)Cortex of long spines, etc., which fall away, etc.

(Plate CLXIX.)Lycoperdon pedicellatumWith magnified spores. (After Morgan.)

(Plate CLXIX.)

Lycoperdon pedicellatumWith magnified spores. (After Morgan.)

L. pedicella´tumPk.—pediculus, a little foot.Peridium¾-1½ in. in diameter, globose or depressed-globose, sessile or narrowed below into a stem-like base, whitish or cinereous, becoming dingy or smoky-brown with age, echinate with rather dense spines which are either straight, curved or stellately united and which at length fall off and leave impressions or obscure reticulations on the surface; capillitium and spores greenish-yellow, then dingy-olive, columella present.Sporessmooth, pedicellate, 4–4.5µ in diameter, the pedicel three to five times as long.

Ground and decaying wood in woods and bushy places. Croghan, Center, Brewerton and Catskill mountains. Autumn. Oneida.Warne.

The pedicellate spores constitute the peculiar feature of this species. It is one which suggests the name and which enables the species to be easily distinguished from all its allies. The spore is terminally and persistently attached to the pedicel, as in some species of Bovista. The plant is sometimes sessile, but usually it is narrowed below into a stem-like base. In the immature state it has a rough, shaggy appearance, but the spines shrivel with age so that it appears less rough when old. The pitted surface of the denuded peridium affords a mark of distinction from L. echinatum. L. pulcherrimum B. and C. is evidently the same species, but the name here adopted has priority of publication.Peck, 32d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Growing on the ground and on rotten wood in woods. New York,Peck; Alabama,Atkinson; Ohio,Morgan; Wisconsin,Trelease.

(Plate CLXX.)Lycoperdon eximium.With magnified spores. (After Morgan.)

(Plate CLXX.)

Lycoperdon eximium.With magnified spores. (After Morgan.)

L. exi´miumMorgan—eximius, excellent.Peridiumobovoid, with a fibrous mycelium. Cortex white or brownish, composed of long slender spines, often curved and convergent at the apex, which at length fall away from above downward, leaving a pale smooth surface to the inner peridium. Subgleba small, occupying scarcely more than a fourth part of the peridium; mass of spores and capillitium greenish-yellow, then brownish-olivaceous; the threads mostly thinner than the spores, much branched.Sporesoval, even, 5–6×4–4.5µ, usually furnished with a short pedicel.

Peridium¾-1½ in. in diameter and about 1 in. in height. This species is readily distinguished by its large oval spores.Morgan.

Growing on the ground in sandy soil. South Carolina,Prof. Geo. F. Atkinson; AlabamaU. and E.

(Plate CLXXa.)Lycoperdon Curtisii.(After Morgan.)

(Plate CLXXa.)

Lycoperdon Curtisii.(After Morgan.)

L. Cur´tisiiBerk.—in honor of Rev. M.A. Curtis.Peridiumglobose, with a very short rooting base and a slender fibrous mycelium. Cortex consisting of a pale yellowish farinaceous layer, covered by a coat of soft, fragile white spines, curved and convergent at the apex; after maturity it soon disappears, leaving a pale smooth surface to the inner peridium. Subgleba small, but distinct, convex above and definitely limited; mass of spores and capillitium greenish-yellow, then pale olivaceous; the threads long, simple, hyaline, two to three times as thick as the spores.Sporesglobose, even, 3.5–4µ in diameter.

Peridium⅜-¾ of an inch in diameter. This isL. Wrightii, var.typicum, of Peck’s U.S. species of Lycoperdon. The peculiar characteristicof the species is the hyaline threads of the capillitium; although they are of large diameter, yet the walls are very thin and the threads collapse in drying.Morgan.

General. Growing gregariously and sometimes cespitosely on the ground, in meadows, pastures and even in cultivated fields.

This being L. Wrightii, var. typicum Pk., and being edible, it is hardly necessary to repeat the old axiom: Things which are equal to the same thing are equal to one another.

(i)Cortex of minute spinules, granules, etc.

L. mollePers.—mollis, soft. (L. muscorumMorg.)Peridium6–16 lines broad, globose or depressed-globose, narrowed below into a stem-like base, furfuraceous with nearly uniform persistent minute weak spinules or granular warts, sometimes with a few larger papilliform ones toward the apex, whitish, sometimes tinged with yellow, when mature brownish or olive-brown, nearly smooth, subshining; capillitium and spores dingy-olive; columella present.Sporesminutely rough, 4–4.5µ in diameter.

Among mosses, especially Polytrichum, in old meadows and pastures. Albany, Summit and South Corinth. Autumn.

Peck, 32d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

West Virginia, Pennsylvania. On ground in woods and grassy places in the open.McIlvaine.

L. molle is of frequent occurrence but not abundant. Though exceedingly soft, it holds its body in cooking and is well flavored.

(Plate CLXXb.)Lycoperdon TurneriWith magnified spores.(After Morgan.)

(Plate CLXXb.)

Lycoperdon TurneriWith magnified spores.(After Morgan.)

L. Tur´neriE. and E.Peridiumobovoid, somewhat depressed above, plicate underneath, with a mycelium of rooting fibers. Cortex white, often gray or brownish above, consisting of minute spinules with intermingled granules; these after maturity dry up and are quite persistent, forming a minutely scabrous coat on the olive-brown shining surface of the inner peridium. Subgleba broad and shallow, scarcely occupying more than a fourth part of the peridium; mass ofspores and capillitium greenish-yellow, then brownish-olivaceous; the threads with the main stem about as thick as the spores, and long tapering branches.Sporesglobose, minutely warted, 4–5µ in diameter, mostly with a short pedicel.

Peridium1–2 in. in diameter and 1–2 in. in height. A very pretty puff-ball with a silky shining coat.Morgan.

New York,Peck, 49th Rep.; West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey. Ground in woods. August to October.McIlvaine.

Not frequent though general. It is good but must be young.

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