The Mushroom, Edible and Otherwise Part 17

The pileus is generally fleshy, growing thin toward the margin, plane or depressed or funnel-shaped, and with margin incurved. The universal veil, if present at all, is seen only on the margin of the pileus like frost or silky dew.

These plants usually grow on the ground and frequently in groups, though a few may be found on decayed wood.

The Collybia, Mycena, and Omphalia have cartilaginous stems, while the stem of the c.l.i.tocybe is extremely fibrous, and the Tricholoma is distinguished by its notched gills.

This genus, because of the variations in its species, will always be puzzling to the beginner, as it is to experts. We may easily decide it is a c.l.i.tocybe because of the gills squarely meeting the stem, or decurrent upon it, and its external fibrous stem, but to locate the species is quite a different matter.

_c.l.i.tocybe media. Pk._

THE INTERMEDIATE c.l.i.tOCYBE. EDIBLE.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Figure 64.--c.l.i.tocybe media. One-half natural size.]

Media is from _medius_, middle; it is so called because it is intermediate between C. nebularis and C. clavipes. It is not as plentiful as either of the others in our woods.

The pileus is grayish-brown or blackish-brown, always darker than C.

nebularis. The flesh is white and farinaceous in taste.

The gills are rather broad, not crowded, adnate and decurrent, white, with few transverse ridges or veins in the s.p.a.ces between the gills.

The stem is one to two inches long, usually tapering upward, paler than the pileus, rather elastic, smooth. The spores are plainly elliptical, 85.

This resembles very closely the two species mentioned above and is hard to separate. I found the specimens in Figure 64 along Ralston's Run where the ground is mossy and damp. Found in September and October.

_c.l.i.tocybe infundibuliformis. Schaeff._

THE FUNNEL-FORMED c.l.i.tOCYBE. EDIBLE.

[Ill.u.s.tration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd._

Plate IX. Figure 65.--c.l.i.tocybe infundibuliformis.]

Infundibuliformis means funnel-shaped. This is a beautiful plant and very abundant in woods after a heavy rain. It grows upon the leaves and especially among pine needles.

The pileus is at first convex and umbonate and as the plant advances in age the margin becomes elevated until the plant becomes funnel-shaped.

The margin is frequently incurved and finally wavy. The flesh is soft and white. The color of the cap is a pale tan. If the cap is examined carefully it will be seen to be covered with a slight down or silky substance, especially on the margin. The color of the cap is apt to fade so that specimens will be found almost white.

The gills are thin, close, white or whitish, and very decurrent.

The stem is quite smooth, and generally tapers upward from the base. It is sometimes white or whitish, but more frequently like the cap.

Mycelium will usually be found at the base on the leaves, forming a soft white down. I have found this species in several parts of the state. It is frequently found in cl.u.s.ters, when the caps will be irregular on account of the crowded condition. They are very tender and of excellent flavor. Found from August to October.

_c.l.i.tocybe odora. Bull._

SWEET-SMELLING c.l.i.tOCYBE. EDIBLE.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Figure 66.--c.l.i.tocybe odora. One-third natural size. Cap pale green.]

Odora means fragrant. This is one of the easiest of the c.l.i.tocybes to identify. The collector will very readily recognize it by its olive-green color and its odor. The color in the old plant is quite variable but in young plants is well marked. The pileus is one to two and a half inches broad, flesh quite thick; at first convex, then expanded, plane, often depressed, sometimes inclined to be wavy; even, smooth, olive-green.

The gills are adnate, rather close, sometimes slightly decurrent, broad, pallid.

The stem is one to one and a half inches long, often slightly bulbous at the base.

These plants are found from August to October, in the woods, on leaves.

They are quite common about Chillicothe after a rain. When cooked by themselves the flavor is a bit strong, but when mixed with other plants not so strong in flavor, they are fine.

_c.l.i.tocybe illudens. Schw._

THE DECEIVING c.l.i.tOCYBE. NOT EDIBLE.

[Ill.u.s.tration: _Photo by C. G. Lloyd._

Plate X. Figure 67.--c.l.i.tocybe illudens.

Caps reddish-yellow to deep yellow. Gills yellow and decurrent.]

Illudens means deceiving. Pileus of a beautiful yellow, very showy and inviting. Many a basketful has been brought to me to be identified with the hope of their edibility. The cap is convex, umbonate, spreading, depressed, smooth, often irregular from its crowded condition of growth; in older and larger plants the margin of the pileus is wavy. The flesh is thick at the center but thinner toward the margin. In old plants the color is brownish.

The gills are decurrent, some much further than others; yellow; not crowded; broad.

The stem is solid, long, firm, smooth tapering towards the base, as will be seen by Figure 67, sometimes the stems are very large.

The pileus is from four to six inches broad. The stem is six to eight inches high. It occurs in large cl.u.s.ters and the rich saffron color of the entire plant compels our admiration and we are reminded that "not all is gold that glitters." It will be interesting to gather a large cl.u.s.ter to show its phosph.o.r.escence and the heat which the plant will generate. You can show the phosph.o.r.escence by putting it in a dark room and by placing a thermometer in the cl.u.s.ter you can show the heat. It is frequently called "Jack-o'-lantern."

I have known people to eat it without harm, but the chances are that it will make most persons sick. It ought to be good, since it is so abundant and looks so rich. Found from July to October.

_c.l.i.tocybe multiceps. Pk._

THE MANY-HEADED c.l.i.tOCYBE. EDIBLE.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Figure 68.--c.l.i.tocybe multiceps. One-half natural size.

Caps grayish-white.]

Multiceps means many heads; so called because many caps are found in one cl.u.s.ter. It is a very common plant around Chillicothe. It has been found within the city limits. It is quite a typical species, too, having all the characteristics of the genus. I have often seen over fifty caps in one cl.u.s.ter.

The pileus is white or gray, brownish-gray or buff; smooth, thin at the margin, convex, slightly moist in rainy weather.

The gills are white, crowded, narrow at each end, decurrent.

The stem is tough, elastic, fleshy, solid, tinged with the same color as the cap.

The pileus is one to three inches broad; grows in dense tufts. Spores are white, smooth and globose.