Jg^

fo

/

Plate I.
1. Arniillaria mellea 2. Tricholoma terreum 3. Clitocybe infundibuliformis

4. Clitocybe laccata 5. Collybia dryophila 6. Mycena pura 7- Hygrophorus
conicus 8. Lactarius torminosus 9. Russula emetica 10. Russula delica

GliOLOGlCAL AND NATURAL HiSTORY SuRVEY OF MINNESOTA

Frederic E. Clements, Slate Botanist

Minnesota Plant Studies

IV.

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

ILLUSTRATED

Frederic E. Clements

University of Minnesota

Minneapolis

September 1910

Preface

Tlic prt'sciit booklet is tlic fourlli of a scries of popular guides to the plants of
Minnesota, designed for plant-lovers and for classes in botany in high school and
college. An equally important object of the guide to mushrooms is to make available
with safet\' the enormous animal crop of nuishrooms, which is now almost entirely
wasted through fear or neglect. It is perhaps idle to estimate the size or value of
this crop, but if that part which is readily accessible is alone considered, the number
of pounds will reach into the hundred thousands. Figured on the market jjrice of
the cultivated mushroom, the total value of the mushroom cro]) of the State can
hardly be less than a million (hillar.>. Just what would be the effect of utilizing this
food supply is a matter of conjecture, but there can be little doubt that it would
jirove fortunate from the standpoint of dietetics as well as of economics.

The text has been made as simple and as concise as seems possible without
sacrificing clearness. 'i"he ])lant-lover will find as he becomes acquainted with mush-
rooms in nature that they have manv charms, ajjart from those of the palate, and
that the study of appearance, behavior, etc., is as fascinating as with flowering plants.
The first requisite however is to be able to strike up such an acquaintanceship, and
this, together with the unlocking of a store of delicious food, is the chief object of
the text. The student who has the time and interest for more extended work with
the mushrooms will naturally refer to the more comprehensive books bv Atkinson,
.Mcllvaine, and Hard.

In the preparation of keys and descriptions, Saccardo's "Svlloge Fungorum,"
Peck's "Reports," and the mushroom books just mentioned have been frequently con-
sulted. ^\'hile the majority of the illustrations are original, a large number have
been taken from the mushroom books by Atkinson, Hard, .Mcllvaine, Dumee,
Michael, White, and from Freeman's "Plant Diseases." (Irateful acknowledgment
is made to these authors for such use. The writer is indel)ted to Dr. Kdith Clements
for the original water color drawings from which the color illustrations have been
made, and for the working over of the recipes for cooking mushrooms. He wishes
also to acknowledge the aid and interest of the members of the Minnesota Mycological
Society, particularly Dr. Mar\ Whetstone. Miss Daisy Hone, and Mr. I,. F. Lambert.

Copies of "Minnesota Plant Studies" are furnished free to citizens of Minnesota,
upon retjuest to the undersigned. 'I'en copies are sent free to each high school,
academy or college within the State, and additional copies are furnished at cost,
twenty-five cents per copy. It is hoi)ed that collectors will feel free at all times to
send specmiens to the de])artment of botany to be named. Mushrooms can be sent
through the mails readil\. if they are wrapped in dry paper, and placed in a strong
pasteboard box.

Frederic E. Clements,
Professor of Botany and State Botanist.
The University of Minnesota,
July, 1910

Contents

Page
Kinds of Mushkooms ------- .._i

Key to the Families -----.-___ 4

Gill Fungi —

Chart-Key --._.3

Key to Spore Sections ----.... 5

W'hite-spored Gill Fungi --------.5

Rose-spored Gill lumgi ------.--51

Ocher-spored Gill Fungi ------__. 59

Purple-spored Gill Fungi - - - - - - - - 72

Black-sporcd Gill Fungi --.----__ 79

Pore Func.i -------86

Tooth Fungi ---. 103

Coral Fungi ------------ 108

Leather Fungi - - - - - - - - - - -113

Jelly Fungi - - - - - - - - - - - -117

puffballs - - -123

Carrion Fungi - - - - - 131

Bird's Nest Fungi ---_.- 133

Saddle Fungi _--.. 135

Cup Fungi --_-__.-.... 144

Black Fungi 150

Use of Mushrooms — ■

Edible and Poisonous Mushrooms - - - - - - - -152

Collecting Mushrooms - - - - - - - - -153

Recipes - - - - - - - - - - - -154

Glossary 159

Index - - - - - - - -161

1

Kinds of Mushrooms

'I'hc word iiiuslirooiii is used here to include all those Howerless plants which are
not leaf-ijireen in color, and are larM;e enouf^h to be seen hy the eye. No distinction
is made between mushrooms and toadstools, since indeed no distinction exists. A
nnishroom consists of whitish threads rumhn^ throUL:;h the soil or wood on which
the i»lant ^rows, the spawn or mvcelium. and of a spored)earinLi; bodv. the fruit-body.
which is the part usually seen and known as the mushroom. The kind of fruitdxxly
and the way in which the spores are produced upon it are the chief points by which
mushrooms are di\-ided into orders and families, d'hev fall into two great groups,
the sack-fungi, where the spores are borne on the inside of cylindric sacks, or asci.
and the basidium fungi, where the spores are borne on the tip of tiny clubs, called
basidia. 'l"he sack-fungi are divided into black fungi, characterized by flask-shaped
cavities and usually a coal-like appearance, and cup-fungi, which, as the name indi-
cates, are more or less cup-shaped and usually fleshy. The basidium fungi also fall
into two mam groups. In the one, the spores are borne on the inside of a ball, which
opens at maturity in various ways, as in the puffballs. In the other, the spores are
borne on a surface which is e.xjiosed from the first or verv earlw as in the gill- fungi,
])ore- fungi, etc.

The beginner will tind it impossible to discover how a mushroom produces its
spores, without the aid of a microscope. Fortunately, the form of the spore-bearing
surface and that of the fruit-body or mushroom itself are fairly distinctive. In a few
cases, where the same form appears in unrelated families, it may be necessary to de-
termine whether the spores are borne in sacks or on basidia. The following key, it is
hoped, will enable the beginner to place a plant in the proper familv. without the use
of a microscope. This can be done most readilv if he will familiarize himself with
the form-; found in the different families, using the illustrations in the text for this
purpose.

In using the key, all that is necessary at each step is to make the jiroper choice
between the divisions bearing the same character. The first choice is made between
1 and 11. If 11 is taken, the next choice is between 1 and 2, and then under one of
these, between a and b, etc.

Individuals which resemble each other closelv are said to belong to the same
species, as for example, all shaggy manes belong to the species c o m a t u s, meaning
shaggy. This species agrees with the si)ecies a t r a m e n t a r i u s and the species
m i c a c e u s in having black spores and gills that dissolve into an inkv liquid. Hence,
they are placed in the same genus. C o p r i n u s. The latter is grouped with all the
other gilled mushrooms into the family of gill fungi, or Agaricaceae, a name
formed from A g a r i c u s. the genus to which the common cultivated mushroom
belongs. In distinguishing a species of mushroom, it is necessary to use both the

2 MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

name of the genus and of the species, e. g., C o p r i n u s c o m a t u s, L e p i o t a
p r c c r a, A g a r i c u s c a m p e s t e r, etc. A few of the mushrooms have what
might be called "common names," and a catch name has been given in the present
case for nearly all. So few names are really current, however, that it is very much
more satisfactory to use the Latin names without exception.

The pronunciation of the Latin names of families, genera and species is phonetic,
in accordance with the following simple rules. The consonants are the same as
in English, except that l and g are always hard, ;' is pronounced like y^ and v like la.
The vowels are as follows : a as ah ; e as ay ; ?" as ee ; o as oh ; u as oo ; j much like
ee, or better, like the German // or the French ii. llie diphthongs are as follows :
<?«• as aye ; ok as ow ; oe as oy ; cit as eoo ; iii as ooee. The accent has been given for
each name.

The measurements are given in metric units, with rare exceptions. These are
readily used if it is borne in mind that one inch is approximately 2.5 centimeters,
or 25 millimeters. Spores are measured in micromillimeters, or /j, : 1000 micromilli-
meters equal one millimeter.

CHART KEY OF GILL FUNGI

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MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

KEY TO THE FAMILIES

I. Plant cap-like to shelf-like, with gills, pores or teeth, usually

on the lower surface

1. Cap with gills

2. Cap with pores or tubes

3. Cap with teeth or spines

II. Plants without gills, pores or teeth; shelf-, coral-, club-,

saddle-, cup- or ball-like

1. Plant cup-shaped nr saucer-shaped

a. Cup leathery, with seed-like bodies inside

b. Cup fleshy, hollow

2. Plant coral-, fan-, club-, saddle-, shelf- or ball-like
a. Cap without pits or cavities in cross section

(1) Cap jelly-like or cartilage-like

(2) Cap fleshy to leathery, not jelly-like

(a) Cap coral-, club-, saddle-, shelf- or layer-like,

rarely funnel- form
X. Cap coral-, club-, or saddle-like
(x) Cap coral-like
(y) Cap club- or saddle-like
m. Cap club-like, not distinct from stem;

spores on basidia
n. Cap saddle-like or club-like, distinct
from stem ; spores in sacks
y. Cap shelf or layer-like, rarely funnel-form

(b) Cap ball-like, then broken by the lengthening

stem, or cracking to expose the powdery
spores
X. Cap broken by the stem which carries at the
tip a more or less sticky, strong-smelling
spore mass
V. Cap opening by a crack or a mouth to expose
the powdery mass of spores
b.. Cap with pits or cavities in cross section, usually
black and hard, or bright-colored and fleshy when
parasitic

Gill fungi 4

Pore fungi 86

Tooth fungi 103

Bird's nest fungi 133
Cup fungi 144

Jelly fungi

Puffballs

Black fungi

117

Coral fungi

108

Coral fungi

108

Saddle fungi

135

Leather fungi

113

Carrion fungi 131

123

150

GILL FUNGI AGARICACEAE

The fruit-body is generally cap-shaped or mnbrella-shaped, with a central stem,
though in a few cases the stem is lateral or wanting. The spores are borne on
plates or gills which radiate from the stem to the edge of the cap. The gills are
on the under side, except when the cap is stemless and inverted. At first, the gills
are protected by a membranous or cobwebby veil, which is torn as the cap expands,
but often remains as a ring on the stem, or hangs as a fringe from the edge of the

GILL FUNGI 5

cap. Ill many cases, this t^ill veil disapjiears completely. As the youiijj; caj) jiushes
up, it is sometimes covered with a iiiemhraiie. wliic h is hrnkeii by the lengthening
stem, and remains at the base of the latter as a cup or vulva. The volva mav persist,
or it may break into scales and linally disappear.

The gill fungi are the only mushrooms certainly known to contain deadly
poisons. The fatally poisonous species are confined to the genus A in a n i t a, so that
if one learns the distinctive marks of A m a n i t a, he may feel safe from danger. A
few species, L e p i o t a m o r g a n i and (" 1 i t o c y b e ill u d e n s, are violently
emetic in tlieir action upon ccTtain pt'ople, but are not dangerousl\- poisonous. The
beginner w^ho avoids eating all mushrooms with white gills, a ring around
the stem, and a cup or scales at the bulb-like base of the stem will be in no
danger of fatal poisoning. Since the volva, especially when scaly, disappears
with maturity, and sometimes the ring also, care must be taken to apply
this rule to young plants.

According to the color of the spores, the gill fungi are divided into five groups.
The spore color is best determined by means of a spore print, made by cutting off
the sten^ and placing the cap, gills downward, upon a sheet of white paper. As a
rule, the spore color may be safely inferred from the color of the gills, or it may
be found by means of the microscoi)e. though the latter is more or less misleading,
owing to the fact that the sjjores are seen by transmitted light.

Key to the Spore Sections

Paso

1. Spores white, whitish or Aery dilutely colored White-spored Fungi 5

2. Spores distinctlv colored, pinkish, yi'llow, brown.

purple-brown or black

a. Spores i)ink or salmon-colorrd Rose-spored Fungi 51

b. Spores yellow to rust-colored Ocher-spored Fungi 59

c. Spores jmrplish or purple-i)rown Purple-spored Fungi 72

d. Spores l)lack-brown to blai'k Black-spored Fungi 79

White-spored Gill Fungi Leucosporae

Spores white, whitish, or very dilutely colored yellowish, pinkish or greenish;
colorless under the microscope.

KEY TO Till-: (JEXEU.V

1. Cap tleshy or hrm-tleshy, not leathery, corky or woody
a. Stem central or nearly so

(1) (lills not vein-like, but thin, plate-like,
acute at edge
(a) Gills fleshy rather tlian waxy

X. Stem readily separated from the cap
(x) Stem with cu\) or volva at base

m. Stem with a ring also Amanita 6

n. Stem without a ring Amanitopsis 11

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Lepiota

Armillaria

Tricholoma
Clitocybe

Russula
Lactarius

Collybia

Page
12

17

17

20

35
38

(y) Stem without a volva at the base;
ring present
y. Stem and cap fleshy and continuous,
tearing when separated
(x) Stem with a ring; volva lacking
(y) Stem without ring or volva

m. Flesh of cap and gills firm,
hardly spongy : spores smooth,
usually elliptic
(m) Gills adnate or sinuate
(n) Gills mostly sloping to the
stem, decurrent
n. Flesh of cap and gills more or
less spongy ; spores spiny,
roundish
(m) Sap not milky
(n) Sap milk}^, white or colored
z. Stem and cap continuous, but stem car-
tilage-like and distinct from the
fleshy cap
(x) Gills not decurrent

m. Cap turned in at margin when

young
n. Cap not turned in at margin
when young
(y) Gills decurrent
(b) Gills Avaxy, cap more or less watery
(2) Gills vein-like, blunt at edge, decurrent
b. Stem excentric, lateral or absent
Cap fleshy-leathery, leathery, corky or woody

a. Edge of gill not forked

( 1 ) Cap fleshy-leathery

(a) Stem separating readily from cap

(b) Stem and cap continuous
X. Gills toothed at edge
y. Gills entire at edge

(2) Cap corky or woody, shelf-like

b. Edge of gill forked into recurved halves

AMANITA

The cap and stem are readily separated from each other, and the latter bears a
ring. At the base of the stem is a cup or volva, which with the ring distinguishes
this genus from Lepiota and Amanitopsis; that is Amanita has botli
ring and volva, Lepiota only the ring and Amanitopsis only the volva. The
volva breaks into fragments and disappears in a few species of Amanita, and

26

Mycena

28

Omphalia

30

Hygrophorus

40

Cantharellus

43

Pleurotus

31

Marasmius

44

Lentinus

47

Panus

49

Lenzites

49

Schizophyllum

51

GILL FUNGI 7

only the young plants ran then be told with certainty from L e p i o t a. Amanita
contains practically all \\)l- (U'adly ptiisonous species of the gill fungi. Although
several species are cdiL)lc, in particular, Ctesar's mushroom, the danger of mistaking
a poisonous Amanita for an edible one is so great that everyone should take the
greatest pains to avoid eating any A m a n i t a whatsoever, and especially mistaking
it in the young button stage for a puffball, or in old age for a L e p i o t a.
The ancient name for some mushroom.

Figure 1. Amanita phalloides
Deadly!

Key to the Species

1. Cap typically wliite, rarely yellowish to olive or brown-

ish; volva with more or less of a free border A. phalloides

2. Cap W'hite or buff -brown; volva merely of scales A. solitaria

3. Cap usually bright orange, red or yclloAv ; volva sack-

like or merely of scales
a. Volva large and sack-like, white ; all other parts

yellow or orange A. caesarea

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Volva forming rings or scales on a bulb-like base;
gills usually white or whitish

( 1 ) Whole ])lant dull red ; flesh reddening when

bruised

(2) Stem white or yellowish; flesh not reddening

(a) Cap 3-6 cm. wdde; spores globose

(b) Cap 8-15 cm. w-ide; spores elliptic

A. rubesccns

A. frostiana
A. Tiiiscaria

Figure 2.

Amamia nlrna
Deadly!

Amanita phalloides Death Cup, Deadly Amanita

C a p 4-10 rm. wide, usually white, more rarely olive, brown or yellow, slimy when

moist, smooth or rough-
ened with a few large or
many small fragments
of the volva; globose,
then bell-shaped and
finally expanded ; stem
tall, stout, 7-13 cm. by
10-15 mm., white, rarely
dark, usually smooth,
bulbous, hollow above,
ring superior, large,
drooping, white, v o 1 v a
usually large with a free
border, but extremely
variable ; gills white
and usually free, rare-
ly slightly touching ;
spores globoid, S-lO/x-
Conmion in forest
and woodland from June
to October; the deadliest

of all the gill fungi, but

easily avoided by the col-
lector if he rejects all
mushrooms with both
ring and volva. This
species causes the major-
ity of the deaths due to eating poisonous forms. Amanita v e r n a is probably
only a form of this species : it is equally deadly.

^

Amanita solitaria Solitary Amanita

Cap large, 7-15 cm. wide, white or grayish, rarely brownish, the surface often
covered with flaky granules or distinct scales which are easily rubbed oflf, sticking to

GILL FUNGI

the hands, lu'inisiihrric to |)kiiu' ; stem tall. <S-2() ciii. hv <S- 1 i iimi.. white, solid,
bulbous, with a root-like cxlt-nsiou, more or less scaly like the caii. r i u l;- torn, more
or less appressed, v o 1 \- a seal_\-, disa]i|)eariii«; ; ^m 1 1 s free or touching, white;
spores elliptic, 10 >' 7/(. The name rel\'rs to its habit of ^'rowin^ solitary, thou^di
this is not uni\ersal.

Common in woodland and grassland from ju!\ to ( )ctober : said to 1)L' edible,
but it is dangerous on account of its re-
semblance to poisonous Amain'tas and
e\H'r\- one should a\'oid all risk b\' K-a\'-
ini;' it entireh' alone.

Amanita caesarea Caesar's Mushroom

("ap ku\!4'e, 7--'() cm. wide, reddish.
orange or \ellow. smooth but beautifullv
striate toward the margin. o\ate to con\-e\
or expanded: stem l(l-_MI cm., tall, vek
low or oranii'e. somewlrit scalv lulow the

rim

hollow, scarcel\' enlargeu lielow.

r i 11 g yellow or orange, large, collar-
like, hanging, v o 1 \- a while, large and
sack-like ; gills free, yellow : spores
elliptic, (S-IO//. The name probably re-
fers to the large size and the b:-autv of
this plant.

Rare in open woods; easi]\" mis-
taken for the deadly tl\' mushroom and
alwa\'s to be ayoided except b_\- the ex-
pert.

Amanita rubescens Reddening
Amanita

Cap large. 8-12 cm. wide, dull red- Ficikk i. .\.MAMr.\ S()i.nARi.\

dish, becoming paler in age, the surface Dangerous!

rt)ughened with ma'.iy cottony grayish

scales, oN'oid to conyex, then ex|)anded ; stem stout, 10-15 cni. tall, 20-25 mm.
thick, dull reddish, reddening when touched or bruised, ring large, superior, \vhite,
\- o 1 \- a showing only as a few fragments, readily disappearing frcm the upper part
of the bulbous base of the stem : gills shining white, touching the stem with lines
running down it: spores ellipsoid, 7-''/^. The name refers to the characteristic
reddening of the tiesh.

Infrequent in forest and woodland from June to October; edible but always
to be avoided except by the expert who knows the many variations of our species
of Amanita.

10

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Amanita frostiana Frost's Amanita

Cap small, 3-6 cm. wide, bright yellow or orange, with wart-like scales or
occasionally nearly smooth, margin striate, convex to plane ; stem 5-8 cm. tall,

Figure 4. Amanita muscaria
Deadly!

white or yellow, bulbous, stuffed, ring delicate, often disappearing, v o 1 v a a delicate
margin on the bulbous base, or consisting of a few yellowish scales ; gills white or
yellowish; spores globose, 8-10/i,. Infrequent; poisonous.

GILL FUNGI

II

Amanita muscaria Fly Cap

Cap large, 10-15 cm. wide, bright red (jr orange, beccjniing yellow or even
whitish in age, roughened with many thick white angular fragments of the volva,
which often disappear in age, margin striate, globose to convex, more rarely expanded;
stem stout, 8-15 cm. by 2-4 cm., white, scaly, bulbous, hollow, ring large, apical,
torn, V o 1 \' a forming several con-
centric scaly rings on the bulb;
gills free or touching, wliitt' or
yellowish ; spores elliptic, 8-
10 X (>-8/x. The name refers to
the use of this fungus to kill Hies.

Frequent in woodkuul, forest
or clearing from June to frost;
deadly poisonous.

AMANITOPSIS

The cap and stem are read-
ily separable as in Amanita
and L e p i o t a, but the entire ab-
sence of a ring at all stages dis-
tinguishes this genus from its rel-
atives. In our one species the
volva is large and sheathing. The
generic name indicates the rela-
tionship with A m a n i t a.

Amanitopsis vaginata
Sheath Stem

FicuRi: 5. Amanitopsis vagix.vta

Cap medium or large, 4-10
cm. wide, gray, yellowish, mouse-
colored or brownish, thin, smooth,
ovoid or bell-shaped to convex or
expanded, beautifully striate-ridg-
ed from the margin toward the
disk; stem tall, 8-20 cm. by

6-9 mm., white, mealv or smooth, stuffed or holUtw. v o 1 v a a soft close sheath which
collapses readily; gills free, white; spores glol)oid. 8-10/x. The name refers to
the sheathing volva.

Frequent in grassland and woodland, from June to October; edible, but not
readily distinguished by the beginner from certain poisonous species of Amanita.

12

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

LEPIOTA

The cap separates readily from tlie stem at the point of attachment, and is
more or less scaly. The stem bears a rin^^ which is either fixed or movable, and in
the smaller forms often disappears after the cap expands. The gills are free from
the stem, rarelv touchiivj;, and are tvpicallv white, though greenish in one species.

Fk.ire 6. Lepiota procera

Lepiota differs from Amanita and Amanitopsis in tlie absence of tlie-
volva, and from A m a n i t o p s i s also in the presence of a ring. All our species of
Lepiota grow on the ground, and are edible, though one or two are known to be
somewhat poisonous to certain people. (Ireat care must be taken not to confuse
with Lepiota those species of Amanita in which the volva is fragmentary or-
disappears early. 'I'he name refers to the scaly caj).

GILL FUNGI 13

Key to the Species

1. Ring movable, large; caps large, usually more than lU

cm.
a. (iills white (ir whitish; llesh white /,, procera

I), (iills greenish; ilesh becoming reddish wlieu lul /,. luor^ani

2. King usually fixed, often disapiiearing when old ; caps

medium to small
a. Cap white to vellow, without conspicuous scales

(1) Cajj white to buff, smooth /,. riiji/rina

(2) Cap white to yellow, mealy with tiny brown

scales ; margin folded L. ccparslipcs

(3) Cap white, with a dense mealy down; margin not

folded /.. farinosa

1). Cap tawny to reddish brown, with marked reddish or
brownish scales

(1) Flesh becoming reddish when cut or dried L. aiucricaihi

(2) Flesh persistently white or whitish

(a) Ring large; cap woolly, rough with erect acute

scales L. aciitcsquamosa

(b) Ring small, luie-like or disappearing

X. Ring small, disappearing ; cap with reddish-
brown flat scales ; gills free L. cristata

\. Ring line-like, cap reddish-yellow, scales grain-
like ; gills touching L. granulosa

Lepiota procera Parasol Mushroom

Cap large, 0-15 cm. wide, grayish-brown to brown at the center or umbo, the
surface breaking into large brownish scales except at the center . l)ell-shai)ed or con-
vex to plane; stem tall, slender, 12-25 cm. bv 4-8 mm., paler than the cap. en-
larged at the base, cracked or scah. hollow or stutTed . ring large, movable, whitish
brown; gills free, whitish, broad, crowded; spores white, elliptic. 12-18X8-
10//. The name refers to the tall stem.

Common in late summer antl autumn, in grasslands, pastures, lawns, roadsides,
etc., or in open woodlands. ( )dor pleasant; flavor delicious; especially adapted to
drying for winter use.

Lepiota morgani Green Gill

Cap very large, 15-30 cm. wide, white or whitish with many brownish or
\-ellowish scales, especially toward tlie disk, convex to expanded or upturned; stem
tall, stout. 15-35 cm. by 2-3 cm., whitish, somewhat bulbous at base, smooth, stuffed;
flesh white becoming reddish or yellowish when wounded ; gills free, white,
then turning green, crowded; spores ovate or ellipsoid, greenish, 10-12 X '-8/*-
The name refers to the discoverer, Professor Morgan.

14

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Not uncommon in meadows and pastures, but rare in the woods; often forming
large fairy rings. Some collectors find this species delicious, but since it is known to
poison some people seriously, it should be eaten by no one until he has tried the effect
of a small piece upon himself.

Lepiota naucina Smooth Lepiota

Cap medium, 5-10 cm. wide, wholly white or somewhat buff, smooth or rarely
with tinv scales, spherical to bell-shaped, then convex or expanded ; s t e m rather
stout, 5-12 cm. bv 7-15 mm., white, more or less covered with fibers, enlarged below,
stuft'ed, then somewhat hollow ; gills free, white, then pink when old, crowded ;
spores oval. 8-10 X S-Sfx. The name refers to the shape of the cap.

Common in meadows, lawns and along grassy roadsides during September and

October. This is among
the best of the edible
mushrooms ; it resembles
the common mushroom,
A g a r i c u s c a m p e s-
t e r. but is readily dis-
tinguished by the fact
that the white gills be-
come pink only when the
plant is mature or old.

Lepiota cepaestipes
Onion Stem

Cap small, 2-5 cm.
wide, white to yellow, the
disk becoming darker, the
surface roughened with
many tiny brownish scales,
ovate or bell-shaped, then
expanded, margin striate
or folded; stem 5-10"

cm. tall, white with little fibers, tapering upward, swollen toward the base, hollow,

ring thin, sometimes falling away ; gills free, white, crowded ; spores elliptic,.

8-10 X 5-8^1. The name refers to the swollen tapering stem.

Occasional in rich open ground, densely clustered ; reputed to be delicious

when cooked in any way.

Lepiota farinosa Mealy Lepiota

Cap medium, 4-7 cm. wide, white or whitish, becoming brownish on the disk,,
the surface covered with a dense white meal, which cracks forming irregular loose
scales, ovate or bell-shaped, becoming convex or expanded in age ; stem 5-8 cm.
by 4-8 mm., white to yellowish, mealy or smooth, equal or somewhat broader below.

Figure 7. Lepiota xaucixa

GILL FUNGI

IS

hollow or stuffed above, solid l)il()\v, ring torn, often disappearing; gills free,
white, crowded; spores ovoid, 10-12 X 5-8/^,. TIk- luiine refers to the mealy cap.

Uncommon, edible; closely resembling L. c e p a e s t i [) e s, but the cap more
mealy and not striated or folded on tlie margin.

Lepiota americana Red Flesh

Cap small to medium. 3-10 cm. wide, white, but witb many reddish or reddish
l)rown scales and uniforiulv rt'ddish on the disk, ovale to expanded or even upturned;

Figure 8. Leimoia .\mericana

stem rather stout, 6-10 cm. l)y 4-10 mm., wliite. smooth, thicker below, hollow,
ring usually well-developed ; gills free, white, crowded ; spores elliptic, 1-gut-
tate, 8-10 X 6-8(11. Name geographical.

Common singly or in clusters on the ground, especially in grassland, from June
to October; readily recognized by its habit of turning red or reddish when bruised
or cut, or in age. One of the best of the edible species; it turns milk reddish when
cooked in it, but this does not affect its flavor.

Lepiota acutesquamosa Scaly Cap

Cap small to medium, 5-8 cm. wide, tawny to brownish, roughened with small
erect acute scales, often spine-like or curved, which are usually larger and closer on

l6 MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

the disk, convex or plane; stem stout, or slender, 5-8 cm. tall, white to brownish,
silky below the ring, mealy above, stuffed or hollow, ring thin, persistent ; gills
free, white or whitish, crowded ; spores elliptic, 7 X "^f^- The name refers to the
sharp-pointed scales.

Not uncommon in woodland and gardens: excellent.

Lepiota cristata Crested Lepiota

Cap small. 1-4 cm. wide, reddish or reddish brown, the surface cracking into
reddish, more or less concentric scales and exposing the white below, the disk more
or less constantly reddish, but occasional plants nearly white, hemispheric to con-
vex or nearly plane ; stem slender, 2-5 cm. by 2-4 mm., white, smooth or fibrous,
hollow, ring small, often disappearing completely; gills free, white, crowded:
spores oblong or elliptic, 5-7 X 3-4/x. The name refers to the crested appearance
of the cap.

Common in woodland, rarely in grassland, especiallv in autumn : edible.

FlClRi; 9. .Vu.MIi.I.AKIA iMEI.LEA

Lepiota granulosa Grainy Lepiota

C a p small. 2-6 cm. wide, yellowish, rusty or yellowish red, roughened with
many tiny grain-like or bran-like scales, convex to plane ; stem 2-5 cm. tall, white
above the ring, colored like the cap below it, nearly equal, stuffed or hollow, r i n g
delicate, soon disappearing; gills touching the stem or slightly attached to it.
white, crowded: spores elliptic, 4-5 X ^M- The name refers to the granular cap.

Infrequent in open woods; edible.

GILL FUNGI 17

AUMILLAUIA

'I'hc Hcsh of tlu' cap and stem is unifdrni and cuntinuous. The stem has a
tixed r\u'j;. which is now and then inconspicuous, especially in i\[S,v. The ^ills are
nsuall\- attached and white or whitish. A r in i 1 1 a r i a dilTers from I.epiota
and Amanita in the coiuinuity ol stem and cap. and from .\m a n i t a in the
absence of the N'oha. All the species are edible. The name refers to the bracelet-
like ring.

Armillaria mellea Honey Cap

ri.ATK 1 : 1

C a |) large. 3-\? cm. wide, usualh' honey-colored, but \ar\ing through all shades
of )ellow to brown, t\i>icall\' marked with small tufts of brownish or blackish hairs,
especialh' toward the center, though sometimes \vooll\- or entirely smooth, margin
often striate, con\-ex to expanded; stem tall, stout, 3- 1 .s cm. by 6-20 mm., whitish,
\'t'llo\\ish, or brownish, especialh' below the ring, smooth or scaly, hollow or stutted,
ring usnalh' thii'kish and conspicuous, but sometimes thin or even lacking; gills
toucliing broadlv or running down the stem, whitish or \-ellowish ; spores elliptic
or rounded. l-\{)[i. 'I'he name reft'rs to the honeydike color.

()ne of the commonest and most \-arial)le of the mushrooms; it occurs most
frequent 1\- at the bast' of stumps, hut grows also on the ground aiul on decaying
stumps and logs. It is edible, but the flavor and texture are only fair. This species
is often parasitic on the roots of trees, especially spruces, pines, etc., breaking down
the roots and sometimes resulting in the death of the tree.

'rUICIKfLO.MA

'I'his genus is distinguished from Armillaria by the absence of a ring,
and from (' 1 i t o c \' b e bv sinuate or adnate gills instead of decurrent ones. It is
most easily confused with ("ollvbia, from whitdi it ditTers in the usually more
or less stout fleshv stem, of the same substance as the cap. I'he species of this genus
are edible with a few exceptions, notablv those with unpleasant smell. The name
means "hair- fringe." hut has slight ai»[)lication.

Key to the Species

1. ( )dor strong and un|)leasant

a. Cap brownish ; flesh reddish w hen bruisetl T. saponacciiiu

b. ("ap sulphur-\ello\\ ; tlesh \ellowish. unchanging T. sulphurcum

2. ( )dor more or less ])leasant

a. C'a]) stickv when moist; light yellow, with dark threads T. scjuncfiiin

b. Cap not stickv, scalv or smooth
( 1 ) Cap scalv or silky-hairy

(a) Cap white. 10-14 cm. wide T. graiiiic

(b) Ca]) brown to mouse-colored. 2-<S cm. wide T. tcrrcum

i8 MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

(2) Cap smooth

(a) (nils violet or lilac, brownish in age T. pcrsonatum

(b) Gills white
X. Cap white

(x) Margin even; taste sharp or bitter T. album

(y) Margin scalloped: taste mild T. patulum

y. Cap dark : taste mild T. mclalcucum

Tricholoma saponaceum Soap Cap

Cap large. 5-10 cm. wide, grayish to brown, the surface dotted or more or
less cracked into scales or fibrils, moist hut not sticky when wet, edge turned in at
first, then convex and expanded, the flesh reddening when wounded : stem stout.
4-10 cm. by 1 cm., sometimes rooting at base, whitish or grayish, often with black
hairs, solid; gills sinuate, whitish, narrow, distant; spores subglobose. 4-5/^..
The name refers to the soapy smell.

On ground in woodland; not poisonous but extremely distasteful.

Tricholoma sulphureum Sulphur Cap

Cap medium, 2-8 cm. wide, sulphur-yellow when young, becoming dingy or
reddish, finely hairy or silky at first, then smooth, convex to expanded, flesh yellow,
unchanging; stem 5-10 cm. by ^-1 cm., sulphur-yellow, smooth, stuflfed or hollow;
gills sinuate, sulphur-yellow; spores oblong-elliptic, 10 X 5:/x. The name
refers to the color of the whole plant.

On ground in woods ; smell and taste very forbidding, though the plant is not
certainly known to be poisonous.

Tricholoma sejunctum Sticky Tricholoma

C a p medium. 4-8 cm. wide, whitish to light yellow, the surface stickv when
moist and with dark threads, convex to expanded, umbonate ; stem stout. 4-10 cm.
by 1 cm., shining white, smooth, solid ; gills sinuate, white, broad, readily separat-
ing from the stem; spores subglobose. 6-7/x. The name refers to the readiness
with which the gills separate from the stem.

On ground in woods ; edible, tender and well-flavored.

Tricholoma grande Large Tricholoma

Cap large. 10-14 cm. wide, white or whitish, often darker toward the disk.
roughened with brownish scales, more or less silky toward the margin, hemispheric
to convex and finally irregular: stem stdut. 5-10 cm. bv 2-4 cm., pure white, some-
Avhat fibrillose, solid; gills sinuate, white, clo.se; spores elliptic, 9-10 X 6/*.
The name refers to the large size.

On ground among fallen leaves; edible, but scarcely desirable.

GILL FUNGI

19

Tricholoma terreum Earth Cap
Plate I : 2

Cap small, 2-8 cm. wide, gray-brown to mouse-colored, covered with close scales
or fibers, often closer and concentric toward the disk, bell-shaped or convex, rarely
plane; stem short. 2-5 cm., paler than the cap. with fibers, solid to hollow;
gills adnexed, whitish or gray, the edge more or less toothed; spores globose
to elliptic, 5-7 X 4-6/x. The name refers to the earthy color and appearance of the
cap.

On the ground in woods, especially in the needle mold at tiie base of spruces
and firs; edible, but the quality only fair.

Tricholoma per-
sonatum Bluehat

Ca p medium to
large, 5-15 cm. wide,
pale, grayish or brownish,
usually with a character-
istic tinge of lilac or
\-iolet, smooth, but the in-
curved margin often with
fine threads at first, con-
vex, more rarely plane
and irregular ; stem
short and thick, 3-7 cm.
by 1-2 cm., more deeply
lilac or violet than the
cap, but growing paler in
age, with fine threads,
solid or spongy ; gills
adnexed or sinuate, li-
lac or violet, becoming
brownish in age ; s p o r e s
riie name has no obvious applica-

/

Figure 10. Tricholoma personatlm

elliptic, 8 X Vj ^^^^ pink vr brownish in mass
tion.

On the ground, in woods, especially in leaf-mold, appearing in late summer
or autumn ; one of the most delicious of all mushrooms. Probably an E n t o 1 o m a,
as indicated by the pinkish spores.

Tricholoma album White Tricholoma

Cap medium to large, 5-12 cm. wide, white, the disk sometimes yellowish,
smooth, dry, convex to plane and irregular, the margin turned in at first; stem
5-10 cm. by 1 cm., white, with a few threads, solid, elastic; gills sinuate, white,
crowded ; spores ellipsoid, 5-6^. The name refers to the color of the whole plant.

Common in woods from August to frost; edible and fairly attractive.

JO

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Tricholoma melaleucum Dark Tricholoma

C a ]) rather small, 2-7 cm., dark gray or smoke-colored, smooth, miibonate, bell-
shaped to convex: stem rather slender, 5-12 cm. by 1 cm., whitish, with a few
threads, stutied or hollow, elastic; gills sinuate, white, broad, crowded; spores
ellipsoid. 9-10 X 5-6/x. The name refers to the contrast between the dark cap and
white gills.

( )ii tlie ground in woods, in autumn ; probably edible, though nut tested by
the writer.

Tricholoma patulum Scallop Top

Cap medium to large, 5-15 cm. wide, white to grayish, rarely with a tinge
<")f vellow, smootli, convex, then plane and upturned, the margin folded and scal-

FlGLRE 11. rklCHOLOMA PAIULUM

loped; stem short and thick. 2-6 cm. by 1-2 cm., white to grayish, sninoth l)ut
powdered at the top. solid : gills sinuate, white, or whitish, crowded, often con-
nected by veins; spores ellipsoid, 7-8 X 4-5//,. The name refers to the spreading
cap.

( )n the ground in woods, late summer and autumn; ])robably edible but not
tested by the writer.

CLITOCYBE

This genus is distinguished by the sloping or decurrent attachment of the
gills and the fleshy stem. It lacks both ring and volva, as does Trie h o 1 o m a.

GILL FUNGI

21

from which it differs solely in the way the p;il]s run down the stem. Some s])ecies
can he placed as readih' in one ^cnns as the other, and one, C" 1 i I o c v 1) e 1 a c c a t a,
does not belong properly in this genus at all. Clitocybe consists almost wholly
of edible species, though one or two are injurious to certain people. The name
refers to the decurrent gills.

Key to the Species

Cap gigantic, often 2-3 dm. (<S-12 inches)

a. dills slightly decurrent. branched and connected by

veins, yellowish or reddish

b. dills long-decurrcnt, sejjarate, whitish

Caj) small or medium to large, rarely more than 12 cm.
(5 inches)

a. ( Jills decurrent

( 1 ) Cap bright yellow, orange or green

(a) Cap bright yellow or orange

(b) Cap green or olive; odor of anise

(2) Cap white to tan or brown

(a) Cap typically white or whitish, not gray, tan or

brown
.\. Small, 2-3 cm. wide

(x) Fragrant, smelling like anise
(y) Fragrance slight or none
m. Stem cartilage-like, hollow, rooting at base
n. Stem fibrous, stuffed
V. Medium to large

(b) Cap gray, tan or brown, rarely reddish

x. Gills purple or purplish; cap pale yellow
V. ( lills not purple

(x) Cap usually funnel- form
m. Cap dark brown or smoky
n. Cap tan or reddish
(y) Cap convex or plane, or slightly depressed
m. Plants densely crowded

(m) Cap convex, grayish or i)ale tan
(n) Caj) flat or depressed, honey-colored
to brownish
n. Plants rarely densely crowded

(m) Cap gray; gills narrow, crowded
(n) Cap brownish; gills broad, not crowd-
ed

b. (iills adnate

(1) Cap watery, rose, reddish or bluish

(2) Cap green or olive

C. gigaiitea
C. ma.xiina

C. illiulcns
C. odora

C. fragrans

C. candicans

C. dcalhata

C. robust a

C '. oihrof<iirpiirt'a

C. cyathiformis

C. infitiuiibitlifonnis

C. nuilticif^s

C. monadclpha

C. nchularis

C. media

C. hiccata
C. odora

22

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Clitocybe gigantea Giant Clitocybe

Cap usually very large, 1-3 dm. wide, whitish or tan-colored, smooth, sometimes
cracking into scales when dry, plane, then depressed or concave, margin turned in at
iirst, more or less irregular and lobed : stem short and stout. 4-5 cm. bv 1-2 cm.,
whitish or tan, smooth, solid ; gills short decurrent, whitish or tan, iinally tinged
with yellow or reddish, branched or connected by veins, broad and crowded ; spores
elliptic, 5 X 2fj.. The name refers to the size of the plant.

On the ground in woods, from August to frost ; edible.

Clitocybe maxima Great Clitocybe

Cap usually very large, 1-3 dm. wide, whitish or tan, smooth or slightly
silky or scaly in age, concave, the margin turned in and somewhat lobed ; stem
stout, 8-10 cm. by 2-3 cm., whitish, somewhat fibrous, solid; gills long decurrent,

Figure 12. Clitocvbe maxima

whitish, not branched or connected by veins; spores elliptic, 5-6 X 3-4/a. The
name refers to the size.

On the ground in woods, throughout summer and autumn : distinguished from
the preceding by the more funnel-shaped cap, and the whitish, long decurrent gills.
Coarse, but well-flavored and edible.

Clitocybe illudens Orange Cone Saffron Top

Cap large, 7-15 cm. wide, dark yellow or orange-brown, smooth, convex or
flat at first, then depressed or deeply concave, often irregular from mutual pressure ;
stem tall, 10-20 cm. by l-ljA cm., deep yellow or orange, smooth, solid; gills
running far down the stem, yellow to orange, distant; spores rounded, 4-5ju..
The name refers to the deceptively attractive appearance.

Growing in large clusters about old stumps or dead trees from August to
frost. Though not deadly, this plant is poisonous to nearly every one, and should

GILL FUNGI 23

not be civtcn. It possesses the ])o\vcr of phosphorescence, and hence is always of
interest.

Clitocybe odora Green Clitocybe

C a p small, 4-5 cm. wide, ])ale p;reen to dark green or olive, smooth or some-
what silkv when dry, convex, then plane or depressed; stem slender, 2-4 cm. by
4-5 mm., whitish or grayish, smooth, elastic, stuffed ; gills adnate or decurrent,
greenish to whitish, broad; spores elliptic, 6-8 X '^"■^Z^- Iha name refers t(j
the pleasant spicy smell.

In leafy woods, from August to October; edible, but perhaps best used as a
flavor for other kinds of mushrooms.

Clitocybe fragrans Fragrant Clitocybe

Cap small, 2-3 cm. wide, whitish, smooth, watery, plane, then depressed or
somewhat fumiel-like; stem slender, 4-5 cm. by 4-5 mm., smooth, whitish, elastic,
stuffed or hollow; gills short decurrent. whitish; spores ellipsoid, 6-7 X "+/J'-
The name refers to the anise-like odor.

On the ground in mossy woods, July to November: edible.

Clitocybe candicans White Clitocybe

Cap small, 2-3 cm. wide, white and shining, smooth or finely silky, convex,
then plane or concave; stem slender, 2-5 cm. by 3-5 mm., white, shining, smooth,
cartilage-like, hollow, rooting at base ; gills short decurrent or almost adnate,
white, narrow and crowded; spores subglobose, 5-6 X -^-Sm- i lie name refers
to the shining whiteness of the plant.

In leaf mold in woods; said to be tough, l)ut excellent when well-cooked.

Clitocybe dealbata Ivory Top

Cap small, 2-4 cm. wide, white and shining, smooth, plane, finally upturned
and the margin wavy; stem slender. 2-^ cm. by 3-4 mm., whitish, fibrous, stuffed;
gills slightly decurrent, white, crowded; spores ellipsoid, 4-5 X 2-3/x. The
name refers to the white color.

In grassland and woodland, in autumn : said to be delicious.

Clitocybe robusta Stout Clitocybe

Cap medium, 7-10 cm. wide, white, smooth, convex, then flat or slightly con-
cave, the margin at first turned in: stem stout. 3-5 cm. by 1-2 cm., white, smooth,
solid; gills decurrent. white, crowded; spores elliptic, 8X5^. The name
refers to the stout form.

On the ground in woods, in autunm ; edible.

24 MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Clitocybe ochropurpurea Purple Top

Cap small, 4-5 cm. wide, pale yellow or ocher-yellow, sometimes tinged with
purple, smooth or very slightly hairy, convex to flat, then upturned and irregular;
stem tall, 5-8 cm. by 1-2 cm., thicker near the middle, pale yellowish, purplish in
spots, often rough with fibers, solid ; gills decurrent. purple, in age whitened
by the spores.

On ground in woods, during summer and autumn ; excellent when well-cooked.

Clitocybe cyathiformis Cup Top

Cap small. 3-7 cm. wide, dark brown or smoky, smooth, sometimes slimy
when moist, flat or depressed, finally funnel-form and irregular ; stem slender,
5-10 cm. by 5-8 mm., brownish or smoky, covered with threads, woolly at base.
stuft"ed or hollow : gills decurrent. more or less brownish, distant, often joined
near the stem; spores elliptic, 8-10 X S-6fi. The name refers to the cup-like cap.

In woodland and grassland, rarely growing on decaying wood, in autumn ; edible.

Clitocybe infundibuliformis Funnel Top
Plate I : 3

Cap small to medium. 5-10 cm. wide, tan or buff, tinged with reddish, smooth,
fiat, then depressed and funnel-form , often irregular from mutual pressure in
clusters; stem somewhat stout, 3-8 cm. by 6-12 mm., pinkish tan or buff, smooth,
tapering upward, stuffed or hollow, with a mass of white hairs at the base among
the leaves; gills decurrent. whitish; spores ellipsoid, S-6 X SAjx. The name
refers to the funnel-like cap.

Among leaves in woods, during summer and autumn ; edible and of good quality.

Clitocybe multiceps Tufted Top

Cap small, 3-7 cm., grayish-tan or whitish, smouth. hemispheric to convex
and irregular from pressure; stem short, or lengthened in age. 3-8 cm. by 6-10
mm., whitish or grayish, smooth, elastic, stuff'ed or solid ; gills adnate or decurrent.
whitish, crowded; spores rounded. 5-7/x. The name refers to the habit of
growing in dense clusters.

Growing in dense masses in meadows and lawns, from spring to freezing
weather, often into December: one of the best of edil)le species.

Clitocybe monadelpha Honey Top

Cap small. 3-8 cm. wide, honey-colored to brownish, at first smooth, then
more or less cracked or scaly, convex, then flat or depressed ; s t e m tall, slender.

GILL FUNGI

25

often curved, <S- 1 5 cm. by C)-U) mm., pale brnwnisli or reddish, fil)r()us, tapering
(lowiiward, solid; li; i 1 1 s decurrent, pale reddish-brown; spores ellipsoid, 8 X 6/x.
The name refers to the dense clusters.

In dense clumps in grass or about stumps, from spring to severe frost; edible.

Clitocybe nebularis Gray Clitocybe

Cap medium. 5-10 cm. wide, gray or pale smoke-colored, smooth, convex to
Hat or slightlv depressed; stem 3-6 cm. by 8-10 nim., whitish, tajiering u])ward as

I'U. IKE 13. C'liroCVliE MOX.VDKl.l'llA

a rule, smooth, solid: gills decurrent, whitish, crowded; si)ores ellipsoid.
4-5 X -^-3^1. The name refers to the gray ca]i.

On the ground in woods, autunni or late sunnner ; rare but delicious.

Clitocybe media Brown Clitocybe

Cap medium. 5-10 cm. wide, dark, grayish brown or blackish, smooth, convex,
then idane or slightly concave; stem 3-6 cm. by 8-10 mm., brownish, smooth,
elastic, solid ; gills more or less decurrent. whitish, often connected by veins ;
spores elliptic, 8 X 5/^- '^'l^t; name refers to its relationship to the preceding species.

On the ground in shady woods, autumn; excellent.

26

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Clitocybe laccata Rose Cap
Plate I : 4

Cap small, 1-5 cm. wide, flesh-colored, pink, reddish, or even bluish, Avatery,
and translucent, smooth or very finely hairy, often striate or scalloped at the margin,
convex, more rarely ex-
panded or depressed, but
usually sunken in the
middle : s t e m slender.
2-8 cm. by 4-6 mm., col-
ored like the cap, smooth,
waxy, elastic, stuffed or
hollow ; gills sinuate
or with a small decur-
rent tooth, pinkish or
reddish, broad, distant;
spores subglobose, 8-
10/;.. The name refers
to the waxy texture.

Common in wet
places, meadows, also
swamps and thickets,
throughout summer and

autumn ; edible.

Figure 14. Clitocybe laccata

COLLYBIA

This genus is distinguished from T r i c h o 1 o m a and Clitocybe by the
horny or cartilaginous nature of its stem, which is thus more or less distinct from
the fleshy cap. The stem is consequently more slender and graceful. From
M y c e n a. C o 1 1 y b i a is distinguished by the inturned margin of the cap. a
feature often to be recognized only in the young plants. It differs from M a r a s m i u s
only in being more fleshy, and there are certain species which may be placed with
equal warrant in either genus. All of our species are edible. The name refers to
the form of the cap.

Key to the Species

.-^tem tall, with a long root ; gills broad and distant

a. Cap and stem velvety

b. Cap and stem not velvety

( 1 ) Cap sticky when moist

(2) Cap not sticky when moist; gills very broad
Stem shorter, rarely rooting ; gills usually narrower and

closer ; mostly in dense clusters
a. Cap very sticky when moist ; stem velvety

C. longipcs

C. radicata
C . platyphylla

C. veliitipcs

GILL FUNGI

27

b. Cap not sticky when moist; stem smuutli ur velvety

( 1 ) Stem smooth

(2) Stem with a white velvet or clown

C. dryophila
C. conftucns

Collybia longipes Long Stem

C a p small, 2-5 cm. wide, brownisli to red-
brown, densely and finely velvety, very sticky,
convex to flat, more or less raised in the center;
stem tall, 10-16 cm. l)y 4-8 mm., brownn'sh and
velvety like the cap, stuffed, tapering ui)ward
and with a long tapering root at the base; gills
sinuate or adnexed, white, broad and distant ;
spores globose, 8-12/x. The name refers to the
long stem.

Solitary on tlie ground or long-decayed logs,
during summer and autumn ; excellent.

^r

Collybia radicata Root Stem

Cap medium, 4-U) cm. wide, whitish, gray,
brown or blackish, smooth, sticky when moist, with
more or less distinct radiate wrinkles, convex to
plane or recurved, with a distinct disk ; stem
tall. 10-20 cm. by 1-2 cm., usually like the cap
in color but paler, smooth or mealy, often grooved,
tapering upward and with a long tapering root
at the base ; gills adnexed or sinuate, white,
broad and distant ; spores elliptic, 15-17 X 10/*-
The name refers to the long, rooting stem.

Solitary or in open groups, on the ground in
leaf -mold or in grass, more rarely on greatly de-
cayed stumps. May to frost ; edible, with a sweet,
delicate flavor.

Collybia platyphylla Broad Gill

Cap medium, 7-11 cm. wide, whitish, ashen
or brown-smoky, smooth or with fibrils, watery,
but not sticky when moist, convex at first, then
flat and more or less concave ; stem tall and
thick, 7-11 cm. by 1-2 cm., whitish or grayish,
smooth or streaked with fibers, stuffed, with a
short root at base ; gills adnexed or sinuate,
white, distant, very broad, 1-2 cm.; spores elliptical, 10-17 X 6-12/i. The name
refers to the broad gills.

Figure 15. Collvbi.\ radic.\t.\

28 MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Solitary or in groups, on the ground or decaying wood in forest and woodland,
May to October ; edible, but not as desirable as the two preceding.

Collybia veliitipes Velvet Stem

Cap small to medium, 2-8 cm. wide, yellow-brown or reddish brown, rarely
paler except toward the margin, smooth, very sticky when moist, convex to plane or
somewhat recurved, often excentric or irregular through mutual pressure ; stem
rather short, 3-8 cm. by 2-8 mm., yellow above, brown or nearly black below,
densely velvety, tough, stuffed or hollow ; gills adnexed or slightly sinuate, yellowish
to yellow; spores ellipsoid, 6-1 'XS-i/x. The name refers to the velvety stem,
especially the lower part.

In dense clusters on stmnps and logs, more rarely on the ground when it
contains much woody matter, or in decayed spots in living trees. It is most abundant
in the fall, but it may appear during any month of the year. It is one of the very
best of edible species.

Collybia confluens Twin Stem

Cap small, 2-3 cm. wide, reddish-brown or reddish, smooth, watery when moist,
convex or flat to somewhat depressed or upturned; stem slender, 8-14 cm. by 2-4
mm., paler than the cap but of the same color, covered with a dense white down,
tough, hollow ; gills free, whitish or grayish, narrow, crowded ; spores sub-
globose to ovate, 6-9 X 4-7)U,. The name refers to the fact that the stems often
grow together.

Growing in dense tufts on the ground in woodland, more rarely in grassland;
excellent, readily preserved by drying for winter use.

Collybia dryophila Oak Collybia

Plate I : 5

Cap small to medium, 2-7 cm. wide, usually tan to brown, but varying from
whitish through yellow to red-brown or dark brown, smooth, convex to plane or j
somewhat depressed; stem 3-8 cm. by 3-8 mm., usually yellowish or reddish-brown,
tough, smooth, hollow, sometimes rooting at the base ; gills sinuate or adnexed,
whitish or rarely yellowish, narrow, crowded; spores ellipsoid or ovoid, 5-7 X 4-
S/Ji. The name refers to the habit of growing in woods.

Common in woods. May to frost; edible and of good quality.

:^IYCENA

This genus differs from Collybia in having the margin of the cap straight
in the young plant instead of incurved. It is separated from O m p h a 1 i a by the
insertion of the gills, which are adnate or adnexed but never decurrent and by
the conic or bell-shaped cap. These are typically small graceful plants, often of
most beautiful coloring. It is probable that all the species are edible, but they are
usuallv neglected on account of the small size. The name means mushroom.

Figure 16. CoLL^BIA velutipes

/

GILL FUNGI 29

Key to the Species

1. Plant with a strong alkaline odor M. alcaliiia

2. Plant without a strong alkaline odor

a. Cap bright-colored, rose, lilac, blue or yellow .1/. pura

b. Cap gray, yellowish or brown

(1) Cap 1-5 cm. wide

(a) Cap striate to the disk, conic bell-shapeil ; gills

more or less tinged with pink M. galericiilata

(b) Cap slightly striate at margin, convex; gills

wbite M. prolifera

(2) Cap 4-9 mm. wide .1/. vulgaris

Mycena alcalina Strong Mycena

Cap small, 2-5 cm. wide, whitish, grayish, yellowish or brownish, smooth,
shining when dry, deeply striate, bell-shaped ; stem slender, 5-8 cm. by 2-4 mm.,
grayish or yellowish, smooth, shining, woolly at base, hollow ; gills adnate, whitish
to yellowish; spores subglobose, 8-10 X 5-7jU. The name refers to the character-
istic alkaline odor.

In clusters on stumps, trunks and even on leaves, but rarely if ever on the
ground, late summer and autumn; probably edible but to be tested with care.

Mycena pura Color Cap
Plate I : 6

Cap small, 2-4 cm. wide, rose, lilac, blue, yellow or rarely pure white, smooth,
margin finely striate, bell-shaped to convex or almost flat; stem slender, 5-10 cm.
by 2-4 mm., usually of the color of the cap, smooth, somewhat hairy at the base,
hollow; gills adnate or sinuate, rose, lilac or white, connected by veins; spores
ellipsoid, 6-8 X 4/x. The name refers to the bright color of the cap.

Solitary or in groups or clusters on the ground, common in moist woods in
late summer and autumn ; probably edible.

Mycena galericulata Cowl Mycena

Cap small, 1-5 cm. wide, gray, yellowish-gray to brown, varying greatly,
smooth, distinctly striate to the disk, conic-bellshaped ; stem slender, 5-12 cm. by
2-4 mm., whitish, grayish or brownish, smooth, shining, hairy and rooting at the
base, hollow ; gills adnate, white, tinged with pink or red, connected by veins ;
spores subglobose, 9-10 X 6-8/x. The name refers to the cowl-shaped cap.

Usually in clusters on stumps, logs and twigs, the stems held together by
matted hairs at the base, during summer and autumn; said by Mcllvaine to be
pleasant.

30 MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

y

Mycena prolifera Tufted Mycena

Cap small. 1-3 cm. wide, pale yellowish to tan or brown, darker on the disk,
smooth, slightly striate at the margin, convex or nearly flat when mature ; stem
slender, 5-8 cm. by 2-4 mm., pale above, tan to brownish below, smooth, shining,
rooted; gills adnexed, whitish; spores elliptic, 8-10 X 5-7^. The name refers
to the dense tufts.

In grass or on trunks, in late summer and autumn : excellent.

fe^

Mycena vulgaris

Cap very small, 4-9 mm. wide, w^hitish, grayish or smoke-colored, smooth,
sticky, striate at the margin, convex, depressed in the middle ; stem thread-like,
2-6 cm. bv 1-2 mm., ashen or dark, sticky, tough, hollow, hairy and rooted at base;

Figure 17. Mycena galericulata

gills decurrent. white ; spores ellipsoid. 3-4 X 2/j.. The name refers to the
frequence.

In groups and clusters on leaves, twigs, etc., in woods, during summer and
autimm; probably edible, but too small to be of account. The umbilicate cap and
decurrent gills indicate that the proper position of this plant is in O m p h a 1 i a.

OMPHALIA

This is closely related to AI y c e n a, but the majority of the species are easily
recognized bv the decurrent gills and the typically depressed or umbilicate cap.
Mycena vulgaris, however, possesses both these features, and will be sought
under this genus, where it properly belongs. The species are very small for the
most part; they are edible, but too small to be important. The name refers to the
depressed or funnel- form cap.

/

GILL FUNGI

31

Key to the Species

1. Cap whitish; gills wliitish, distant

2. Cap rust-colored; gills yellow or yellowish, close

0. itinbcllifera
0. campanclla

Omphalia umbellifera Umbel Cup

J?-

C'ap small 1-3 cm. wide, whitish f)r grayish, smooth, watery-translucent,
striate,' convex, plane and Ihially depressed; stem slender, 1-3 cm. by 2 mm.,
whitish, usually smooth, hairy at the base, stuffed or hollow; gills decurrent,
whitish, broad, distant; spores subglobose to ellip.soid , S-10 X 5-6/x. The name
refers to the shape of the cap.

Common on decaying wood or on ground containing much decayed wood,
summer,. and autumn; edible, but scarcely desirable.

Omphalia campanella
Bell Cup

Cap small, 6-15 mm.
wide, ' rust-colored, smooth,
watery-translucent, somewhat
striate, bell-shaped or convex,
depressed in the middle ;
stem slender, 3-6 cm. by 2
mm., brown, smooth, hairy at
the base, hollow ; gills de-
current, yellow or yellowish,
connected by veins, close ;
spores elliptic 6-7 X 3-4ju.
The name refers to the bell-
shapea cap.

Ih clusters on decaying
logs and stumps, especially of

conifei-s, rarely on the ground,
summer and autumn ; edible.

P'iGURE 18. Omphalia campanella

I PLEUROTUS

I
This genus is characterized by an excentric or lateral stem : the stem is entirely
lacking in some species, and the cap is shelf-like, or is turned upside down.
P 1 e u r o t u s resembles T r i c h o 1 o m a and C 1 i t o c y b e in structure, but is
readily recognized as a rule by the absence of a central stem, and by its habit of
growing^ on wood. This is one of the most satisfactory of genera from^the stand-
point of the mushroom-eater. The species are common, usually grbA^^iti 'lafge masses
throughout the entire growing period, and are of excellent flavor. The name refers
to the excentric or lateral stem.

32

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Figure 19. Pleurotus ulmarius

GILL FUNGI

33

Key to the Species

(]ills beneath tlie cap or lateral

a. Stem distinct, excentric ; gills adnexed or sinuate P. iilmarius

b. Stem lateral or disappearing; gills decurrent

(1) Cap horizontal or shelf-like

(a) Spores white P. ostrcatus

(b) Spores lilac-tinged against a white background /'. sapidus

(2) Cap more or less erect and spatula-like l\ pctaloidcs

2. Gills on the upper side, i. c., the cap reversed

/'. applicatus

Figure 20. Pleurotus ostreatus

Pleurotus ulmarius Elm Cap

Cap large, 8-15 cm. wide, while, whitish or tan, often brownish toward the
center, smooth, often cracked, usually convex, sometimes plane; stem long and
stout, often nearly central, 5-12 cm. by 2-3 cm., white or tan. smooth or hairy
toward the base, solid, elastic, often curved; gills adnexed or sinuate, whitish,
broad, close ; spores globose, 5-6|a. The name refers to its fondness for the elm.

34

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Frequent in towns and cities on the trunks of living trees, especially elms,
growing from injuries or knot-holes, often 20-30 feet from the ground, late summer
until severe frosts. The flesh is firm, or in old specimens quite tough, but the flavor
makes this one of the best of the edil)le species.

Pleurotus ostreatus Oyster Cap

Cap large, 7-24 cm. wide, white, gray or tan, smooth or more or less scaly in
age, convex or plane, shelf- or shell-shaped, more or less lobed and torn at the
margin ; stem short and lateral, or none, white, solid, more or less hairy at base ;
gills long-decurrent, connected by veins on the stem, white or yellowish ; spores
elliptic, 8-10 X 4-5/u. The name refers to the shell- or oyster-shaped cap.

Overlapping in dense clusters on stumps and trunks, spring to autumn; some-
what tough but of ex- ;
cellent flavor.

Pleurotus sapidus
Shell Cap

Cap large, 5-12
cm. wide, w^hite to
gray, tan or brownish,
smooth, convex or flat,
shell-shaped ; stem
short, strongly excen-
tric or lateral or none ;
gills long-decurrent,
whitish or yellowish ;
spores elliptic, lilac-
tinted in mass, 8-12 X 4-6;u. The name refers to the savory nature of the cap.

This can be distinguished from the Oyster Cap only by the lilac tint of the
spores. To the beginner, there is no important dift'erence between them.

Figure 21. Pleurotus applicatus

Pleurotus petaloides Petal Cap

Cap small to medium, 3-10 cm. long by 1-5 cm. wide, brownish or reddish-
brown or sometimes whitish, smooth, wedge-shaped, shell-like or spatula-like; stem
short, 1-2 cm. tall, whitish, more or less hairy; gills long-decurrent, white or
gray, narrow and crowded, dotted with bristles or cystidia ; spores elliptic, 8-
9 X 4|u.. The name refers to the shape of the cap.

In clusters on stumps, on branches or roots buried in the ground, late summer
and autumn; edible.

Pleurotus applicatus Inverted Pleurotus

Cap very small, 3-7 mm. wide, gray, bluish-gray or blackish, smooth or hairy,
usually inverted, more rarely shelf-like, saucer-shaped ; stem lacking ; gills gray

GILL FUNGI

35

or hluish-gray, radiating;; spores globose, 4-5/a. 'J"he name refers to the position
of the cap.

Frecjucnt on decaying logs or l)ranches. often buried in tlie soil.

RUSSULA

Closely related to 1, a (- t a r i u s. from which it differs in the absence of milky
sap. It is characterized 1>\- the \'erv brittle cap and stem, by the swollen, cell-like
threads t)f the middle of the gills, the trama, and by globose spiny spores. The
beginner is perhaps most likely to confuse R u s s u 1 a wdth T r i c h o 1 o m a. but
the features indicated are decisive. Many species of this genus have long been
regarded as harmful, if not downriglit poisonous, but Mcllvaine insists that not a
single species is known to be poisonous, and that all those which are not too highly
fknored are desirable. The name refers to the red color of many species.

Key to the Species

1. Cap typicallv retl or yellow

a. Cap red, rarely yellowish or white

(1) Cills wdiite

(2) Gills yellowish or yellow

(a) Cap rose-red, sticky, striate; taste mild

(b) Cap vermilion, dry, not striate; taste very biting

b. Cap yellow, rarely red

(1) Gills wdiitish; smell heavy and unpleasant; taste

biting

(2) Gills yellow, at least the edge; smell and taste

pleasant

(a) Gills whitish, bright yellow at the edge

(b) Gills entirely yellow

2. Caj) not red or yellow ; white, brown, green or blackish

a. Cap white or whitish to brown or black

( 1 ) Cap soot-colored to black ; flesh reddening w hen

touched

(2) Cap white to brown, rarely black: ilesh not red-

dening

(a) Taste mild

X. Cap, stem antl gills white

y. Cap, stem and gills grayish to smoke-colored

(b) Taste biting

X. Cap sticky, furrowed at the margin; flesli not

changing
y. Cap drv. not furrowed ; flesh turning blackish

when wounded

b. Cap green or greenish, rarely paler

R. cinctica

R. roseipes
R. rubra

R. i Oct ens

R. our at a
R. Intra

R. nigricans

R. ddica
R. adusia

R. pectinata

R. sordid a
R. vircsccns

36 MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Russula emetica Scarlet Cap
Plate I : 9

C a }! medium, 5-12 cm. wide, bright or deep red, rarely yellow or whitish,
smooth, more or less furrowed at the margin, convex, flattened or slightly depressed-,
stem stout, 4-6 cm. by 1-2 cm., white, or tinged with red, smooth, spongy;
gills nearly free, white, broad; spores globose, spiny, 8-10jli. The name refers
to its supposed properties.

Common in forest and woodland during summer and autumn ; very acrid and
commonly reputed to be poisonous, but said by Alcllvaine to be harmless.

Russula roseipes Rosy Stem

Cap small, 3-6 cm. wide, rose-red, tinged with other colors, smooth, sticky,
striate at the margin, convex to plane or slightly depressed; stem stout, 3-7 cm.
by 8-15 mm., white tinged with red. smooth, stuffed or somewhat hollow; gills
more or less adnexed, whitish then yellow ; spores subglobose, yellowish, spiny,
S-lOyu. The name refers to the rosy stem.

On ground, usually in coniferous woods, late simimer and autumn ; excellent.

Russula rubra Red Russula

Cap medium, 6-11 cm. wide, vermilion, bright and shining, rarely paler,
smooth, dry, convex or flat, often depressed; stem stout, 5-8 cm. by 2-3 cm., M'hite
or reddish, solid ; gills adnate, yellowish or yellow, often red on the edge ;
spores globose, spiny, 8-10;li. The name refers to the color.

On the ground in woods, summer and autumn ; very acrid, but edible.

Russula foetens Fetid Russula

Cap medium to large, 8-14 cm. wide, dull or dingy yellow, smooth, sticky
when moist, striate-warty at the margin, convex to flat and depressed ; stem stout,
4-7 cm. by 1-2 cm., whitish, stuffed or hollow; gills adnexed. whitish, more
or less forked or connected by veins; spores globose, spiny, 8-11^. The name
refers to the unpleasant odor.

On ground in woods, during stmimer and autumn; odor and taste both disagree-
able, though Mcllvaine states that the plant is not actually poisonous.

Russula aurata Golden Russula

Cap small to medium, 4-8 cm. wdde, bright yellow or orange, rarely red,
smooth, sticky when wet, even at the margin, or striate or wrinkled when old,
bell-shaped to convex or flat; stem stout, 5-8 cm. by 1-2 cm., white or bright
yellow, solid or spongy ; gills free, whitish or yellowish, but bright yellow on the
edge, broad; spores globose, spiny, 8-10/x. The name refers to the color.

In woodlands or grassland, summer and autumn ; smell and taste pleasant,
e<lible.

GILL FUNGI Z7

Russula lutea Yellow Russula

C a i> small, 2-5 cni. wide, yellow, rarely i>aler (ir while, sniooth, sticky when
wet, convex to plane or depressed ; s t c m short aiul stout, 3-4 cm. by 1 cm.,
white, stuffed or hoHow ; i;' i 1 1 s free or nearly" so, yellow, narrow and crowded;
s }) o r e s yellowish, spiny, globose, 7-l()/x. The name refers to the color.

( )n the ground in woods, late summer and autumn; edible.

Russula nigricans Black Russula

Cap medium, 5-12 cm. wide, smoky or sooty, or finally black, smootli or more
or less cracked, somewhat sticky at first, convex or Hat, Ihially funnel-shaped, Hesh
reddening:; when broken ; s t e ni stout, 5-8 cm. by 2-3 cm., more or less black, solid ;
gills more or less adnexed, grayish or smoky, reddening when touched ; spores
globose, spiny, 6-9|U. The name refers to the color.

( )n the ground in woods, spring, summer and fall; mild in taste, edil)le.

Russula delica White Russula

Pl.\te 1:10

Cap large, 7-14 cm. wide, whitish, smooth, depressed then funnel-shaped, the
margin turned in; stem sliort and stout, 2-5 cm. l)y 1-2 cm., white, smooth,
solid; gills decurrent. white, narrow and distant; s ]> o r e s globoid, spiny, 8-
11 X 6-9jU,. The name refers to the lack of milk.

On the ground in woods, during sunmier and autunm ; taste mild ; edible, but
only fair.

Russula adusta Smoky Russula

Cap large, 8-16 cm. wide, grayish or soot-colored, smooth, depressed to fun-
nel-form; stem very short and stout. 2-3 cm. by 1-2 cm., smoky, solid; gills
adnate or decurrent, whitish or grayish, crowded; spores globose, spiny, S-ll/i.
The name refers to the color.

On the ground in woods, from midsununer to frost ; edible and well-flavored.

Russula pectinata Ribbed Russula

C a }) medium, 4-8 cm. wide, yellowish-brown to tan or rarely paler, smooth,
sticky at first, convex or Mat, then depressed or funnel-form, the margin deeply
ribbed or grooved; stem short and stout. 3-4 cm. by l-2> cm., white, stuffed;
gills tapering and free, white, crowded; spores subglobose. spiny. 8-11/^. The
name refers to the comb-like margin.

On the ground in woodland and grassland', during summer and autumn; not
poisonous, but of strong unpleasant flavor.

Russula sordida Dingy Russula

Cap medium to large. 7-12 cm. wide, dirty white to brownish, smooth, dry,
convex or flat, depressed in the center, flesh blackening when wounded; stem stout,

38

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

4-9 cm. by 1-2 cm., dirty white, solid; gills adnexed, white; spores globose,
7-8/i. The name refers to the color.

On the ground in woods, late smnnier to autumn; edible and of fair quality.

Russula virescens Green Russula

Cap medimn to large, 8-12 cm. wide, gray-green to dark green, rarely paler,
smooth, dry, often cracked into scales or warts, bell-shaped to flat and depressed ;
stem 6-8 cm. by 1-2 cm., white, spongy; gills free, white, crowded; spores
globoid, spiny, 6-9/i,. The name refer? to the green color.

In woodland and grassland, from July to frost; one of the best of the Russulas.

LACTARIUS

Differing from Russula only in the presence of a white or colored milky
juice, a feature which distinguishes it also from practically all other gill-fungi.
It agrees with Russula in its brittle texture, and in its globoid spiny spores.
Many of the species are regarded as poisonous, but Mcllvaine insists that many of
them have been condemned without trial on account of their pungent taste or highly
colored milk. The pungency usually disappears on cooking, however, and some of
the best edible species have a bright-colored milky sap. The name refers to the
presence of milk.

Key to the Species

1. Milk bright-colored, usually yellow or orange

a. Milk orange-red; flesh turning green when wounded

b. Milk white, then golden; flesh not turning green

2. Milk white, not becoming bright-colored

a. Cap downy or hairy, at least on the margin

(1) Cap downy or velvety throughout; white or whit-

ish

(2) Cap hairy or shaggy on the margin; tan tinged

with red

b. Cap not downy or hairy

( 1 ) Cap sticky

(a) Cap yellowish, zoned; gills w'hitish

(b) Cap reddish or brownish-red, scarcely zoned;

gills yellowish

(2) Cap not sticky

(a) Cap white; gills whitish, with occasional yel-

low spots

(b) Cap tawny to orange ; gills white ,or yellowish,

brow^nish when wounded

L. deliciosus
L. cJirysorrheus

L. vellereus

L. torminosus

L. insulsiis

L. hysginus

L. piperatus

L. vol emus

Lactarius deliciosus Orange Flow

Cap small to medium, 3-10 cm. wide, reddish-yellow, orange or brick-colored,
smooth, sometimes slightly sticky, usually distinctly zoned, plane, then depressed and

Figure 22. Lactarius deliciosus

GILL FUNGI 39

more or less funnel-form; stem stout, 4-8 cm. by 1-2 cm., colored like the cap or
somewhat paler, smooth, stuffed, finally hollow; gills decurrent, deep yellow,
narrow and crowded; spores globoid, spiny, 7-lU/x. Cap, stem and gills turn
orange, and then green wherever wounded ; milk orange, fragrant. The name
refers to the edible properties.

Common on the ground in woods, July to October; one of the best of edible

fungi.

Lactarius chrysorrheus Golden Flow

Cap medimii to large, 5-18 cm. wide, yellowish, tinged with pink or red,
more or less zoned or marked with dark spots, little or not at all sticky, depressed
and finally more or less funnel-form; stem stout, 4-8 cm. by 1-2 cm., paler than
the cap, or whitish, smooth, stuffed or hollow ; gills decurrent, yellowish, crowded ;
spores globose, l-S/x ; milk white, then golden, biting. The name refers to the
golden milk.

On the ground in woods from July to frost ; not known to be edible.

Lactarius vellereus Downy Lactarius

Cap medium to large, 5-15 cm. wide, white or whitish, velvety or downy, zone-
less, plane to depressed or funnel-form ; stem short and very stout, 3-6 cm. by
2-4 cm., whitish, finely hairy, solid ; gills decurrent, whitish, then more or less
yellowish, distant ; spores ellipsoid, scarcely spiny, 8-9 X 5ju. ; milk white, biting.
The name refers to the downy cap.

On the ground in woodland and grassland, summer and autumn ; often reputed
poisonous, but eaten by Mcllvaine and others.

Lactarius torminosus Shaggy Lactarius
Plate I : 8

Cap small to large, 2-14 cm., yellowish or tan. tinged with pink or red,
sometimes zoned or spotted, the margin shaggy with long hairs, which often
extend over the cap, depressed to funnel-form ; stem short and stout, 3-6 cm.
by 1-2 cm., whitish, finely hairy, hollow; gills decurrent, whitish, spotted with
yellow or pink, crowded; spores globoid, spiny, 10-12 X 8ju.; m i 1 k white, acrid.
The name refers to the supposed poisonous effects.

Common on ground in woods, more or less hidden beneath the leaves, during
summer and autumn ; reputed to be poisonous, but this is disputed by many.

Lactarius insulsus Tasteless Lactarius

Cap medimn, 5-10 cm. wide, yellowish, sticky, more or less zoried, . plane to
depressed, then funnel-shaped; stem stout, 4-8 cm. by 1-2 cm., whitish or yellow-
ish, somewhat spotted, hollow; gills decurrent, whitish, crowded ; sp o r e s glo-
boid, 7-9/a; milk white, acrid. The name means tasteless.

In woodland and grassland, late summer and autumn ; edible. ,

40 MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Lactarius hysginus Reddish Lactarius

Cap medium. 5-10 cm. wide, reddish, hrownish-red or rarely paler, smooth,
sticky, scarcely zoned, depressed and more or less funnel-form ; stem 3-8 cm.
by 1-2 cm., reddish or paler, sometimes spotted, smooth, hollow; gills decurrent.
whitish, then j-ellowish, crowded; spores globoid. 8-10/a; milk white, biting.
The name refers to the reddish color.

On the ground in woods, July to October; edible.

Lactarius piperatus Pepper Cap

Cap large, 10-20 cm. wide, Avhite, smooth, dry. zoneless. depressed to funnel-
form; stem short and stout, 3-8 cm. by 2-4 cm., whitish, smooth, solid; gills
decurrent, whitish with occasional yellow spots, narrow and crowded, forking in
pairs; spores subglobose, spiny, 7-9/u,; milk white, very pungent. The name
refers to the peppery milk.

Common in woodland and grassland, July to frost ; edible.

Lactarius volemus Orange Lactarius

Cap mediimi. 4-12 cm. wide, tawny to orange, smooth, dry, sometimes chinky,
plane or depressed; stem stout. 3-10 cm. by 2 cm., colored like the cap or paler,
smooth, solid ; gills decurrent, Avhite or yellowish, becoming dark or brownish
when wounded, crowded; spores globose, spiny. 8-10/t; milk white, acrid.
The name refers to the shape of the cap.

Common in woods, from midsummer to frost ; delicious.

IIYGROPHOKU.S

This genus has no clearly marked characteristics to the beginner. It is based
upon the waxy surface of the gills at maturity, but this feature is not readily seen
until the plant is mature, and it varies considerably in different species. The fact
that the gills broaden from the edge backward into the flesh of the cap, and that
they are usually distant aids in the recognition of this genus. The watery or trans-
lucent appearance of the gills also aids in identification. The cap is often sticky,
and beautifully colored. All of the species tested are edible. The name refers to
the watery texture.

Key to the Species

1. Gills decurrent or with a decurrent tooth
a. Cap sticky when moist

(1) Whole plant ivory white //. churneus

(2) Plant reddening or bright red

(a) Cap white, then red ; stem and gills white with

red spots H . ernhescens

GILL FUNGI

41

(b) Cap bright red; stem red above, yellow below;
gills yellowish
b. Cap not sticky, yellowish; gills white to tawny
Gill not decurrent, but adnate, adnexed or free

a. Gills adnate

( 1 ) Cap and stem covered with a greenish slime

(2) Cap and stem without a greenish slime

b. Gills merely touching or free

( 1 ) Gills touching; cap bell-shaped to convex

(2) Gills mostly free; cap conical

//. c'f'ccinciis
//. prat en sis

II. psittacinus

II. miniatus

II. puniceus

II . conicus

Hygrophorus eburneus Ivory Watercap

Cap small to medium, 4-8 cm. wide, ivory white, very sticky wlicn wet, con-
vex to plane or upturned ;
stem 4-12 cm. by 4-8 mm.,
white, sticky, dotted above
with tiny scales, stuffed, thei;
hollow ; gills decurrent,
white, darkening in drying,
distant ; spores subglo-
bose, 5-6/x. The name refers
to the ivory whiteness.

In woodland and grass-
land, late summer and au-
tumn ; edible, well-flavored
but somewhat tough.

Hygrophorus erubescens
Reddish Watercap

FiC.URE 23. HVGKOl'HOKUS KULKNEUS

Cap medium. 5-10 cm.
wide, white, then becoming
rosy-red throughout, sticky,
dotted-scaly or smooth, con-
vex or plane; stem rather stout, 5-12 cm. by 1-2 cm., while, with red spots or fibrils,
solid ; gills decurrent, white, reddened in spots, distant ; spores ellipsoid, 8-
10 X4-5/i.. The name refers to the reddening of the whole plant.

On the ground in woods, often in fairy rings, late summer and autumn; edible.

Hygrophorus coccineus Scarlet Watercap

Cap small, 2-5 cm. wide, bright red, paler wdth age, sticky, smooth, convex
to plane; stem short, 4-5 cm. by 1 cm., red above, yellow below, smooth, hollow;
gills decurrent by a tooth, yellowish, reddish at base, connected by veins, distant ;
spores ellipsoid, 6-% X 4-5|it. The name refers to the scarlet cap.

Usually in groups in woodland and grassland, in summer and autimin; excellent.

42 MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Hygrophorus pratensis Water Top

Cap small to medium, 3-10 cm. wide, yellow, yellowish or whitish, moist but
not sticky, smooth, convex or flattened, then shaped like a top; stem short, 3-5
cm. by 1-2 cm., tawny or whitish, tapering toward the base, smooth, stuffed; gills
long-decurrent, yellowish or whitish, connected by veins at the base, distant ; spores
ellipsoid, 7-10 X 4-6;ii. The name refers to its habit of growing in meadows and
pastures.

In grassland, often in tufts or rings, late summer and autumn ; excellent.

Hygrophorus psittacinus Green Slimecap

Cap small. 2-4 cm. wide, usually yellow, but varying to red, brown or white,
typically covered with a green slime, smooth, striate, bell-shaped to plane or more
or less depressed ; stem somewhat slender, 5-8 cm. by 3-4 mm., colored much like
the cap, but the green slime most persistent at the top, smooth, hollow ; gills
adnate. more or less greenish, broad and distant; spores ellipsoid, 7-8 X 5-6/a.
The name refers to the parrot-like color.

In woodland and grassland, summer and autumn: probably edible.

Hygrophorus miniatus Vermilion Watercap

Cap small. 1-4 cm. wide, vermilion red, rarely red-yellow or yellow, not sticky.
usually smooth, convex to plane; stem short, slender, 2-5 cm. by 2 mm., usually
red, polished, more or less stuffed ; gills adnate, yellow, or tinged with red, distant ;
spores elliptic, 8 X Sjtt. The name refers to the color of the cap.

Common in woods, and in grassland. July to frost; excellent.

Hygrophorus puniceus Blood Cap

Cap small to medium, 3-12 cm. wide, blood-red, paler in age, sticky, smooth,
bell-shaped to flat or depressed; stem 8 cm. by 1-2 cm., yellow or red above, but
always white at the base, striate, hollow ; gills adnexed, yellow, broad and distant ;
spores elliptic, 10 X4-5/t. The name refers to the color of the cap.

In grassland, summer and autumn ; edible.

Hygrophorus conicus Red Cone
Plate I : 7

Cap small, 1-4 cm. wide, red, vermilion, orange or yellow, blackening as it
dries, sticky when moist, shining, smooth, conic, though more or less expanded and
lobed at the margin in age; stem slender. 5-10 cm. by 4-8 mm., colored like the
cap or paler, striate, hollow ; gills free, yellow, distant ; spores ellipsoid, 10 X 6-
Sfi. The name refers to the shape of the cap.

Conmion in woodland and thicket, during summer and autumn; edible.

/

GILL FUNGI

43

CANTHARELLUS

Related to H y g r o p li o r u s. hut distinguished frcjiii it and all the preceding
hy the gills, which are obtuse and vein-like, instead of plate-like. The cap is mcjre
or less top-shaped or funnel-form, and typically yellow to orange in (jur species.
Both species are edibU', according to Mcllvaine. The name refers to the vase-like

form.

Key to the Species

1. Cap bright yellow, smooth C. cibarius

2. Cap orange to ])rownish-orange, somewhat hairy or silky C. aiiraiitiacus

Cantharellus cibarius Yellow Chanterelle

Cap 3-8 cm. wide and high, light or bright yellow, smooth, conve.x to plane
or somewhat depressed and top-shaped, often irregular and one-sided ; s t e m short

\.

Figure 24. C.\ntharellus cib.-vrius

and stout, 2-3 cm. bv 1-2 cm., yellow, tapering downward, solid; gills thick and
obtuse, running down the stem, vellow. more or less branched and united, distant ;
spores ellipsoid, 8-10 X 5-6/x. The name refers to tlie great value of the plant
as food.

In woodland and grassland, in summer and early autumn; famed since the
earliest times as one of the most delicious of mushrooms.

Cantharellus aurantiacus Orange Chanterelle
Cap 3-8 cm. wide and high, dull orange, brownish on the disk or somewhat
brown-orange all over, finely silky, convex to plane and funnel-form, the margin

44 MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

more or less strongly incurved; stem 5-6 cm. by 4-8 mm., tan to deep yellow,
stuffed ; gills running down the stem, thick and much branched and united,
yellow or orange; spores globoid, 5-7 X 3-4/x. The name refers to the color.

On the ground in woods and meadows, from midsummer to frost ; said to be
edible by Mcllvaine.

MARASMIUS

Closely related to C o 1 1 y b i a and M y c e n a, but readily distinguished in most
cases by the tougher, leathery or membranous cap, which revives after withering. A
few species might be placed equally well in two of the genera, and the beginner will
find it necessary to seek such species in both places. The stem is tough and slender,
and the gills are acute at the edge and variously attached to the stem. It is probable
that all the species are edible, though many are too small to be of value. The name
refers perhaps to the fact that the plant withers but does not decay.

Key to the Species

1. Cap even, not distinctly furrowed; leathery

a. Stem hairy at base; taste biting

( 1 ) Stem hairy throughout, densely white-downy at

base il/. urens

(2) Stem smooth, but densely hairy at base 71/, peronatus

b. Stem smooth or hairy, but not densely hairy at base ;

taste mild

( 1 ) Stems smooth and shining, fastened in dense

clusters by threads at the base M. cohaerens

(2) Stems velvety throughout, not fastened together by

threads M. oreades

2. Cap deeply ridged or furrowed ; very thin, papery

a. Gills attached to a collar free from the stem M. rcttila

b. Gills without a collar, free or adnate

(1) Cap white, pellucid; gills adnate M. ni gripes

(2) Cap pink or tan-red; gills free or touching M. siccus

Marasmius urens Pungent Marasmius

Cap small to medium, 3-7 cm. wide, yellowish, tan or paler, smooth, or some-
what cracked, convex to plane, the margin often incurved ; stem slender, tough.
6-14 cm. by 5-6 mm., pale, covered with fine white hairs, more or less white-woolly
at the base, solid; gills free, pale to yellowish or brownish, distant; spores glo-
boid, 3-4 X 2-3/x. The name refers to the burning taste.

Common in woods from spring to autumn, more or less clustered or grouped ;
one of the mushrooms poisonous to some persons and not to others, and hence to be
avoided except by the experimenter.

GILL FUNGI

45

Marasmius peronatus Boot Stem

C a |i small lo medium. ,5-S cm. wide, yellowish, tan or pale brownish red, smooth,
striate at the margin, convex to Hat; stem slender and tough, 5-8 cm. by 3-4 mm.,
whitish or yellowish, wilh a downy eo\-ering which separates readily. den.sely yellow-
ish or white-woolly al tlu' base, stuffed, then hollow; gills adne.xed, then free,
pale to reddish ; s p o r e s o\-oid, 6-8 X -^-.V- Ihe name refers to the sheath-like
down at the base of the sti'in.

Common on the ground in woods, June to frost: acrid, but highU' llavored and
delicious when cooked.

Figure 25. Marasmius oreades

Marasmius cohaerens Tuft Marasmius

Cap small, 2-3 cm. wide, tan, yellow to reddish brown, smooth, striate when
moist, convex to plane or upturned; stem tall and slender, 10-20 cm. by 4-6 mm..
colored like the cap, but shining, or paler, hollow, fastened together near the base
by threads ; gills adnate, more rarely free, tan to red-brown, with spindle-shaped,
yellow-brown spines, 60-90)ia ; spores elliptic, 6 X 3/i. The name refers to the
fused bases of the stems.

On the ground among leaves and in much-decayed wood, late summer and au-
tumn.

46 MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Marasmius oreades Fairy-ring Mushroom

C a p small. 2-5 cm. wide, reddish to tan or paler, smooth, more or less striate
on the margin when wet, convex to plane or upturned; stem 2-8 cm. by 4-6 mm.,
Avhitish, smooth at the base, downy above, solid; gills free, whitish or cream-
colored, broad and distant ; spores ellipsoid, 7-9 X 4-6/x. The name refers fanci-
fully to the habit of growing in fairy rings.

On the ground in grass, forming rings which widen from year to year, though
the circles are often incomplete from various causes, appearing from spring to frost ;
delicious, especially adapted to preservation by drying.

Marasmius rotula Wheel Cap

Cap very small, 2-6 mm. wide, white all over, or somewhat darker on the disk;
smooth, papery, deeply furrowed, sunken in the center, more or less convex ; stem

Figure 26. Marasmius rotula

thread-like, 2-3 cm. by ^-1 mm., dark-brown or blackish, smooth, shining, hollow;
gills few, joined behind to a collar which is free from the stem, whitish, broad and
distant ; spores elliptic, 6-8 X 3-4/x. The name refers to the wheel-like cap.

Common on leaves and twigs in forests, rarely in the soil, from spring to autumn ;.
too small for its edibility to be of importance.

Marasmius nigripes Blackstem

Cap very small, 2-10 cm. wide, pure white, transparent or jelly-like, deeply
furrowed, umbonate, convex to flat ; stem thread-like, broader upward, 2-3 cm.

GILL FUNGI 47

by y2-\ mill., more or less wliitc powdrrc'd, then black; gills adnate, whitish, some-
w lial hraiirhcd; spores star-shaped. The name refers to the black stems.
()n lea\-es and twigs in woods, July to October.

Marasmius siccus Pinwheel

Cap small, 1-3 cm., rose or yellow-red, papery, smooth, deeply furrowed frcjni
the darker center, conic or hell-shaped for the most part, sometimes convex; stem
tall, thread-like, 5-8 cm. by 1-2 mm., blackish-brown or black, smooth, shining, hol-
low; gills free or nearly so, whitish, broad and distant. The name refers to the
dry papery cap.

In groups on leaves in woods, June to frost.

LENTINUS

Suggesting both Pleurotus and Marasmius, but distinguished by being
tough, and almost woody in age. It also resembles PI e u r o t u s in being more or
less excentric. It differs from both, as well as the nearly related P a n u s, by the
toothed or notched edge of the gills, which is the distinguishing feature of the genus.
The species grow on wood. "\Mien young, they are edible and more or less desirable.
The name refers to the touiih texture.

*t>'

Key to the Species

1. Stem present

a. Cap hairy, reddish to tan L. lecomtci

b. Cap scaly ; white to tan

( 1 ) Cap whitish ; gills dccurrent L. tigrinus

(2) Cap yellowish; gills sinuate-decurrent L. Icpidcus

2. Stem lateral or absent L. vulpinus

Lentinus lecomtei Hairy Lentinus

Cap medium to large, 5-12 cm. wide, tan to reddish, hairy, depressed to
funnel-form or irregular, with incurved margin ; stem short, 2-4 cm., often excentric
or lateral, tawny, hairy or smooth in age; gills decurrent, pale, narrow and crowd-
ed; spores ellipsoid, 5-6 X 2-3;u,. ■

Common on wood, throughout the growing season; tough but edible and well-
flavored.

Lentinus tigrinus Tiger Cap

Cap medium, 4-7 cm. wide, white or whitish, spotted more or less thickly with
flat hairy blackish scales, plane to depressed and funnel-form; stem 4-5 cm.,
whitish, scaly, solid ; gills decurrent, white or whitish, narrow- and crowded ;
spores elliptic, 6-7 X 3-4/x. The name refers to the blackish scales of the cap.

More or less common on old wood ; edible but hardlv desirable.

48

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Lentinus lepideus Scaly Lentinus

Cap medium to large, 5-12 cm. wide, tan to yellow, with darker scaly spots,
more or less depressed and irregular ; stem 2-3 cm., whitish, scaly, solid, often
irregular and excentric ; gills decurrent, sinuate at the lower end, whitish, broad
and crowded; spores elliptic, 7-11 X 3-5fi. The name refers to the scaly cap.

Common on wood, especially on railway ties ; edible, especially good when young.

Figure 27. Lextinus lepideus

Lentinus vulpinus Bracket Lentinus

Cap 2-14 cm. wide, tan to smoky, hairy and more or less warted, shelf-like,
irregular, over-lapping ; stem lacking or very short and lateral, the caps united
at their bases ; gills white, broad and crowded ; spores subglobose, 2-3/i. ; taste
pungent. The name has no obvious reference.

On stumps and logs in the woods, simimer and autumn ; of no value.

GILL FUNGI 49.

PANUS

Rclatctl to L e n t i n u s very closely, and tu be separated Iroin it only by the
entire edge of the gills. It is doubtful that the two should be maintained as separate
genera, but this is the usual practise. Certain species, though leathery, are edible ;
others are very astringent in taste, and correspondingly unpleasant, though not known.
to be poisonous. The ancient name of a fungus.

Key to the Species

1. Stem excentric; taste not astringent

a. Cap and stem densely hairy P. sirigosus

b. Cap not hairy but slightly scaly P. ccnchatns

2. Stem entirely lateral; taste very biting P. stypticus

Panus strigosus Hairy Panus

Cap large, 10-25 cm. wide, white or whitish, covered with dense coarse hairs^
more or less broadly and irregularly funnel-form; stem short and thick, 4-7 cm.
by 2-3 cm., densely hairy, whitish; gills decurrent, yellowish, broad antl distant.
The name refers to the hairy cap.

Often in dense clusters on trunks and stumps, in late summer and autumn;
edible when young.

Panus conchatus Shell Panus

Cap medium, 4-7 cm. wide, cinnamon, often paler, smooth or scaly, excentric
and irregular to shelf-like; stem 2-3 cm. by 1 cm., pale, hairy at the base, solid;
C i 11 s decurrent into lines on the stem, wliitish to yellow. The name refers to the
shell-like form.

On trunks and stumps, in autumn ; edible.

Panus stypticus Bitter Panus

Cap small, 2-4 cm. wide, cinnamon or paler, more or less roughened with bran-
liiie scales, kidney-shaped or irregularly shelf-like; stem short, 2-3 cm. lateral,
brownish or brown, solid ; gills not decurrent, cinnamon, connected by veins, nar-
row and crowded ; spores globoid, 2-4 X 1-3/-1. The name refers to the astringent
taste.

Common on stumps, more or less throughout the year; very unpleasant to the

taste

LENZITES

Characterized by being shelf- or bracket-like in form, the texture corky, and
the gills more or less repeatedly branched. Its closest relative is Daedalea among
the pore-fungi; certain forms must be sought in both genera. None of the species
are edible. Named for the botanist Lenz.

50

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Key to the Species

Gills whitish; cap slightly zoned, pale
Gills yellowish ; cap markedly zoned, brown

L. betulina
L. sepiaria

Lenzites betulina Pale Lenzites

Cap 3-10 cm. wide, whitish, corky, more or less densely hairy, slightly or
not at all zoned, but with concentric grooves, bracket-like ; stem lacking ; gills

Figure 28. Lenzites betulina

whitish, more or less branched and united ; spores elliptic, 4 X 2/i. The name is
of no definite application.

Common on trunks and stumps the year round.

Lenzites sepiaria Brown Lenzites

C a p 5-8 cm. wide, brown, leathery, densely hairy and more or less roughened,
with color zones of brown, bracket-like; stem none; gills yellowish, more or
less branched and united ; spores subglobose. 5 X ■+i"- 'I'^e name refers to the
sepia-brown color.

Common on trunks and stumps.

GILL FUNGI

51

SCIIIZOPIIYLLUM

Characterized by the two- forked edge of the gills, and the u].lunu-d wdolh-
cap. Growing on wood; not ])ois(>iu)us, l)ut too tough tn he nf value. 'I'he name
refers to the forked gills.

Schizophyllum commune Fork Gill

Cap 1-4 cm. wide, white- or gray-woolly, upturned, attached exceiUrically,
irregularly saucer-shaped ; stem lacking ; gills grayish to purplish ; spores
subglobose, 2-3fi. The name refers to the frequence of the plant.

Everywhere on dead or dying twigs and trunks, in forest, orchard, etc.; not
edible.

Figure 29. Schizophyllum commune

Rase-spored Gill Fungi Rhodosporae

The spores seen in mass are rose-colored or more often salmon-pink, and usually
give the same color to the gills.

KEY TO THE GENERA

I. Stem central

1. Stem readily separated from the cap

a. Stem with a cup or volva at base

b. Stem without a volva

2. Stem and cap continuous, tearing when separated

a. Gills free, adnexed or sinuate

b. Gills decurrent

( 1 ) Stem fleshy-fibrous

(2) Stem cartilage-like

Page

II.

Stem lateral or lacking ; on wood

Volvaria

52

Pluteus

54

Entoloma

55

Clitopilus

56

Eccilia

58

Claudopus

59

J2

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

VOLVARIA

Characterized among the pink-spored forms by the presence of a volva and
the absence of a veil. It corresponds with A m a n i t o p s i s among the white-spored
•agarics. Many of the species grow upon wood, often on living trees, while others
^re found in very rich soil, and especially in greenhouses. The genus is generally
suspected, but most of the species tried have proven edible. The name refers to the
volva.

Key to the Species

Cap soft or silky, not sticky

a. Cap white

b. Cap dark, sooty or smoky
Cap sticky, at least when moist

a. Cap very small, 1-2 cm. wide

I'. parvi/Ia

b. Cap medium to large. 4-15 cm. wide
( 1 ) Cap very sticky, scarcely um-

bonate ; large

J', speciosa
Cap sticky Avhen moist, umbon-

(2)

ate; medium

V. nmbonata

Volvaria bombycina Silky Volvaria

Cap large. 8-25 cm. wide, all white,
and silky, more rarely somewhat scaly.
hemispheric or bell-shaped to convex :
stem 8-12 cm. by 1-2 cm. white, smooth.
tapering upward, solid, volva large and
spreading ; gi 1 1 s free, salmon-pink,
crowded; spores elliptic. 6-7 X ^M-
The name refers to the silky cap.

On the trunks of standing or fallen
trees, from June to October; said to be
edible.

Volvaria volvacea Dark Volvaria

Cap medium, 5-9 cm. wide, grayish
or sooty, darkened with black fibrils, bell-
shaped to convex; stem 8-14 cm. by 1
cm., white, smooth, solid, volva large.

V. bombycina
V. volvacea

Figure 30. Volvaria bombvcixa

GILL FUNGI 53

spreading; gills frtr, pale pink; spores pink, elliptic, 6-8 X 4^- The name
refers to the large volva.

On the ground, often in lellars and greenhouses; said to be edible, but should
be tried with caution.

Volvaria parvula Small Volvaria

Cap very small, less than 2 cm., white, sticky at first, dry when mature, smooth
or fibrillose, umbonate, bell-shaped, convex or plane, sometimes grooved at the margin;
stem short, 1-2 cm. by 2-3 mm., white, silky or smooth, somewhat hollow, volva
often beautifully regular and split into four parts ; g i 1 1 s free, pink, distant ; s p o r e s
pink, elliptic, 5-8 X 3-4/x. The name refers to the size.

( )n the ground in grass or weeds, and in greenhouses; edibility unknown.

Figure 31. Volvaria parvui.a

Volvaria speciosa Sticky Volvaria

Cap large, 8-14 cm. wide, white or whitish, often gray on the disk, very sticky,
bell-shaped to expanded, margin not striate or furrowed; stem tall, 10-20 cm. by
2-3 cm., white, hairy, then smooth, solid, volva loose, hairy; gills free, pink to
reddish; spores dark pink, globoid to ellipsoid, 12-18 X 8-10/11. The name refers
to the handsome appearance.

Common in rich, especially in manured soil ; said to be edible.

Volvaria umbonata Disk Volvaria

Cap small or medium, 3-6 cm. wide, white to grayish, slightly sticky when
moist, silky when dry, bell-shaped to fiat, umbonate, striate or grooved at the margin ;
stem 5-7 cm., white or grayish, smooth, hollow, volva persistent but more or less
torn ; gills free, pink to reddish. The name refers to the presence of an umbo or
disk.

In grassland from June to October; edibility unknown.

54

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

TLUTEUS

Closelv related to \' o 1 v a r i a, and distinguished from it only by the absence
of the volva. In both, cap and stem separate readily and the gills are free. The
last feature distinguishes P 1 u t e u s readily from E n t o 1 o m a, which resembles it.
Our species are all edible. They are found for the most part on stumps or decaying
wood, or in soil rich in woody material. The name refers to the form of the cap.

Key to the Species

1. Cap large, 5-16 cm. wide, not wrinkled or furrowed P. ccrvinus

2. Cap small, 1-5 cm. wide, more or less wrinkled or fur-

rowed

a. Cap granular or hairy, not striate P. granulans

b. Cap not granular or hairy, striate P. admirabilis

Figure 32. Pluteus cervixus

Pluteus cervinus Fawn Pluteus

Cap large, 5-16 cm. wide, usually some shade of brown, from grayish or yel-
lowish to blackish-brown, more or less fibroiis or hairy on the disk, sometimes sticky,
convex or plane; stem 7-15 cm. by 5^-1 cm., brownish, smooth or black-hairy,
solid : gills free, pink, broad : spores pink, rarely greenish, globoid. 7-8 X 5-6/1.
The name refers to the fawn-colored cap.

GILL FUNGI

03

Common on stumps, logs, etc., from spring to autumn; delicious, though the
stems must be cooked longer than the caps to make them tender.

Pluteus granulans Grainy Pluteus

Cap small, 2-5 cm. wide, yellowish, yellow or brown, more or less ridged and
wrinkled and covered with granules, or granular-hairy, almost velvety, convex to
plane; stem 2-7 cm. by 2-5 mm., yellowish to brown, liairy or velvety, solid; gills
free, pink, broad and crowded ; spores pink, globoid, 6-8 X '^Z^- i he name refers
to the granular cap.

On stumps and decaying wood, from spring to autumn; excellent.

Pluteus admirabilis Fairy Pluteus

Cap very small, 1-2 cm. wide, yellow-ish to brown, more or less wrinkled or
veined, moist or watery, smooth, striate at the margin, convex to plane, with a broad
disk as a rule; stem slender, 2-5 cm. by 1-2 mm., whitish or yellowish, smooth,
hollow ; gills free, pink, broad and close ; spores pink, subglobose, 6-8/i,. The
name refers to the appearance of the plant.

On decaying wood in forest, summer and autumn ; excellent.

EXTOLOMA

Distinguished from Pluteus by having cap and stem continuous and the
gills attached. It differs from Clitopilus in having the gills sinuate, never
decurrent. E n t o 1 o m a corresponds to T r i c h o 1 o m a among the white-spored
forms, and to H e b e 1 o m a among the ocher-spored ones. All of our species are
ground dwellers. Nearly all of them are reputed to be poisonous or are suspected,
and the beginner will do well to leave them alone. The name has no clear application.

Key to the Species

1. Plant without a strong odor; spores globose or angled

a. Cap large; flesh biting E. grandc

b. Cap mediimi ; flesh not biting

( 1 ) Cap gray Avith darker spots E. clypeatum

(2) Cap brownish with reddish tinge E. rhodopolium

2. Plant with a strong unpleasant odor; spores elliptic E. graveolens

Entoloma grande Large Entoloma

Cap large, 10-16 cm. wide, white, yellowish or brownish, smooth, convex to
plane, more or less wrinkled about the broad umbo; stem 10-15 cm. by 2-3 cm.,
white, mealy above, solid ; gills adnexed to nearly free, pink, broad ; spores rosy,
angular, globoid, S-lO/x; odor and flavor farinaceous, but leaving a burning sensation
in the mouth, according to Mcllvaine. The name refers to the large size.

On the ground in wt)ods, summer and autumn : suspected of being poisonous.

56 MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Entoloma clypeatum Shield Entoloma

Cap 5-12 cm. wide, lurid gray when moist, gray and somewhat shining when
dry, more or less watery and transparent, smooth, but mottled with darker spots, bell-
shaped, then plane; stem 5-8 cm. by 1 cm., whitish or gray, fibrillose, mealy above,
stuffed, then hollow ; gills adnexed at first, then becoming free, dingy pink ;
spores rosy, angular-globose, 8-10/x. The name refers to the shape of the cap.

On the ground in woods and grassland from spring to autumn; suspected.

Entoloma rhodopolium Rosy Entoloma

Cap 5-12 cm. wide, brownish with a rosy or reddish tinge, watery, shining silky,
convex to plane, somewhat umbonate; stem 4-10 cm. by 1 cm., white, mealy above,
smooth below, hollow ; gills adnate at first, then becoming free, rose, broad ;
spores rosy, six-angled, 8-10 X 6-8/i. The name refers to the color of the cap
and gills.

On the ground in woods, late summer and autumn ; said to be edible.

Entoloma graveolens Fetid Entoloma

Cap 5-12 cm. wide, whitish to brownish, occasionally with a violet tinge,
smooth, or slightly tufted on the margin, convex to nearly plane; stem 3-10 cm.
by 1-3 cm., white, downy above, the bulbous base usually white-downy, solid; gills
adnexed, grayish- white, then pinkish, narrow and crowded ; spores pinkish, elliptic,
6-8 X 4-5/x. The name refers to the strong odor. Resembles Tricholoma per-
sonatum closely; see figure 10.

On rich soil in woods, late summer and autumn ; the unpleasant odor makes this
plant undesirable.

CLITOPILUS

Distinguished from Entoloma and P 1 u t e u s by the decurrent gills, and
from Eccilia by the substance of the stem being fleshy or fibrous rather than
cartilaginous. In some species the gills are scarcely decurrent, or merely adnate.
Some of the species are delicious and none are known to be poisonous. Two of them
occur in an abortive form which would be taken by many for a puff-ball, but they
can usually be recognized by the presence of the normal form at some time during
the season. The name refers to the sloping gills.

Key to the Species

1. Plants clustered C. caespitosus

2. Plants single or in groups, not clustered

a. Cap gray to brownish, minutely hairy, except when old C. abortiviis

b. Cap white or whitish, not hairy

( 1 ) Cap sticky when moist C. orcella

(2) Cap dry, not sticky . C. prunulus

GILL FUNGI

57

Clitopilus caespitosus Cluster Top

Cap medium, 5-10 cm. wide, while or whitish, shining, smooth, convex, then
plane or slightly depressed; stem 4-8 cm. by 4-8 mm., wliite, mealy above, solid,
more or less densely clustered ; gills more or less decurrent, pinkisli or brownish-
pink, narrow and crowded ; spores rosy, nearly globose, 5-4/x. The name refers
to the clustered habit.

In woodland and grassland, late summer and autumn ; edil)le.

Figure 33. Clitopilus abortivus
(Abortive form)

Clitopilus abortivus Dwarf Top

Cap medium, 5-lU cm. wide, gray or grayish-brown, minutely silky-hairy, not
sticky, becoming smooth when old, convex, rarely plane; stem 3-7 cm. by 5-10 mm.,
grayish to gray-brown, striate, solid ; gills more or less decurrent, rosy, narrow and
close; spores rosy, irregular, ellipsoid, 8-11 X 5-6/x. The name refers to the habit
of producing deformed plants, which are usually more abundant than the normal
ones, and are sometimes alone found. In this case, they are readily mistaken by the
novice for puffballs, owang to their top-shaped or club-shaped form, and the absence
of gills. Both forms are edible, but the abortive one is regarded as the better.

On ground and decaying wood in forest and woodland, late summer and autumn.

Clitopilus orcella Orcelle

Cap medimn, 6-12 cm. wide, white or whitish, more or less sticky when wet.
convex to plane or slightly depressed; stem 2-6 cm. by 7-10 mm., white, minutely
scaly or powdery, solid ; gills long decurrent, rosy, crowded ; spores brownish-
pink, ellipsoid, 8-10 X 5/x. The name refers to the form of the cap.

On the ground in woodland, summer and autumn; delicious.

58 MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Clitopilus prunulus Plum Top

Cap medium, 5-12 cm. wide, white or somewhat grayish, more or less powdered,
not sticky when wet, convex to plane, then depressed; stem 3-7 cm. by 6-14 mm.,
white, striate, solid; gills long decurrent, rosy; spores rosy or greenish, ovoid-
elliptic, pointed at one end, 10-16 X 6/x.

Common on ground in woods, from spring to frost ; this species also occurs in the
abortive form. Both forms are delicious.

ECCILIA

This genus resembles Clitopilus closely, but is distinguished by tte tough
cartilage-like stem instead of a fibrous or fleshy one. The gills are decurrent, a

Figure 34. Clitopilus pruxulus

feature which separates it from the allied genera, L e p t o n i a and N o 1 a n e a. The
species are few and infrequent. The plants are small, and edible in our species.
The name refers to the funnel-form cap.

Eccilia carneo-grisea Hollow Top

Cap small, 2-3 cm. wide, grayish pink, striate, more or less dotted with glisten-
ing points, especially at the margin, funnel- form ; stem 3-5 cm. by 4-5 mm., grayish
pink, smooth, hollow, more or less bent ; gills decurrent, rosy, distant, darker on
the edge; spores rosy, irregular, ellipsoid, roughened, 7 X V- The name refers
to the color of cap and stem.

On the ground in woods, late summer to autumn ; pleasant both raw and cooked.

GILL FUNGI

59

CLAUDOPUS

Distinguished by the ahiiost conijiU'tc absence of tlu' stem and tin- pink spores.
The last feature separates it from P 1 e u r o t u s. 'I'he species grow on wood, usually
with the gills turned upward. For the most part, they are small and infrequent, and
of little value. The name means "lame foot," referring to the short or absent stem.

Key to the Species

1. Cap and gills yellow or yellowish

2. Cap white; gills rosy or rust-colored

C. Jiidiilans
C. variabilis

Claudopus nidulans
Nest Cap

Cap 2-8 cm. wide, in-
verted, stemless, often over-
lapping, back yellow or yel-
lowisli, finely hairy, es-
pecially toward the margin,
more or less shell- or saucer-
shaped and irregular ; gills
yellow, rather broad and
close ; spores rosy, ellip-
soid, curved, 6-8 X 4-5/a.
The name refers to the form
and position of the cap.

( )n wood in autvunn ;
edil)le but liardly desirable.

Claudopus variabilis
Lame Foot

Figure 35. Claudopus xiuulaxs

Cap smaH, 1-3 cm. wide, stemless or with a very short stem, inverted, back
white, hairy, more or less saucer-shaped and irregular ; gills rosy or rust-colored,
broad and distant: s])ores rosy; ellipsoid, 6-7 X 2-4/x. 'I'he name refers to the
varying form.

Common on wood and twigs in aulunni : of no value.

Ocher-spored Gill Fungi Ochrosporae

The spores range in color from pale or dark ocher to bright yellow, orange-
yellow and rust-color, witli the gills more or less of the same color.

KEY TO THE GENEKA

I. Gills not separating readily from the cap

1. Veil not forming a cobwebby curtain at edge of cap
a. Stem central

6o

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

(1) Stem with a ring

(2) Stem without a ring

(a) Gills persistent, not dissolving
X. Stem fleshy

(x) Gills usually sinuate
m. Cap silky or scaly
n. Cap smooth, more or less sticky

(y) Gills adnata or decurrent
y. Stem cartilage-like

(x) Cap turned in at margin when young
(y) Cap not turned in at margin when

Pholiota

Page
60

Inocybe

63

Hebeloma

63

Flammula

64

Naucoria

6S

young

m.

n.

(b)

Stem and cap continuous; gills ad-

nexed
Stem separating from cap ; gills free

Gill dissolving into a watery liquid
b. Stem excentric or none ; on wood
2. Veil forming a cobwebby curtain at margin of cap.
often disappearing completely when old
II. Gills separating readily from the cap ; margin always
inrolled

Galera

66

Pluteolus

64

Bolbitius

68

Crepidotus

71

Cortinarius

69

Paxillus

72

PHOLIOTA

Figure 36. Claudopus variabilis

Distinguished from the
other ocher-spored genera by
the presence of a ring, though
the latter is sometimes small,
or even inconspicuous in age.
It is most closely related to
Cortinarius in which,
however, the gill veil persists
as a curtain at the edge of the
cap. Among the white-spored
forms, it corresponds Avith
A r m i 1 1 a r i a. Some of
the most common species grow
in dense clusters on stumps or
the trunks of living trees. Mc-
Ilvaine praises them highly,
though they have usually been
regarded as undesirable. The

name refers to the scaly cap and stem of many species.

p.

caperata

p.

praecox

p.

adiposa

p.

squarrosa

p.

siibsqiiarrosa

GILL FUNGI 6l

Key to the Species

1. On the ground

a. Cap hright yellow, wrinkled, with white tufts when

young

b. Cap whitish to brownish, smooth

2. On wood

a. Cap very sticky when wet ; gills adnate

b. Cap dry or somewhat sticky; gills sinuate or decurrent

(1) Cap dry; gills decurrent by a tooth

(2) Cap somewhat sticky; gills sinuate, nearly free

Pholiota caperata Yellow Pholiota

Cap large, 7-14 cm. wide, bright yellow, slightly sticky when wet, wrinkled at
the margin and at iirst with a crust of white tufts, convex, then plane ; stem stout,
10-15 cm. by 2-3 cm., wliite and shining, scaly above the thin broad ring, solid;
gills adnate, buff-brown, narrow, crowded; spores rust-colored, globoid, 10-
12 X 8-9ja. The name refers to the wrinkled or furrowed cap.

In woods in autumn; edible, though when raw with a somewhat biting taste.

Pholiota praecox Early Pholiota
Plate II: 1

Cap small, 2-5 cm. wide, whitish, tan or brownish, often darker toward the
center, smooth, convex to plane; stem 4-8 cm. by 4-7 mm., whitish or yellowish,
nearly smooth, stuffed or hollow, ring white ; gills adnexed, brownish or rust-brown,
crowded; spores rust-brown, ellipsoid, 8-12 X 6-7/i. The name refers to its
appearance in spring and summer.

In grassland, pastures, lawns, etc., April to midsummer.

Pholiota adiposa Sticky Pholiota

Cap medium, 5-10 cm. w'ide, yellow, very sticky when moist, with spreading
or erect rust-brown scales, which sometimes disappear Avhen old, convex to plane ;
stem 5-15 cm. by 1-2 cm., yellow, paler above and darker, scaly below the more
or less imperfect tufted ring, solid or stuffed ; gills adnate, yellowish to rust-
colored, broad, crowded ; spores rust-colored, elliptic, 7-8 X 5/*. The name may
refer to the sticky cap.

In clusters on stumps or dead trunks in woodland, late summer to frost ; edible,
but tlie cap should be peeled.

Pholiota squarrosa Shaggy Pholiota

Cap medium to large, 6-14 cm. wide, yellow to rust-color, dry, densely scaly
with crowded, more or less spreading scales, bell-shaped to convex or plane ; stem
8-20 cm. by 1-3 cm., yellow to rust-color, with crowded spreading darker scales
below the ring, attenuate downwards, stuffed, ring tufted; gills adnate but decur-

62

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

rent by a tooth, rust-colored, narrow, crowded ; spores yellow to rust-colored,
ellipsoid. 7-8 X 4-5/u.. The name refers to the spreading scales.

In dense clusters on stumps or tree trunks, rarely on the ground near stumps,
Julv to frost : the caps are good, both raw and cooked.

Figure 37. Pholiota adiposa

Pholiota subsquarrosa Scaly Pholiota

Cap medium, 5-10 cm. wide, brownish rust-color, somewhat sticky, with close
darker scales, bell-shaped to convex; stem 6-8 cm. by 8-10 mm., yellowish rust-
color, with darker flattened scales below the zone-like ring, stuffed or hollow ;

gills

GILL FUNGI 63

deeply sinuate, then almost free, yellow or dingy tan, crowded ; spores rust-colored,
elliptic, 6-8 X 4/x. The name refers to tlie relationship to the preceding.

In dense clusters on stumps or trunks, late summer to frost; said by Mcllvaine to
be unexcelled in cnxjuettes and patties. The caps alone are used.

INOCYBE

This genus is distinguished by a fibrous veil more or less continuous with the
top of the cap, so that the lattrr has no distinct skin or pellicle, but is fibrous or
scaly, in the closely related il e h c 1 o m a. the pellicle is distinct and often sticky.
The two genera correspond to T r i c h (j 1 o m a among the white-spored agarics.
Some of the sijecies are separated with difficulty from Cortinarius, but typically
the curtain is absent. All the species are commonly regarded as not edible, though
none are known to be seriously poisonous. The name refers to the silky or scaly cap.

Inocybe geophylla Silky Cone
Plate 11:3

Cap small, 1-3 cm. wide and high, whitish or tan to brownish or pale lilac, the
surface closely fibrillose silky and shining, often splitting in lines, especially near
the margin, typically conical, but often with the margin expanded or upturned,
umbonate ; stem 5-6 cm. by 2-5 mm., white or whitish, powdered above, with more
or less of a curtain, stulTed ; gills adnexed, gray-brown, crowded ; spores sooty
brown, ovoid, 8 X 5^t. The name is perhaps in fanciful reference, i. e., "earth leaf,"
to the beauty of the plant.

Common on the ground in forests, especially of conifers, summer and autumn ;
it is not known to be of value.

IIEP.ELOM.V

Distinguished from I n o c y b e by the smooth, often sticky pellicle of the cap.
It represents Tricholoma among the ocher-spored forms. The species are com-
monly regarded as poisonous, but Mcllvaine has found several of them edible. The
name is not of obvious application.

Key to the Species

1. Veil not visible //• crustuUniforme

2. Veil present as a curtain or ring, at least when young

a. Cap very sticky, slimy when wet; odor mild //. o-utinosion

b. Cap somewhat sticky when wet ; odor unpleasant H. fastibilc

Hebeloma crustuliniforme Pie Cap
Plate II: 2

Cap small to medium, 3-8 cm. wide, whitish to tan. darker on the disk, smooth,
slightly sticky when young, convex to plane, with an umbo; stem 6-8 cm. by

64 MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

5-6 mm., white or whitish, with white scales above, stuffed or hollow; gills ad-
nexed. tan then brown, narrow and crowded ; spores sootN'-tan, ellipsoid, 10-12 X 5-
Ifi. The name refers to the shape of the cap.

Common in grassland, during late summer and autumn; the taste is bitter and
the odor unpleasant. It is regarded as poisonous.

Hebeloma glutinosum Sticky Hebeloma

Cap medium, 6-8 cm. wide, yellowish white, darker on the disk, covered with
a tenacious glue, slimy when wet, dotted with white scales, convex to plane ; s t e m
6-8 cm. by 1 cm., whitish, with Avhite scales, mealy above, with more or less of
a curtain when young, stuffed ; gills adnexed, more or less sinuate, yellowish
brown, broad, crowded; spores yellow, elliptic, 10-12 X 5-6/x. The name refers
to the very sticky cap, which often exudes drops of glue in wet weather.

In woods, late summer and autumn; said by Mcllvaine to be of good quality.

Hebeloma fastibile Fetid Hebeloma

Cap small to medium, 3-8 cm. wide, whitish to tan or l^rownish, smooth, more
or less sticky, convex to upturned; stem 6-12 cm. by 1-3 cm., white or whitish,
fibrous-silky or scaly, somewhat bulbous, solid, with a distinct white curtain, often in
the form of a ring ; gills sinuate, yellowish brown, rather broad and distant ;
spores yellow, ovoid, 10-12 X 6-8/x. The name refers to the unpleasant odor.

In woodland and grassland, summer and autumn ; said to be dangerous.

PLL'TEOLUS

Distinguished among ocher-spored forms by the completely free gills. It is
readily separated from P 1 u t e u s. which has pink spores. Our one species is rare.
The name is a diminutive of Pluteus.

Pluteolus reticulatus Net Cap

Cap small, 2-5 cm. wide, pale lilac, sticky, covered with net-like veins, striate
at the margin, bell-shaped to convex, then plane; stem 2-5 cm. by 2-4 mm., whitish
or white, mealy above, hollow, fragile ; gills free, rust-colored, broad and crowded ;
spores rust-colored, elliptic, 10-13 X 5-6/x. The name refers to the veins on the

cap.

Rare, on decaying wood in forests, late summer and autumn; said by Mcllvaine
to be tender and of fine flavor.

FLAMMULA

Characterized by the fleshy-fibrous stem, much like the texture of the pileus,
and by adnate or decurrent gills. It is distinguished with difficulty by the beginner
from Inocybe, Hebeloma and N a u c o r i a. Our species are readily dis-

GILL FUNGI 65

tinguished however by tlicir habit of growing on wood and by their bright yellow or
orange color. Probably all the spctics are edible. The name refers to the bright
color of the cap.

Key to the Species

1. (iills rust-colored

a. Cap light yellow /<'. flavida

b. Cap deep yellow to rust-color /''. alnicola

2. Gills cinnamon F. sapinca

Flammula flavida Yellow Flame

Cap small to medium, 2-6 cm. wide, light yellow, smooth, convex to plane;
stem 4-7 cm. by 3-6 mm., yellow or whitish, tending toward rust-color, smooth,
hollow, sometimes curved ; g i 1 Is adnate, yellow to rust-colored, rather crowded ;
spores yellowish, globoid, 6-8 X 4-5/u,. The name refers to the light yellow color.

On decaying wood and trunks, summer and autumn ; the taste is bitter, but
disappears in cooking. The caps are tender and good.

Flammula alnicola Golden Flame

C a p medium, 6-9 cm. wide, bright yellow to rust-colored, rarely greenish,
smooth, convex to plane; stem 6-8 cm. by 6-10 mm., yellow, tending to rust-
color, smooth, often with traces of a ring, tapering downward, stuflFed, then hollow ;
gills adnate or slightly decurrent, pale or yellowish, then rust-colored, broad ;
spores yellowish, ellipsoid, 8 X 5/x. The name refers to the habit of growing
on alder.

In groups and small clusters on fallen stem of alder and birch especially. July
to December; taste bitter, but this disappears on cooking, according to Mcllvaine.

Flammula sapinea Pine Flame

Cap 3-10 cm. wide, golden to golden brown, hnely scaly, then cracked, convex
to plane; stem 5-8 cm. by 5-10 mm., yellow, furrowed, rooting, stuffed or solid,
more or less flattened and irregular; gills adnate, rarely. decurrent, golden, then
golden-brown or brown, broad ; spores yellowish, ellipsoid, 8 X 5/i. The name
refers to its growth on pine wood.

Usually more or less clustered on wood, especially of conifers, summer and
autumn ; odor strong. Probably edible, but not tested.

NAUCOKIA

Characterized among ocher-spored forms by the cartilaginous stem, adnate or
free gills, and the margin of the cap which is inturned at first. The last feature
separates it from G a 1 e r a to which it is most nearly related. N a u c o r i a corre-

66 MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

spends to C 1 1 }• b i a among the white-spored agarics. The plants are mostly
small, and occur in grassland, though a few are found on well-decayed w'ood. All
of our species are edible. The name refers to the shape of the cap.

Key to the Species

1. Cap usually hemispheric, sticky when moist; stem rust-

brown X. scmiorbicularis

2. Cap convex to plane, not sticky; stem yellowish or pale

a. Cap brownish ; gills rust-colored J\'. haniadryas

b. Cap yellowish ; gills brown X. pediades

Naucoria semiorbicularis Nutshell Cap

Cap small, 2-6 cm. wide, tawny to rust-colored, paler in age, sticky when wet,
smooth, often cracked in age, more or less persistently hemispheric, finally convex
or plane; stem 7-12 cm. by 2-3 mm., rust-colored to reddish brown, smooth, tough,
containing a free tube of fibers ; gills adnate, rarely sinuate, rust-colored, very
broad, crowded; spores rust-colored or brownish, elliptic, 10-12 X 5-8/a. The
name refers to the hemispheric cap.

Common in lawns and grassland everywhere, spring to frost ; the caps are
excellent.

Naucoria hamadryas Dryad Cap

Cap small, 2-5 cm. wide, brownish rust-color or brown, paler in age, dry,
smooth, convex to plane; stem 5-8 cm. by 4-6 mm., whitish or yellowish, smooth,
hollow ; gills adnexed or sometimes nearly free, rust-colored, broad, crowded ;
spores rust-colored, elliptic, 12-14 X 'm- The name is fanciful.

On the ground from spring to autumn ; edible.

Naucoria pediades Plain Naucoria

Cap small, 2-5 cm. wide, yellow to tan or paler, smooth, dry, often cracked in
ac^e. convex to plane; stem 5-8 cm. by 2-4 mm., yellowish, finely silky or smooth,
tough, stuffed ; gills adnexed , dull lirown. broad ; spores rust-brown, elliptic,
10-12 X 4- 5/t; c v s t i d i a 30-40 X 8-10/x. The name probably refers to its growth
in grassland.

On the ground in grassland from spring to frost; edible.

GALERA

Related to Naucoria and T u b a r i a, but distinguished from the former
l)v having the margin straight from the first, and from the latter by the adnate
wills. It is characterized also by the more or less persistently conical or bell-shaped

t5

GILL FUNGI

6/

cap, wliiih is tliiu and ol'tcii striate or furrowed. It corresponds with M _\- r e ii a
among the white-spored forms. 'I'he species are small, but so far as tested they are
all edible. The flame refers to the hat- or cowl like form.

Key to the Species

1 . Cap narrowly conical, pale yellowish

2. Cap conical to bell-shaped

a. Cap scarcely striate, tan to rust-color or brown

b. Cap distinctly striate-furrowed, yellow

r

G. Icitcritia

G. ten era
G. Hava

,.«*..*— ■ '.■^ip't.i-

Figure 38. Naucori.v peuiades

Galera lateritia Cone Galera

C a p 2-3 cm. wide, yellowish to tan or darker, thin, smooth, slightly striate
when moist, narrowly and persistently conical, or linally somewhat bell-shaped;
stem 8-10 cm. by 1-i mm., whitish, white-powdered, hollow; gills adnexed or
seemingly free, brown, very narrowlv linear, crowded; spores brownish, rust-
colored, elliptic, 12-14 X 8-l(V. llie name refers to the color.

On dung and among grasses, spring to frost : well-flavored and delicate.

68 MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Galera tenera Brownie Cap
Plate 11:4

Cap small. 1-3 cm. wide, tan to rust-color or brown, rarely greenish or black-
ish, thin, smooth or slightly powdered, slightly striate when moist, conical to bell-
shaped; stem 7-12 cm. by 2-3 mm., colored like the cap or paler, smooth, some-
what striate, hollow ; gills adnate or seemingly free, brown, narrow, crowded ;
spores rust-brown, elliptic, 11-15 X 6-10/x. The name refers to the thin texture
of the cap.

Common on dung and in grassland from spring to autumn : excellent.

Galera flava Yellow Galera

Cap small. 1-3 cm. wide, yellow, smooth, distinctly striate and furrowed at
the margin and toward the disk, ovoid to bell-shaped ; s t e m 5-8 cm. by 2-3 mm.,
whitish or yellowish, mealy or powdered, hollow ; gills adnate, tan-brown, narrow
and crowded; spores rust-brown, ovoid, 12-14 X S^n. The name refers to the
color.

On ground in woods, especially where there is much leaf- or wood-mold ; edible.

BOLBITIUS

Resembling Galera, but distinct from all other genera of ocher-spored forms
in the deliquescent or dissolving gills. It is like Coprinus among black-spored
agarics in this respect. The forms are small, growing on dung or rich soil, and are
edible. The name refers to the habitat.

Key to the Species

1. Cap 4-6 cm. wide, furrowed at the margin B. boltoni

2. Cap 1-2 cm. wide, merely striate at the margin B. fragilis

Bolbitius boltoni Yellow Bolbitius

Cap 4-6 cm. wide, yellow or paler, smooth, thin, sticky, furrowed at the
margin, more or less tunbonate, conical then convex or expanded ; s t e m 6-8 cm. by
6-8 mm., yellow or yellowish, floccose at first, hollow ; gills adnexed, dingy yellow
to brown; spores brown, ellipsoid, 14 X 8fi. Named for the botanist, Bolton.

In manured ground or leaf -mold, summer and autimin; well-flavored.

Bolbitius fragilis Fragile Bolbitius

Cap small, 1-2 cm. wide, light yellow or paler, smooth, thin, sticky, striate at
the margin, conical to plane, more or less umbonate; stem 6-8 cm. by 2-4 mm..

GILL FUNGI 69

yellow or yellowish, smooth, hollow ; gills adiiexed or nearly free, brownish or
brown; spores rust-colored, ellipsoid, 14-15 X 8-9/i.. The name refers to the
fragile cap and stem.

On dung, from May to frost; of good ilavor.

CUUTIXAKIUS

Distinguished among ocher-spored genera by the presence of a cobwebby gill-
veil which forms a curtain from the stem to the margin of the cap, and hangs from
the latter for some time after expansion. This shows best in the young plants, often
disappearing completely in age. Some species of P h 1 i o t a, I n c y b e and
Ilebeloma possess a curtain, but it is less typical and persistent. In C o r t i-
n a r i u s, moreover, the fibers of the veil are more clearly superficial, and the gills
very powdery. The genus is enormous, and the species are closely related and difficult
to determine. None of the species are known to be poisonous, but few are of real
value as food. The name refers to the curtain-like veil.

Key to the Species

1. Cap sticky; gills purple when bruised C. piirpKrasceus

2. Cap not sticky; gills not purple when bruised

a. Cap and stem more or less violet in color

( 1 ) Whole plant violet C. violacens

(2) Plant whitish, tinged or marked with violet C. alboviolaceus

b. Cap and stem not violet ; buff, yellow or brown

(1) Stem not bulbous, etjual C. cinnamomcus

(2) Stem usually bulbous, tapering upward

(a) Cap brown; stem with a large tapering bulb C. squamulosus

(b) Cap rust-yellow; stem with a small roundish

bulb C. autitmnalis

(c) Cap cream to buff; stem somewhat bulbous C. ochrolcucus

Cortinarius purpurascens Purple Gill

Cap large, 10-14 cm. wide, reddish-brown to tawny, smooth, very sticky when
wet, convex to plane; stem stout, 6-8 cm. by 2-3 cm., pale blue, turning purple
when touched, fibrillose, bulbous, solid ; gills sinuate, bluish, then brown, purple
when bruised, broad and crowded; spores rust-brown, elliptic, 8-10 X 5-6/^. The
name refers to the purple gills.

On the ground in woods, late summer to autumn ; one of the best species of
this genus.

Cortinarius violaceus Violet Cortinarius

Cap 8-16 cm. wide, dull to deep violet, dry, with many hairy tufts or scales,
convex to plane; stem 10-12 cm. by 1-2 cm., violet, fibrillose, bulbous, solid;

70

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

gills rounded or sinuate, violet at first, then brown, broad, distant ; spores yel-
low-brown, ellipsoid. 12-14 X 7-9/x. The name refers to the color.

On the ground in woods, summer and autumn ; one of the best edible species.

Cortinarius alboviolaceus Tinted Cortinarius

Cap 5-8 cm. wide, whitish, more or less tinted with violet, dry, smooth or silky,
convex to plane; stem 5-10 cm. by 6-12 mm., whitish, marked with violet, especially
at the top, hairy below the attachment of the curtain, bulbous, solid ; gills adnexed,
whitish-violet, then brown, usually finely toothed at the edge ; spores dull yellow,
ellipsoid, 6-9 X 4-5/x. The name refers to the color.

On the ground in woods, late summer to autumn : of fair quality.

Cortinarius cinnamomeus
Cinnamon Cortinarius

Cap 2-6 cm. wide, bright-
brown to deep browni, rough-
ened with close scales or fibers,
more or less smooth when old.
convex to plane, more or less
umbonate ; stem 4-8 cm. by
4-7 mm., yellow to brown,
mostly smooth, hollow ; gills
adnate, yellow, broad and
crowded ; spores dull yellow,
elliptic, 7-8 X 3-4/i. The name
refers to the color.

Common on ground in
woods or clearings, late sum-
mer and autumn : edible.

Figure 39. Cortixarius cixxamomeus

Cortinarius squamulosus Scaly Cortinarius

Cap 5-10 cm. wide, brown, roughened with crowded darker scales, convex to
plane; stem 7-14 cm. l)y 1-2 cm. above, 2-4 cm. at the bulb, brown, more or less
scaly, solid ; gills sinuate, brown : flesh pinkish-white. The name refers to the
scaly cap.

On the ground in woods, late summer and autumn : caps fair.

Cortinarius autumnalis Rusty Cortinarius

Cap 5-10 cm. wide, dull rust-yellow, streaked with rusty fibers, convex to
plane; stem 7-10 cm. by 1 cm., paler than the cap, smooth or scaly, bulbous, solid;
gills sinuate, yellow-brown ; flesh white. The name refers to its appearance in
autumn.

On the ground in woods, autumn : fair.

GILL FUNGI

71

Cortinarius ochroleucus Tan Cortinarius

Cap 2-7 cm. wide, creaiii-colored to dark tan. dry, hairy or finely scaly, often
smooth in age, convex to plane; stem 6-8 cm. by 1 cm., tan, smooth, bulbous,
tapering upward, solid or liollow; gills sinuate, ocher ; spores yellow, elliptic,
8 X 4-5/x. The nanu' refers to the colc^r.

On the ground in woods, late summer and autumn; probably edible.

CKEPIDOTUS

Distinguished among ocher-spored forms by the lateral or absent stem. It
corresponds witli P 1 c u r o t u s and C 1 a u d o p u s. The species grow on wood,
and so far as known are edible. The name means slipper-like.

Figure 40. Cortinarius ochroleucus

Key to the Species

1 . Cap inverted, pure white, silky

2. Cap usually shelf-like, grayish, smooth

C. versutus
C. mollis

Crepidotus versutus White Crepidotus

Cap 9-20 mm. wide, inverted, more rarely shelf-like, pure white on the back,
densely and finely silky, kidney-shaped or rounded ; gills rounded at the back, rust-
colored, rather distant; spores rust-colored, ellipsoid, 8-10 X 4-6jti. The name
refers to the inverted cap.

Rather common on rotting logs and twigs, summer and autumn ; probably edible,
but not tested by the writer.

72

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Crepidotus mollis Gray Crepidotus

Cap 2-8 cm. wide, usually shelving, but sometimes with a short, lateral hairy
stem, pale or grayish, smooth, more or less ovoid or kidney-shaped, often lobed ;
gills decurrent, brown, narrow and crowded ; spores dark-brown, ellipsoid, 8-
9 X 5-6/x. The name refers to the soft texture.

On decaying wood, stimmer and autumn; probably edible, but not tested.

PAXILLUS

Distinguished among ocher-spored forms by the readiness with which the gills
are separated from the cap. The gills are decurrent and often fork and unite, so that

tliey are more or less pore-
like. Related to Go m-
p h i d i u s among the
black-spored forms. Our
species grow on the ground
and are edible. The name
has no evident application.

Paxillus involutus
Roll Cap

Cap 7-14 cm. wide,
yellowish, tawny or rust-
colored, smooth, sticky
when moist, convex to
plane, finally depressed,
the margin downy and in-
rolled, more or less striate
and furrowed when un-
rolled ; stem 5-8 cm. by
1-3 cm., pale yellow or
rust-colored, smooth, solid,
sometimes slightly excen-
tric ; gills decurrent,
forking and uniting near
the stem, forming pores,
yellowish to rust-colored,

broad and crowded; spores 3'^ellow, ellipsoid, 8-12 X 5-6/x. The name refers to

the inrolled margin.

Common on the ground in woods, late summer and autumn ; edible.

Figure 41. Paxillus involutus

Purple-spored Gill Fungi Porphyrosporae

The spores show some tinge of purple; in mass they are usually purple-brown,
and under the microscope more or less deep purple.

I. Pholiota praecox

4. Galera tenera
7. Panaeolus retirugis

Plate II.

2. Hebeloma crustuliniforme
5. Hypholoma candolleanum 6.

8. Anellaria separata

3. Inocybe geophylla
Stropharia semiglobata
9. Gomphidius viscidus

GILL FUNGI

73

KEY TO THE GENERA

I. Stem separating readily from the cap, with a ring

II. Stem and cap continuous

\. Stem usually with a distinct ring
2. Stem without a distinct ring, margin often cur-
tained by fragments of the veil

Agaricus

Stropharia

Hypholoma

Page
72

74
76

AGARICUS

Distinguished among purple-spored forms by the ring and the discrete stem.
It differs from Stropharia chiefly in the last respect. It corresponds with
L e p i t a among the white-spored forms. The plants are for the most part large
and fleshy, and of the highest repute for food. The name is the classical name for
the common mushroom.

Key to the Species

1. Flesh blood red when wounded

2. Flesh not blood red when wounded

a. Ring thick, narrow and double

b. Ring broader, t}'pically single

( 1 ) Cap densely covered with tiny brown scales

(2) Cap usually smooth, or somewhat silky, rarely

scaly

A. haemorrhoidarius
A. rodmani
A. placomyces
A. campester

Agaricus haemorrhoidarius Blood Mushroom

Cap 10-12 cm. wide, dull red or reddish brown, with broad flat scales, margin
turned in at first, convex to plane; stem 8-12 cm. by 2-3 cm., white, blood red
where bruised, fibrous, hollow, ring large, superior ; gills free, rosy, then purple-
brown, crowded; spores purple-brown, elliptic, 6-8 X 4-5/i.; the flesh everywhere
turns red when touched, as the name indicates.

On the ground in woods, late summer and autumn; excellent.

Agaricus rodmani Double Ring Mushroom

Cap 5-10 cm. wide, white or whitish, more or less yellowish toward the center,
smooth or with a few scales, convex to plane; stem 5-8 cm. by 1-2 cm., whitish,
smooth below the ring, scaly or mealy above, solid, ring thick, narrow and double,
appearing to be two ; gills free or just touching the stem, pink, then dark purple-
brown, narrow and crowded ; spores globoid, purplish, 5-6 X 4-5fi. Named after
the mycophagist, Rodman.

On the ground, summer and autumn; excellent.

74

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Agaricus placomyces Scaly Agaricus

Cap 5-10 cm. wide, whitish, but often so densely covered with tiny brown
scales as to be almost wholly dull brown, the margin white at maturity but the disk
nearly always brown, convex to flat; stem 7-14 cm. by 8-14 mm., white or whitish,
smooth, stuffed or hollow, bulbous, with a large superior ring; gills free, pink,
then dark purple-brown, crowded; spores purple-brown, ellipsoid, 4-6 X 3-4/x.
The name refers to the flattened cap.

Common in grassland or woodland, summer and autumn ; excellent.

Agaricus campester Common or Cultivated Mushroom

Cap 5-15 cm. wide, white, whitish, grayish to reddish or brownish in some

forms, smooth, or in some forms
silky, hairy or scaly, convex to
plane; stem 4-10 cm. by 1-2 cm.,
whitish, more or less smooth, stuff-
ed, ring near the middle, more or
less torn ; gi 1 1 s free, pink, then
dark brown. broad, crowded ;
s p ores purple-brown, ellipsoid,
7-9 X 6/*- The name refers to its
habit of growing in meadows and
pastures.

Common in grassland from
sjn-ing to winter : the standard
edible mushroom, and the only one
commonly cultivated. It is ex-
tremely variable, but it is impos-
sible for the beginner to distin-
guished its many forms or some of
the closely related species.

Figure 42. Agaricus placomyces

f^TROniARIA

Distinguished by the presence of a ring, and the continuity of the stem and
cap. The ring is sometimes small, or absent in age. The gills are usually adnate.
Our species are all sticky, and with one exception are found on dung or in
well-manured soil. They are probably all edible, but the first should be tried very
cautiously. The name refers to the ring.

Key to the Species

1 . Cap blue-green with a sticky slime ; on the ground 5. aeruginosa

2. Cap yellowish or yellow; on dung or well-manured soil

a. Stem stuffed ; gills of one color ; cap convex, then S. stercorariu

plane

b. Stem hollow ; gills black spotted or clouded ; cap

hemispheric S. scmiglobata

GILL FUNGI

75

In

a
a,

o

76

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Stropharia aeruginosa Green Stropharia

Cap 7-11 cm. wide, bluegreen with a sticky slime, yellowish as the latter dis-
appears, convex to plane, more or less umbonate ; stem 5-8 cm. by 6-12 mm., blue-
green, sticky, hollow, ring more or less torn, superior ; gills adnate, dark pur-
ple ; spores purplish brown, elliptic, 8-10 X 4-5^. The name refers to the green
slimy covering.

On the ground in grassland, summer and autumn ; suspected of being poisonous,

Imt this is not proved.

Stropharia stercoraria
Yellow Stropharia

Cap 1-3 cm. wide,
yellow or yellowish, smooth,
sticky, sometimes slightly
striate at the margin, con-
vex to plane; stem 7-12
cm. by 4-6 mm., yellow or
yellowish, sticky, stuffed
with a distinct pith, ring
narrow, remote from cap,
sticky ; gills adnate, dull
brown, not clouded or mot-
tled, broad ; spores dark,
ellipsoid, 18-20 X 10-12^.
The name refers to its habit
of growth.

Common on dung or
in well-manured ground,
spring to autumn; the caps
are excellent.

FiGUE 44. HVPHOLOMA PERPLEXUM

Stropharia semiglobata Hemispheric Stropharia

Plate 11:6

Cap 1-3 cm. wide, yellow or yellowish, smooth, sticky, hemispheric; stem
6-8 cm. In' 2-3 mm., yellowish, smooth, sticky, hollow, with an incomplete sticky
ring; gills adnate, mottled or clouded with black, broad; spores dull purple or
blackish purple, ellipsoid, 13-14 X 8-9/t. The name refers to the hemispheric cap.

Common on dung and in well-manured soil, spring to winter; the caps are good.

HYPIIOLOMA

Distinguished by the breaking up of the gill veil into a fragmentary curtain,
which is more or less persistent on the margin of the cap. An incomplete ring is
sometimes formed. The gills are usually attached. The name refers to the curtain.

GILL FUNGI

17

Key to the Species

\. Cap opatiuc, thickisli, more or k-ss reddish yellow

a. Taste bitter ; gills purplish brown

b. Taste mild ; gills soot-colored or sooty-olive

2. Caj) thill, translucent when moist, wliitish to brownish
a. (iills dark \'iolet at first
I), dills whitish or pinkish at first

( 1 ) Cap white

(2) Cap brownish to wllowish

//. pcrplcxum
H. sublateritium

II. candullcann

1)1

If. inccrtum

II . appendiciilatum

Hypholoma perplexum Bitter Hypholoma

Cap 5-8 cm. wide,
reddish or reddish brown,
yellowish toward the edge,
smooth, convex to plane;
stem 5-8 cm. by 5-8 mm.,
reddish brown, yellowish
above, nearly smooth, hol-
low ; gills rounded at
back and readily separating
from the stem, yellowish
then greenish and iinally
purple-brown ; spores
purple-brown, elliptic, 6-
7 X 3-4|U. The name re-
fers to its close resemblance
to the next and to other
related forms.

Usually in dense clus-
ters on or about trunks and
stumps, late summer and
autumn ; edible, good also
dried and pickled.

"•^

Figure 45. Hvphol()m.\ subl.a.teritilm

Hypholoma sublateritium Brickred Hypholoma

Cap 5-10 cm. wide, brickred, yellowish toward the margin, at first silky, then
smooth, convex to plane; stem 6-10 cm. by 4-7 mm., rust-colored, scaly or silky,
stuffed ; gills adnate, dull yellowish, then soot-colored with an olive tinge, crowd-
ed ; spores brown purple, ellipsoid, 6-7 X 3-4jti. The name refers to the color
of the cap.

More or less clustered on trunks and stvmips, autumn; edible.

78 MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Hypholoma candolleanum Violet Hypholoma

Plate 11:5

Cap 5-11 cm. wide, brown to whitish or somewhat yellowish, smooth, bell-
shaped to convex or expanded , margin with cobwebby fragments of the veil ; s t e m
6-8 cm. by 4-8 mm., white, striate above, hollow, sometimes with a faint ring;
gills adnexed, then free, beautiful violet at first, the edge whitish, then brown,
crowded ; spores brownish, elliptic, 8 X ^f*- The name refers to the botanist
De Candolle.

Clustered on the ground or on wood in the soil, summer and autumn ; excellent.

Figure 46. Hypholoma appexdiculatum
Hypholoma incertum White Hypholoma

Cap 2-5 cm. wide, white or whitish, vellowish on the disk. sm(ji>th. more or
less furrowed, bell-shaped to convex or plane, the margin adorned with fragments,
of the veil when young; stem 4-8 cm. by 2-5 mm., white, mealy above, hollow;
gills adnexed, whitish, finally pink-brown, narrow, crowded ; spores purple-
brown, elliptic, 8 X 5/x. The name refers to its similarity to the preceding and
the following.

In groups or clusters on the ground, in woodland or in openings, spring to
autiunn : excellent.

Hypholoma appendiculatum Brown Hypholoma

Cap 4-7 cm. wide, brown, brownish or yellowish, smooth, bell-shaped to con-
vex or plane, the margin with fragments of the veil: stem 6-8 cm. by 4-7 mm..

GILL FUNGI

79'

wliik', iiu'ah' al)()\T, hollow; <; i 1 1 s adiiatc or adnexcd, whiti-. tlu-ii pink, and finally
dull brown; s p o r l- s darkish, ellipsoid, ()-H yi. 3--\ii. 'I'hc name refers to the in-
complete curtain at the margin.

Densely clustered on trunks or stum])s, summer and autumn; excellent.

Black-spored Gill Fungi Melanosporae

Spores black or blackish, not ])ur})le or ])rown.

KEY TO THE GENKKA

(jills dissolving into a black ink
Gills not dissolving

a. Stem with a ring

b. Stem without a ring

( 1 ) Gills not decurrent

(a) Cap fleshy, smooth, not furrowed

(b) Cap) memliranous, furrowed

(2) Gills long decurrent

Coprinus

Page
79

Anellaria

84

Panaeolus

82

Psathyrella

84

Gomphidius

85

COPRINUS

Distinguished from all gill fungi by its black spores and dissolving gills. It
is related to B o 1 b i t i u s, which has ocher spores. This genus contains several
of the best of all edible fungi, and is fortunately readily recognized even by the
novice. On the second or third dav. tlie caps expand more or less completely, and
the gills begin to dissolve, forming a black inky liijuid. .\s this dries, the gills be-
come mere lines. The blackening of the gills begins early, but the caps are good
until the gills begin to dissolve. The name refers to the habit of growing on dung
or in richly manured ground.

Key to the Species

1. Cap shaggy with scales, oblong or cylindric; ring usually

present

2. Cap smooth or scaly, not shaggy, ovoid or bell-shaped ;

ring usually lacking

a. Cap with tufted white scales when young; on dung

b. Cap smooth or somewhat scaly or mealy

( 1 ) Cap thick, even, grayish or lead-colored

(2) Cap thin, striate, yellowish or lirownish

C. ^ coma f us

C. fimetarius

C. atramentariiis
G. micaceus

8o

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Coprinus comatus Shaggy Mane

Cap 5-20 cm. tall. 3-8 cm. wide, white, whitish or yellowish, darker on the
disk, shaggy with coarse, more or less concentric scales, cylindric or oblong at first,
then more or less bell-shaped, splitting at the margin; stem 10-24 cm. by 1-2 cm.,
white or whitish, smooth, readily separating from the cap, hollow, but somewhat
cobwebby within, ring large and movable or incomplete ; gills free, white, turn-
ing to pinkish, purple, black, and iinally dissolving into a black ink, broad and

Figure 47. Coprinus comatus

(Form wlien fresh)

Figure 48. Coprixus comatus

(Form after the gills have dissolved)

densely crowded; spores black, elliptic, 16-18 X l^/i. The name refers to the
shaggy cap.

Common in lawns and grassland, in groups or clusters, from earliest spring to
severe frost ; it reappears year after year in the same spot. One of the very best
of the mushrooms.

Coprinus fimetarius Mealy Inkcap

Cap 2-6 cm. wide, bluish black or blackish, densely covered with white tufted
scales which disappear as the cap expands, finally smooth, splitting at the margin,
cylindric or conic, then more or less expanded at the margin; stem 5-8 cm. by 5-8

GILL FUNGI

8i

mm., white, somewhat downy, hoHow, I)ut solid and l)ulb()us at the base; gills free,
black, narrow, crowded; spores black, ellipsoid, 12-15 X 8-1(I/j.. The name refers
to its habitat.

Common on dun<,^ and on manure heaps, from spring to winter; excellent.

Coprinus atramentarius Inky Cap

Cap 4-10 cm. tall, 4-8 cm. wide, grayish or gray-brown, usually smooth, but
sometimes scaly, especially toward the disk, margin even, more rarely ribbed, ovate
or irregularly bell-shaped, then expanded; stem 8-12 cm. by about 1 cm., white or
whitish, smooth, hollow, with a more or less imperfect ring below ; gills free, black,
broad, crowded; spores black, ellipsoid, 8-10 X 6/x. The name refers to the inky
licjuid formed by the gills.

Figure 49. Coprinus atramentarius

Common in dense clusters in lawns, gardens, waste places, etc., earliest
spring to frost ; the best of all edible species in the opinion of the writer. It is
especially good raw, particularly in salads.

Coprinus micaceus Mica Inkcap

Cap 2-5 cm. wide, whitish-yellow, yellowish or brownish, more or less sprinkled
with bright mica-like particles, striate, splitting and turned up at the margin, ovoid
or bell-shaped, then expanded; stem 6-10 cm. by 5-6 mm., white, somewhat pow-
dered or silky, hollow ; gills adnexed, white, pink, then black, narrow, crowded ;
spores black or brown-black, elliptic, 7-8 X 5-6/1. The name refers to the mica-
like particles on the cap.

Common in dense clusters about stumps and trunks, earliest spring to frost;,
excellent.

82

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

PANAEOLUS

In habitat. Panaeolus suggests C o p r i n u s. but it is readily distinguished
bv" the persistent gills. It is most readily separated from Psathyrella by the
absence of furrows or striations on the margin, and from Strop h aria, with
which it is often associated, by the black spores and the absence of a ring. The
species are very common on dung or in rich soil. Several of the species are edible,
but one or two still remain suspected. The name means variegated, and refers to
tlie mottled gills.

Figure 50. Coprixus micaceus

Key to the Species

1. Parasitic on other mushrooms P. epimyces

2. Not parasitic

a. Stem solid P. solidipes

b. Stem hollow

( 1 ) Cap with net-like markings, margined by the veil P. reiirugis

(2) Cap smooth, veil fragments lacking

GILL FUNGI

83

(a) Cap bell-shaped, brownish; stem rccUb'sh ; gills

medium P. camf^anulatiis

(b) Cap hemispheric. Avhitisli ; stem whitisli ; gills

very broad P. papil'wnaccus

Panaeolus epimyces Parasitic Panaeolus

(\i p 2-3 cm. wide, white, silky, globose, tlien rf)nvex or plane; stem 2-4 cm.
by 7-lU mm., whitish, striate, mealv, finallv hollow; gills aflne.xed, whitish, then
brownish or blackish, broad, crowded ; spores black, elliptic, 7-9 X 5-6/[i. The
name refers to the habit of growing on
other fungi.

Occasional, parasitic on other mush-
rooms, which it distorts; summer and ^m
autumn.

Panaeolus solidipes
Nailstem Panaeolus

C a p 5-8 cm. wide, whitish or
slightly yellowish, smooth, or finally
with broad yellowish scales, hemispheric
to bell-shaped and convex; stem 10-20
cm. by 4-6 mm., white, slightly striate
above, smooth below, solid ; gills some-
what adnexed, black, broad. The name
refers to the solid stem.

( )n dung or in very rich soil, spring
to autunni ; edible.

Panaeolus retirugis
Netcap Panaeolus

Plate 11:7

Cap 1-4 cm. wide, grayish, tan or
brownish, often darker on the disk, the Figure 51. Panaeolus solidipes
latter more or less wrinkled and netted,
usually cracking when mature, hemispheric to bell-shaped, margin beautifully
curtained by triangular fragments of the veil; stem .^-15 cm. l)y 4-5 mm.,
wliitish, grayish or reddish, darker t(nvard the base, hollow, sometimes with a dark
belt of spores near the top ; gills adnexed, blackish, broad ; spores black, ellip-
tic or spindle-shaped, 11-14 X "m- The name refers to the veins and cracks on the-
cap.

Frequent on dung, spring to autumn ; excellent.

84 MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Panaeolus campanulatus Bell Panaeolus

Cap 1-3 cm. wide, gray-brown or brownish, smooth, sometimes margined by
fragments of the veil, bell-shaped; stem 8-15 cm. by 2-5 mm., reddish, powdered
toward the top, hollow ; gills adnexed or touching, blackish ; spores black,
ellipsoid. 14-18 X 9-12 fi. The name refers to the shape of the cap.

Common on dung or in manured soil, summer and autumn; said by Mcllvaine
to be edible but it should be tried with caution.

Panaeolus papilionaceus Globe Panaeolus

Cap 1-4 cm. wide, whitish-gray, gray or yellowish, smooth, more rarely scaly,
hemispheric; stem 7-12 cm. by 2-5 mm., whitish, rarely reddish-tinged, mealy
above, hollow; gills adnate, black, very broad; spores black, ellipsoid, 15-
18 X 7-8/i,. Meaning of name not evident.

Common on dung or in rich soil, spring to autumn ; suspected.

ANELLARIA

Related to Panaeolus but distinguished by the presence of a distinct ring,
"VN-hich often disappears in age. Our one species is common, growing on dung. The
name refers to the ring.

Anellaria separata Bell Anellaria
Plate 11:8

Cap 3-5 cm. wide and high, whitish or yellowish, smooth, sticky, shining,
persistently bell-shaped or hemispheric; stem tall, 12-20 cm. by 4-6 mm., whitish
or yellowish, smooth, hollow, ring distinct, small ; gi 1 1 s touching or adnexed,
blackish or gray-black, broad, crowded; spores black, ellipsoid to fusiform, 16-
22 X 10-1 5/x. Meaning not evident.

Common on dung, spring to autumn; excellent when not too old.

PSATHYRELLA

Distinguished from Panaeolus and Anellaria by the striate thin cap
and the margin not extending beyond the gills. It lacks both ring and veil fragments
at the margin. The gills are gray-black but not mottled. Our species are all small
and edible. The name refers to its resemblance to P s a t h y r a among the purple-
spored forms.

Psathyrella disseminata Tuft Psathyrella

Cap 1-2 cm. wide, yellowish, grayish or pale brownish, finely scurfy, then
smooth, distinctly striate, and more or less furrowed, thin, bell-shaped ; s t e m 2-4
cm. bv 1-2 mm., whitish, yellowish or grayish, mealy or smooth, more or less curved,

GILL FUNGI

85

hollow; gills adnatc, black; spores dark, ellipsoid, G-IO y( 3-Sfi. The name
refers to its abundance.

Common on and about old trunks, etc., spring to frost; excellent.

OOMrillDIUS

Characterized by the black fusoid spores and decurrent gills, which separate
more or less readily into two halves. A veil is present and is usually more or less
sticky. The cap is typically covered with a very sticky slime. This genus ha.s
points of resemblance with Cortinarius and with II y g r o p h o r u s. So far
as known all the species are edible. The name refers to the peg-like form.

Figure 52. P.s.\thvrella disseminata

Gomphidius viscidus Sticky Gomphidius
Plate 11:9

Cap 5-10 cm. wide, red-brown, sticky, shining when dry. bell-shaped, then
convex, plane or slightly depressed, more or less umbonate; stem 6-10 cm. by 1-2
cm., yellowish or reddish, more or less fibrous and somewhat sticky, solid, curtain
cobwebby, scarcely sticky, often forming a faint ring, then disappearing; gills
long decurrent, brown-purple, often with an olive tinge, somewhat grown together;
spores dark, oblong to fusoid, 16-23 X 6-8/1. The name refers to the sticky cap.

Common on the ground in woods, summer and autumn; edible.

86

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

PORE FUNGI POLYPORACEAE

Many of these resemble the gill fungi in form, but they are distinguished by
having the spores borne in tubes or pits, opening by pores, rather than on gills. They
are often bracket-like or shelf-like, and in some forms are mere layers of pores en-
crusting twigs. In texture, they range from fleshy, as in Boletus, to tough,
leathery, papery and woody. The family includes the great majority of the shelf
fungi found on stumps and trunks. The fleshy species are usually edible, but some
of them are reputed to be poisonous.

2.

KEY TO THE GENERA

Cap fleshy, soft, decaying readily

a. Stem central

(1) Cap shaggy with large scales

(2) Cap smooth or scaly, not shaggy

b. Stem excentric or lateral in our species

(1) Tubes free i:)ut touching each other

(2) Tubes united to each other

Cap tough-fleshy, leathery, papery or woody, not de-

a.

caving readily

Tubes with pore-like openings

( 1 ) Tubes in several layers ; cap woody, perennial

(2) Tubes in a single layer; cap tough-fleshy to

leathery

(a) Cap thick, tough-fleshy to leathery

(b) Cap thin, leathery or papery

Tubes angled or oblong, not pore-like, often gill-
like

( 1 ) Tubes angled, in radiating rows

(2) Tubes gill-like, radiating

(3) Tubes gill-like, concentric

Fomes

Page

Strobilomyces

86

Boletus

87

Fistulina

92

Boletinus

92

93

Polyporus

95

Polystictus

99

Favolus

100

Daedalea

100

Cyclomyces

102 t

STKOBILUMYCES

Cap fleslw, with large scales, the stem central. Closely related to Boletus,
"but distinguished by the conspicuous scales, and the greater difficulty with which the
layer of tubes separates from the flesh of the cap. The name refers to the char-
acteristic thatch of scales.

Strobilomyces strobilaceus Pore Cone

Cap 5-10 cm. wide, densely covered with large, hairy, black-brown or blackish
scales, which project beyond the margin as a curtain, hemispheric or bell-shaped to
convex; flesh whitish, changing to reddish and blackish when bruised; stem 7-12
cm. bv 1-2 cm., blackish, scalv-hairv. solid : t u 1) e s adnate. whitish, then brownish

PORE FUNGI

87

or blackish, with thc' color changes of the llcsh when woiiiuled ; spores blackish,
globoid, rough, 10-13//. The name refers to tlie conc-likc cap.

On the ground in w'oods and openings, in groups (jr clusters ; it is of excellent
quality, but the stem and tubes sliould not be used.

I'.oLirrrs

Characterized by the fleshy cap from whicli the layer of tubes may be peeled
readily, and 1)\' the central stem. It also differs from S t r o b i 1 o m y c e s, which has
a central stem, by tlu' lack of the large, conspicuous scales. l'> o 1 e t u s is the typical
flesh)- genus of the \mrc fungi. It contains a large number of species, which are
widely distributed. Many of the species are reputed to be poisonous, but Mcllvaine
savs that he thinks this has often arisen from mere suspicion and not from actual test.

Figure 53. Sirobilomvces strohii.aceus

Caution should be exercised in trying any species of the genus, however, because of
the varying susceptibility of different people. The species are very variable, and al-
most impossible for the beginner. Ancient name of a fungus.

Key to the Species

1. Tubes yellowish, with reddish or red-brown mouths;

flesh becoming blue when bruised

a. Flesh white or whitish : stem yellow

b. Flesh yellow ; stem red

2. Tubes of one color, or at least the mouths not reddish
a. Stem with net-like veins

( 1 ) Tubes white, then flesh-colored

B. vcriniciilosus
B. liiridiis

88

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

(a) Cap black or blackish; taste mild

(b) Cap yellowish to brown or chestnut; taste bitter
(2) Tubes not flesh-colored, free; cap reddish or

brownish, smooth
Stem Avithout net-like veins
( 1 ) Cap sticky when moist
(a) Tubes adnate, yellow
X. Stem dotted above the large ring

y.

(b)

Stem dotted above and below the sticky rint

Tubes free, whitish or grayish; stem rough-
scaly
(2) Cap not sticky when moist

(a) Stem spongy, then more or less hollow; flesh

blue where bruised

(b) Stem solid

X. Tubes changing to blue where bruised, adnate
(x) Cap and stem Avhitish or brownish white
(y) Cap dark red; stem red, yellow above

y. Tubes not changing to blue, free ; cap orange-
red

B. nigrellus
B. felleus

B. edulis

B. luteus
B. subluteus

B. scahcr

B. cxanescens

B. pallidas
B. hi color

B. versipellis

Boletus vermiculosus Scaly Boletus

Cap 6-12 cm. wide, vellowish or reddish brown, more or less rough hairy or
scaly, sometimes smooth, dry, convex, flesh whitish, turning blue where bruised ;
stem 5-10 cm. by 1-2 cm., yellowish, nearly smooth, solid; tubes nearly free,
yellowish, mouths brownish orange, then blackish, changing to blue when bruised;
spores yellow-brown, elliptic, 10-12 X 4-5^. The name has no evident application.

On the ground in woods, summer and autumn ; not tested.

Boletus luridus Lurid Boletus

Cap 5-10 cm. wide, olive-brown to sooty, somewhat sticky, more or less hairy,
convex; flesh yellow, turning blue where bruised; stem 5-8 cm. by 1-2 cm.,
bright red or vermilion, orange above, netted or dotted, solid ; tubes free, yellow,
then greenish, mouths red, then orange; spores greenish, elliptic, 15 X 9/^. The
name refers to the color.

On the ground in leaf mold, summer and autumn. This species is of bad repute,
but Mcllvaine has eaten it and calls it delicious. It should be most carefully tried
by the beginner.

Boletus nigrellus ■ Black Boletus

Cap 7-15 cm. wide, blackish, dry, smooth or nearly so, convex to plane ; flesh
white, unchanging; stem 3-6 cm. by 1-2 cm., blackish or paler than the cap,

PORE FUNGI

89

smooth; tubes adnata, whitish, tlu-ii pinkisli, tiiniiiiL,^ hUickish where bruised;
spores dull pink, elliptic, 10-12 X 5-6/x. The name refers to the colcjr.
On the ground in woods, summer and autumn; excellent.

Boletus felleus Gall Boletus

Cap 7-20 cm. wide, yellowish to yellowish-l)rown, or red-brown, smooth, con-
vex to plane; flesh white, sometimes becoming pinkish where l)ruised, bitter;
stem 5-10 cm. bv 1-2 cm., like the ca]) in color or somewhat ])aler, smooth, some-

FiGURE 54. Boletus edulis

what netted above ; tubes adnate, white, mouths tinted with pinkish : spores
pinkish, oblong to fusoid, 12-18 X -^-5/a. The name refers to the bitter taste.

Common on the ground in woods, summer and autumn : not poisonous, but too
bitter to be edible.

Boletus edulis Edible Boletus

Cap 8-15 cm. wide, grajdsh-, yellowish- or brownish-red, sometimes paler toward
the edge, smooth, convex to plane ; flesh whitish or yellowish, or somewhat reddish
just below the skin: stem 5-15 cm. by 1-4 cm., whitish to brownish, more or less

90 MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

net-veined, stout and often bulbous; tubes almost free, ^vbitish. finally yellowish
or greenish; spores yellowish, oblong to fusoid, 10-16 X 3-6/i.. The name refers
to the edible properties.

In woods and openings, summer and autumn ; excellent.

Boletus luteus Yellow Boletus

Cap 5-15 cm. wide, yellow to yellowish brown or brownish, covered with a
dense brownish glue, more or less spotted, convex to plane ; flesh white, unchang-
ing ; stem 5-6 cm. by 1-2 cm., yellowish or darkish and rough-dotted above the
membranous brownish ring ; tubes adnate, yellow, darker when old ; spores yel-
low-brown, fusoid, 6-10 X 2-3/x. The name refers to the color.

Common on the ground in woods, summer and autumn ; famed for its good
qualities.

Boletus subluteus Yellowish Boletus

Cap 3-8 cm. wide, dull yellow to rust-brown, sticky when wet, more or less spot-
ted, convex to plane; flesh whitish to yellowish ; s t e m 3-7 cm. by 4-7 cm., grayish
to yellowish, rough-dotted above and below the ring with red-brown dots ; veil
sticky, finally forming a band-like ring ; tubes adnate, yellow, then ocher ; spores
yellowish-rust-colored, fusoid, 8-10 X 4-5/a. The name refers to its relationship to
Boletus luteus.

On the ground in woods, summer and autumn ; good.

Boletus scaber Roughstem Boletus

Cap 3-12 cm. wide, extremely variable in color, from tan to brickred, orange-
red, smoky, brown, etc., smooth, sticky when wet, convex ; flesh white or Avhitish,
changing little when bruised; stem 6-12 cm. by 6-12 mm., whitish to gray, rough
with red-brown or blackish scales, solid ; tubes free, w^hite, then darkish ; spores
brownish, fusoid, 14-18 X 4-6/x. The name refers to the rough stem.

One of the commonest of the genus, in woods, marshes, etc., summer and
autumn; excellent, though stem and tubes should usually not be cooked, as they
require a longer period.

Boletus cyanescens Blueflesh Boletus

Cap 5-15 cm. wide, grayish tan. tan or brownish, more or less tufted or hairy.
convex to plane; flesh white, turning blue where bruised; stem 5-10 cm. by 1-3
cm., tan to brownish, grayish with fine hairs, stufl"ed. then hollowed; tubes free,
white, then yellowish, turning blue when touched ; spores whitish or pale yellow,
ellipsoid, 15-16 X 5-8/*. The name refers to the bluing of the flesh.

In woodland and grassland, summer and autumn ; excellent.

il

mm

Figure 55. Boletus versipellis

PORE FUNGI

91

Boletus pallidus Pale Boletus

Cap 3-lti cm. wide, pale or hrounish while, smooth, convex to plane or slightly

depressed; flesh white; stem 7-12 1111. hy 1-i cm., whitish, sometimes with

brownish streaks, smooth; tubes more or less acbiate, pale <jr faint yellowish,

changin^i; to bbie when bruised; sport's \cllowish brouii. t-llipsoid. 10- 1 2 X 5-6/u,.

rile name rt'fers to the color.

( )n tlie u;rou!id in woods, summer and autumn; e.xcellent.

Boletus bicolor Redyellow Boletus

Cap 5-!t) (in. wide, dark red or red-brown, paler in a;^e and somewhat spotted
with \'ellow. smooth or somewhat powdered, conve.x ; flesh vellow, unchanging.
or changing slightly to blue wlu're bruised; stem 3-7 cm. bv <S-12 mm., red, more
or less yellow above, smooth, solid ; t u b e s adnate. briglit yellow, then ocher. slowlv
turning blue wliere bruised; spores yellow-brown, ellipsoid. \i)-\3 y 4-S/ji. The
name refers to the two colors of cap and stem.

Common on the ground in woods, summer and autumn; one of the best of the
genus.

FicLRi', 5b. i''is ri i.ix.\ hki'amc.a
Boletus versipellis Orange-red Boletus

Cat) 5-20 cm. wide, orange-red or bright red-brown, smooth or somewhat downy
or scaly, not stickv. convex, usually with fragments of the veil at the margin when
voun-f; flesh white, with a tint of green; stem 7-20 cm. by 1-4 cm., whitish or
grayish, with irregular blackish lines or wrinkles, solid; tubes free or nearly so.
dull wliite or gray; spores pale yellowish, fusoid. 14-20 X 5-8/li. The name is
without obvious application.

Common on the ground in open woods, summer and autumn ; excellent.

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

FISTULIXA

Distinguished by the free or sei)arate tubes, from the jirereding and the follow-
ing genera. It also differs from Boletus in having a lateral or very short stem,
and in growing on wood. The one common species has long been celebrated as an
edible fungus. The name refers to the separate tubes.

Fistulina hepatica Beefsteak Fungus

Cap 8-20 cm. wide, bright red or red-brown, liver-shaped to shelf-like, more
or less lobed, smooth, more or less sticky when wet ; flesh containing reddish
fibers ; stem short, lateral and almost wanting, or sometimes long and excentric ;

Figure 57. Boletixus porosus

tubes pale to yellowish or pinkish : spores yellowish to pinkish, ellipsoid, 5-
7 X 3-4/x. The name refers to the form and color of the cap.

On stumps and trunks of hardwoods, from sitring to frost ; excellent in the
opinion of most mycophagists.

KOLETINUS

Distinguished from Boletus and S t r o b i 1 o m y c e s l)y the difficulty with
which the pores separate from the cap, and from Fistulina by the pores being
firmly united into radiating rows. In our species the stem is excentric or lateral.
All of the species tested are edible. The name refers to the similarity to Boletus.

PORE FUNGI 93

Boletinus porosus Veined Boletinus

Cap 5-li (in. \\i(k', NL-llow-brown. brown or red-brown, smooth and shining,
slick)- when wcl, plane lo tlepresscd, usually incoiuplele and irregular, becoming more
or less shelf-like; flesh whitish or yellowish; stem lateral or excentric, 1-3 cm.
b\' about I (in., like the ca]) in color, expanding into the cap and hen<'e netted above
by the decurrent tubes; tubes in radiating rows with more prominent lines between,
\ellowish brown; spores yellowish, o\-oi{l. 9-11 yc G-H/j.. The name refers to the
appearance; of the tubes.

Common on the ground in woods, summer and autumn ; edible.

FOMES

Cap thick, woody, bracket- or shelf-like, perennial, showing usually se\'eral
annual rings or zones of growth. Closely related to Polyporus and P o 1 y-
s t i c t u s but distinguished by the thick perennial cap. The jjlants are too woody
to be edible, but they are of much importance, owing to the damage which they do
to standing trees, upon which they grcnv. The name refers to the thick, almost
swollen cap.

Key to the Species

1 . Pore surface covered by a distinct veil, or volva F. volvatus

2. Pore surface without a veil

a. Cap large and shelf-like

( 1 ) Cap) smooth and whitish or white F. applanatus

(2) Cap rougher, red-brown or dark brown F. plnicola

b. Cap more or less hoofdike

( 1 ) Cap reddish brown, pale within F . fraxiiiophiliix

(2) Cap black or brownish black, brown within F. igniariiis

Fomes volvatus Volvate Fomes

Cap 1-3 cm. wide, wliitish or yellowish, more rarely brownish, smooth, shining.
zoneless, stemless, or with a very small knob-like stem, thick, globoid or ovoid,
min-e or less shelving ; pores covered for some time by a membrane which persists
at the margin, brownish or brown; spores ellipsoid, pinkish. 9-12 X 3-6;u.. The
name refers to tlie volva-like membrane.

On trunks of spruce and fir. persisting from year to year.

Fomes applanatus Shelf Fomes

C a p 20-40 cm. wide, whitish or yellowish, more rarely brownish, smooth, with
a firm crust, woody, zoned, shelf-like, stemless: pores tiny, whitish to rust-brown;
spores rarely ])resent. The name refers to the shelf-like cap.

Common on trunks of trees, typically deciduous species; perennial.

94

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Fomes pinicola Pine Fomes

Cap 15-30 cm. wide, red-brown or dark brown, rough, corky-woody, without a
distinct crust, swollen, shelf-like ; pores small, whitish to yellowish ; spores rarely
found. The name refers to the host.

Common on the trunks of conifers ; perennial.

Figure 58. Fomks applaxatus

Fomes fraxinophiliis Ash Fomes

Cap 5-10 cm. wide, grayish to red-brown, somewhat downy, corky, without a
.-.rust, more or less cracked, pale within ; pores small, round, whitish or yellowish :
spores pale, ellipsoid, 7-9 X 6-7^i. The name refers to the host.

("ommon on the trunks of deciduous trees, especially ash ; perennial.

PORE FUNGI

95

Fomes igniarius Punkwood Fomes

("a]) <S-1() cm. wide, hlackisli or black, more rarcl\- dark brown, more or less
hairy and roughened, rust brown within; pores tin\, brown; spores clear, glo-
boid, 6-7/Lt. 'The name relers lo its use as punkwood.

Frequent on tree trunks; perennial.

I'OlAl'OUl'S

Cap thickish, tough-llesliy to leathery, more rarely woody, not ijerennial, central-
stemmed to e.xcentric or shelf like, (doscly related to I'' o m e s and 1' o 1 y s t i c t u s.
from which the woody and leathery species respectively are se]iarated with dilliculty.
One of the commonest of fungus genera, found everywhere on stumps and logs. 'I'he
Jleslu' species are all more or less t'dible. 'i'he name refers to the porous surface.

Figure 59. Fomk.s pixuola

Key to the Species

1. Cap with central, e.xcentric or lati'ral stem

a. Caps more or less single and stems distinct

(1) Caji small. 2-1(1 cm., leathery

(a) Cap smooth or scaly; stem hair\-

(b) Cap ciliate or hairy at the margin; stem slight-

ly scaly

(2) Caj) large, l(>-.^(» cm., tough-tleshy

(a) Cap scaly, whitish to yellowish

(b) Cap smooth, brownish to dark brown

b. Caps denselv clustered and stems united

(1) Caps regular, depressed; stems distinct except

toward base P. timbcUatus

P. hnnualis

P. arciilarius

P. sGuamosus
P. picipcs

96 MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

(2) Caps one-sided, very irregular; stems much

fused P. frondosKS

2. Cap stemless or nearly so, shelf-like

a. Cap large, soft, fleshy, overlapping in dense clusters P. sulphur eus

b. Cap more or less corky or woody, single or clustered

(1) Cap 5-10 cm., corky to woody

(a) Cap gray or smoke-colored P. adust us

(b) Cap brown or rust-brown P. gilvus

(c) Cap orange or vermilion P. cinnabarinus

(2) Cap 10-30 cm., whitish to reddish brown, fleshy

at first P. betulinus

Polyporus brumalis Winter Polyporus

Cap 2-10 cm. wide, grayish to soot-colored, smooth or slightly scaly, tough-fleshy
to leathery, more or less depressed; stem 2-5 cm. by 4-8 mm., grayish, hairy or
scaly ; pores more or less angled, somewhat toothed, whitish ; spores clear, ob-
long, curved. 6 X 2/x. The name refers to the late appearance, often in winter.

Common on decaying twigs and branches in woodland ; too tough to be edible.

Polyporus arcularius Fringed Polyporus

Cap 1-4 cm. wide, yellow-brown to dark brown, somewhat finely scaly, long-
hairy or ciliate at the margin, tough-fleshy, depressed or umbilicate ; stem 1-3 cm.
by 2-4 mm., gray-brown to brown, finely scaly : pores angled, large, entire, white :
spores clear, ellipsoid. 6-7 X 3-4fi. The name refers to the form.

Common on decaying twigs in woodland and thickets; edible when young, but
rather tough.

Polyporus squamosus Scaly Polyporus

Cap 10-50 cm. wide, yellowish or grayish yellow, covered with broad flat darker
scales, tough-fleshy, fan-shaped or irregular; stem excentric 1-4 cm. by 1-3 cm.,
usually lateral, netted above, blackish downward ; pores angled or torn, white or
pale ; spores clear, ovoid, 1 2 X 5/x. The name refers to the scaly cap.

Occasional on the ground in Avoods; said to attain a width of 7 feet and a
weight of 40 pounds. Tough, but with a pleasant flavor, according to Mcllvaine.

Polyporus picipes Blackstem Polyporus

Cap 10-30 cm. wide, pale brown to rust-brown or chestnut, smooth, fleshv-
leathery, more or less funnel-shaped, incomplete, lobed, often imbricated; stem 2-5
cm. by 1-3 cm., excentric or lateral, downy, then smooth, black ; pores small, white
or yellowish; spores globoid, 3-4;t. The name refers to the pitch-black stem.

On decaying stumps or logs ; when young, of a delicate flavor.

PORE FUNGI

97

Polyporus umbellatus Funnel Tuft

Caps 1-4 cni. wide, in (k-iisr lufts 15-20 cm. uiik-. Miixky, yellowish or reddish,
smooth, tough-tlesliy, regular, luorc or less depressed and funnel-form; stems 1-
3 X 3^-2 cm., often forking at llu- top, joined into a dense mass at the base: pores
small, white. Ihe name refers to tiie umbrella-like tops.

On decaying wood and stnnii)s: w•el^fla^■ored.

Polyporus frondosus Fan Tuft

Caps 1-5 cm. wide, tufts 15-30 cm. wide, gray to smok)-, wrinkled or smooth,
firmdleshy, fan-sha))ed. lobed and variously irregular: s t e ifi s grown together into a

FiGiRi: 60. Polyporus squamosus

dense mass, or more or less separate : pores very small, white. The name refers to
the leaf -like cap.

( )n decaving stum]is and roots: tender when young, and well-flavored.

Polyporus sulphureus Sulphur Polyporus

Caps 10-20 cm. wide, vellowish, reddish yellow or orange, undulate on top.
smooth, tleshv-spongv, fan-shaped or shelf-shaped, imbricated, more or less lobed and
irregular; stem usually lacking, or short and lateral; pores small, sulphur-col-
ored; spores clear, ovoid, slightly roughened. 1-8 y( ^-Sfi. The name refers to
the color.

On decaying stumps ami on trunks of living trees: delicious when fresh.

98 MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Polyporus adustus Smoky Polyporus

C a ]) 5-10 cm. wide. ij;ray or smoky, more or less hairy, then smooth, tough,
woody when old, shelf-like; pores small, round, whitish, then dark gray, or black-
ish ; spores elliptic, 4-5 X 2/x. The name refers to the color.

On decaying stumjjs. logs, etc. ; too tough to be of value.

Polyporus gilvus Rustbrown Polyporus

Cap 5-10 cm. wide, rust-brown or brown, tough, woody, smooth. une\en. shelf-
like; pores small, rust-brown. The name refers to the color.

On decaying stumi)S. logs, etc., common everywhere; of no value.

P^^y^%

B'^^^^," ^^ -lie.'

#.

■rT^'X^ 'rJ.'Ii"'^'i€j

.^rifo-L^:- ^f0^1B^''' '^^

Figure 61. Polyporus umbell.atus
Polyporus cinnabarinus Orange Polyporus

Cap 2-7 cm. wide, orange or vermilion, paler with age, smooth or downy,
wrinkled, slightly zoned, corky, shelf-like; pores round, bright vermilion. The
name refers to the color.

Common on decaying wood ; of no value.

Polyporus betulinus Birch Polyporus

Cap 10-30 cm. wide, whitish-brown to reddish-brown, tough-fleshv. then corky,
smooth, zoneless, with a thin distinct skin, swollen, shelf-like; pores short, small.
white to brownish, with hair-like scales on the pore-surface when mature; spores
clear, oblong, curved, 4-5/i.. The name refers to its host.

On roots and stems of birches; edible when young.

I

PORE FUNGI

99

roi.vsi'K'Trs

Closrh' ri'latcd to I' o 1 \ \> o r u s, so closch- in fact that it is iinpossihle to draw
a sliarji line hrtwrfii tliriii. I'lu' ca\) is usually thinner and more papery, and the

])()rcs (k'wlop from the hack to the i'(l,m'. 'I'hc cap is usualK' shclfdike, and so lou.i^h
as to he ol no \aluc as lood. i'hc name rclcrs to the man\' ]M)res.

Key to the Species

1. ("ap white, zoneless

_'. ("ap with distinct conct'niric zones

a. ('ap main -colored

1). ( "ap white or w hit ish

P. versicolor
P. iiirsiitiis

Fl(;i_KK ()i. Poi.Vl'oRU.S SLLPHUREUS

Polystictus pergamenus Paper Polystictus

Cap _'S cm. wide, white or whitish, (low nv or siuooth. leathery or papery,
rigid, often conccaitrically furrowed, but not zoned, shelf-like and imbricated: pores
whitish or u;ravish. tinelv toothed. I'he name refers to the pajierv texture.

\'er_\' connnon on trunks and stuiu|is.

Polystictus versicolor Rainbow Polystictus

("aji 2-10 cm. wide, extremely yariahle in color, di.stinctly zoned, with different
colors, vehety or silkw leathery, denseh imbricated, shelf-like; pores small, round,
torn, white to gray or yellowish. The name refers to the many colors of the cap.

iM'erywhere on stumps and logs.

lOO

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Polystictus hirsutus Hairy Polystictus

Cap 2-10 cm. wide, uniformly of one color, white, whitish or grayish, leathery,
coarsely hairv. concentrically zoned, shelf-like, imbricated; pores white to darkish;
s [) ores elli]itic. 4-5 X 2/x,.

Common on stumps and logs.

FAVOLUS

Distinguished by the beautifully diamond-like radiating pores. The texture is
leathery or papery, and the stem lateral or absent. Closely related to Polystictus
and P o 1 V p o r u s. The name refers to the honey-comb appearance of the pores.

Figure 63. Polvporu.s betllin us
Favolus canadensis Honeycomb Fungus

Cap 4-6 cm. wide, tawny or jjale rust-colored, scaly or smooth, fleshy, then
leatherv, with a very short lateral stem or none at all ; pores oblong-angled, or
honev-comb-like, white, then yellowish; spores oblong, 12-7/^.. The name refers
to the country where the plant was first discovered.

Common on twigs on the ground, especially in autumn ; too tough to be of value.

DAED.\LEA

The yjores are long and narrow, often resembling gills, or in some siiecies
becoming so torn in age as to appear like teeth. Resembling P o 1 y p o r u s in form
and te.xture, but easily distinguished as a rule by the maze of gill-like pores. In .some

PORE FUNGI

lOI

plants, the' ])()i-fs haw liLMdnu^ perfect gills, and such plants are readily mis-
taken tdr Leiizites. Named for
I )aedalus, builder of the Cretan laby-
rinth.

Key to the Species

1. i'lires becoming more nr less
gill-like

a. ('i\[> grayish (jr jiale brownish

/). q II cr cilia

1). Cap deep brown or red-brown

D. conjra^^osa

2. Pores at length torn into fine
teeth D. unicolcr

Daedalea quercina Oak Daedalea

C a ]) 5-12 cm. wide, grayish to
pale brownish, zoneless, smooth or
nearly so. wrinkled, corky, shelf-like
or nearl)' circular; pores becoming
<iblong, gill-like and labyrinthine, pale
or slightly pinkish. The name refers
lo the host.

J''re([uent on stumps, especiallv of
the oak : of no value.

Daedalea confragosa
Brown Daedalea

Cap 2>-% cm. wide, brown or red-
brown, somewhat zoned, rough, corky,
shelf-like ; p o r e s oblong, gill-like and
labyrinthine, red-brown. The name is
of doubtful application.

l''re(iuent on stumps and trunks:
;)f no \'alue.

Daedalea unicolor
Toothed Daedalea

Cap 1-5 cm. wide, whitish to
grayish or brownish, woollv. leatherv.
zoned, shelf- like and more or le.ss

FiciRK 64. Pc^i.vsricrLs i'krgamenus

102

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

densely imbricated ; pores soon breaking up into fine teeth, grayish to brownish.
The nanie refers to the unifoniily colored cap.

Verv common on trunks, stumps, twigs, etc. ; of no value.

Figure 65. Polvstictus hirsutus

CYCLOMYCES

Pores long, narrow and gill-like, but concentric in place of radiate, as in all
the preceding. In old age, the partitions disappear, and the plant appears to be a
gill fungus with concentric gills. Our species has a central stem. The cap is more
or less fleshy, but it is not known to be edible. The name refers to the cyclic gills
or pores.

Figure 66. Favolus canadensis

TOOTH FUNGI

i"3

Cyclomyces greenei Circle Gill

Cap 5-8 vm. wide, brown, downy, zoned, more (^r less streaked at the margin,
globose, then conxex to phme, more or less tough, fleshy; stem central, 4-6 em. by
] cm., (lark brown. broaiK'r abo\c : pores gill-like, decurrent. gravish.

( )n the uround.

'V{fMm^

■^1^

¥lC,VRK 67. Daedalea qlerci.na

TOOTH FUNGI HYDNACEAE

Distinguished by teeth or spines, which take the place of gills or tubes in form-
ing the hymenium or s])ore surface. In form and texture, the tooth fungi resemble
the pore fungi very closely, ranging from fleshy central-stemmed forms to leathery
shelf -like or inverted ones. The fleshy forms are all more or less edible.

KEY TO THK GEXER.V

Teeth free to the base ; mostly fleshy plants
Teeth united bek)w ; inverted leathery plants

Hydnum
Irpex

Page
104

107

104

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Figure 68.
cvclomvces greenei

HYDXUM

C a p fleshy or tough-fleshy, rarely leathery,
central- or lateral-stemmed, stemless, tufted or in-
verted ; the spore-surface consisting of spines or
teeth. The stemmed, and coral-like forms are the
most common. They are all edible. The name
is the ancient Greek name of an edible fungus.

Key to the Species

1 . Stem central or lateral

a. Stem central ; on the ground

( 1 ) Cap shaggy with large imbricated scales

H. imbricatum

(2) Cap smooth or nearly so

(a) Cap and teeth tan to brownish

H . rcpandum

(b) Cap and teeth rust-colored

H. zonatum

b. Stem excentric or lateral : on cones or wood ; black
Stem lacking or indistinct ; cap head-like or coral-like

a. Cap greatly branched, more or less coral-like

b. Cap less branched, more head-like ; teeth very large

( 1 ) Teeth in a uniform dense head

( 2 ) Teeth on smaller fused heads

(a) Smaller heads more or less distinct

(b) Smaller heads indistinct, but giving an irregu-

lar appearance to the main head

//. auriscalpium

H . coralloidcs

H. crinaccum

H. capiit-itrsi

H. caput- medusae

Hydnum imbricatum Tiled Hydnum

Cap 5-30 cm. wide, slate-colored to brown, shaggy with coarse more or less
regular scales, often separated by deep cracks, firm-fleshy, convex to plane or slightly
upturned; stem stout and short. 3-10 cm. by 2-4 cm., brownish; teeth decurrent.
gray-brown to brownish, 8-12 mm. long; spores yellowish brown, roughened.
7 X 5/M. The name refers to the large scales.

Common on the ground in pine and spruce woods ; edible, though somewhat
bitter when raw.

Hydnum repandum Buff Hydnum

Cap 3-12 cm. wide, yellowish or tan. rarely pinkish or brownish, smooth, fleshy,
convex to plane, then somewhat depressed; stem 4-10 cm. l)y 1-3 cm., yellowish to
whitish, smooth : teeth decurrent. buff^. 6-8 cm. long ; spores globose or angled.

TOOTH FUNGI

105

]i()iuU'(l at oiR' riid, clear or Nrllowish, S-S/x. The name refers to tlie depressed cap.
Common on the Lj;rouii(l in woods, usually in troops, summer and autumn; ex-
cellent, but reciuires to l>e cookt'd slowly lor about an hour.

Hydnum zonatum Zoned Hydnum

C a ]) 2-S cm. wide, rust colored U) rusld)ro\\n. smooth. di>tincilv zoned, thin,
ilesh\ -leather}-, more or less wrinkled radiately, plane, then more t)r less depres.sed;
stem 1-3 cm. l)y 4-() mm., hairy or tufted, somewhat paler than the cap, swollen
at base : tee t h 2-3 mm. lon<f. rust-colored ; spores globoid, rough, pale rust-
brown. 3-4/x. I'he name refers to the zoned ca]).

( )ii the ground in woods; used for tUn'oring, but too tough for food.

^.Z

FlCLRK 69. UmiXUM IMr.RILATLM

Hydnum auriscalpium Black Hydnum

Cap 5-25 nun. wide, black-brown to black, coarse-hairy, leathery, kidney-shaped
to somewhat shelf-like ; stem tall, slender, excentric or lateral. 5-8 cm. by 2 mm.,
black, hairy, rooting ; teeth dark or blackish brown, tough ; s j) o r e s globoid.
clear, 4-5 X '^M- The name refers to the form.

On cones or fragments of wood in the ground ; too tough to be edible.

io6

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Hydnum coralloides Tooth Coral

<f ■

Cap 1U-5U cm. wide, white, yellowish when old. repeatedly branched into a
coral-like cluster, fleshy : teeth mostly on one side of the branches, 6-8 mm. Ion
spores globose, clear, 4-()/la. The name refers to the coral-like head.

On decaymg trunks, logs, etc.. summer and autumn; excellent.

Hydnum erinaceum Hedgehog Mushroom

Cap 5-30 (in. wide, wliite. tlien yellowish or somewhat hrnwnish, the branches
forming a dense head coyered with teeth, fleshy : s t e m short and stout. 2-8 cm. long
and thick, or entirely lacking: teeth 3-10 cm. long, densely crowded: spores
globose, clear, 5-6yii. The name refers to the appearance of the head.

On decaying trunks, stumps, etc.. edible.

Figure 70. Hm)Mm rkhaxdim

Hydnum caput-ursi Bear's Head

Cap 10-20 cm. wide and high, white, later yellowish, the indiyidual branches
more or less distinct, with more or less distinct tufts of teeth, fleshy; stem absent
or a mere knob ; teeth 2-3 cm. long. The name refers to the shaggy cap.

On decaying trunks and logs ; edible.

Hydnum caput-medusae Medusa Head

Cap 10-50 cm. wide by 5-20 high, white to grayish or yellowish, somewhat
irregular, but the branches more or less completely hidden by the long teeth, fleshy:
teeth 3-5 cm. long.

On decaying trunks and stumps : excellent.

TOOTH FUNGI

10/

IIU'EX

Distin.n'uislu'il froin llydiiuni l)y tln' teeth, which are uiiilrd at the hast-. It

clififcrs from all the speciis of II yd ii u m dt-^criln-d ah(>\c iii hciii^j; stciiiless ami iii-

vertfd, forniinij; a layiT upon sticks and branches. W hen fresh, all the sj.ecies are

edible, thon^h sdinewhat gelatinous. Tlu' name means a harrow, in reference to the
teeth.

FlGURK 71. IImiNTM I'OR Al.l.i >1|)KS

Key to the Species

1. Cap pinkish to reddish

/. cai iirtis
I. laiti-iis

2. Cap pure white

irpex carneus Reddish Irpex

C a \) s])read out in a laver. J-S cm. loni;', more or less irregular, thin, somewhat
gelatinous, pinkish to reddish ; teeth blunt, entire. The name refers to the color.
On dead or decavintr branc-hes of deciduous trees: edil)le when fresh.

io8

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

irpex lacteus White Irpex

Cap a thin leathery layer, 2-7 cm. long, the upturned edge hairy, pure white;
teeth acute, crowded, white. The name refers to the color.

On dead or decaying branches; probably edible, though somewhat tough.

CORAL FUNGI CLAVARIACEAE

Cap greatly branched and coral-like or leaf-like, or less frequently club-shaped
or head-shaped. The surface of the cap or its branches is suKxtth. thus distinguishing

Figure 72. Hydxum caput-ursi

the coral-fungi from similar forms among the tooth fungi. Coral-like forms also
occur among the jelly fungi, but are distinguished by their gelatinous or waxy texture.
The club-shaped genera of the saddle-fungi can be distinguished only by means of
the microscope, which reveals the presence of spore-sacs. Our species are all edible.

KEY TO THE GENERA

Cap much branched, or merely club-shaped

a. Cap with flat leaf-like branches

b. Cap with round l)ranches, coral-like, or merely ( lul

shaped
Cap head-like, on a distinct stem

Page

Sparassis

log

Clavaria

109

Fhysalacria

113

CORAL FUNGI

109

SI'AItASSIS

Cap niuch branclu'il formiiii^f a ck-nsc rosette of flat leaf-like branches. Kdible.
The name means torn to pieces, and refers to the ^reatl\- l)ranched cap.

Sparassis crispa Leaf Coral

Cap 10-50 cm. widi' by 6-30 cm. hi.Lj;h. whitish to \eIlo\vish, the branches some-
wliat transparent. Hat, curK at the ed^e, joined bt'h)\v into a root-like base; spores
yeUowisli, ellipsoid, 5-() ^- 3-4/i. 'i'he name refers to the cnrled branches.

( >ii L'r'-nnd in woodland .;n 1 grasslantl. summer and antnmii ; delicious.

I'"iia ki-: 7.5. .Si'ARAssis c kisi'A

CL.VVAKIA

Cap greatlv branched and coral-like, or smiple and club-shaped, more or less
fleshy or fleshv-leatherv. The branches and clubs are usually rounded, somewhat
flattened toward the tips, and there is no clear distinction between stem and cap, as
in F h y s a 1 a c r i a. ( )ur forms are edible; they grow on the ground or on wood.
The name refers to the club-shaped plants or branches.

Key to the Species

1. Cap branched, more or less coral-like
a. On the ground

( 1 ) Cap white or whitish

C. coralloiclcs

no MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

(2) Cap yellow or tan

(a) Spores whitish or pale C. ftava

(b) Spores yellow to brown C. formosa
b. On wood

( 1 ) Cap pale tan. with a reddish tint ; spores whitish C. pyxidata

(2) Cap pale yellow to brownish; spores yellow to

brown C. stricta

2. Cap little or not at all branched, cylindric to club-
shaped

a. Caps usually simple, but in dense tufts or clumps, yel-

low C. inaeqiialis

b. Caps simple, single or merely grouped, rarely slightly

branched

(1) Cap club-shaped

(a) Cap 2-8 cm. tall C. ligula

(b) Cap 8-30 cm. tall C. pistillaris

(2) Cap cylinder-like, usually tapering upward

(a) Cap 5-10 cm. tall, on ground C. juncea

(b) Cap 1-2 cm. tall, usually on wood C. mucida

Clavaria coralloides Coral Clavaria

Cap 5-12 cm. tall, white or whitish, stem thick, short, repeatedly branched,
branches much forked, somewhat flattened, hollow, broadened, tips crowded, acute ;
spores yellowish, pointed, angled or globoid, 8-10 X 6-8^. The name refers to the
form.

Common on the ground in woods, summer and autmnn ; edible, but it should be
used only when young. Clavaria cristata is not to be distinguished from this
species, by the beginner at least.

Clavaria flava Yellow Clavaria

Cap 6-12 cm. tall, pale yellow to dull yellow, stem .stout, short, whitish, branches,
many, crowded, rounded, obtuse, the tips toothed, deeper yellow ; spores whitish,,
ellipsoid, 8-10 X "!■;"• ihe name refers to the color.

Common on the ground in woodland and clearings; excellent when young.

Clavaria formosa Redtip Clavaria

Cap 5-12 cm. high, yellow or yellowish, stem 3-4 cm. thick, whitish or yellow-
ish, branches many, tall, crowded, yellow, the tips pink, red or orange when young ;
spores ocher, oblong, rough, 9-12 X 3-5;u. The name refers to the beauty of
the plant.

Forming large tufts on the ground, summer and autumn : excellent when young.

CORAL FUNGI

1 1 1

2

o

112

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Clavaria pyxidata Cuptip Clavaria

Cap 3-12 cm. tall, pale tan, often tinged with red, stem thin, small, branches
erect, much-forked, the tips cup-like, with slender projections from the margin of
the cups ; spores globoid, 5 X 3/x. The name refers to the cup-like tips.

On decaying w-ood or on roots in the ground, summer and autumn : said to be

edible.

Clavaria stricta

Wood Clavaria

C a p 5-10 cm. tall,
yellowish to dull yellow
or brownish, stem dis-
tinct, stout and short,
branches many, much-
forked, straight, crowd-
ed, tips acute ; spores
v'.^lliiwish. ovoid. 6-
8 X 3-5yu,. The name re-
fers to the erect straight
l)ranches.

( )n decaying wood,
summer and autumn :
fair.

Clavaria inaequalis
Yellow Tuft

Figure 75. Clavaria ligula

Cap 5-8 cm. tall,

bright yellow, cylindric

and tapering or mure or less club-shaped, simple or somewhat branched, more or less

united at the base, fragile, stuiTed ; spores clear, ellipsoid or globoid. 10-1 2 X 5-S^i.

Tlie name has no evident application.

( )n the ground in woodland and grassland, late summer and autumn : excellent. •*

Clavaria ligula Yellow Club

Cap 2-8 cm. tall. 5-12 mm. wide, yellowish, tan or even somewhat brownish,
spongy-fleshy, dry, club-shaped, simple, more or less hairy at base ; s p o r e s clear,
ellipsoid, 10-12 X 3-5jU. The name refers to the shape of the cap.

Common in troops on the ground, especially among needles of conifers; edible.

Clavaria pistillaris Yellow Pestle

Cap 8-30 cm. tall. 3-6 cm. wide, yellowish, tan. reddish or even dark brown,
spongy-fleshy, drv. club-shaped, more or less lobed or scalloped at the top ; spores
clear, ellipsoid, 10-14 X 5-8/a. The name refers to the form.

On the ground in woods, late summer and autumn ; one of the best of the genus.

LEATHER FUNGI

113

Clavaria juncea Rush Clavaria

Cap 5-10 cm. tall, V^j-i cni. widi'.
whitish to tail ni" ix'ddish. fragile, Ik-shy,
]u)lU)\v, cNlindric or rush like, acute, some-
what hairv and heiil at the base, more or
less grouped: spores (dear, globoid, 4-
.s/t. The nanu' rel\'rs to the form.

Clavaria mucida Tiny Clavaria

Cap 1-2 cm. tall. \-2 mm. wide,
white, yellowish or rarelv |iiiikish, smooth,
simple, or with a few tooth-like i)raiiches.
A\aterv-tleshy, cylindric, acute; spores
(dear. (.dlipS(M'd. 5-7 X 3-4/a. 'J"he name re-
fers to the habit of growing on decaying
wood.

( )n wood or on the ground: too small
to bi' valuable.

I'll VSALACia.V

Distinguished from Clavaria by Figure 76. Clavaria jfNCEA
an inflated head-like cap, borne on a dis-
tinct stem. The name refers to the bubble-like cap.

Physalacria inflata Bubble Top

1>

■■'\

^^W

T

V

FuirKE 77. i'll\S.\L.VCRl.V 1MI,A1A

C a p 4-8 mm. wide,
whitish or yellowish,
smooth. thin. fleshy-
waxy, more or less glo-
bose : stem 8-20 mm.,
slender, white, slightly
scaly, solid : spores
clear, small, ellipsoid, 4-
5 X 2-3 fi. The name
refers to the swollen
head.

LEATHER FUNGI
THELEPHORACEAE

Resembling pore
fungi and tooth fungi in
the variety of forms and

textures, but distinguished from both by the absence^ of pores or teetb, i. e., the

114 MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

spore-bearing surface is smooth or merely wrinkled. The texture ranges from more
or less fleshy to leathery or woody, though it is usually leathery or paperv. The caps
are central-stemmed, shelf-like or mere leathery layers. With the exception of the
first genus, the forms are too tougli to be of value.

KEY TO TIIK (iKXKU.V

Pago

1. Cap funnel-shaped, stalked, fleshy Craterellus 114

2. Caj) funnel- to fan-shaped, leathery Thelephora 115

3. Cap shelf-like or a mere layer (in our forms)

a. Cap shelf-like Stereurr. 116

b. Cap a layer Corticium 117

CKATKIJELLCS

Cap funnel-form, more or less fleshy, stalked. The under surface is more or
less ridged or wrinkled longitudinally, or in some cases nearly smooth. Closely
related to C a n t h a r e 1 1 u s among the gill fungi, but the vein-like gills are very
much less distinct or lackiiig. All our si)ecies are edible. The name refers to the
funnel-like cap.

Key to the Species

1. Stem stuft'ed: cap yellow t)r yellowish C. rantharellus

2. Stem hollow

a. Cap brownish black; spores ellipsoid C. coniiicopioidcs

b. Cap brownish ; sjjores globoid C. dubiiis

Craterellus cantharellus Yellow Craterellus

Cap 3-7 cm. wide, yellow or yellowish, or somewhat pinkish, smooth, tough-
fleshy, funnel-shaped: stem 2-7 cm. by 6-10 mm., yellow, smooth, solid or stuffed;
h y m e n i u m more or less ridged or wrinkled, yellow ; spores yellowish, ellipsoid, .
7-10 X 5-6/^. The name refers to the great resemblance to C a n t h a r e 11 u s.

( )n ground in woods: excellent.

Craterellus cornucopioides Horn-of-Plenty

Cap 5-8 cm. wide, gray-soot-color to brownish black, somewhat scaly, tough-
fleshy. tuba-sha]ied : stem 3-8 cm.. l)lack or blackish, smooth, hollow, i. e.. a tube:
hymenium merely uneven: spores clear, clli])soid. 1 2-14 X '-S/t- The name
refers to the form.

On the ground, single or clustered, in woods or openings : excellent.

Craterellus dubius Brown Craterellus

Cap 2-5 cm. wide, brown or brownish, slightly fibrous, tough-fleshy, tuba-
shaped, the margin wavv or lobed : stem 3-6 cm., brown, hollow; hymen ium

LEATHER FUNGI

115

dark gray, the small faint folds more or less united: spores clear, globoid. 6-
8 X 5-6)U. The name of clouhtlul ;i|i|)Ii(ation.
On the ground in woods; cxcelK'iU.

'riii:i,i:ni()K.\

('a|i funnel-form to lan-slui|n'd or irregular, IrallKTV. the h\nR'niuin smooth or
slightlv wrinkled. A genus of widely different forms, closely related to (' r a t e r e 1-
1 u s, and to the two following genera as wi'll. The forms ai'c all leathery, and hence
n(U edible. The name refers to tlie more or less wrinkled li\nienium.

FniUKK 78. CrA ri'.RELLUS corxucopioides

Key to the Species

1. Cap funnel-form, snow white

2. Ca}) fan-shaped, or more or less irregular

a. Caj) narrowlv fan-shaped, erect, whitish

b. Cap shelf-like, somewhat imbricati'd. rust-brown

T . soxi'crbyi

T. schwi'initzii
T. laciniata

Thelephora sowerbyi Snowy Thelephora

C a ]) 2-5 cm. tall, snowy white, zoneless, rough with radiating lines, leathery-
woody, entire, funnel-form ; h y m e n i u m smooth ; spores irregularly globose,
angled, clear, 7-8/x. Named after the English botanist. Sowerby.

In trooi)s or small clusters on the ground in woodland or in openings.

ii6

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Thelephora schweinitzii Coral Thelephora

Cap 7-10 cm. tall, clusters 12-15 cm. wide, whitish, the stem-like base branched
into many small erect flattened divisions, which are much lobed and divided, the
hvTiienium and stem reddish.

On the ground in woodland or grassland.

Thelephora lacmiata Torn Thelephora

Caps shelf -like, in clusters 4-5 cm. tall and 6-8 cm. wide, dull rust-brown,
more or less fibrous and scaly, the margin fringed , soft-fleshy, more or less im-
bricated ; h y m e n i u m roughened ; spores darkish, angled- globose or tuberculate.
6-9/x. The name refers to the torn fringed margin.

Denselv clustered at the base of stems, etc.. or on the wood itself.

Figure 79. Thelephora lacixiata

STi:nT:T'?>[

Closelv related to T h e 1 e p h o r a. and like it widely variable in form and tex-
ture. ( !)ur species are shelf-like, resembling the bracket pore fungi, but without the
pores. None of the species are edible. The name refers to the hard texture.

Key to the Species

Cap rust-brown, more or less downy
Cap grayish, shaggy with hairs

S. versicolor
S. hirsittum

Stereum versicolor Zoned Stereum

Cap shelf-like. 4-8 cm. wide, dull brown or rust-brown, downy or smooth,
markedlv zoned, the zones more or less variable in color, firm, leathery : h y m e n i u m
whitish to brown. The name refers to the varying color.

Everywhere on old stumps and logs.

JELLY FUNGI

ii:

Stereum hirsutum Shaggy Stereum

Fua'RK 80. Stekelm xekskoi.or

C a p 3-8 cm. wide, gray
(ir grayish, yellow at the
margin, more or less shaggy-
hairy, somewhat zoned, firm,
leathery ; h y m e ii i u m yel-
lowish or variable ; spores
clear, oblong, 6-8 X 2-3/x.
The name refers to the
shaggy cap.

Common on stumps and
logs.

COUTH I I'M

Cap a soft-leathery or
waxy layer on wood, often
with a distinct downy mar-
gin, and then saucer-like.
The name refers to the bark-
like form and texture of the
plant. None are edible.

Corticium incarnatum Rosy Corticium

C a ]) 2-10 cm. wide, often
fusiuii' with each other, rosy
to reddish, more or less waxy,
the surface wavy, then cracketl,
forming a flat circular t)r ir-
regular layer ; spores ellip-
soid, clear, 8-12 X 3-5/i.. Tlic
name refers to the color.

Common on decaying
wood and branches.

, JELLY FUNGI
TREMELLACEAE

Cap more or less jelly-
like when wet, cartilaginous
or horny or waxy when dry.
The cap is usually stemless,
globose or brain-like or ir-
regular ; the fruiting surfac:i
is smooth, i. e., it does not
show pores or teeth, except in

Figure 81. Corticicm i>xarxatum

ii8

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

the one genus, T r c m e 1 1 o d o n. which will probably be sought among the tooth
fungi. Many of the species are edible, though not of great excellence. Thev occur
typically on wood, though one is a parasite on gill fungi. The name refers to the
jelly-like nature of the plant.

KEY TO THE GENERA

Cap with teeth, fan- or funnel-like
Cap without teeth

a. Cap blackish brown or black

(1) Cap large. 5-12 cm. tough, concave or ear-like

(2) Cap small, 3^-2 cm., soft, globoid to convex

b. Cap white to yellow or orange, rarely brownish

( 1 ) Cap globoid to brain-like or branched, jelly-like

(a) Cap wrinkled, folded or branched, large, 1-12

cm.

(b) Cap smooth or with small folds, small, 4-9

mm.

(2) Cap small, erect, flattened, stalked, cartilagi-

nous

Tremellodon

Hirneola
Exidia

Tremella

Dacryomyces

Guepinia

Page

ii8

ii8
iig

iig

122

122

TREMELLODON

Cap fan-like, or incompletely funnel-form, more or less stalked, soft, jelly-like,
the lower or spore-bearing surface consisting of teeth. This fungus will be sought
first among the tooth fungi, but its texture and structural characters place it among
the jelly fungi. The name refers to the gelatinous texture and the teeth.

Tremellodon gelatinosus Jelly Spine

../

Cap 2-8 cm. wide, more or less clear, with bluisli tinge, roughened with small
■dots, jelly-like, trembling, usually fan-shaped, somewhat stalked ; teeth soft, white ;
spores globoid, clear, 7-8/x. The name refers to the jelly-like texture.

On decaving wood, autumn and winter : said to be delicious when slowlv stewed.

HIRNEOLA

Cap mure or less cup-shaped or ear-like, jelly-like but firm when wet, horny
when dry, the hpiienium often veined or folded, but without teeth. The name refers
to the cup-like form.

JELLY FUNGI

119

Hirneola auricula-judae
Jew's-ear

C a p 5-S cm. wick',
(lark brown tn black, tlu-
hymcMiiuiii veiiii'd and
folded, tbc (lutsidc more-
or less downy, cup-shaped
or ear-like, firm : s p o r e s
kidney-slia]ie(k 15-20 X 5-
9/^. ilu' name refers to
the ear-like cap.

On decaying wood ;
edible.

EX 1 1)1 A

Cap globoid to con-
vex, often spread out,
jelly-like, more or less

roughened by tiny eleva- Figure 82. Tremellodox gel.atinosus

tions, somewhat wrinkled

or smooth, black. The name refers to its appearance of being e.xuded from the
branch on whicl\ it grows.

Exidia glandulosa
Black Jelly

Cap y2-2 cm. wide,
black, the surface wrinkled
or smooth, dotted with tiny
nipples, globoid, convex or
spread out. soft, trembling :
spores clear. oblong,
curved. 12-14 X -+-5/^. The
name refers to the tiny
nipples.

Common as a black
jelly-like layer on branches.
of oak. birch, etc., thin and
crust-like -when dry : too
-mail to be of value.

TREMELLA

Figure 83. Hirxeola ai kicula-tud.ae

Cap wrinkled and
folded or lobed. more or

120

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Figure 84. Exidia (Jlaxdulosa
less nutritious than most mushrooms.

Key to the Species

1. On wood or on leaf mold

a. Cap white, coral-like

b. Cap yellow or yellowish, at least not white

(1) Cap small, 1-3 cm. wide

(2) Cap large, 5-15 cm. wide

(a) Cap orange-yellow, brain-like

(b) Cap pink-yellow to purplish, with large leaf-

like lobes

2. On crill funsri

Tremella fuciformis
Coral Tremella

Cap 10-15 cm. widj.
snow white, branched into
stout, 2-forked, more or
less erect lobes, jelly-liki',
soft : spores clear, mor.'
or less ovoid. 7-9 X 5-6/x.
The name refers to the
seaweed-like branches.

On leaf mold in
woods ; edible.

Tremella lutescens
Buff Tremella

Cap 1-3 cm. wide,
yellowish or buff, more or

less brain-like or branch-
ed, jelly-like, trembling,
typically white to yellow
or orange, rarely darker.
Large forms common on
decaying trunks and
stumjjs, conspicuous in
wet weather, dry and
more or less shrunken
and horn-like at other
times. All known spe-
cies are edible, though

T. jiicijormis

T. lutescens

T. mesenterica

T. frondosa
T. luycetophila

Figure 85. Tremella fuciformis

JELLY FUNGI

iJi

Irss wrinkled and folded, soft, trcnibliiiL,' ; s])()rL's ^doUose, 12-15/x. 'I'he immt:
refers to the color.

lu clusters on decaying trunks and hranches; too small to lie vahialile.

Tremella mesenterica Orange Tremella

Cap 5-10 cm. wide, bright orange or orange-yellow, very variable, but usually
much branched and folded, jelly like, firm; spores ellipsoid to globoid, G-S/i*.
The name refers to the form.

Common on dead trunks and branches; edible.

Figure 86. Tremella froxdosa

Tremella frondosa Leafy Tremella

Cap .=^-15 cm. wide, yellow, yellowish, or pinkish yellow, rarely brownish, deep-
ly lobed. the lobes large, leaf-like, wrinkled or folded, jelly-like; spores globose.
5-7/x. I lie name refers to the leaf- like lobes.

Frequent on decaying wood ; said to be edible.

122 MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Tremella mycetophila Parasitic Tremella

Cap 1-lU cm. wide, yellowish to Avhitish, more or less plate-like, with circular
folds, jelly-fleshy, somewhat powdered ; spores clear, globose. 2-3/i.

Parasitic on the caps and stems of mushrooms, C o 1 1 y b i a d r y u p h i 1 a and
Marasmius oreades; edible.

Cap globoid to convex, somewhat folded or smooth, jelly-like, small. On wood.
The name means tear fungus.

Figure 87. Guepinia spaihulata

Dacryomyces stillatus Orange Tear

Cap 2-9 mm. wide, yellow or orange, jelly-like, globoid or convex, more or ^
less folded; spores clear, more or less curved, with cross walls. 18-30 X 8-1 2/x.
The name means drop-like.

Common on decaying wood, clustered or in groups; too small to be of value.

GUEPINIA

Cap more or less spatula-like and stalked, cartilaginous rather thaii jelly-
like, shrinking little on drying. Named for the botanist Guepin.

Guepinia spathulata Coral Spatula

Cap 1-3 cm. tall, pale yellow, yellow or orange, spatula-shaped, lobed or
branched, and somewhat ridged above, with a narrow stem-like base, cartilaginous
or hornv. The name refers to the form.

PUFFBALLS

123

Cominon on wocxl, especially railway ties, usually clustered (ir in troops; too
small and toUL^'h to he of \-alue.

PUFFBALLS LYCOPERDACEAE

Cap a closed ball, with or with(jut a stem, hreaking or opening at maturity to
expose the powdery mass of spores. In most of the genera, the cap is enclosed in
two walls or membranes, the outer of which may split into star-like lobes or circular-
ly, or may fall awa\- in fragments. 'I'he llesh is white when the plant first appears,
but as the spores mature, it becomes stained with yellow, and finally turns into a
powdery mass of spores and threads, which escajie through mere cracks or through
a definite opening. In the young condition, practically all puffballs are edible, and
many of them delicious. One or two only are suspected. They grow habitually on
the ground, though a few occur on wood.

KEY TO THE GENERA

1. Cap traversed by a distinct stem, at least when young

2. Cap not traversed by a stem, pulp uniform or nearly

so

a. Outer wall splitting circularly, or into star-like

lobes

(1) Wall splitting circularly, half or less remain-

ing on the cap

(2) 'Wall splitting into starlike lobes

b. ( )uter wall breaking away in ])ieces or wearing off

(1) Cap with a slender distinct stalk

(2) Cap stalkless, or the broad stalk widening into

the cap

(a) Inner wall breaking into pieces, freeing the

spores ; (-ap often very large

(b) Inner wall oijening by a distinct mouth or

a more or less regular tear at the apex;

cap small to medium
X. Cap with a stalk-like base; opening by a

distinct mouth
y. Cap without a stalk-like base, opening bv

a tear

Secotium

Calvatia

Lycoperdon

Bovista

Page
123

Catastoma

124

Geaster

124

Tylostoma

126

127

128
130

SECOTIU-AI

Cap globoid to conic, with a sht)rt stalk, which is continued through the pulp
to the apex, distinguishing this genus from all the following. The cap breaks at
the base about the stem. The presence of the stem in the cap connects this genus
with the gill fungi. The pulp contains more or less evident hollows, at least when
young. The name refers to the presence of hollows in the pulp.

124 MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Secotium acuminatum Cap Stalk

Cap 3-6 cm. tall, 2-4 cm. wide, ovoid to more or less conic, tan to ocher,
scaly, more or less folded about the short stalk, where it opens; stem 1-2 cm. long,
more or less bulbous ; spores j-ellowish to olive, globose, smooth, 5-8/^. The name
refers to the conic cap.

On the ground in grassland or woodland; suspected of being poisonous.

CATASTOMA

Cap globose to flattened, more or less imbedded in the soil, stemless. At
maturity the outer wall breaks around the middle, leaving the lower half in the
ground and the upper half clinging to the cap. The mouth is at the apex of the

m

Figure 88. Catastoma circumscissum

inner wall, and is thus downward while the plant is in the original position. The
name refers to the habit of the plant by which the mouth becomes turned upward
at maturity.

Catastoma circumscissum Somersault Cap

Cap 1-2 cm. wide, globose, somewhat flattened, the inner wall whitish or
gray, finely scaly, with a small regular mouth; spores yellowish, globose, spiny or
warted, 4-Six. The name refers to the circular splitting of the outer wall.

On the ground along paths, or in grassland ; edibility not tested.

GEASTEU

Cap more or less globose, with a leathery outer wall, which splits radiately,
forming a star-like base, upon which the inner wall sits. The mouth is definite, and
often beautifully folded or fringed. All our species are probably edible, if collected
when young. The name refers to the star-like base.

PUFFBALLS

'-'5

Key to the Species

1. Inner wall ^vith a volva- or cup-like membrane at base

2. No cup-like membrane between the inner and outer wall

a. Mouth a more or less irregularly torn hole

b. Mouth definite, fringed or furrowed

(1) MdUth fringed, not furrowed

(2) Mduth radi;itcl\- rurrnwed

C. triplex

G. hyj^roinrtriciis

G. limbatus
G. striatus

Figure 89. Geaster trh'lex

Geaster triplex Collar Earthstar

Cap 2-3 cm. wide, the outer wall ficshy at first, splitting into two parts, the
lower forming a star-like base with 5-7 lobes, the up])er a collar or cup below the
inner wall, the latter papery, dark brown, with a conical fringed mouth ; spores
brownish, globose, rough, 2-4//.. The name refers to the three membranes.

On the ground in woodland or grassland ; probablv edible when young but
not tested.

Geaster hygrometricus Roll Earthstar

Cap 5-8 cm. wide, the outer wall fleshy-woody, splitting usually into 7-20 lobes,
the lobes with a waxy darkish iinier face, strongly inrolled when dry, expanded when
moist; the inner wall pajK'ry or leathery, grav to brown, the mouth more or less
irregularly or stellately torn; spores red-brown, globose, rough, 7-10/ii. The
name refers to the effect of moisture in unrolling the lobes.

Common on the ground in grassland and woodland; edible when young.

126

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Geaster limbatus Bordered Geaster

Cap 2-3 cm. wide, outer -wall splitting into 6-10 lobes, Avith brownish faces;
inner wall on a short broad stalk, the mouth low-conic, in a paler circle, fringed ;
spores brownish, globose, rough, 3-4/i. The name probably refers to the circle
about the mouth.

Common on the ground in woodland ; not tested.

Figure 90. Tylostoma mammosum

Geaster striatus Striate Geaster

Cap 1-3 cm. wide, the outer wall split into 5-8 lobes; inner wall brownish,
the mouth tall-conic, radiately furrowed; spores darkish, globose, rough, 3-5/x.
The name refers to the mouth.

Common on the ground in woodland or grassland ; not tested.

TYLOSTOMA

Cap more or less globose, on a distinct cylindric stem; outer wall disappearing
early. The mouth is round and definite in our species. Found on the ground,
especially in sandy soil ; edibility not tested, but scarcely of importance. The name
refers to the cartilage-like mouth of some species.

Tylostoma mammosum Stalk Puffball

Cap 7-12 mm. wide, whitish to brownish, the outer wall powdery and disap-
pearing early, mouth round, small, raised; stem 3-10 cm. by 2-4 mm., whitish.

PUFFBALLS

i-'7

cylindric, hollow or with ;i cnitral cure; spores QlohosQ, rust-colorud, 4-3/t. The
name refers to the raised mouth.

Frcciueiit in sand)' fields; edi!)ilit\- not known.

('.\I.VA'IM.\

This genus is distinj^uished from I- y c o p e r d o n and 1! ovist a hv the lack
of a mouth or opciiiuLi;, through which the spores escape. The inner wall breaks
away in fragments, leaving in most species a sterile, stalk-like base. This genus
contains the largest and best of our puffballs. All the species are found on the
tiround, often in fair\- riiiiis. and all arc edible. The name refers to the smooth wall.

I'lGUKl': yf. CALVAriA GIGAXTEA

Key to the Species

1. Cap very large, without a stalk-like base

2. Cap large, with a stalk-like base

a. Spore mass brown or olive-brown

b. Spore mass lilac- or purple brown

C. gigaiitca

C. caelata

C. cyathifonnis

Calvatia gigantea Giant Puffball

Cap very large, 25-50 cm. wide, white or whitish, ^-ellowish or brownish in age.
smooth, or somewhat roughened by scales or cracks, more or less globose ; spores
olive or olive-brown, globose, smooth. 4^. The name refers to the great size.

128

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Common among grasses or herbs, late summer and autumn; one of the best of
edible fungi.

Calvatia caelata Carved Puffball

Cap large, 8-20 cm. wide, whitish to yellowish and brownish, the outer wall
breaking into large areas or scales which are more or less persistent on the inner
wall, broadly top-shaped, with a stout stalk-like base ; spores olive-brown, globose,,
smooth, 4-5|u,. The name refers to the large scales and areas.

On the ground in grassland, summer and autumn ; excellent.

Calvatia cyathiformis Cup Puffball

Cap large. 8-20 cm. wide, whitish to grayish or brownish, smooth or somewhat
scaly or cracked into areas, more or less globose, with a short thick base ; spores
purple-brown, globose, rough, S-lp.. The name refers to the sterile base, Avhich re-
mains as a cup-like stalk after the mass of spores has blown away.

On the ground in grassland, summer and autumn ; excellent.

LYCOPERDOX

Cap with a stem-like base, a scaly or spiny outer wall, and a distinct mouth.
It is separated by the base from B o v i s t a, and by the definite mouth from Cal-
vatia. The species are common, usually on ground in woodland, sometimes on
wood itself. They are edible when young, so far as is known. The name refers to
the mass of spores.

Key to the Species

1. Outer wall of very long white spines

2. Outer wall of small short spines, or scales

a. On the ground, rarely on wood

b. On wood

L. pi(lcherri7num

L. gemmatum
L. pyri forme

Lycoperdon pulcherrimum Spiny Lycoperdon

Cap 3-8 cm. wide, outer wall of long white spines, which are united at the
tips, these fall away, leaving the brownish inner wall, more or less top-shaped,
with a short thick base; spores purple-brown, globose, rough 4-6/x. The name
refers to the beautifully spiny surface.

On the ground in grassland and woodland, late summer and autumn : edible.

PUFFBALLS

iji)

Lycoperdon gemmatum
Gem Puffball

C a }) 2-5 cm. wide, outer wall oL
longer spines circled by short wart-like
ones, tlie longer falling away and leav-
ing a net-like surface, white to gray,

then yellowish brown, more or less top-
shaped; spores brown or olive-
brown, globose, smooth or fmelv rough-
ened. 3-3/1. The name refers to tlu'
beautiful!)- netted surface.

Common on tlu' ground in wootls,
summer and autunni : excellent, but as
witli all pntThalls care must he taken
to exclude all plants in which the pulp
has begun to turn vellow.

Lycoperdon pyriforme
Stump Puffball

Cap 2-5 cm. wide, outer wall of Imcurk 92. LvcOPERDOX I'L lcherrimum
tiny spines or warts, whitish to brown-
ish, top-shaped, with a sliort base; spores olive-brown, globose, smooth. 4/x. The
name refers to the form.

Common on stumps and logs in the woods, summer and autumn, usually in
dense clusters ; edible when young.

Figure 93. Lvcoperdox gemmatum

130 MINNESOTA. MUSHROOMS

BOVISTA

Cap more or less globoid, but ^vith()ut a sterile base or a definite mouth, in
which respects it differs from L y c o p e r d o n. The outer layer is fragile and
papery, soon disappearing. The species arc small, grow on the ground and are edible.
Name doubtful.

Key to the Species

1. Cap 2-3 cm. wide, lead-colored B. phtmhca

2. Cap 3-6 cm. wide, brown B. pila

Figure 94. Lycoperdon pyri forme

Bovista plumbea Lead Bovista

Cap 2-3 cm. wide, cortex white and papery, finally disappearing, showing the
smooth lead-colored inner wall with an irregular mouth, more or less globose ;
spores brown-purple, ovoid, smooth, 6-7 X 5-6/a. The name refers to the color.

On the ground in grassland, spring to frost ; edible.

Bovista pila Brown Bovista

Cap 3-6 cm. wide, cortex white and papery, breaking up into scales which drop
off, showing the brown or brown-purple inner wall, with an irregular torn opening,
more or less globoid; spores purple-brown, globose, smooth, 4-5/x. The name
refers to the ball-like cap.

On the ground in woodland and grassland, spring to autumn; edible.

CARRION FUNGI

131

CARRION FUNGI PHALLACEAE

These resemble jiuffballs wlicii \i)un^. but as tli(\- nialure the outer wall is
ruptured by the lengthening stem. Ihc spores are expused on the top of the stem
as a gelatint)us mass, to which flics arc drawn by the odor of the ]jlant. The rarri«)n
or "stink-horn" fungi rcsciiihlc morris to some extent, but are readily distinguished
by the odor, the cup at the base of the sti'm and bv the gelatinous spore-mass. Ac-
cording to Mclhaine. scwral s[>c(i(js are edible when young, but the beginner will
not be attracted b\- them.

^:

Fi(;lkk 95. Box is 1 a imi.a

KEY TO TlIK (JEXEUA

1. Receptacle cap-like

a. Stalk with a net-like ajjpendage below the cap Dictyophora

b. Stalk witliout a net-like appendage Ithyphallus

2. Receptacle not cap-like, much like tlie stalk but red Mutinus

rag.:-

132
133

DTCTYOrilOrvA

Receptacle cap-like, stalked, the latter with a volva-like cup at the base. The
genus is distinguished from 1 t li y j) h a 1 1 u s by tlie appendage or veil, which is
hidden under the cap in the secontl species. Both species are said to be edible when
young. Tlie name refers to the presence of the net.

132

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Key to the Species

1. Net large, perforated

2. Net small, not perforated, concealed beneath the cap

D. duplicdta
D. ravetielii

Dictyophora duplicata Net Stem

Receptacle 3-5 cm. tall, conic to bell-shaped, more or less netted, with
a thick white, 3-5-divided volva at the base of the stem, the latter more or less

cylindric, 12-20 cm. tall, spongy, with a netted
perforate veil or appendage which hangs down
as far as the volva, white ; spores elliptic,
4 X 2/x. The name refers to the presence of
the veil.

On the ground in woods and clearings,
summer and autumn; edible when very young.

Dictyophora ravenelii

Receptacle 2-4 cm. tall, conic to
bell-shaped, smooth, with a pinkish 2-3-divid-
ed volva at the base of the stem, the latter
cylindric. 10-15 cm., white, spongy, the veil
hidden beneath the cap ; spores elliptic,
4 X 2/x. Named for the botanist, Ravenel.

On the ground, summer and autumn ;
edible when young.

ITIIYPHALLUS

A

Distinguished from Dictyophora
by the entire absence of a veil, but similar to
it in practically all other respects.

Ithyphallus impudicus
Stink-horn Fungus

Figure 96. Dictyophora ravexelii Receptacle 4-5 cm. tall, conic to

bell-shaped, more or less netted and pitted ;
stem cylindric, spongy, 12-20 cm. tall, volva pinkish, globose, 2-3-divided;
spores elliptic, 4 X ^P-

On the ground, woodland, grassland, yards, etc., summer and autumn; edible
when young.

BIRD'S NEST FUNGI

133

MUTINUS

Distiii;j;uishccl by the receptacle seeming hut u cuiilinuulion nt" the stem, and
hence not cap-like. The stem also lacks a veil.

Mutinus caninus

Receptacle 2-3 cm. talh wrinkled, red; stem cylindric, tapering, white
or reddish, 7-10 cm. ; v o 1 v a more or less sheathing, torn at the. top ; spores ellip-
tic, 6 X "^Z^-

l''i(;UKE 97. Ithvphallus impudicls

( )ii ihe ground in woodland and clearings, smnmer and autumn ; edible when
young, i. e.. in the "egg" stage.

BIRD'S NEST FUNGI NIDULARIACEAE

Cup-shaped fungi at first covered by a membrane, which ruptures, disclosing
the small seed-like spore-bearing bodies. Small fungi of clustered habit; not edible
owang to the leathery texture.

134

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

KEY TO THE GENERA

1. Cup inverted conic. 10-16 mm. tall

2. Cup cup-shaped, 5-8 mm. tall

Cyathus
Crucibulum

Page

134

135

Figure 98. Mutixus caxixus

CYATHUS

Readily distinguished from Crucibulum by microscopic characters of the
wall and sporangiole, but to be told by the beginner chiefly through its form and
size. The name means cup-like.

Key to the Species

1.
1

Margin of the cup grooved or striate
Margin of cup not striate

C. slriatiis
C. verrucosus

Figure 99. Cyathus vernicosus

SADDLE FUNGI 135

Cyathus striatus Grooved Cyathus

Cup 10-16 mm. tall, 810 miii. wide, outside yellowish to rust-colored, smooth
or hairy, inside grooved at margin, lead-colored, shining, inverted conic; spore-
1) d i e s white; spores elliptic, clear, 1 7-18 X '-^-1 '/'■ 'he name refers to the
grooved margin. ■

On decaying wood, straw, etc., and du the ground, everywhere; not edible.

I

Cyathus vernicosus Shining Cyathus

Cap 10-15 mm. tall, 8-10 mm. wide, outside grayish, yellowish or brownish,
hairy or smooth, inside smooth, shining, leaden or brown, inverted conic; spore-
bodies gray ; spores clear, ovoid, 12-14 X (>-8fx. The name refers to the polished
inner surface.

Common on wood and ground, everywhere ; not edible.

CllUCIBULUM

Distinguished by the smaller size, bell-shape, and the bright yellow hairy mem-
brane and coating when young. The name refers to the cuj)-like form.

Crucibulum vulgare Common Crucibulum

Cup 5-8 cm. tall, 6-7 cm. wide, yellow^ to rust-colored, hairy or smooth, yel-
lowish and shining within, bell-shaped; spore-bodies white; spores elliptic,
clear, 8-9 X 4-5/u.. The name refers to the frequence.

Common on wood, stems, etc. ; not edible.

SADDLE FUNGI HELVELLACEAE

Distinguished from all the preceding families by the presence of sacs or
asci in which the spores are borne. The forms are all stemmed and some resemble
the club-shaped Clavarias more or less closely. .Vs a rule the spore-bearing part,
which is a more or less modified cup, is ridged, saddle-like or head-like, and distinct
from the stem. In the one genus where this is not the case, the black color is
distinctive. As a rule, the genera of this family are edible.

KFA' TO THE GENERA

Page

1, Plant club-shaped, black; stem and cup not distinct Gleoglossum 136

2. Plant with the cap and stem clearly distinct

a. Cap usually united with stem, ridged in both direc-

tions Morchella 136

b. Cap free from stem, or at least not ridged if united

with it
(1) Cap free from stem, rarely ribbed lengthwise

(a) Cap saddle-like, more or less lobed Helvella 139

(b) Cap globose, more or less folded Gyromitra 141

136

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

(c) Cap more or less conic or bell-shaped,
smooth or ridged
(2) Cap distinct from the stem, but united with it,
head-like or crest-like

(a) Cap head-like
X. Cap gelatinous

y. Cap fleshy or waxy

(b) Caj) rhib-shaped or wedge-shaped

Verpa

Page

138

Leotia

142

Cudonia

143

Spathularia

144

Figure 100. Geoglossum hirsutum

GEOGLOSSUM

Geoglossum hirsutum Black Tongue

Cap 2-3 cm. tall. 1-2 cm. wide, black, more or less wrinkled, hairy, club-
shaped; stem 6-8 cm., cylindric, black, solid, hairy; spores brown, very long,
many-celled, 100-120 )< 4-7/^.

On the ground : not edible.

MORCIIELLA

The cap is more or less deeply ridged crosswise and lengthwise, and is joined
firmly to the stem at the base as a rule. The plants are fleshy, of a delightful odor,
and the choicest of all mushrooms. The name is the classic name of the morel.

SADDLE FUNGI

Key to the Species

liase of cap united with stem
a. Ridges acute at edge
1). Ridges obtuse at edge

Base of cap not united with stem

.1/. aassipcs
M . esculciita
.]/. Ii\briila

13;

Morchella crassipes Broadstem Morel

Cap 4-10 cm. tall, 3-6 cm. wide at l)asc, tan to tan-ljrown, pits deep, the ribs
wavy and irregular, with an acute edge, more or less conic; stem 3-12 cm. by 2-6
cm., white or whitish, more or less furrowed and roughened, hollow; spores clear,
elliptic, smooth, 20-22 X 10-1 2/x. The name refers to the broad stem.

On the ground in woods or openings; delicious.

Figure 101. Morchella crassipes

Morchella esculenta Common Morel

Cap 3-7 cm. tall, 2-4 cm. wide, yellowdsh brown to brown, pits more or less
deep, ribs often very regular, with a blunt edge, more or less conical; stem 2-6
cm. by 1-2 cm., white, smooth or somewhat grainy, hollow; spores clear, smooth,
elliptic, 14-22 X 8-14/a. The name refers to the fame of the plant as an edible
fungus.

Common on the ground in woods and openings; one of the most delicious of
all the mushrooms.

138

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Morchella hybrida Cap morel

Cap 2-3 cm. tall. 2-4 cm. wide, tan or brownish, free from the stem except
at top, the ribs mostly longitudinal, making long pits or grooves, pointed bell-shaped
or broadly conic; stem 3-10 cm. by 2-3 cm., white or whitish, grainy, bulbous at
the base, hollow; spores clear, elliptic, smooth, 18-20 X lO-14/i. The name refers
to the resemblance to V e r p a. This species belongs almost equallv well in V e r p a.

On ground in woodland or grassland : delicious.

Figure 102. Morchella esculexta

'S'ERPA

The cap is smootli or ridged longitudinally, and is free from the stem except
at the apex. This genus is very closeh^ related to Morchella, and one species,
Morchella li y b r i d a. belongs equally well in V e r p a. where the beginner will
probably seek it. This genus is of almost as great value as Morchella.

Key to the Species
Cap ribbed
Cap smooth

a. Stem 2-5 cm. tall, yellowish or yellow

b. Stem 5-10 cm. tall, more or less darkish or brownish

V. h oh c mica

V. conica

V. digitalifonnis

SADDLE FUNGI
Verpa bohemica Ribbed Verpa

Cap 2-4 cm. tall, 1-3 cm. wide,
brownish to brown, ribbed lengthwise,
with few or no cross ribs, bcllsluipcd
or blunt conic; stem 4-7 cm. by 1-
1^ cm., white, smooth, tuftcd-hairy.
stuffed or hollow ; spores clear, el-
liptic, smooth, two in an ascus, 40-60
X 16-18/t. The name is geographical.

On moist ground in woodland
and grassland; delicious.

Verpa conica Smooth Verpa

Cap 3^-2 cm. wide, Yj-IYz cm.
tall, brownish or brown, smooth or
slightly wrinkled, not ribbed, 1)l'11
shaped, rarely conic; stem 2-6 cni.
by 3-8 mm., white, smooth or
wrinkled, sonicwliat tuftcd-hairy. hol-
low ; s])ores clear, smooth, elliptic,

20-22 X 10-14/x.

The name refers

to the shape of

the cap.

On moist

grounds in woods

and thickets ;

delicious.

i3'J

FiGLKK 103. MORCHELLA HVliRlDA

Verpa digitaliformis Finger Verpa

Cap 1-2 cm. tall and wide, brown or dark brown, smooth,
hell-shaped; stem 4-10 cm. by 1-2 cm., yellowish-brown or dark-
ish when mature, smooth, hollow ; spores clear, elliptic, smooth,
24 X 12/x. The name refers to the long finger-like stem.

On the ground in woods ; delicious.

Fkjure 104.

IIELVELLA

The cap is free from the stem as in V e r p a, but it is saddle-
shaped and more or less lobed, in place of bell-shaped or conic.
The stem is often ribbed. In G y r o m i t r a, the cap loses the
saddle shape, and is more or less swollen and folded. The species
are found on the ground. They are all edible so far as tested.

Verpa bohemica The name refers to the esculent properties.

140

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

^V

it'

•

i'

tt

\

Figure 105. Verpa coxica

Key to the Species

1. Stem ribbed or grooved

a. Stem slender, gray to black; cap little wrinkled, dark

H. lacunosa

b. Stem stout, white or whitish ; cap much wrinkled, white

H. crispa

2. Stem smooth, elastic H. clastica

Helvella lacunosa Dark Helvella

Cap 2-4 cm. wide. 1-3 cm. tall, dark gray to blackish or
almost black, with a few wrinkles at the center, saddle-shaped.
3-4-lobed; stem 3-6 cm. by 7-15 mm., gray to black, promi-
nently ribbed and grooved lengthwise, hollow ; spores clear,
elliptic, smooth, 16-18 X 9-12/t. The name refers to the
grooved stem.

On the ground in woods ; edible.

Figure 106.
Verpa digitaliformis

Helvella crispa White Helvella

Cap 3-6 cm. wide, 2-4 cm. tall, white or whitish, much
wrinkled, especially toward the middle, margin more or less
torn, irregular, hardly saddle-shaped ; stem 6-8 cm. by 2-3
cm., white or whitish, to grayish, deeply ribbed and hollowed,
hollow; spores clear, elliptic, smooth, 10-16 X 8-10/x. The
name refers to the curled cap.

On the ground in woods ; edible.

SADDLE FUNGI

141

Figure 107. IIelvella lacunosa

Helvella elastica
Tough Helvella

Cap 1-4 cm. witU' and lii,ij;li.
grayish to brownish or l)lark.isli. not
wrinkled, usually two-lobed and
saddle-shaped, but often irregular ;
stem 3-6 cm. b\' 4 (> mm., whitish
or grayish, not ribbed, slender,
tough, hollow ; spores clear, el-
liptic, smooth. 16-20 X 10-12/x. The
name refers to the elastic stem.

Common on the ground in
woods, usually in troops ; edible, but
the stems should be removed, or
cooked separately for a longer time.

GYROMITUA

Much like Helve 1 1 a, but
the cap more irregular, scarcely
saddle-shaped, more or less inflated
and folded, and the edge united in
places with the stem. One species
of the genus, (i. in f u 1 a. has been
placed in both genera. (} y r m i-
tra csculcnta is reputed to

Figure 108. Helvella crispa

142

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

disagree seriously with some people ;
Mcllvaine has found it enjoyable,
however. The name refers to the
folded cap.

Gyromitra infula

Cap 4-10 cm. wide and high,
yellow brown to dark brown or chest-
nut, occasionally saddle-shaped, but
usually irregular, much folded and
swollen, with the edge attached to the
stem; stem 3-7 cm. by 1-3 cm., yel-
lowish or pinkish, hairy at base, hol-
low ; spores clear, elliptic, smooth,

18-24 X S-12 fi. The name refers to

the folded cap.

On the ground in woods; edible. This species grades on one hand into G.
brunnea (Figure 111) and on the other into G. e s c u 1 e n t a, in such fashion
that it is almost impossible for the beginner to distinguish them.

LEOTIA

Distinguished by the gelatinous, yellowish or greenish head-like cap. The latter
is broader than the stem and distinct from it. but is united to it around the edge.
The name refers to the smooth cap.

Figure 109. Helvella elastic a

Figure 110. Gyromitra ixrur-A

SADDLE FUNGI

143

Leotia lubrica

Cap 5-15 mm..
wide, 5-10 mm. tall.
yellow to yellowish
green or dark ^reen,
smooth but often fold-
ed and wavy at the
margin, gelatinous, in-
flated, hemis])heric ;
stem 1-6 cm. by 3-8
mm., yellowish to
greenish, powdered,
hollow ; spores clear
or greenish, oblong, 2-
4-celled, 18-22 X 4-5/^.
The name refers to the
slimy texture.

On the ground in
woods, often on sandy
soil ; not tested.

CUDONIA

Resembling L e-
o t i a, but the cap
fleshy, with the margin
free from the stem but rolled inward
refers to the head-like cap.

1 ..'

y t^ ' '^ •;

*

t

Figure HI. Gvromitra brunnea

The cap is more or less globose. The name

1

J

Figure 112. Leotia lubrica

Cudonia circinans

Cap 5-20 mm. wide, tan or yel-
lowish, fleshy, sticky when wet, con-
vex above, somewhat wavy, the mar-
gin not united with tlie stem, turned
in, not loose, flattened-globose ;
stem 2-5 cm. by 4-7 mm., like the
cap in color but usually darker, pow-
dered, hollow or solid ; spores
clear, linear, many-celled, 35-50 X 2/x.
The name refers to the incurved mar-
gin.

On the ground in woods, usually
in clusters or troops ; too small to be
of importance, but doubtless edible.

144

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Figure 113. Cudoxia circixans

SPATHULARIA

Distinguished from L e o t i a and C u-
(Ionia by the spatula-like cap, which ex-
tends down the two sides of the stem. The
name refers to the shape of the plant.

Spathularia clavata

Cap 2-4 cm. tall by 1-3 cm. wide, yel-
low or yellowish, more or less fleshy, wavy at
the margin, the surface somewhat wrinkled,
the cap much flattened and extending down
the opposite sides of the stem ; spores clear,
linear, grouped, 60-70 X 2-3/x. The name re-
fers to the form.

On the ground in woods, usually in
groups ; edible.

CUP FUNGI PEZIZACEAE

Distinguished by the cup-shaped or saucer-shaped cap from the preceding
family, with which it agrees in having the spores borne in sacs. The family is a
large one, but relatively few genera have species of sufiicient size to make them
readily observed. Most of the large forms, if not all of tliem, arc- edible, but tliey are
scarcely large enough to be of importance.

KEY TO THE GENERA

Sarcoscypha
Urnula

Acetabula

1. Cup with a distinct stem

a. On wood

( 1 ) Cup bright-colored, red

(2) Cup dark, dark brown to black

b. r)n the ground

( 1 ) Stem stout, grooved

(2) Stem slender, not grooved

(a) Cups usually several or many from a black

sclerotium Sclerotinia

fb) Cups single, without a sclert)tium Macropodia

2. Cup without a distinct stem

a. Cup large, smooth or roughened, brown to orange Peziza

b. Cup small, hairy, gray or red Lachnea

Page

146

147
147

148
149

CUP FUNGI

145

SARCOSCYPHA
Key to the Species

1. Cup 2-4 cm., not shaggy

S. cocci Ilea

2. Cup 4-10 mm., shaggy

S. floccosa

mS^

Sarcoscypha coccinea Red Cup

Cup 2-4 cm. wide, the disk scar-
let, the outside with a white down,
more or less cup-shaped or irregular ;
stem short, 12-25 mm., rarely lack-
ing, white-downy ; spores ellipsoid,
24-30 X ^O/x. The name refers to th'.-
scarlet fruiting disk.

On decaying twigs and branches,
in woodland, March to June; edible.

Sarcoscypha floccosa
Fringe Cup

'•*>

Figure 114. Spathularia clavata

f.:--*S

C u p 4-10 mm. wide, disk scarlet, outside densely covered with long white hairs

forming a fringe at the margin,
Avhich is more or less incurved,
goblet-shaped, tapering down-
ward into the slender white hairy
stem ; s t e m 1-3 cm. by 2-3 nun. ;
spores clear, elliptic, 20 X
1 1 fi. The name refers to the
shaggy fringed cup.

On decaying twigs, rarely on
the ground, from spring to au-
tumn ; probably edible but too
small to be important.

URXULA

Urnula craterium
Black Urn

Cup 3-7 cm. wide, dark
brown to black, scaly or hairy
on the outside, the margin torn
and lobed. more or less incurved,
irregularly hemispheric to urn-

FiGURE 115. Sarcoscypha coccinea

146

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Figure 116. -Urxula craterium

shaped ; stem stout, 1-5 cm. l)v 4-8 cm., black, hairy, more or less grooved ; spores
clear, oblong, 25-30 X 10-12/x. The name refers to the shape of the cup.

ACETABULA
Acetabula vulgaris

C u p 2-5 cm. wide, 2-4 cm. high, disk dark brown, paler brown outside and
more or less scaly or scurfy, roughened by the ridges, cup-shaped, somewhat torn or
lobed at the margin; stem 1-2 cm. tall and thick, pale l)ro\vn. ribbed lengthwise,

Figure 117. Acetabula vulgaris

CUP FUNGI

147

Figure 118. Sclkrotixia tuberosa

the ribs often uniting, running some distance up the cup ; spores clear, ellipsoid.
12-15 X 9-10/i. The name refers to the occurrence.

On the ground in woods, the stem often buried :
said to be edible.

SCLEROTINIA
Sclerotinia tuberosa

Cup 1-2 cm. wide, tan or yellow-brown, smooth.
cup-shaped or funnel-shaped, then plane ; stems aris-
ing from a black mass or sclerotium, 1-3 cm. wide.
2-5 cm. by 1-2 mm., brown, smooth, flexuous ; s p o r e s
clear, elliptic, 11-15 X 5-6;U,. The name refers to the
black sclerotium from which the cups spring.

Usually in dense clusters on the ground in moist
woods ; not tested.

MACROrODIA

Macropodia macropus

Cup 1-3 cm. wide, disk even, grayish-brown to
brown, outside somewhat lighter, scurfy with small ir-
regular masses, cup-shaped, then more or less ex-
panded, but the margin erect, rarely if ever drooping ;
stem 2-5 cm. tall, gray to grayish brown, cylindric
or somewhat broader above, scurfv. even, elastic, solid ;

Figure 119.
Macropodia macropus

148

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

spores clear, elliptic, then fusiform, -warted when mature, with one or two large
oil-drops, 18-30 X 8-lOyu. The name refers to the large stem.

On the ground in shady woods, June to September; probably edible.

TEZIZA

Key to the Species

Cup bright orange
Cup yellowish to brown

On wood

On the ground

( 1 ) Light brown, outside coarsely granular

(2) Deep brown, outside fiinely granular or smooth

P. aiirantia

P. repanda

P. vesiculosa

P. badia

Figure 120. Peziza repanda

Peziza aurantia Orange Cup

Cup 1-5 cm. wide, bright orange, the outside powdery, pinkish or whitish, cup-
shaped, then saucer-shaped and irregular, stemless or nearly so ; spores clear,
elliptic, strongly netted, 15-18 X 8-9)U.. The name refers to the color.

Common in the woods and along roadsides in the fall ; edible.

Peziza repanda Disk Cup

Cup 5-10 cm. wide, disk pale brown, darker when old. paler and powdery out-
side, cup-shaped, then saucer-shaped and finally plane, margin more or less split and
wavy, with a short grooved stem-like base; spores clear, elliptic. 14-18 X 8-9/x.
The name refers to the flattened cup.

On wood, common ; not tested.

CUP FUNGI

149

Peziza vesiculosa Bubble Cup

Cup 2-7 cm. witlc, disk light brown or ycliow-brown, more or less wrinkled,
outside yellowish or brownish, with coarse granules, forming scales or bubbles,
margin incurved, cup-shaped, more or less irregular, slemless; spores clear, ellip-
tic, 18-20 X 12/x. The name refers to tlie bubbled cup.

Clustered, on the ground in woodland or grassland ; edible.

Peziza badia Bay Cup

Cup 1-4 cm. wide, disk dark brown, outside paler Ijrown, powdery, margin
slightly toothed or entire, incurved, cup-shaped or somewdiat flattened and irregular;
stemless or with a small stem-like base; spores clear, elliptic, 14-18 X 8-9/t. The
name refers to the color of the disk.

On the ground in woodland and grassland ; edible.

LACHNEA

Key to the Species

Cup rcil, with brown bristles at the margin; on wood
Cup gray, the outside hairy; on the ground

L. scutellata

L. hcmlspJiacrica

Lachnea scutellata Red Disk

Cup 2-10 mm. wide, scarlet to vermilion-red, margin with long brown bristles
forming a fringe, saucer-like or Hat, stemless; spores clear, elliptic, more or less
netted, 16-24 X 10-14/x. The name refers to the disk-like form.

Common on wet sticks and logs in damp or wet places, especially at the water's
edge ; too small to be im-
portant.

Lachnea hemisphaerica
Gray Cup

Cup 1-4 cm. wide, disk
bluish-white to gray, outside
brownish with bristles which
are somewdiat more prominent
at the margin, cup-shaped or
saucer-like ; s p o r e s clear, el-
liptic, rough, 18-25 X 10-14/v..
The name refers to the form.

Common on moist
ground or on much-decayed
wood ; not tested.

Figure 121. Lachnea hemisphaerica

I50

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Figure 122. Cordyceps militaris

BLACK FUNGI PYRENOAIYCETES

Three families of this order are
represented by forms sufficiently large
and common that the beginner should
know them, although none of them are
edible, Avith one exception. The spores
are borne in sacks, Avhich are found in
flask-shaped cellars or cavities. When
these are single, the fmigus is too small
to be seen by the beginner, but when
these cavities are grouped in masses, the
plant may attain a considerable size,
as in the following. The forms that
grow on wood are usually black, but a
few which have become parasites on
other fungi and on insect larvae are
bright-colored.

KEY TO THE GEXEUA

On living plants or insect lar\-ae

a. Parasitic on Lactarius

b. Parasitic on insect larvae

On trunks, and decaying wood, rarely on the ground

a. Plant club-shaped or cylindric

b. Plant more or less hemispheric

Hypomyces
Cordyceps

Xylaria
Daldinia

rage

150
150

151
151

HYPOMYCES

Hypomyces lactifluorum

Cellars or perithecia imbedded thickly in the orange surface of species of L a c-
t a r i u s which are so changed by the parasite that they fail to develop gills or
other features ; the reddish mouth of each cellar alone is visible ; spores spindle-
shaped, clear, rough, 12-celled, pointed at the ends, 30-38 X 6-8/1. The name re-
fers to the host.

Parasitic on species of Lactarius. the two fungi making an excellent com-
bination for the mushroom epicure.

CORDYCEPS

Cordyceps militaris

Cellars or perithecia embedded in an orange club-shaped stalked mass whicli
arises from the body of caterpillars, often more or less buried in the soil ; club

BLACK FUNGI

I SI

2-1 cm. l)y 5-7 mm.; stem 3-5 cm. by 3-5 mm.; spores very long and thread-
like, rnuilly brrakinti; to pieces. The cellars show as small warts. Not edible.

XVI.AUIA
Xylaria polymorpha

Plant club-shaped,
stalked, club 5-8 cm. by
2-3 cm., black without,
white within, dotted by
the cellars or perithecia;
stem 2-5 cm. by 5-10
mm., black, rooting;
spores brown to dark,
ovoid, 20-32 X 5-9/m. The
name refers to the many
forms.

Common on stumps
or the ground about
them; not tested.

Figure 123. Xylaria polymori'ha

DALDINIA

Daldinia concentrica

Figure 124. Daldinia concentrica

Plants head-like or hemispheric, 2-5 cm. wide, black, coal-like, with concentric
layers on the inside, each layer consisting of perithecia ; spores brownish, ellipsoid,
12-15 X 7-10/i. The name refers to the layers.

Common on dead branches, trunks, etc. ; not edible.

Use of Mushrooms

EDIBLE AND POISONOUS MUSHROOMS

In the preceding pages, 3]S mushrooms are described. Of this number, only
three are deadly poisonous ; a half dozen are violently emetic in their effect upon
>ome people, though harmless to others, and about the same number have such per-
sistently unpleasant odor or taste Ih.at they will be universally rejected, though none
of them are actually poisonous. Of the remainder, 230 species are edible; 50 are too
tough or too small to be of real value, and 15 are still to be tested thoroughly,
though it is probable that they are all edible. The deadlv poisonous mushrooms
are all species of A m a n i t a : A. p h a 1 1 o i d e s, A. v e r n a and A. m u s c a r i a
(figures 1, 2, 4). Each species contains a somewhat different poison, though they
all act as powerful and fatal depressants upon the heart action. The chief antidotes
are atropine and injections of salt solution. The effects of Amanita poisoning usually
do not appear for 9-12 hours, and at this time remedial measures are too often un-
availing. In consequence, every one who collects mushrooms for food should spare no
pains to avoid getting A m a n i t a into his basket. This means that he must learn
to recognize A m a n i t a under all conditions, and that as a further safeguard, he
must learn the edible genera and species just as he would learn so many flowers
or fruits. Mushrooms with white gills, a ring about the stem and a volva at
the base of the stem must always be avoided. \\'hen it shows these three fea-
tures, an Amanita can readily be distinguished from all other mushrooms. The
greatest danger occurs in the button stage, or in old age when the volva or ring has
more or less completely disappeared. Button Amanitas have been mistaken for puff-
balls, with fatal results, but this will never occur, if it is borne in mind tliat even
the button as usually found will show gills wlien cut open, a feature entirely lacking
in the puffball. Perhaps the safest plan is to avoid all mushroom buttons, unless
there is clear-cut evidence from their growth or the more mature plants alongside of
them that they are not Amanitas. In other words, mushroom buttons should even
less be taken on faith than the adult forms. As to the old forms, the best method
is to become so familiar with the marks of A m a n i t a, as shown in figures 1-3 that
they will be recognized under all conditions. While the deadly poisonous mushrooms
are few in species and in individuals, no chances whatever should be taken with
them. The opinion of one who does not know them definitely by their scientific
names is worse than worthless ; it is dangerous. The same statement applies to the
various rules-of-thumb for detecting poisonous forms. These would all be laughable,
if they did not often lead to fatal results. The change of color of the flesh, the
floating or sinking in water, the discoloration of a silver spoon and other supposed
tests are mere superstitions, unworthy of the slightest credence. Even the best
cookbooks are often dangerously misleading.

USE OF MUSHROOMS 153

A fi'w species, such as T, e [) i o t a m n r j; a n i and C 1 i 1 o c y b e i 1 1 u d e n s,
produce violent vomiting in some cases. The beginner must be on his guard for such
forms, until he has carefullv tried a small ])iccc on liimself to discover whether it
is harmful or harmless. These contain no (hadl\ poisonous substances, as does
Amanita, so that while they are jironipiiy rejccled by some stomachs, they are
innocuous or even delicious to others. Both of these species indicated above, togethei
with a few others, such as B o 1 e t u s 1 u r i d u s and (iyromitra esculenta
are readily distinguished, and the colUctor shonld early familiarize himself with their
earmarks. It is a safe ruU', however, for the beginner not to make a hearty meal
of any mushroom, until lie has tried it in a small (piantity, on account of the in-
dividual differences of i)eople. The majority of lieshy mushrooms, especially such
genera as C o p r i n u s, A g a r i c u s, L y c o p e r d o n, P 1 e u r o t u s, C o 1-
1 y b i a, and M o r c h e 1 1 a, are acceptable to all.

The amount of digestible nutriment in a niushr(joni is not great, on account of
the large proportion of water. This is even truer of a large number of our most
popular vegetables. In both cases, it is not the absolute amount of available nutri-
ment that counts, l)ut the part which the food plays in the dietary. In tlie ca.se of
mushrooms, their delicacy and rta\-or, the many ways in which they can be cooked,
the readiness with which they combine with other foods, and especiallv their ability
to replace tlu' meals in large measure give them a very high value. They bring to
the table what is in quality a luxury, but in cost one of the cheapest of all foods. It
is much to be hoped that a knowledge of mushrooms will become widespread, bring-
ing with it an increase in physiological efficiency and a decrease in the "cost of living."

COLLECTING MUSHROOMS

The first requisite in collecting is to avoid all Amanitas. The second is to select
only those individuals which are free from larvae or from decay of any sort. As a
rule, old, discolored or dry plants should be avoided, especially in the case of puff-
balls, but with those species which can be preserved by drying, a dried plant is
almost as good as a fresh one in many cases. The collecting basket should be provided
with fresh papers, or, better, with paper bags. By this means, the plants are kept
fresher and cleaner, and, e\en more important, the individuals of each species can
be kept together. This is a matter of considerable importance in cooking, since
different species require ditTerent treatment, or varying time. In many cases, it is
desirable to cut the stem close to the cap ; in some species, however, the stem is
equally good, and in others, it only requires longer cooking. The question of stems
is largely a personal one to l)e decided by the taste and experience of each person.
The essential thing is to cut the stem in such fashion that adhering dirt or other
material is left behind. After collecting, mushrooms if fresh can be kept for several
days on ice, but it is much better to use them at once.

In preparing mushrooms for cooking, they should be picked over, the stems
separated if need be, and thoroughly washed, usually in water that has been salted.
The further treatment varies more or less for the different kinds, and of course with

154 MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

the method of cooking to be employed. A few of the best recipes for cooking mush-
rooms in the various ways have been selected, and a short summary is also given of
the best ways for cooking the various forms.

RECIPES

SOUP.

1 quart mushrooms (any edible sort) 2 level tablespoons butter

3 pints water 1 dessertspoon salt

Vo pint milk 1 teaspoon pepper

1 tablespoon flour

Carefullv clean mushrooms. Put in a well-covered boiler with the water, and
boil slowly for one hour. Rub the whole through a colander. Reject that which does
not rub through readily. Add milk thickened with flour, butter, salt and pepper.
Bring to a boil. Serve. This makes two quarts of soup. McIlvaixe.

STEWED MUSHROOMS ON TOAST.

Cut the mushrooms — caps and stems — into pieces of equal size. Place in a
covered saucepan. To each pint add two level tablespoons of butter. Enough
water will have been retained by the gills after washing to make suflicient liquor.
Stew slowly twenty minutes ; season to taste with pepper and salt. Place upon toast.

TO STEW THE TOUGHER MUSHROOMS.
(Hydnaceae, Poh'poraceae, etc.)

Cut into small pieces of even size. Soak for half an hour in tepid water. Re-
move from water, but do not drain ; place in covered pan and sinmier for forty min-
utes. Add proper proportion of thickened milk or cream, butter, pepper, salt.

Those who like may add parsley or nutmeg, or beef gra^-y ; in fact, any flavoring.

McIlvaixe.
FRIED MUSHROOMS.
1 pint mushroom caps Yz teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons butter

Little milk or cream thickened with flour.

Place caps well drained and carefully seasoned in pan with the butter. Fry
slowly for ten minutes. Add cream or milk thickened with flour and serve on hot
toast. McIlvaixe.

TO FRY MUSHROOMS.

Lay them in a frying pan in which butter has been heated boiling hot. After
frying five minutes serve on a hot dish — pouring over them the sauce made by thick-
ening the butter with a little flour. This is as delicious as more elaborate ways of
cooking and retains the mushroom's distinctive flavor in full perfection.

McIlvaixe.

USE OF MUSHROOMS 155

To I'.itoii. A.w CM' I rxcrs.

Select those that arc spread open and keep the unopened for tlie otlier styles of
serving. Cm off the stems (lose to the toj.s. Haste well with melted imtter and
s})rinkle lightly with pcpiK-r and salt. Heat the hroiler very hot, lay the caps upon
it with the gills up and broil over a clear fire, turning tlie hroiler first on one side
and then on the other. As soon as tender, which will be in about five minutes, open
the broiler, remove the caps with care, and place on well-buttered slices of toast which
have l)een previously prepared. I'our over the whole a sauce made of drawn butter,
or hot water thickened with tlour to the consistency of cream. .McIi.v.aink.

r.AKKI> .MlSllltOOMS OF A.W CIl.l.KD KlXii.

Wash, place the caps in a tightly covered dish or pan after dipping them in
bread crumbs. Arrange in layers with a small piece of butter on each mushroom,
as well as the proper amount of j)epj)er and salt. Bake from twenty to fortv min-
utes as suits the consistency of the species. Serve on toast.

Cheese grated on each layer makes a desirable addition. Ml I i.v.vink.

15AKK1) MT'SIIROO.MS.

Arrange mushrooms in a baking dish with alternate layers of sliced onions.
seasoning each layer. Cover witli cracker crumbs; dot with butter. Pour over all
half a cup of water or milk and bake from twenty to forty minutes.

BENEDni-.

CKOQI'ETTES.

i ]iiiit well-cooked mushrooms of meaty pepper

species. (See "Patties") salt

2 hard boiled eggs 2 level tablespoons butter

1 sprig parsley 1 level tablespoon flour

Chop the mushrooms, ]iarsley and eggs together very fine, with pepper and salt
to taste. Mix flour with butter over the fire and when well blended add the first
mixture, mixing thoroughly. Set aside to cool. When cold, shape, dip in egg and
bread crumbs and fry in hot butter, oil or fat. McIlv.aine.

I'.VTTIES.

The mushrooms good for croquettes and patties are such as the puff-balls, Lac-
tarii, Gomphidius rhodoxanthus, Fistulina hepatica, Tricholoma personatum, and
many others of the meaty kinds.

Cut the mushrooms into small pieces and cook slowly until tender, adding but-
ter, pepper and salt. Let them cook until almost dry, then add cream or milk and
thickening. Fill pastry shells and serve. McIlvaixe.

156 MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

DEVILLED MUSHROOMS.

Prepare as for patties, adding the yolks of two hard boiled eggs to each pint
of meat, a pinch of red pepper and a little chopped parsley. Serve hot or cold in
halves of egg shells, nested among green. McIlvaixe.

SALADS.

Many species of fungi make good salads. The best of these are Russulae when
voung, fresh and firm, either sliced raw, or stewed and drained ; Tricholoma per-
sonatum, raw or stewed ; Clitopilus prmiulus, raw or stewed ; Coprinus comatus, C.
micaceus and C. atramentarius, raw ; Clavaria, fresh, yomig, brittle, either raw or
stewed ; Fistulina hepatica, raw ; any of the edible Polyporaceae or Hydnaceae, after
stewing; the pulf-balls, raw or stewed. Any favorite species wall make a salad.

After cooking, drain and cool. Mix with mayonnaise dressing, or make a
dressing to taste of oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. Serve on lettuce.

McIlvaixe.
FRESH MUSHROOM SAUCE.
2 tablespoons butter
2 cups fresh prepared mushrooms
salt and pepper

Put butter in graniteware or porcelain-lined saucepan. ^Mien hot add mush-
rooms, cover closely and cook briskly two or three minutes. Season to taste with
salt and pepper, and serve with broiled beefsteak, birds or sweetbreads.

Mrs. E. B. Ewixg.
TO DRY MUSHROOMS.

Take those neither very young nor very old. Remove the butts only. Then
slice, string or skewer the slices lightly, and expose to a current of warm dry air.
A warm oven with the door open is a good place. When quite dry and shrivelled,
pack in tins with spice at top and bottom. \\'hen wanted for use, soak the slices in
tepid water for some hours. Then cook. Hay.

TO CAN :mushrooms.

Peel, drv, wash thoroughly and boil in well-salted water until done. The shaggy
manes, inky caps, honey caps and morels, and nearly all others, require but little
cooking and a very little water. Amillaria, Collybia, Coprinus and Morchella seem
to keep much better than Agaricus and Hypholoma. The morels and puff-balls are
much better chopped fine with as little water as possible. Be sure to salt abundantly
and have boiling hot to seal. Benedict.

mushroom pickles.

One-half peck of either Agaricus campester, Lepiota procera, Hypholoma fas-
cicularis, H\q)holoma perplexum, Clitocybe multiceps, or Russula virescens. Select

USE OF MUSHROOMS - 157

sound specimens, cut olT ends ui stems (entire stems of Hypholoma fascicularis or
Lepiota procera) and rub the tops with flannel dipped in salt. I'lirow ihcm into
milk and water (one-fourth milk). Drain and put them into a stew pan. Sprinkle
the layers with salt — one-half gill to one-half peck mushrooms. Cover them close
and put over a gentle fire for five minutes to draw out the water. Then put them
on a coarse cloth and drain until cold (or put on mosquito netting in a colander).

To prepare a pickle for them: Take one-half gallon vinegar (if strong, dilute
with water), two ounces mace, one-fourth ounce cloves, one-half pound salt
(Worcester), one teaspoonful red pepper, one nutmeg cut in slices.

Put in a jar covered with a wet cloth and keep the clotli wet. Place over a very
slow fire, cook as long as the acid is prominent and no longer.

Take small wide-mouthed bottles, fill with the mushrooms, and pour on the
pickle until the bottle is filled. Tie down tight. (To slice a nutmeg, boil it in vinegar,
— slice while hot. Makes of salt vary in strength: the Worcester is a strong salt.)
N. B. When TT. fascicularis is used, wipe the tops with a wet cloth.

McIlvaine.

:mu.siikoom catsup.

Remove the butts. Sprinkle all with salt. Pile in a bowl. Let them remain so
for three days, stirring occasionally. Then squeeze out all the liquor. To each
gallon, add half an ounce each of cloves and mustard seed, crushed; one ounce each
of allspice, peppercorns and ginger. Heat slowly up to the boiling point in a covered
vessel. Set aside in a warm place for a fortnight. Then strain and bottle. If the
catsup shows signs of not keeping, add more salt and si)ire, heat and proceed as
before. H.w.

SPECIAI. UECIPES.

Boletus: Remove stems and tubes unless they are compact and young, or the dish
will be slimy from the tubes. Wipe the caps clean. Broil ; stew in little
w^ater ; bake in covered dish ; or fry,

Cantharellus cibarius : Cut mushrooms across and remove the stems. Fry after
dipping in egg and bread crumbs; stew slowly forty minutes, in covered sauce-
pan ; or roast.

Clavaria : Fry ; stew, covered with a little water for half an hour over a slow fire.

Clitocybe multiceps : Remove stems. Bake with cheese for half an hour, or fry.

Coprinus : Bake in slow heat in oven for twenty-five minutes, in a covered dish.
Stew slowly in covered dish for five to ten minutes.

Fistulina hepatica: This always has a slightly acid taste which is very acceptable
to most persons, but objectionable to a few. Slice as one would egg-plant and
fry. Cut across the grain and stew slowly in covered pan for twenty minutes.
Use in salad raw.

Hydnum: Use tender parts only of stems and caps of cap species, and soft fresh
parts of the maned species. Care must be taken to cook slowly and well. Stew
from thirty to forty minutes; croquettes or patties.

158 MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Hypholoma : These have a slightly bitter taste, of which most persons are fond ;

if it is objectionable, add a small amount of lemon juice or sherry. Stew; bake

thirty minutes.
Lactarius : The rich juices of these are best retained by baking. The species grow

hard and granular if cooked too rapidly. They are good also stewed.
Marasmius oreades: Remove stems; stew: fry; dry.
Morchella : Stew.
Pleurotus : Remove tough stem part, if any, and use only such parts as seem fresh

and tender. Cut across the grain into small pieces and stev/. Fry as oysters

are fried, after cutting into pieces the size of a medium oyster. Stew fifteen

minutes and bake with cheese, pouring liquor from stew over the dish.
Puff-balls: Yry as egg-plant after removing thin outer rind; stew; patties; salad.

Should be perfectly white inside ; any stains or yellow part should be removed,

otherwise they will be bitter.
Tricholoma personatum: Stew thirty minutes.

Glossary

acrid, sluiri). hilin.i;

adnate, with the iuU width of the gill idurhing the stem

adnexed, touching the stem with less than the full width

angular, w ith an irregular outline, with angles

appressed, llattciu'd to the surface

astringent, hitter, "luickeriiig"

basidium, the swollen tip of a thread, usually hearing four spores

bulbous, swollen, more or less bull)-like

cartilaginous, like cartilage, horny

cystidium, a larger spine-like or club-sliaiJed body among the basidia

decurrent, sloping down the stem

depressed, bent down

discrete, separating readily

excentric, out of the renter of the cap

farinaceous, resembling meal or tl(-ur

fibrillose, with little threads

floccose, cottonv. tufted

fusoid, shaped like a spindle

gelatinous, jelly-like

globoid, more or less like a globe, i. e., sj^herical

globose, shaped like a globe, spherical

guttate, containing a drop or bubble

heterogeneous, unlike it^ texture

homogeneous, like in texture

hymenium, spore-bearing surface, gills, pores, teeth, etc.

imbricated, arranged like tiles or shingles

inflated, swollen

labyrinthine, winding, like a labyrinth

linear, line-like

membranous, thin, jiapery

mycelium, the mass of white threads, usually hidden, from which the mushroom
grows

mycophagist, one who eats mushrooms

ocher, dull yellow, yellow tinged with brown

ovate, egg-shaped

ovoid, more or less egg-shaped

i6o MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

perennial, growing for several years

pungent, sharp, biting

sclerotium, a hard black mass of fungus threads

sinuate, with the gill notched where it joins the stem

striate, marked wdth streaks or lines

subglobose, more or less globe-like

superior, above the middle

trama, the middle layer of a gill

umbilicate, sunken, like a navel

umbo, a raised disk or boss

umbonate, with a disk or boss

veil, a membrane covering the gills or the cap

viscid, sticky, covered with glue

volva, a cup or sheath at the base of the stem

Index

Acetabula, 146

vulgaris, 146
Agaricaceae, 4
Agaricus, 73

campester, 74

haemorrhoidarius, 73

placomyces, 74

rodmani, 73
Amanita, 6

caesarea, g

frostiana, 10

muscaria, 11

phalloides, 8

rubescens, 9 ;

solitaria, 8
Amanitopsis, 11

vaginata, 11
Anellaria, 84

separata, 84
Armillaria, 17

mellea, 17
Ash Fomes, 94

Bay Cup, 149

Bear's Head, 106

Beefsteak Fungus, 92

Bell Anellaria, 84

Bell Cup, 31

Bell Panaeolus, 84

Birch Polyporus, 98

Bird's Nest Fungi, 133

Bitter Hypholoma, 77

Bitter Panus, 49

Black Boletus, 88

Black Fungi, 150

Black Hydnum, 105

Black Jelly, iig

Black Russula, 37

Black-spored Gill Fungi, 79

Blackstem, 46

Blackstem Polyporus, 96
Black Tongue, 136
Black Urn, 145
Blood Cap, 42
Blood Mushroom, 73
Blueflesh Boletus, 90
Bluehat, 19
Bolbitius, 68

boltoni, 68

fragilis, 68
Boletinus, 92

porosus, 93
Boletus, 87

bicolor, 91

cyanescens, 90

edulis, 89

felleus, 89

luridus, 88

luteus, 90

nigrellus, 88

pallidus, 91

scaber, 90

subluteus, 90

vermiculosus, 88

versipellis, 91
Boot Stem, 45
Bordered Geaster, 126
Bovista, 130

pila, 130

plumbea, 130
Bracket Lentinus, 48
Brickred Hypholoma, 77
Broad Gill, 27
Broadstem Morel, 137
Brown Bovista, 130
Brown Clitocybe, 25
Brown Craterellus, 114
Brown Daedalea, loi
Brown Hypholoma, 78
Brownie Cap, 68

l62

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Brown Lenzites, 50
Bubble Cup, 149
Bubble Top, 113
Buff Hydnum, 104
Buff Tremella, 120

Caesar's Mushroom, 9
Calvatia, 127

caelata, 128

cyathiformis, 128

gigantea, 127
Cantharellus, 43

aurantiacus, 43

cibarius, 43
Cap Morel, 138
Cap Stalk, 124
Carrion Fungi, 131
Carved Puffball, 128
Catastoma, 124

circumscissum, 124
Cinnamon Cortinarius, 70
Circle Gill, 103
Claudopus, 59

nidulans, 59

variabilis, 59
Clavariaceae, 108
Clavaria, no

coralloides, no

flava, no

formosa, no

inaequalis, 112

juncea, 113

ligula, 112

mucida, 113

pistillaris, 112

pyxidata, 112

stricta, 112
Clitocybe, 20

candicans, 23

cyathiformis, 24

fragrans, 23

dealbata, 23

gigantea, 22

illudens, 22

infundibuliformis, 24

laccata, 26

ochropurpurea, 24

maxima, 22

media, 25

monadelpha, 24

multiceps, 24

nebularis, 25

odora, 23

robusta, 23
Clitopilus, 56

abortivus, 57

caespitosus, 57

orcella, 57

prunulus, 58
Cluster Top, 57
Collar Earthstar, 125
Collybia, 26

confluens, 28

dryophila, 28

longipes, 27

platyphylla, 27

radicata, 27

velutipes, 28
Color Cap, 29
Common Crucibulum, 135
Common Morel, 137
Common Mushroom, 74
Cone Galera, 67
Coprinus, 79

atramentarius, 81

comatus, 80

fimetarius, 80

micaceus, 81
Coral Clavaria, no
Coral Fungi, 108
Coral Spatula, 122
Coral Thelephora, 116
Coral Tremella, 120
Cordyceps, 150

militaris, 150
Corticium, 117

incarnatum, 117
Cortinarius, 69

alboviolaceus, 70

autumnalis, 70

INDEX

i^M

cinnamomeus, 70

ochroleucus, 71

purpurascens, 6g

squamulosus, 70

violaceus, 69
Cowl Mycena, 29
Craterellus, 114

cantharellus, 114

cornucopioides, 114

dubius, 114
Crepidotus, 71

mollis, 72

versutus, 71
Crested Lepiota, 16
Crucibulum, 135

vulgare, 135
Cudonia, 143

circinans, 143
Cultivated Mushroom, 74
Cup Fungi, 144
Cup Puffball, 128
Cuptip Clavaria, 112
Cup Top, 24
Cyathus, 134

striatus, 135

vernicosus, 135
Cyclomyces, 102

greenei, 103

Dacryomyces, 122

stillatus, 122
Daedalea, 100

confragosa, loi

quercina, loi

unicolor, 10 1
Daldinia, 151

concentrica, 151
Dark Helvella, 140
Dark Tricholoma, 20
Dark Volvaria, 52
Deadly Amanita, 8
Death Cup, 8
Dictyophora, 131

duplicata, 132

ravenelii, 132

Disk Cup, 148

Disk Volvaria, 53

Dingy Russula, 37

Double Ring Mushroom, 73

Downy Lactarius, 39

Dryad Cap, 66

Dwarf Top, 57

Early Pholiota, 61
Earth Cap, 19
Eccilia, 58

carneo-grisea, 58
Edible Boletus, 89
Elm Cap, 33
Entoloma, 55

clypeatum, 56

grande. 55

graveolens, 56

rhodopolium, 56
Exidia, 119

glandulosa, 119

Fan Tuft, 97
Fairy Pluteus, 54
Fairy-ring Mushroom, 46
Favolus, 100

canadensis, 100
Fawn Pluteus, 54
Fetid Entoloma, 56
Fetid Hebeloma, 64
Fetid Russula, 36
Finger Verpa, 139
Fistulina, 92

hepatica, 92
Flammula, 64

alnicola, 65

flavida, 65

sapinea, 65
Fly Cap. II
Fomes, 93

applanatus, 93

fraxinophilus, 94

igniarius, 95

pinicola, 94

volvatus, 93

1 64

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Fork Gill, 51
Fragile Bolbitius, 68
Fragrant Clitocybe, 23
Fringe Cup, 145
Fringed Polyporus, 96
Frost's Amanita, 10
Funnel Top, 24
Funnel Tuft, 97

Galera, 66

flava, 68

lateritia, 67

tenera, 68
Gall Boletus, 89
Geaster, 124

hygrometricus, 125

limbatus, 126

striatus, 126

triplex, 125
Gem Puffball, 129
Geoglossum, 136

hirsutum, 136
Giant Clitocybe, 22
Giant Puffball, 127
Gill Fungi, 4
Globe Panaeolus, 84
Golden Flame, 65
Golden Flow, 39
Golden Russula, 36
Gomphidius, 85

viscidus, 85
Grainy Lepiota, 16
Grainy Pluteus, 54
Gray Clitocybe, 25
Gray Crepidotus, 72
Gray Cup, 149
Great Clitocybe, 22
Green Clitocybe, 23
Green Gill, 13
Green Russula, 38
Green Slimecap, 42
Green Stropharia, 76
Grooved Cyathus, 135
Guepinia, 122

spathulata, 122

Gyromitra, 141
infula, 142

Hairy Lentinus, 47
Hairy Panus, 49
Hairy Polystictus, 100
Hebeloma, 63

crustuliniforme, 63

fastibile, 64

glutinosum, 64
Hedgehog Mushroom, 106
Helvellaceae, 135
Helvella, 139

crispa, 140

elastica, 141

lacunosa, 140
Hemispheric Stropharia, 76
Hirneola, 118

auricula-judae, 119
Hollow Top, 58
Honey Cap, 17
Honeycomb Fungus, 100
Honey Top, 24
Horn-of-Plenty, 114
Hydnaceae, 103
Hydnum, 104

auriscalpium, 105

caput-medusae, 106

caput-ursi, 106

coralloides, 106

erinaceum, 106

imbricatum, 104

repandum, 104

zonatum, 105
Hygrophorus, 40

coccineus, 41

conicus, 42

eburneus, 41

erubescens, 41

miniatus, 42

pratensis, 42

psittacinus, 42

puniceus, 42
Hypholoma, 76

appendiculatum, 78

INDEX

165

candolleanum, 78

incertum, 78

perplexum, 77

sublateritium, 77
Hypomyces, 150

lactifluorum, 150
Inky Cap, 81
Inocybe, 63

geophylla, 63
Inverted Pleurotus, 34
Irpex, 107

carneus, 107

lacteus, 108
Ithyphallus, 132

impudicus, 132
Ivory Top, 23
Ivory Watercap, 41
Jelly Fungi, 117
Jelly Spine, 118
Jew's-ear, 119
Lachnea, 149

hemisphaerica, 149

scutellata, 149
Lactarius, 38

chrysorrheus, 39

deliciosus, 38

hysginus, 40

insulsus, 39

piperatus, 40

vellereus, 39

volemus, 40

torminosus, 39
Lame Foot, 59
Large Entoloma, 55
Large Tricholoma, 18
Lead Bovista, 130
Leaf Coral, no
Leafy Tremella, 121
Leather Fungi, 113
Lentinus, 47

lecomtei, 47

lepideus, 48

tigrinus, 47

vulpinus, 48
Lenzites, 49

betulina, 50
sepiaria, 50

Leotia, 142

lubrica, 143

Lepiota, 12

acutesquamosa, 15
americana, 15
cepaestipes, 14
cristata, 16
farinosa, 14
granulosa, 16
morgani, 13
, procera, 13
naucina, 14

Leucosporae, 5

Long Stem, 27

Lurid Boletus, 88

Lycoperdaceae, 123

Lycoperdon, 128

gemmatum, 129
pulcherrimum, 128
pyriforme, 129

Macropodia, 147

macropus, 147
Marasmius, 44

cohaerens, 45

nigripes, 46

oreades, 46

peronatus, 45

rotula, 46

siccus, 47

urens, 44
Mealy Inkcap, 80
Mealy Lepiota, 14
Medusa Head, 106
Melanosporae, 79
Mica Inkcap, 81
Morchella, 136

crassipes, 137

esculenta, 137

hybrida, 138
Mutinus, 133

caninus, 133
Mycena, 28

1 66

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

alcalina, 29
galericulata, 29
prolifera, 30
pura, 29
vulgaris, 30

Nailstem Panaeolus, 83

Naucoria, 65

hamadryas, 66
pediades, 66
semiorbicularis, 66

Nest Cap, 59

Net Cap, 64

Netcap Panaeolus, 83

Net Stem, 132

Nidulariaceae, 133

Nutshell Cap, 66

Oak Collybia, 28
Oak Daedalea, loi
Ocher-spored Gill Fungi, 59
Ochrosporae, 59
Omphalia, 30

campanella, 31

umbellifera, 31
Onion Stem, 14
Orange Chanterelle, 43
Orange Cone, 22
Orange Cup, 148
Orange Flow, 38
Orange Lactarius, 40
Orange Polyporus, 98
Orange-red Boletus, 91
Orange Tear, 122
Orange Tremella, 121
Orcelle, 57
Oyster Cap, 34

Pale Boletus, 91
Pale Lenzites, 50
Panaeolus, 82

campanulatus, 84

epimyces, 83

papilionaceus, 84

retirugis, 83

solidipes, 83
Panus, 49

conchatus, 49

strigosus, 49

stypticus, 49
Paper Polystictus, 99
Parasitic Panaeolus, 83
Parasitic Tremella, 122
Parasol Mushroom, 13
Paxillus, 72

involutus, 72
Pepper Cap, 40
Petal Cap, 34
Pezizaceae, 144
Peziza, 148

aurantia, 148

badia, 149

repanda, 148

vesiculosa, 149
Phallaceae, 131
Pholiota, 60

adiposa, 61

caperata, 61

praecox, 61

squarrosa, 61

subsquarrosa, 62
Physalacria, 113

inflata, 113
Fie Cap, 63
Pine Flame, 65
Pine Fomes, 94
Pinwheel, 47
Plain Naucoria, 66
Pleurotus, 31

applicatus, 34

ostreatus, 34

petaloides, 34

ulmarius, 33
Plum Top, 58
Pluteolus, 64

reticulatus, 64
Pluteus, 54

admirabilis, 54

cervinus, 54

granularis, 54

INDEX

167

Polyporaceae, 86
Polyporus, 95

adustus, 98

arcularius, 96

betulinus, 98

brumalis, 96

cinnabarinus, 98

frondosus, 97

gilvus, 98

picipes, 96

squamosus, 96

sulphureus, 97

umbellatus, 97
Polystictus, 99

hirsutus, 100

pergamenus, 99

versicolor, 99
Pore Cone, 86
Pore Fungi, 86
Porphyrosporae, 72
Psathyrella, 84

disseminata, 84
Puffballs, 123
Pungent Marasmius, 44
Punkwood Fomes, 95
Purple Gill, 69
Purple-spored Gill Fungi, 72
Purple Top, 24
Pyrenomycetes, 150

Rainbow Polystictus, 99
Red Cup, 145
Reddening Amanita, 9
Red Disk, 149
Reddish Irpex, 107
Reddish Lactarius, 40
Reddish Watercap, 41
Red Cone, 42
Red Flesh, 15
Red Russula, 36
Redtip Clavaria, no
Redyellow Boletus, 91
Rhodosporae, 51
Ribbed Russula, 37
Ribbed Verpa, 139

Roll Cap, 72
Roll Earthstar, 125
Root Stem, 27
Rose Cap, 26

Rose-spored Gill Fungi, 51
Rosy Corticium, 117
Rosy Entoloma, 56
Rosy Stem, 36
Roughstem Boletus, 90
Rush Clavaria, 113
Russula, 35

adusta, 37

aurata, 36

delica, 37

emetica, 36

foetens, 36

lutea, 37

nigricans, 37

pectinata, 37

roseipes, 36

rubra, 36

sordida, 37

virescens, 38
Rustbrown Polyporus, 98
Rusty Cortinarius, 70

Saddle Fungi, 135
Saffron Top, 22
Sarcoscypha, 145

coccinea, 145

floccosa, 145
Scallop Top, 20
Scaly Agaricus, 74
Scaly Boletus, 88
Scaly Cap, 15
Scaly Cortinarius, 70
Scaly Lentinus, 48
Scaly Pholiota, 62
Scaly Polyporus, 96
Scarlet Cap, 36
Scarlet Watercap, 47
Schizophyllum, 51

commune, 51
Sclerotinia, 147

tuberosa, 147

i68

MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS

Secotium, 123

acuminatum, 124
Shaggy Lactarius, 39
Shaggy Mane, 80
Shaggy PhoHota, 61
Shaggy Stereum, 117
Sheath Stem, 11
Shelf Fomes^ 93
Shell Panus, 49
Shield Entoloma, 56
Shining Cyathus, 135
Silky Cone, 63
Silky Volvaria, 52
Small Volvaria, 53
Smoky Polyporus, 98
Smoky Russula, 37
Smooth Lepiota, 14
Smooth Verpa, 139
Snowy Thelephora, 115
Soap Cap, 18
Solitary Amanita, 8
Somersault Cap, 124
Sparassis, 109

crispa, no
Spathularia, 144

clavata, 144
Spiny Lycoperdon, 128
Stalk Puft'ball, 126
Stereum, 116

hirsutum, 117

versicolor, 116
Sticky Gomphidius, 85
Sticky Hebeloma, 64
Sticky Pholiota, 61
Sticky Volvaria, 53
Sticky Tricholoma, 18
Stink-horn Fungus, 132
Stout Clitocybe, 23
Striate Geaster, 126
Strobilomyces, 86

strobilaceus, 86
Strong Mycena, 29
Stropharia, 74

aeruginosa, 76

semiglobata, 76

stercoraria, 76
Stump Puffball, 129
Sulphur Cap, 18
Sulphur Polyporus, 97

Tan Cortinarius, 71
Tasteless Lactarius, 39
Thelephoraceae, 113
Thelephora, 115
laciniata, 116
schweinitzii, 116
sowerbyi, 115
Tiger Cap, 47
Tiled Hydnum, 104
Tinted Cortinarius, 70
Tiny Clavaria, 113
Toothed Daedalea, loi
Tooth Coral, 106
Tooth Fungi, 103
Torn Thelephora, 116
Tough Helvella, 141
Tremellaceae, 117
Tremella, 119

frondosa, 121
fuciformis, 120
lutescens, 120
mesenterica, 121
mycetophila, 122
Tremellodon, 118

gelatinosus, 118
Tricholoma, 17
album, 19
grande, 18
melaleucum, 20
patulum, 20
personatum, 19
saponaceum, 18
sejunctum, 18
sulphureum, 18
terreum, 19
Tufted Mycena, 30
Tufted Top, 24
Tuft Marasmius, 45
Tuft Psathyrella, 84
Twin Stem, 28

INDEX

iGj

Tylostoma, 126

mammosum, 126

Umbel Cup, 31
Urnula, 145

craterium, 145

Veined Boletinus, 93
Velvet Stem, 28
Vermilion Watercap, 42
Verpa, 138

bohemica, 139

conica, 139

digitaliformis, 139
Violet Cortinarius, 69
Violet Hypholoma, 78
Volvaria, 52

bombycina, 52

parvula, 53

speciosa, 53

umbonata, 53

volvacea, 52
Volvate Fomes, 93

Water Top, 42
Wheel Cap, 46
White Clitocybe, 23
White Crepidotus, 71
White Helvella, 140

White Hypholoma, 78
White Irpex, 108
White Russula, 37
White-spored Gill Fungi, 5
White Tricholoma, 19
Winter Polyporus, 96
Wood Clavaria, 112

Xylaria, 151

polymorpha, 151

Yellow Bolbitius, 68
Yellow Boletus, 90
Yellow Chanterelle, 43
Yellow Clavaria, no
Yellow Club, 112
Yellow Craterellus, 114
Yellow Flame, 65
Yellow Galera, 68
Yellowish Boletus, 90
Yellow Pestle, 112
Yellow Pholiota, 61
Yellow Russula, 37
Yellow Stropharia, 76
Yellow Tuft, 112

Zoned Hydnum, 105
Zoned Stereum, 116

•/

NeM Tork tsoianicai i^arovn LiDrary

QK617.C56 gen

Clements, Frederic E/Minnesota mushrooms

3 5185 00063 8989