108 



STUDIES OF AMERICAN FUNGI. 



end and tapering downward into the short stem in a wedge-shaped 



FIGURE 112. Pleurotus petaloides. Color pale reddish brown or brown, 

 sometimes entirely white; gills white (natural size). Copyright. 



manner, and varies from 2-10 cm. long and 1-5 cm. in breadth. It 

 grows on fallen branches or trunks, on stumps, and often apparently 



from the ground, 

 but in real ity 

 from under- 

 ground roots or 

 buried portionsof 

 decayed stumps, 

 etc. 



The pileus 

 varies from a 

 regular wedge- 

 shape to spathu- 

 late, or more or 

 less irregularly 

 petaloid, or 

 conchoid forms, 

 the extremes of 

 size and form be- 

 ing shown in 

 Figs. 112, 113. 

 The margin is at 

 first involute, 



FIGURE 113. Pleurotus petaloides. More irregular form than that 

 shown in figure 112; color same as there described (natural size). 

 Copyright. 



finally fully ex- 

 panded, and the upper surface is nearly plane or somewhat depressed, 

 The color is often a pale reddish brown, or brown, and sometimes 



