Clavariaceae 



North Carolina, Curtis; West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Sparassis. 

 Mcllvaine. 



Have seen it 2 ft. across. " Delicosissima." Fries. 



A perfect specimen of S. crispa resembles a huge rosette, round and 

 many-folded in tortuous design. The folds are wide, flattened branches 

 springing from a common base, thin, semi-transparent, not unlike damp 

 sheets of gelatine although thicker. Surfaces of the leaves are dull, like 

 the flattened seaweeds and the light-colored sea-rock mosses. S. crispa 

 may be easily dried, and though shrinking much in size, retains its 

 shape, forming a very pretty ornament for the desk of the mycologist. 

 It is not common. Where it has chosen a habitat several tufts may be 

 found during the moderate season. The writer found three specimens 

 ranging from 612 in. in diameter near Haddonfield, N. J., others, not 

 as large, in West Virginia and in Chester county, Pa. 



It has long been known as edible. It makes an ever-to-be-remem- 

 bered dish. 



CLAVA'KIA L. 



Clava, a club. 



Fleshy, branched or simple, somewhat round, without a distinct stem, ciavaria, 

 Hymenium continuous, dry, homogeneous. For the most part growing 

 mi ground. Fries. 



The members of this genus vary greatly in form, which in some is 

 that of a club growing singly or cespitose, while others present a more 

 or le^ bush-like appearance, being slightly or excessively branched. 



The color of the plant covers a wide range, as it may be white, red, 

 yellow, violet or their various shades, and to be in harmony the spores 

 do not confine themselves to one color, but are white, ochraceous or 

 cinnamon. In cases where the plant is not otherwise well defined the 

 spore colors will be found a valuable aid in placing it. 



ANALYSIS OF TRIBES. 



RAMARIA (ramtis, a branch). Page 514. 

 Branched, branches attenuated upward. 



A. SPORES WHITE OR PALLID. 

 * Plant, color bright, red, yellow or violet. 

 ** Plant white, gray or yellowish. 



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