Leucosporae 



TKICHOLO'MA Fr. 



Gr. a hair, a fringe. 



Pileus symmetrical, generally fleshy, never truly umbilicate, seldom Tricholor 

 umbonate. Veil absent or appearing only as fibrils or down on the 



margin of the pileus. Gills sinuate 

 (the small sudden curve near the 

 stem always apparent in the young 



plant), sometimes with a slightly de- 

 current tooth. Stem central, usually 

 stout, fleshy-fibrous, without a bark- 

 like skin. Flesh continuous with 

 that of the pileus. Ring and Volva 

 absent. Spores white or dingy. 

 But one is known to be poisonous. 



Some are acrid or unpleasant in fla- 

 vor. With one exception all grow 

 on the ground in pastures and woods, 

 appearing from May to late in the 

 autumn. 



Gills generally white or dingy, fre- 

 quently spotted or stained. The pi- 

 leus may be smooth or adorned with 

 fibrous or downy scales, dry, moist, 

 viscid or water-soaked. 



The distinguishing feature of Tricholoma is the sinuate gills. 



XIX.) 



SECTION OF TRICHOLOMA. 



In 



Collybia the stem bears a distinct bark-like skin ; in Clitocybe the gills 

 are never sinuate ; species of Pleurotus are distinguished by growing on 

 wood only, and Paxillus by their strongly-incurved margin and anas- 

 tomosing gills. 



In cooking Tricholoma consistency must be the guide to plan and 

 time. The tougher varieties require to be cut into small pieces and to 

 be well cooked, while the brittle and delicate varieties will cook quickly. 

 Many of them make excellent soups. 



ANALYSIS OF TRIBES. 



A. PILEUS VISCID, FIBRILLOSE, SCALY OR DOWNY, NOT WATER-SOAKED. 

 Stem fibrillose from the remains of the adnate universal veil. 



59 



