PLEUROTUS. 51 



Genus IX. PI^EUROTUS. Fr. 



This genus is very easily determined by the excentric, 

 lateral, and without a stem, but must have the characters of 

 an Agaricini and white spores. We have* many fungi that are 

 excentric, lateral and without a stem, such as many Polyporei. 



The Pleuroti are easily distinguished from the two preceding 

 genera by their mostly growing on wood. Our Pleuroti all 

 grow on wood, found indiginous thus far. 



Fries divides the Pleuroti unto three sections : First, the 

 excentric, where the stem is surrounded by the gills, but one 

 side shorter than the other, that is, the stem is not central. 

 Second, where there is a stem, but the gills and pileus are all 

 on one side. Third, Resupinati, without a stem, or only a 

 trace, with gills turned toward the light. 



P. sapidus. Kalch. Sapid Pleurotus. 



This is the most common Pleurotus growing in our country. 

 You will meet with it on all kinds of decaying logs ; willow 

 and oak seem to be preferred. 



Pileus, excentric, expanded, from white to smoky brown. 



Gills, broad, decurrent, white. 



Stem, firm, straight or curved, white or whitish. 



This is a variable species ; it deviates from the type in having 

 the spores turn slightly pinkish after being shed on white 

 paper, but on dark paper they are white. 



This is nearly alHed to the cosmopolitan Ostreatus, with which it is 

 confused. The color of spores is the principal diagnosis. The spores of 

 specimen are a light pink on white paper and white on dark paper, 

 whereas the Ostreatus is white on white and dark paper. There are a 

 variety of forms. Some have an entire margin white, others are beau- 

 tiful lobed. 



Specimen was procured from an old ^lanthus glandulosus stump. 



More abundant in the fall, but is also met early in June. Edible. 



