170 



AGARICACE^E 



Psalliota 



Chitonia agrees in structure with Amanitopsis, Volvaria and 

 Acetabular! a. Species 786 



786. C. rubriceps Sacc. (from the red pileus ; ruber, red, caput, the 

 head) a. 

 P. expanded, umbonate, smooth, even, brick-red. St. rooting, 

 dull pale reddish-ochreous, paler below. Vo. large, sheathing, 

 saccate, torn at edge. G. subcrowded, purplish-brown. 

 Soil in an aroid house. Dec. if x 3j X \ in. 



XXXIII. PSALLIOTA Quel. 

 (From the annulus ; Gr. psaliou, a ring.) 



Veil universal, concrete with the cuticle of the pileus and forming 

 an annulus on the stem. Hymenophore distinct from the fleshy 

 stem. Pileus fleshy. Stem central, fibrous-fleshy, annulate. Gills 



u.v-- 



Fig. 42. — Psalliota cai7ipcstris Quel. In section. Half natural size. 

 A, full grown example ; an, annulus ; uv, universal veil ; B, young example, 

 showing universal veil ; c, half-grown example, showing rupture of veil at *. 



free, at first whitish, then frequently salmon-colour, at length 

 deep purple-brown. Spores dark brownish-purple, brown or reddish- 

 purple. (Fig. 42.) 



All the species grow on the ground and are late aestival or 

 autumnal, rarely vernal ; they mostly grow in rich pastures and on 

 manured ground, sometimes in woods; a non-British species, 

 Agaricus geniculatus Briz., grows on wood. 



Several species are valued for their esculent qualities. 



Psalliota agrees in structure with Lepiota, Annular ia and Togaria. 



Species 787—800 



a. Edules. Larger, fleshy. Edible. 787 — 794 



b. Minores. Usually smaller, thinly fleshy. Not used as food. 



795—800 



