GILL FUNGI 



45 



Marasmius peronatus Boot Stem 



C a |i small lo medium. ,5-S cm. wide, yellowish, tan or pale brownish red, smooth, 

 striate at the margin, convex to Hat; stem slender and tough, 5-8 cm. by 3-4 mm., 

 whitish or yellowish, wilh a downy eo\-ering which separates readily. den.sely yellow- 

 ish or white-woolly al tlu' base, stuffed, then hollow; gills adne.xed, then free, 

 pale to reddish ; s p o r e s o\-oid, 6-8 X -^-.V- Ihe name refers to the sheath-like 

 down at the base of the sti'in. 



Common on the ground in woods, June to frost: acrid, but highU' llavored and 

 delicious when cooked. 



Figure 25. Marasmius oreades 



Marasmius cohaerens Tuft Marasmius 



Cap small, 2-3 cm. wide, tan, yellow to reddish brown, smooth, striate when 

 moist, convex to plane or upturned; stem tall and slender, 10-20 cm. by 4-6 mm.. 

 colored like the cap, but shining, or paler, hollow, fastened together near the base 

 by threads ; gills adnate, more rarely free, tan to red-brown, with spindle-shaped, 

 yellow-brown spines, 60-90)ia ; spores elliptic, 6 X 3/i. The name refers to the 

 fused bases of the stems. 



On the ground among leaves and in much-decayed wood, late summer and au- 

 tumn. 



