124 MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS 



Secotium acuminatum Cap Stalk 



Cap 3-6 cm. tall, 2-4 cm. wide, ovoid to more or less conic, tan to ocher, 

 scaly, more or less folded about the short stalk, where it opens; stem 1-2 cm. long, 

 more or less bulbous ; spores j-ellowish to olive, globose, smooth, 5-8/^. The name 

 refers to the conic cap. 



On the ground in grassland or woodland; suspected of being poisonous. 



CATASTOMA 



Cap globose to flattened, more or less imbedded in the soil, stemless. At 

 maturity the outer wall breaks around the middle, leaving the lower half in the 

 ground and the upper half clinging to the cap. The mouth is at the apex of the 



m 



Figure 88. Catastoma circumscissum 



inner wall, and is thus downward while the plant is in the original position. The 

 name refers to the habit of the plant by which the mouth becomes turned upward 

 at maturity. 



Catastoma circumscissum Somersault Cap 



Cap 1-2 cm. wide, globose, somewhat flattened, the inner wall whitish or 

 gray, finely scaly, with a small regular mouth; spores yellowish, globose, spiny or 

 warted, 4-Six. The name refers to the circular splitting of the outer wall. 



On the ground along paths, or in grassland ; edibility not tested. 



GEASTEU 



Cap more or less globose, with a leathery outer wall, which splits radiately, 

 forming a star-like base, upon which the inner wall sits. The mouth is definite, and 

 often beautifully folded or fringed. All our species are probably edible, if collected 

 when young. The name refers to the star-like base. 



