128 



MINNESOTA MUSHROOMS 



Common among grasses or herbs, late summer and autumn; one of the best of 

 edible fungi. 



Calvatia caelata Carved Puffball 



Cap large, 8-20 cm. wide, whitish to yellowish and brownish, the outer wall 

 breaking into large areas or scales which are more or less persistent on the inner 

 wall, broadly top-shaped, with a stout stalk-like base ; spores olive-brown, globose,, 

 smooth, 4-5|u,. The name refers to the large scales and areas. 



On the ground in grassland, summer and autumn ; excellent. 



Calvatia cyathiformis Cup Puffball 



Cap large. 8-20 cm. wide, whitish to grayish or brownish, smooth or somewhat 

 scaly or cracked into areas, more or less globose, with a short thick base ; spores 

 purple-brown, globose, rough, S-lp.. The name refers to the sterile base, Avhich re- 

 mains as a cup-like stalk after the mass of spores has blown away. 



On the ground in grassland, summer and autumn ; excellent. 



LYCOPERDOX 



Cap with a stem-like base, a scaly or spiny outer wall, and a distinct mouth. 

 It is separated by the base from B o v i s t a, and by the definite mouth from Cal- 

 vatia. The species are common, usually on ground in woodland, sometimes on 

 wood itself. They are edible when young, so far as is known. The name refers to 

 the mass of spores. 



Key to the Species 



1. Outer wall of very long white spines 



2. Outer wall of small short spines, or scales 



a. On the ground, rarely on wood 



b. On wood 



L. pi(lcherri7num 



L. gemmatum 

 L. pyri forme 



Lycoperdon pulcherrimum Spiny Lycoperdon 



Cap 3-8 cm. wide, outer wall of long white spines, which are united at the 

 tips, these fall away, leaving the brownish inner wall, more or less top-shaped, 

 with a short thick base; spores purple-brown, globose, rough 4-6/x. The name 

 refers to the beautifully spiny surface. 



On the ground in grassland and woodland, late summer and autumn : edible. 



