Guide to the Mushrooms 81 



Gills. — Running down on the stem, decurrent, 

 somewhat distant, veined, broad, white, yellowish 

 when aged. 



Spores. — White. 



Stem. — Short, growing from the side of the cap 

 (lateral), firm elastic, smooth, thickening toward 

 cap, whitish. 



Ring. — None, 



J^olva. — None. 



Odor. — Quite mild. 



Taste. — Rather strong, when cooked resembling 

 the flavor of oysters. 



Habitat. — On decaying trunks of oaks, maples, 

 elms and poplar trees. Growing in large clusters. 

 Very common from August to November. Found 

 in all sections of the United States. 



Edible. — Requires slow gentle cooking. Dries 

 well, reviving when soaked in water. 



PLEUROTUS Sapidus (Kalchb.), from the 

 Latin, savor3^ 



Cap. — 1 to o inches broad, convex, sometimes de- 

 pressed in mature specimens, smooth, variable in 

 form from its mode of growth in crowded clusters, 

 varying in color from white to yellowish, ashy-gray, 

 lilac, and brownish. Margin is incurved when 

 young, often wavy in age. 



Flesh. — Rather thin, solid, white, tough. 



Gills. — Rather broad, distant, running down the 



