Genus Clavaria 



GENUS SPARASSIS 



Plants conspicuous, with the branches strongly flattened or 

 leaf-like. 



Sparassis crispa somewhat resembles a yellow cauliflower, 

 and often forms masses as large as one's hand. It is considered 

 an excellent fungus for the table. 



GENUS PTERULA 



The members of this genus are mostly slender, thread-like 

 forms, cartilaginous when moist, and horny when dry. 



GENUS LACHNOCLADIUM 



The members of this genus are leathery plants covered with 

 hairs. 



GENUS CLAVARIA 



The genus Clavaria is the largest genus in the family Clava- 

 riacece. Many of the species are edible, and so easily recognised 

 that the beginner may venture without hesitation to eat any of 

 the branching forms. The club-like forms might be mistaken 

 for certain club-shaped forms of the sac-fungi unless an examina- 

 tion of the spores were made. The Clavarias would have the 

 spores on little spicules, as in the garden mushroom, whereas 

 the forms for which they might be mistaken would have them 

 in membranous sacs. 



In collecting species of Clavaria, notes should be taken as 

 to the character of the apices of the branches, the colour of 

 the branches, the colour of the spores, the taste, and the place 

 of growth. 



Pale Yellow Clavaria (Edible) 



Clavaria flava 



Plant— V^\\\Xq and pale yellow. 2-5 inches high ; the mass of 

 branches 2-5 inches wide. 



Spa-ris'-sTs Cris'-pa T^r'-u-Ii Lak-n6-cla'-dl-£im Cliiv-ar'-ta Flav'-S 



99 



