4G0 



The; Crested Lepiota (Edibee) 

 Lcpiota crisfata A. & S. 



The crested Lepiota is a small plant, but it is conimun and often 

 occurs very abundantly. It is found in the woods under trees, usually 

 among dead leaves, and is often especially al)undant along the borders 

 of woods and in other grassy but somewhat shaded places. It occurs 

 either in clusters or scattered, and may be looked for from May to 

 September. 



The pileus is somewhat flesh}- but rather thin, at first l^ell-shaped 

 or convex, then expanded and nearly plane. The surface is at first 

 entirelv dull reddish or reddisli I)rown, l)ut the cuticle soon l)reaks up 

 into reddish or reddish brown scales, and the background of the sur- 

 face is then white. The scales are often arranged in a concentric man- 

 ner. They are far apart at the margin and progressively more numer- 

 ous toward the center. The center of the cap remains smooth and 

 uniformly reddish brown because it does not expand so much at this 

 point and therefore does not crack. This gi\es the cap a crested ap- 

 pearance. The cap is from 1.5 to 4 cm. (.5 to 1.5 inches) broad. 



The gills are white, and free from the stem but quite close to it. 

 They are narrow and crowded close together. The spores are white. 



The stem is whitish, slender, cylindrical, and hollow. It is usually 

 smooth but sometimes has silky fibers on it, and is from 2.5 to 5 cm. 

 (i to 2 inches) long. The ring is small and white and sometimes 

 breaks up and disappears. There is no volva. The white mycelium 

 is often quite conspicuous and may be traced for three inches or more 

 from the base of the stem. 



This plant has a rather strong odor which is somewhat offensive ; 

 when cof^ked it is of good consistencv and is sweet and pleasing to the 

 taste. Although it is a verv small mushroom, when it can be found 

 in abundance it is well worth collecting. 



Collected in Champaign and \\"abash counties. 



