464 



The Smooth Leptota (Kdibee) 

 Lc/^iofa iiaiiciiia Fries 



This beautiful and excellent niushrooni occurs in grassy places 

 such as pastures, along roadsides, and sometimes on lawns, from June 

 to November, but is usually most abundant during the latter part of 

 the summer. In some years it is extremely abundant, while in others 

 it is rather scarce. I have seen acres of ground white with it where 

 for several vears previouslv only occasional specimens had been found. 

 Manv people are afraid of this mushroom because of its minor re- 

 semljlances to some of the poisonous Amanitas, but when one once 

 becomes familiar with the characters and appearance of the plant there 

 is no reason for making a mistake in collecting it. 



The cap is soft but very fleshy and thick. It is at first globose, 

 then expanded and nearly flat or with a blunt umbo or elevation in 

 the center. The surface is smooth and snowy white or smoky white, 

 and the flesh is thick and white. The cap is 5 to 10 cm. (2 to 4 inches) 

 broad and usually very regular in shape. 



The gills are somewhat crowded and entirely free from the stem. 

 Thev are pure white or sometimes pinkish brown in very old speci- 

 mens. The spores are white. 



The stem is white, smooth or with fine fibers on its surface, en- 

 larged at the base and tapering somewhat upward. It is from 5 to 

 10 cm. (2 to 4 inches) long. The ring is rather thin and delicate but 

 distinct and conspicuous. It is sometimes lost in old specimens, but 

 usually some remnants of it can be ffumd. There is no volva. 



This mushroom can l)e used in any way in which the common cul- 

 tivated mushroom is used and will be foimd just as good. It probably 

 could be cultivatetl for market just as profitably as is Agariciis ccnu- 

 pcstris and its appearance is even more inviting. Its taste even when 

 uncooked is mild and i)leasant. The surface of the ca^) has a sort of 

 kid-leather texture which is unmistakal)le when one once becomes fa- 

 miliar with it. \e\ertheless it nnist be remembered that Lcpiota 

 naiiciiui reseml:)les in some respects the deadlv Amanita, and one can- 

 not exercise too great care in collecting and using only specimens that 

 can be identified with absolute certainty. 



Collected in Chami)ai2fn count v. 



