476 



The Seighti^y Red Mushroom (Edible) 

 Agaricus subriifcsccus Peck 



This is one of the prettiest of the large mushrooms. It occurs in 

 woods and groves from June to September. It is said to occur also 

 in greenhouses. According to Dr. Mcllvaine it is an easy species to 

 cultivate and has a number of advantages over Agaricus canipcstris 

 tor that purpose. It is very productive and keeps very well. 



The cap is 7 to 12 cm. (3 to 5 inches) broad, at first nearly hemi- 

 spherical and a single specimen growing alone is usually very perfect 

 and regular in shape. The plant also occurs in clusters, however, and 

 in that case the caps are somewhat irregular from mutual pressure. 

 Later, as the ca^) expands, it becomes convex or somewhat flattened. 

 The surface is covered with numerous silky hairs and minute scales. 

 The color is light reddish brown. At the center the surface is usually 

 smooth and a little darker in color. The flesh is white and has a flavor 

 like that of almonds. 



The gills are at first white, then pink, and finally blackish brown. 

 They are entirely free from the stem. 



The stem is 7 to 12 cm. (3 to 5 inches) long, white, and nearly 

 cylindrical, but usually somewhat bull)ous at the base. The stem is 

 whitish, and somewhat scaly below the ring. The ring is thick and 

 conspicuous, and scaly on the under side. There is no volva. The 

 mycelium is white and often forms long root-like branches extending 

 into the soil from the lower end of the stem. 



This is considered an excellent edible species. There seems to be 

 no doubt that the plants we have at Urbana are identical with those 

 described by Peck from New York State. Wliether they are also 

 identical with Agaricus silz'aticus, reported by MofTatt from the Chi- 

 cago region, I am not certain. 



Collected in Champaign county. 



