518 



The Broad-gieekd Coleybia (Edibi^k) 

 CoUyhia platyphylla Fries 



Collvbia platypJiylla is a large, stout mushroom which grows from 

 June to October on rotten logs or on the ground near rotten logs or 

 stumps. It is found mostly in the woods but occasionally also in open 

 pastures, especially in recently cleared fields. 



The cap is 7 to 15 cm. (3 to 6 inches) broad, at first convex but 

 soon expanded and nearly flat or with the margin upturned, fleshy, 

 l}ut thin and fragile. The surface appears watery when moist and 

 usually is streaked with fine dark hairs, but the ground-color is brown 

 or gray or sometimes nearly white. The flesh is white. The cap is 

 sometimes cjuite irregular and the stem is not always exactly in the 

 center. The thin margin is often split in various places. 



The gills are very broad, as much as a half inch or more some- 

 times. They are soft and white, not \'ery close together, and are at- 

 tached to the stem 1)v the upper angle. In old plants the gills are 

 usually broken or cracked more or less. The spores are white. 



The stem is 7 to 12 cm. (3 to 5 inches) long, rather soft, stuffed 

 with a cottony substance, nearly cvlindrical, more or less streaked 

 with fibers but otherwise smooth, whitish, and sometimes slightly 

 powdered at the upper end. There is no ring and no volva. The 

 mycelium is very abundant and extends from the base of the stem in 

 root-like or cord-like strands, though not at all like the root of Col- 

 lybia radicata. 



When fresh and in good condition the caps taste well, though they 

 are not so pleasant-flavored as some other species of Collybia. They 

 must be well cooked or the taste will be slightly bitter. 



Collected in Champaign county. 



