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The Peaked-cap Mycena (Edible) 

 Mycena galericidata Scop. 



This pretty little mushroom grows from late spring until frost on 

 dead logs, stumps, sticks, etc., in the woods. It is common and some- 

 times very abundant. It usually grows in dense clusters of many in- 

 dividuals with the hairy bases of the stems glued together, though 

 sometimes larger specimens are found growing singly. The plant is 

 somewhat variable and therefore not so easily identified as some other 

 mushrooms. The accompanying photograph is very characteristic, 

 however, and with its aid, recognition of the plant should not be diffi- 

 cult. 



The cap is i to 4 cm. (.5 to 1.5 inches) broad, at first conical or 

 bell-shaped, then expanded and often with a prominent elevation 

 (umbo) at the center. The surface is dry and smooth but striate 

 (streaked with lines) from the margin to the umbo. The color is 

 variable but is usually some shade of brown, though occasionally it 

 is gray or whitish. 



The gills are attached to the stem squarely, but with a decurrent 

 tooth, and are connected with each other by veins. They are not close 

 together, and the edges are either entire or toothed. The color is white 

 or gray or flesh-colored. The spores are white. 



The stem is 5 to 12 cm. (2 to 5 inches) long, rigid, hollow, tough, 

 straight or curved, slender, and with a smooth polished surface except 

 at the base, where it is covered thickly with short white hairs. 



This mushroom is especially rich in protein. When young the caps 

 and stems may be cooked together and will be found to have a pleas- 

 ing and delicate flavor. If, after washing, they are allowed to stew 

 slowly in their own fluids for about ten minutes, and are then seasoned 

 with pepper, salt, and butter, they are excellent. 



Mycena liaciuatopa is a common plant which has very much the 

 same appearance and habits as M. galericidata but is distinguished by 

 its blood-red juice. The edible qualities of the two species are the 

 same. 



Collected in Champaign county. 



