AGARICACEAE 



353 



Agaricaceae 



The Agaricaceae constitute approximately 100 genera and 

 10,000 species. Nearly all are fleshy, centrally stipitate, pileate 

 forms. A few, notably Pleurotus, Claudopus, and Crepidotus, 



Fig. 137. Conchs of Fomes applanattis, as seen from above and from the 



pore surface. 



are laterally attached and conch-shaped. The feature which 

 characterizes the family is the hymenial surface of radiating gills 

 or lamellae. 



This family is of importance mainly because its members ac- 

 complish the decomposition of dead plant tissues in the soil and 



