228 



CLASS ASCOMYCETEAE 



Fig. 76. Pezizales, Family Pezizaceae. Peziza repanda (Pers.) Fr. (Courtesy, F. C. 



Strong.) 



has stipitate apothecia growing on sticks lying on or buried in the ground. 

 Its hymenial surface is brilliantly colored. P. coccinea (Scop.) Fckl. is 

 very abundant in some regions in early spring forming scarlet apothecia 

 sometimes 3 or more cm. in diameter. The stipe is buried in the soil. 

 Peziza has saucer- to cup-like apothecia, usually of considerable size, 

 2 cm. up to 30 or 40 cm. P. hadia Fr. and P. repanda (Pers.) Fr. are quite 

 frequent in woods and P. vesiculosa Fr. in greenhouse soil that has been 

 heavily manured. Geopyxis is quite similar to Peziza except that the hemi- 

 spherical or acorn-cup-like apothecium is supported by a relatively slender 

 stalk. (Fig. 76.) 



Family Helvellaceae. Apothecia stalked, convex, attached at the 

 apex of the stalk or grown fast to its upper portion. To be mentioned are 

 Helvella, with the apothecium more or less saddle-shaped, attached by the 

 center of the under side of the saddle. The hymenial surface may be 

 smooth or gyrosely folded. In the latter case a separate genus Gyromitra 

 is often recognized. Morchella, with the apothecium grown fast down 

 the side of the upper part of the stalk and with its surface thrown into 

 strong longitudinal and transverse folds so as to be coarsely pitted, thus 

 greatly increases the hymenial surface. The species of this genus are 

 known as Morels or Sponge Mushrooms and are among the most de- 

 licious edible fungi known. They grow mostly in deciduous woods, fruiting 

 in the spring. Verpa, the Bell Morel, has the cap shaped like a bell and 

 free from the stalk except where attached at the top. It may be smooth 

 or longitudinally ribbed. It is edible, coming a little earlier than the true 

 morels. (Figs. 77, 78.) 



