462 



The Grainy Lhtiota (Edible) 

 Lcpiofa granulosa Batsch 



This is a small mushroom which occurs ahundantl}' in the woods 

 and in waste places during damp warm weather from August to 

 October. 



The cap is 1.5 to 6 cm. (.5 to 2.5 inches) broad, at first convex 

 but becoming nearly plane, and sometimes has a slight elevation in 

 the middle. The surface of the cap is made rough by numerous granu- 

 lar or bran-like scales and is often radiately wrinkled. The color is 

 rusty yellow or reddish brown but becomes paler with age. The flesh 

 is white or sometimes tinged w'ith red. 



The gills are close together, rounded at the end next to the stem, 

 and close to the stem. They are nearly free from the stem but usually 

 appear slightly attached to it, differing in this respect from most 

 Lepiotas since it is characteristic of the genus to have the gills en- 

 tirely free from the stem. The spores are wdiite. 



The stem is 2.5 to 6 cm. (i to 2.5 inches) long, cylindrical or 

 sometimes slightly thickened at the base. It is smooth and wdiite above 

 the ring, but below^ the ring it is colored and covered with granular 

 scales like the cap. The ring is very slight, being little more than the 

 abrupt termination of the scaly covering of the stem, and sometimes 

 it disappears entirel}^ There is no volva. 



There is a variety of this plant wdiich is pure wdiite at first, later 

 partly turning red, and when dried becoming entirely red-tinged. 

 There is also a variety wdiich persistentlv remains pure wdiite. 



Although this is a small species a considerable number of individ- 

 uals are often found on a small area, and since tliev are quite fleshy 

 for their size and are of pleasing qualitv. thev are well worth collect- 

 ing when they can be found in any abundance. It is best to removt' 

 the stems and use only the caps. 



Collected in Champaign countv. 



