492 



The Scaly Phouota (Edibi^e;) 

 PlioUota squarrosa Bull. 



This handsome and conspicuous mushroom occurs in small or large 

 clusters on the trunks of trees, stumps, etc. or on the ground where 

 there are buried roots or other decaying wood. It is often quite com- 

 mon and may be looked for from July to December, though it is 

 usually not abundant until after the middle of August. It is easily 

 identified and can often be seen from a considerable distance, especially 

 in the latter part of the season after the leaves have fallen. 



The cap is 3 to 12 cm. ( i to 5 inches) broad, fleshy, convex to 

 bell-shaped and then flattened, or sometimes with the margin upturned, 

 and usually with a prominent elevation at the center. The surface is 

 dry, and the ground-color is yellowish or rusty but covered by numer- 

 ous persistent dark brown scales. The flesh is rather thin, Cjuite com- 

 pact, and pale yellow in color. 



The gills are rather narrow, close together, attached to the stem 

 and with a tooth decurrent on the stem. They are at first yellowish 

 or olive and later become rusty brown. The spores are rust-color. 



The stem is 7 to 20 cm. (3 to 8 inches) long, nearly cylindrical, 

 but often tapering to a rather small base. The color is the same as 

 that of the cap and the stem is clothed with scales, like those of the 

 cap, up as far as the ring. The ring is near the top of the stem, downy 

 and sometimes ragged, and of the same color as the scales. There is 

 no volva. 



The odor of this plant is sometimes rather disagreeable, but in 

 some specimens it is scarcely noticeable. The taste of the young caps 

 is sweet and mealv. As they become more mature they are less pala- 

 table, and should be used, therefore, when young. The young cap'; 

 when cooked are of excellent flavor. 



Collected in Champaign county. 



