. 494 



The; Parasitic Stropharia (Edibi^e) 

 Stropharia cpiinyces (Peck) Atkinson 



There is some dispute as to what is the correct name for this very 

 interesting mushroom, but the dispute can scarcely be settled until 

 some one makes a thorough study of the development of the fruit 

 bodies, and for the present, therefore, the above name will serve as 

 well as any. 



This plant is usually not ver}^ common but it has occured abun- 

 dantly during the seasons of 1914 and 1915 in the vicinity of Urbana. 

 It is of especial interest because it is parasitic on the shaggy-mane 

 mushroom {Coprinus coinatus). It has also been reported as occur- 

 ing on the inky-cap mushroom {Coprinus atramciitarius). The host 

 plant is so deformed that it recjuires careful observation to determine 

 to what species it belongs. It is usually irregularly top-shaped with 

 the center deeply depressed, and the parasitic Stropharia grows from 

 the bottom of this depression. It occurs either singly or in clusters, 

 and may be looked for whenever and wherever the shaggy-mane or 

 the inky-cap occurs. 



The cap is 2 to 7 cm. (i to 3 inches) broad, at first rounded, then 

 convex, and finally expanded, fleshy, thin at the margin, but ciuite 

 thick toward the center. The color is dirt}' white, sometimes becoming 

 darker with age, and the surface is covered with numerous downy 

 scales. Fragments of the inner veil are often found hanging to the 

 margin of the cap. 



The gills are attached to the stem but have a tendency to break 

 away from it at maturity. They are at first gray, then dark brown. 

 The spores are blackish with a purplish tinge. 



The stem is 3 to 8 cm. ( i to 3 inches) long, fleshy, soft, and col- 

 ored like the cap. The ring is near the base of the stem and is very 

 delicate, sometimes scarcely noticeable. There is no volva. 



This is an excellent edible species. The taste is exactly like that 

 of the mushroom on which it grows. For this reason, any one who 

 is fond of the flavor of the shaggy-mane and yet prefers his mush- 

 rooms plain-fried, may consider himself ver}- fortunate if he finds the 

 parasitic Stropharia, since the coprini are not firm enough to fry nicely 

 while Stropharia cpiiiiyccs is. 



Collected in Champaign countv. 



