500 



Tin- W'kf.i IXC I Ivi HOLOiiA (Kdibi^k) 

 II yl^/ioloina lacryniabitinhiiii Fries 



Hypholoma lacryuiahumhiui may be looked for in suitable weather 

 from July to October. It grows in wet places along ditches, under 

 bridges, in borders of woods, and in open grassy places. The plants 

 are sometimes scattered, but more often they grow in dense clusters 

 of a few to many individuals. It is said to occur sometimes on de- 

 cayed wood. 



The cap is 2 to 8 cm. ( i to 3 inches) broad. It is at first convex, 

 then expanded, often with a l)road elevation of the central portion, and 

 usually with irregular, radiating wrinkles. The surface is covered 

 with silky threads or scales, which, however, are sometimes washed 

 off by rains. The color is light or dark yellowish, darker at the center 

 and becoming darker with age. Old specimens are often stained black 

 Mdiere spores have fallen upon them or have been washed upon them 

 by rains. The flesh is soft and brittle and whitish, but sometimes 

 tinged with yellow or brown. 



The gills are attached scjuarely against the stem and are usually 

 notched (sinuate). They are at first whitish or light yellowish, but 

 soon become darker and spotted with black or brown as the spores 

 mature. The edge, however, remains whitish. In the morning or in 

 wet weather minute drops of moisture are formed on the edges of 

 the gills, which accounts for the common name — "The W'eeping Hy- 

 pholoma". The spores are brownish purple. 



The stem is 3 to 8 cm. ( 1 to 3 inches) long, straight or curved, 

 colored like the cap, somewhat scaly as far as the attachment of the 

 veil, and smooth above. The inner veil is hairy and rather delicate. 

 It remains clinging to the margin of the cap, for the most part, and 

 disappears with age. 



Since this mushroom grows in dense clusters the caps are often 

 made irregular from mutual pressure. The plant seems not to have 

 been found abundantlv in nK)St regions, but it was very common at 

 Urbana during the season of 191 5. I have been unable to find any 

 definite record of its edibilitv. I have eaten freely of it, however, and 

 while I do not consider it one ()f the best of mushrooms, it is per- 

 fectly safe and compares verv well with other species of Hyf^holoma. 



Collected in Champaign county. 



