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Thk Purpush Laccaria (Edibi^k) 



Loccaria (or Clifocybc ) ocJiro purpurea Berk. 



The genus Laccaria is very closely related to the genus Clitocybc; 

 the species of both genera were formerly placed together in the genus 

 Clitocybc, but the species of Laccaria all have a peculiar general ap- 

 pearance by which one can recognize them and distinguish them from 

 Clitocybc at a glance w4ien one of them has once been learned. 



The purplish Laccaria occurs from July to September in open 

 grassy or bushy places and in woods. It grows either solitary or in 

 groups and clusters, and is quite common and sometimes abundant. 



The cap is 5 to 10 cm. (2 to 4 inches) broad, fleshy but firm and 

 tough, at first nearly hemispherical or convex and with the margin 

 curved in toward the stem, later becoming nearly plane or slightly 

 depressed at the center. It is often very irregular. When the cap is 

 moist the color is purplish brown, but when dry it is much lighter and 

 gray or pale yellowish. 



The gills are broad, thick, rather far apart, and attached to the 

 stem, either adnate or decurrent. They are purplish in color. The 

 spores are w^hite, sometimes with a slight tinge of lilac or yellow when 

 viewed in mass. 



The stem is 3 to 10 cm. ( i to 4 inches) long. It is very variable 

 being nearly cylindrical, or thicker in the middle, or thicker at each 

 end. It is fibrous and solid, and colored like the cap, but usually paler. 

 There is no ring and no volva. 



This mushroom is very variable in size and shape. Although it is 

 a tough plant it cooks tender and can be used to good advantage in 

 patties or croquettes. It is a good keeper and is not so readily at- 

 tacked by insects as many other mushrooms. 



There seems to be little doubt that Laccaria ocliropurpurca forms 

 mycorrhizas with the roots of the white oak and perhaps also with 

 the American elm. 



Collected in Champaign county. 



