520 



The X^elvet-stemmkd Coeeybia (EdibeE) 

 Collybia vclutipcs Curt. 



Collybia vclutipcs is particularly interesting because it grows nearly 

 the whole year round. It has been found in good condition in everv 

 month of the year. It grows on stumps, logs, roots in the ground, 

 earth that has a great deal of wood material in it, and also on the 

 trunks of living trees. It is common and plentiful, and while the 

 heavier crop usually appears from September to November it is often 

 abundant in the spring, and likely to be found at any time. 



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

 soon becoming plane, fleshy and moderately thick at the center but 

 thin toward the margin, often irregular and sometimes eccentric, that 

 is, with the stem not exactly at the center. The surface is smooth, 

 quite sticky or viscid wdien moist, and somewhat striate at the margin. 

 The color is yellow or brownish yellow, sometimes paler toward the 

 margin. The flesh is soft and watery and slightly yellowish in color. 



The gills are quite broad, and rounded at the end next to the stem. 

 They are very nearly free from the stem but are slightly attached by 

 the upper angle. They are not close together and are very unequal in 

 length. The color of the gills is pale yellow or tan. The spores are 

 white. 



The stem is 3 to 8 cm. ( i to 3 inches) long, tough, often tw'isted, 

 sometimes curved, hollow or stuffed with fibers. The surface of the 

 stem is whitish when young, but soon becomes dark brown or black 

 and densely velvety wath fine black threads. This velvety covering of 

 the stem makes the plant easy to identify. There is no ring and no 

 volva. 



Collybia vclutipcs sometimes grows singly or scattered and some- 

 times in clusters, often very dense clusters of from three or four to 

 twenty or more individuals. 



Although this mushroom is not a true parasite on living trees, it 

 i,i said to do considerable damage sometimes. The mvcelium grows 

 mostly just beneath the bark, and bv its continual growth it gradually 

 pries the bark away from the wood, and mav even cause the bark to 

 fall aw^ay, leaving the trunk bare. 



Although this is not one of the best mushr(^oms for the table it 

 is considered excellent by some, and, because of its plentifulness, it 

 is a valuable one to know. 



Collected in Champaign county. 



