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The Crested Ceavaria (Edible) 

 Clavaria crista fa Pers. 



This iiuishroom belongs to the family of club fungi or Clavariaceae. 

 The club fungi resemble the hedgehog fungi in that the spore-bearing 

 surface, or hymenium, covers the entire outside of the branches, but 

 in the hedgehog fungi the branches hang downward, while in the club 

 fungi they always project upward. 



There are many kinds of club fungi, some of which are simply 

 club-shaped and unl^ranched, while others are very much branched. 

 Some are bright-colored and very beautiful. All of the branched forms 

 are good to eat. 



Clavaria crista fa grows from 3 to 12 cm. ( i to 5 inches) high. It 

 is whitish in color, and has a short, stout stem, and tufts of numerous, 

 irregular branches which are more or less flattened toward the top. 

 The ends of the Ijranches are forked and divided into moose-horn-like 

 tips. The crested Clavaria grows in the woods in rainy weather from 

 June to October. 



Another species that is common in the state is Clavaria pyxidafa 

 Pers. It closely resembles Chwaria cristafa in general appearance but 

 is easily distinguished by the fact that the ends of the branches are 

 cup-shaped instead of pointed. 



Either of these species is excellent for soups, stews, or patties. 

 They should l)e cut up into short pieces. They remind one of noodles 

 or macaroni. If stewed they must be cooked slowly and thoroughly 

 or they will be tough. When fried in butter they are crisp and good. 



Collected in Champaign and Wabash counties. 



