THE COLLYBIAS OF NORTH CAROLINA 

 By W. C. Coker and H. C. Beardslee 



Plates 1 and 4-23 



Cap slightly fleshy and in most species drooping soon after matur- 

 ity, often thin, expanded or rounded at maturity; margin even, at 

 first incurved. Gills sinuate, adnate, adnexed, or free. Stem hollow 

 or stuffed, cartilaginous, rooting. Spores white when fresh, smooth, 

 in most species small. Volva and veil lacking. None is known to be 

 poisonous and all the best known larger ones are valued edibles. 



The Genus Collyhia will be found fairly easy to distinguish among 

 the white spored agarics. It is a little difficult to understand at first 

 what is meant by "cartilaginous stem," and as is usual, some species 

 referred to this genus are not clearly typical and might easily be re- 

 ferred to other genera. These will trouble the beginner. The largest 

 of the genus, C. platyphylla, for example, has a thick fleshy stem and 

 may well be looked for in Tricholoma. Collyhia confluens, C. stipitaria 

 and C. zonata might easily be referred to Marasmius at the start and 

 they have in fact been transferred to that genus by some authors (see 

 Atkinson, in N. Y. State Mus. Bull. 205-206: 61. 1919). Kauffman, 

 in his Agaricaceae of Michigan, retains them in Collyhia. 



The key which has been arranged has purposely been made as 

 simple as possible, and will, it is hoped, be found practical. It covers 

 the common species of the state, though more will probably be found 

 as our fungous flora is better known. One species which is common in 

 northern woods may be looked for in the mountains. It is Collyhia 

 succosa Pk. (C. nigrescens Quel., C. atramentosa Kalch., and C.fuUgi- 

 naria Weinm.). It will be at once recognized from the watery drops 

 which exude from the lamellae when cut and from the black hues which 

 the flesh assumes when injured. Collyhia tenacella (Pers.) Quel., C. 

 ventricosa and C. clavus (L.) Quel., were reported from this state by 

 Schweinitz or by Curtis. They are noted as doubtfully American by 

 Murrill (N. Am. Flora 9: 374-6. 1916). Collyhia detersihilis B. & C, 

 also reported by Curtis, is probably the same as Clitocyhe compressives 

 Pk. 



It will be noted that two species have been referred to European 

 species not before reported from America. It may be said that this 



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