THE GASTEROMYCETES OF NORTH CAROLINA 



By W. C. CoKER and J. N. Couch 



The Gasteromyeetes include a large and varied order of fungi 

 that are characterized by having the hymenium or spore-bearing sur- 

 face enclosed within a protective coat or coats (volva or peridium) 

 until the spores are ripe, when they are liberated in a powder or 

 slime by the rupture or decay of the coat.* Included in the order 

 are many well known plants that attract the attention by their in- 

 teresting characters. Such are the puff-balls, earth stars, bird's-nest 

 fungi and stinkhorns. A number are of subterranean growth and 

 never become exposed ; others are found just below the surface but 

 become visible on expanding at maturity, others again are quite 

 superficial and visible in youth. It is highly probable that many 

 subterranean species will be unearthed in this state as soon as a careful 

 search is made for them. The edible truffle which grows underground 

 is not a member of this group, but an Ascomycete. The puff-balls 

 when white inside (before the spores begin to ripen) are among the 

 best of edible fungi. 



In preparing this paper we have been assisted by other members 

 of the botanical staff. All written matter and nearly all the photo- 

 graphs are by the senior author, and all microscopical preparations 

 used have been carefully examined and compared by him with the 

 drawings made from them. Most of the drawings (which will appear 

 in the following issue of the Journal) have been made bj^ Mr. Couch 

 and inked in by ]\Iiss Alma Holland. Some microscopic work done 

 by Mr. Curtis Vogler, a former instructor in this laboratory, has also 

 been utilized. Mr. H. R. Totten has developed and printed most of 

 the photographs. Mr. H. C. Beardslee has been so kind as to send us 

 material from Asheville, which has enabled us to include two species 

 that we had not found. All photographs are natural size unless other- 

 wise stated. 



* In the peculiar genus Gautierin there is in most species no peridium at maturity, 

 the chambers of the gleba opening directly on the surface. It is a small tuberous jilant 

 growing hidden in humus or earth, and therefore rarely found. It has been reported in 

 this country from New York, California and Idaho and is to be expected in our state. See 

 Zeller and Dodge, Ann. Mo. Bot. Gard. 5: 113. 1918; ,Zeller, Mycologia 14: 196. 1922; At- 

 kinson, Bot. Gaz. 5: 538. 1912: and Fitzpatrick, 1. c, p. 135. 



[2311 



