124 MINOR PRODUCTS OF PHILIPPINE FORESTS 



Panaeolus papilionaceus (Fr.) Graff and Panaeolus veluticeps 

 Cooke et Mass. are other edible species. (Fig. 11) . 



Genus LENTINUS 



Pileus fleshy, coriaceus, tough; when old, hard and dry. 

 Stem hard and often obsolete, when present continuous with 

 hymenophore. Gills tough, simple, unequal, thin, edge acute, 

 generally toothed ; trama none. 



The Lentinus group of fungi are commonly eaten by the 

 Filipinos. In general these fungi are rather tough and lacking 

 in flavor, but a number are more or less tender and are rather 

 highly prized. 



LENTINUS EXILIS KLOTZ. 



Lentinus exilis is the best of the edible types. It grows on 

 putrescent wood and frequently on decaying bamboo roots and 

 culms. The fungus has been cultivated on the dead roots and 

 stem of Bambiisa spinosa Roxb. {Bambusa blumeana Schultes.) 

 (Fig. 12). In this picture Lentinus exilis, from first observa- 

 tion, resembles a Pleurotus, but this is due to the fungus growing 

 from one side of the bamboo. Other specimens in the same 

 group have a distinct stalk and a funnel-shaped pileus. It 

 is a large white form. 



The pileus is papyraceous, rigid, infundibuliform, regular, 

 and even. It is a radiately striate under a lens, pallid tawny, 

 7 to 10 centimeters broad. The stem is very short, smooth, 12 

 to 20 millimeters long, and girt by the vestiges of a ring. The 

 gills are crowded, very decurrent in lines, nearly equal, tawny, 

 and not torn. 



Besides this species the following are eaten, but are rather 

 hard and tough: Lentinus connatus Berk., Lentinus leucochrous 

 Lev., and Lentinus squarrosulus Mont. (Fig. 13). 



Genus MARASMIUS 



Fungi tough, dry, shrivelling, but not putrescent, and re- 

 viving when moistened. Hymenophore continuous with the stem, 

 but homogeneous, descending into the trama. The veil is 

 absent. Stem cartilaginous or homy. Gills tough, rather 

 distant, and with acute edges. The fungi dry up instead of 

 decaying when old. 



Some forms of Mm-asmiu^ may be eaten. None are danger- 

 ous, but most are too small and tough. Marasmius equicrinis 

 Muell. and Marasmius pilopus Kalch. are two small forms, not 

 edible, that grow on dead wood. Marasmius capillipes Sacc. 

 has been found growing on decaying Streblus asper Lour. 



