]40 Mycohgh-al Bullet in No. ?,7 [Vol. TTT 



l)elong to the Rosy Sf^orcd Ai^arics. After a little practice many of this 

 group can be recognized at first sight. . The spores are often formed in 

 profusion and give a pink tint to the gills, and often collect in masses on 

 the gill and stem so that their color is readily seen. 



THE GENUS CIITOPILUS. 



This genus has rosy spores and may he distinguished from other mem- 

 bers of the group by its solid stem and its decurrent gills ( /. c, gills which 

 run down on tiie stipe as described in an earlier Bulletin). 



KEV TO THE COMMON SPECIES OF CLITOPILUS. 



The four comion species may be distinguished by the following key: 



Pileus white 1 



Pileus gray to brownish gray 2 



1. Pileu ; firm, dry. with a delicate white bloom C. prunulus 



1. Pileus soft. slighUv viscid C. orcclla 



2. Pileus thick, fleshy C. aborlivus 



2. Pileus thin, spores pale flesh color C. novcboracciuis 



DESCRIPTIONS OF THE SPECIES. 



Clitopilus NOVEP.ORACENSIS. — This species is abundant on the Asheville 

 Plateau and may he found especially during wet weather. The pileus 

 is dingy gray to pale gray in color, thin, with a distinct odor and a bitter 

 impleasant taste. The gills are crowded, pale, then dingy or yellowish. 

 Ihe stem is solid, pale gray, with an abundance of white mycelium. 



It may be of value to add that this species is doubtless identical with 

 ('. I'of^iiiolis of Europe. Specimens and photographs have been submitted 

 to eminent European authorities and this ojjinion definitely verified. Bresa- 

 dola also states in a recent publication that the latter species is also the 

 same as the Eurojjean Clitocvbc aiiiarrlln. ] have preferred here, however, 

 to use the common American name. 



Ci.i roi'ii.is .MiORTivus is one of our conunon species. Tt is usually 

 found growing in colonies on the g'-ound or on well rotted stumps and 

 logs. It is 2-C> in. broad, gray to browninsh gray, not viscid, and is covered 

 with a delicate tomctum. The gills are pale gray, beconung rosy with the 

 spores, ihe stem is solid and pale gray. hVequently clusters of plants are 

 found which have not dcvelo])ed properly but have formed curious abor- 

 tive masses from which the plant derives its name. The figure shows this 

 I)eculiar feature well ( Eig. 120). 'i'his species is edible, though not of the 

 best fjuality. 



Ci.iTopiifs I'lnNiiM'S and Ci.itopilus orcei.la are close relatives and 

 resemble each other so closely that ])hotograi)hs of each do not need to be 

 given. Both are white and have decurrent (jills and may be easily recog- 

 nized from the photogra])!! 



("i.iTopii.rs oi<( K.i.i.A, as noU'd in llu- key, !■- slightly viscid, which is a 

 convenient innrk by which the snecies ni;iy be distinguished. Both are 

 found in wood-,, (.•specially along woodland roaxls. They are both edible 

 species of excelk'ul (|nality. 



