1915] 



OVERHOLTS — STUDIES IN THE POLYP ORACEAE 711 



been used. Mr. Murrill remarks concerning Ganoderma ses- 

 sile 1 : "Very similar in its stipitate forms to Polyporus 

 lucidus of Europe." The American plants are usually re- 

 ferred to P. lucidus by European mycologists, and taking into 

 account the general agreement with the European descrip- 

 tions and illustrations, and the fact that Murrill has consist- 

 ently failed to cite any distinguishing characters upon which 

 the legitimacy of his species might be established, we must 

 conclude that there is no such distinction to be made between 

 the European and the American plants. The American plant 

 is variable in respect to the presence or absence of a stipe, 

 and that cannot enter into the discussion. 



There is a tendency among mycologists 2 to disregard the 

 Ganoderma Tsugae described by Murrill. To the writer this 

 species appears to be a perfectly good one, although it cannot 

 be differentiated on host character alone. A further discus- 

 sion of this species is reserved for a following paragraph. 



In 1908 Atkinson 3 described a species of Ganoderma which 

 he called G. subperforatum. After an examination of the 

 type specimens the writer referred 4 this species to Polyporus 

 lucidus. This leaves us three species of this section of Polyp- 

 orus that are found in the central states. There are no 

 spore characters of sufficient importance or constancy that 

 can be used in separating them. There is a color difference 

 but it probably cannot always be relied upon. The pileus of 

 P. Tsugae is shining and mahogany-colored or darker; that 

 of P. lucidus is of a lighter red color; and that of P. Curtisii 

 is yellowish, at least in mature plants. Moreover, P. Curtisii 

 is southern in its distribution, not being found north of the 

 Ohio Eiver ; P. Tsugae is not reported south of Virginia ; and 

 P. lucidus is not limited in its north and south distribution in 

 the United States. 



1 Northern Polypores, p. 55. 1914. 



a 



cf. Atkinson, Bot. Gaz. 46: p. 335. 1908. G. Tsugae is here listed as a 

 synonym for O. pseudoboletus (=P. lucidus). Later on the same page it is given 

 varietal rank; also Lloyd (Letter No. 52, p. 27) cites it as a synonym for 

 Forties lucidus. 



8 Bot. Gaz. 46: p. 337. 1908. 

 * loc. cit. p. 123. 



