88 



MUSHROOMS, EDIBI.li AND OTHERWISE 



C litocybc. Fr, 



Clitocybe is from two Greek words, a hill-side, or declivity, and a head; so 

 called from the central depression of the pileus. 



The genus Clitocybe differs from Tricholoma in the character of the trills. 

 They are attached to the stem by the whole width and usually are prolonged down 

 the stem or deenrrent. This is the first genus with decurrent t^ilis. The genus 

 has neither a volva nor a ring and the spores are white. The stem is elastic, 

 spongy within, frequently hollow and extremely fibrou s, commons with the pileus. 



The pileus is generally fleshy, growing thin toward the margin, plane or 

 depressed or funnel-shaped, and with margin incurved. The universal veil, if 

 present at all, is seen only on the margin of the pilens like frost or silky dew. 



These plants usually grow on the ground and frequently in groups, though 

 a few may he found on decayed wood. 



The collyhia. Mycena, and ( )mphalia have cartilaginous stems, while the stem 

 of the Clitocybe is extremely fibrous, and the Tricholoma is distinguished by its 

 notched gills. 



This genus, because of the variations in its species, will always he puzzling 

 to the beginner, as it is to experts. We may easily decide it is a Clitocybe because 

 of the gills squarely meeting the stem, or deenrrent upon it. and its external fibrous 

 stem, but to locate the species is quite a different matter. 



Clitocybe media. Pk. 

 Tin'. Intermediate Clitocybe. Edible. 



Ficube 64. I media. One-half natural size. 



Media is from medius, middle; 

 it is so called because it is inter- 

 mediate between C. nebularis and 

 C. clavipes. It is not as plentiful 

 as either of the others in our 

 w< tods. 



The pileus is grayish-brown or 

 blackish-brown, always darker 

 than C. nebularis. The flesh is 

 white and farinaceous in taste. 



The gills are rather broad, not 

 crowded, adnate and decurrent. 

 white, with few transverse ridges 

 or ve'ns in the spaces between the 

 gills. 



The stem i> one to two inches 

 long, usually tapering upward. 



