330 



MUSHROOMS, EDIBLE AND OTHERWISE 



Psilocybe ammophila. Mont. 



Ammophila is from two Greek words; amnios, sand, and philos, loving; BO 

 called because the plants seem to delight to grow in sandy soil. 



The pileus is small, convex, expanded, umbilicate, at first hemispherical, 

 rather fleshy, yellow, tinged with red. fibrfllose. 



Figure 268. Psilocybe ammophila. Two-thirds natural size, showing the sand 



on the base. 



The gills are smoky in color, with a decurrent tooth, powdered with the 

 blackish spores. 



The stem is soft, rather short, hollow, lower half clavate and sunk into the 

 sand, striate. The spores are 12x8. 



They are found in August and September. They delight in sandy soil, as the 

 specific name indicates. The plants in the photograph were found near Columbus 

 and photographed by Dr. Kellerman. It is quite common in sandy soil. I do 

 not think it is edible. I should advise great caution in its use. 



