THE BLACK-SPORED AGARICS 



347 



Psathyrella disseminata. Pers. 



The Clustered Psathyrella. Edible. 



Disseminata is from dissemino, to scatter. Pileus is about a half inch across, 

 membranaceous, ovate, bell-shaped, at first scurvy, then naked ; coarsely striated, 

 margin entire ; yellowish then gray. Gills adnate, narrow, whitish, then gray, 

 finally blackish. Stem one to one and a half inches long, rather curved, mealy 

 then smooth, fragile, hollow. Massee. 



Photo by C. G. Lloyd. 



Figure 280. Psathyrella disseminata. Natural size. 



This is a very small plant, growing on grassy lawns, and very common on old 

 trunks, and about decaying stumps. 



A cluster about two yards square shows itself at intervals all summer on the 

 Chill'cothe High School lawn. The grass shows itself to be greener and thriftier 

 there on account of fertilization by the mushroom. The entire plant is very fragile 

 and soon melts away. I have eaten the caps raw many times and they have a rich 

 flavor. They are found from May till frost. 



