540 



MUSHROOMS, EDIBLE AND OTHERWISE 



It is difficult to distinguish 

 this from C. lilacina when fresh, 

 but when ripe the color will tell 

 the species. Figure 460 shows 

 the plant as it appears on the 

 ground, and figure 461 shows 

 the subgleba or sterile base, 

 which is frequently found on 

 the ground after weathering 

 the winter. This plant is very 

 common on the hillsides under 

 small oak shrubbery. I have 

 gathered a basketful within a 

 few feet. They grow very large, 

 often five to six inches in di- 

 ameter, seeming to delight in 

 rather poor soil. When the 

 spore-mass is white this is an 

 excellent fungus, but exceed- 

 ingly bitter after it has turned 

 yellow. Found during October 

 and November. 



Calvatia elata. Massee. 



The Stemmed Calvatia. 

 Edible 



Elata means tall ; so> called 

 from its long stem. 



The peridium is round, often 

 slightly depressed above, plicate 

 below, where it is abruptly con- 

 tracted into a long stem-like 

 base. The base is slender, 

 round, and frequently pitted ; 

 mycelium rather plentiful, 

 fibrous and thread-like. When 

 in good condition it is a rich 

 cream color. The cortex con- 

 sists of a coat of minute per- 



Figure 462. Calvatia elata. 



