section Merismus. The latter section embraces plants that bear numerous pilei 

 proceeding from the branches of a common stem. In the two species in question 

 (cristatus and confluens) each pileus is borne on its distinct stem, and while 

 they sometimes grow caespitose and the stems grow more or less confluent 

 we look upon this as the cohesion of separate stems and not as the division of 

 a common stem. In addition we find specimens growing singly with a normal, 

 single stem much more frequently than those that grow together and coalesce. 

 Usually the stem is more or less lateral or irregular, but not truly merismatoid. 



F|g. 501 

 Polyporus cristatus. 



POIvYPORUS CRISTATUS (Fig. 501). Pileus drying dingy or 

 greenish yellow color, with a rough, somewhat scabrous, usually 



80 



