The following two plants are more fleshy in texture than the usual Stereum, and have been 

 generally classed as Sparassis. The genus Sparassis, however, is denned as having the "hymenium 

 amphigenous," which does not apply to either species. They are intermediate between Stereum and 

 Sparassis, agreeing with the former in the position of the hymenium and the latter in general habits 

 and texture. Compare article by A. D. Cotton in Trans. British Myc. Soc., Vol. 3, p. 333, where it is 

 shown that the hymenium of Sparassis crispus is only partially amphigenous. 



STEREUM SPATHULATUM. A merismatoid plant, rather 

 frequent in our Eastern United States, that has generally been con- 

 sidered as Sparassis, and often confused with Sparassis crispa. Sparas- 

 sis crispa is truly a fleshy plant, and this plant, while having the 

 general appearance of a Sparassis, has the texture of a Stereum, and 

 I believe is better so classed. In Europe, however, the very analogous, 

 and possibly same species, Stereum laminosum has usually been 

 classed as Sparassis. 



STEREUM LAMINOSUM (Fig. 552). This plant of Europe is 

 very close to Stereum spathulatum of the United States, and is prob- 

 ably same thing. It grows merismatoid from a thick, root stalk. It 

 was classed by Fries as Sparassis, though the hymenium, in the main 

 at least, covers but one side of the pileus, which would make it a 

 Stereum even under Fries' definition. It appears to be a rather rare 

 species in Europe, but has been found lately in England, and a photo- 

 graph contrasting it with Sparassis crispa can be found in Swanton's 

 book. In my belief this was Thelephora frondosa of Persoon, a 

 specimen of which is still in his herbarium. Also it is included in 

 Fries' Hym. Europaei, I think, as Sparassis laminosa and Sparassis 

 foliacea (p. 666) and (possibly) Stereum speciosum (p. 638). 



SYNONYMS. 



Sparassis foliacea, France, St. Amans (as Clavaria), generally referred from the picture to lami- 

 nosa. Dufour states it is not infrequent in pine woods of France, and that when fresh it is fleshy as 

 a Clavaria. 



Sparassis Herbstii, United States, Peck = Stereum spathulatum. 



Sparassis laminosa, Europe, Fries. Better classed, I think, as a Stereum, but in its general 

 habits of growth and appearance it is much closer to Sparassis than to any other Stereum of Europe. 

 It would naturally be sought in Sparassis in Europe. 



Stereum Carolinensis, United States, Cooke = Stereum spathulatum. 



Stereum gausapatum, Southern Europe, Fries. Fries states he knew the plant only from a col- 

 lection from Angiers, France, by Guepin. I did not find a type in his herbarium. Lately the name 

 has been much used for the plant that Fries and mycologists in general call Stereum spadiceum. I 

 have always doubted the correctness of it, for it seems strange that Fries who knew so well Stereum 

 spadiceum in the woods of Sweden should not have recognized it when he received it from a corre- 

 spondent. Besides, it is misleading to write "Fries" after this name, when Fries knew the plant well 

 in the fresh state and always called it, when he found it fresh, Stereum spadiceum, and always so named 

 it in his publications. I recently found in Montagne's herbarium what is evidently a cotype of Stereum 

 gausapatum, and I believe it is the only one that exists. I must now concede that it is probably 

 Stereum spadiceum, but I do not feel at all content to abandon the name Stereum spadiceum in the 

 sense in which it has been used for nearly a century by most mycologists, and concerning the identity 

 of which there is no possible question, because Fries on one single occasion did not recognize a dried 

 specimen from a correspondent and misconceived it as being merismatoid. It seems to me as putting 

 too heavy a penalty on Fries for a single mistake. Besides it is contrary to "Law" and leads to 

 nothing but confusion. 



If mycologists are so particular to get everything exactly historically and "priorly" right, they 

 should consider Stereum spadiceum as being Stereum tabacinum as named and illustrated (poorly) 

 by Sowerby, so stated by Berkeley and so interpreted by Persoon. While the figure is much too- 

 brightly colored, it should be recognized in connection with Sowerby's remarks, "exuding red drops." 

 There is no question in my mind that Stereum tabacinum (strictly correct) is Stereum spadiceum of 

 Fries, and mycologists in general; but I have no intention to propose a juggle at this late date. The 

 name Stereum tabacinum is too firmly fixed to another plant, even if not historically correct. Per- 

 soon had it right as evidenced by specimens still in his herbarium. 



Stereum speciosum, Italy, Fries, based on a drawing sent to Fries by Inzenga and in his col- 

 lection of drawings at Upsala. I thought when I saw it that it represented Stereum laminosum, but it 

 must be admitted that Inzenga's published figure (if the same) has very little resemblance to this 

 species and is probably an immature Polyporus. 



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