THE FAIRY-RING MUSHROOM 



THE FAIRY-RING MUSHROOM 



HERE you see a leathery little toadstool that shrivels 

 up when dry, but becomes soft again when moistened 

 by rain or dew. It is common in grassy places, such as 

 lawns, roadsides, and pastures. The plants may be 

 seen from May until October. 



The cap of this mushroom is from one to two 

 inches broad. When young it is tawny or reddish, 

 but it becomes paler as it grows older. When dry it 

 is usually a light yellow or buff. In the older plants 

 the center of the cap is often raised in a distinct tiny 

 mound. You can see this in the picture. 



The gills are somewhat broad and far apart. Their 

 color is the same as that of the cap, or lighter. The 

 spores are white. 



The slender stem is from one to two and a half 

 inches long with a smooth surface. It is solid and 

 quite tough. The color is whitish or a creamy yel- 

 low. 



This mushroom usually grows in rings or circles. 

 It was once thought that the elves made the mushroom 

 rings for their moonlight dances. This is the reason 

 that it was called the " fairy-ring" mushroom. 



Many are the tales which were told by the "old 

 folks" in some parts of England and Scotland about 

 travelers who were seized by the fairies and carried off 



73 



