2080 



MUSHROOM 



MUSHROOM 



2412. Lepiota procera. Parasol 

 fungus. 



be properly referred to this species. Under cultivation 

 the writer has been unable to find any better flavor in 

 .4. campestris than in A. arvensis. A. Rodmani and A. 

 villaticus are closely related to A. arvensis and A. 

 campestris, but there is some doubt as to whether either 

 of these should be regarded as distinct species. 



Agaricus fabaceus (A. subrufescens) is the almond- 

 flavored and almond-fragrant mushroom, sometimes 



found in green- 

 houses or in flower- 

 beds. This species 

 is readily distin- 

 guished by (1) the 

 long-persistent 

 membranous veil, 

 the lower surface 

 of which is covered 

 with soft frosty 

 scales; (2) the red- 

 brown to gray- 

 brown (with age) 

 pileus; and the en- 

 larged lower part 

 of the stem. It has 

 been cultivated, but 

 requires a higher 

 temperature than 

 A. campestris and 

 is said to be less 

 prolific. It deserves 

 further trial. The 

 spawn grows vigor- 

 ously in the usual 

 bricks. A. placomy- 

 ces is a woodland 

 species, and it is sometimes found from early sum- 

 mer until late fall. The cap is large, flat, and thin, 

 appearing smoky above from the presence of numer- 

 ous small, dark scales, which are closer together near 

 the center. The veil is like that of A. arvensis, and 

 the base of the stem is enlarged. The writer has 

 made spawn of this species,, and cultivated it in 

 small quantity. 



Agaricus silvicola, also an inhabitant of woods, is 

 almost pure white except as to gills. It is sometimes 

 tinged with yellow, and is always a rather small species, 

 occurring in the summer. Its value in cultivation could 

 be only with relation to its resistance to high tempera- 

 ture. 



The question of temperature-resistance is an impor- 

 tant one, however, and the discovery of an acceptable 

 edible species which might be grown at from 60 to 

 70 F. would make it possible to extend the mushroom- 

 growing season to ten or eleven months. 



Coprinus. Aside from Agaricus, Coprinus is the 

 only other genus of the Agaricaceae with black spores 

 which is sufficiently important 

 from an economic standpoint 

 to require consideration. The 

 genus is characterized more 

 particularly by the deliques- 

 cence of gills and other parts 

 of the pileus at maturity to an 

 inky black liquid. There are 

 three edible species of com- 

 mon occurrence, appearing 

 usually in lawns in the spring. 

 C. comatus (Fig. 2413), the 

 shaggy-mane mushroom, is the 

 largest, and one of the best of 

 the fungi. The whole plant is 

 often 6 inches in height, with 

 a cylindrical cap frequently 

 not less than 3 inches long 

 2413. Coprinus comatus an d 1^ inches in diameter. 

 (Horsetail mushroom). The name is derived from the 



shaggy scales on the pileus. As the plant approaches 

 maturity the gills are of a salmon-color and there is a 

 free or movable ring. C. atramentarius, the true ink- 

 cap, is a shorter form than C. comatus, and it commonly 

 occurs in clusters. The shorter, oval cap is slaty gray 

 in color, due to the background of dark gills showing 

 through the hygrophorus tissues. C. micaceus is much 

 smaller than either of the preceding, and occurs often 

 in solid phalanx covering several square feet of space 

 about old stumps or over decaying roots. When young, 

 the tan-colored cap is covered with temporary, glisten- 

 ing scales, like minute particles of mica. The only dis- 

 agreeable feature about the Coprini is their deliques- 

 cence, but they are of fine flavor and quality, if eaten 

 fresh. 



Lepiota. The genus Lepiota corresponds to Agaricus 

 in general characteristics, except that the spores in the 

 former are white. There are many species of this genus, 

 of which the more important are Lepiota procera (the 

 parasol mushroom) and L. naucinoides. Both are found 

 widely distributed in lawns, fields, or meadows. The 

 parasol mushroom is one of the most conspicuous of the 

 edible agarics, standing frequently 10 inches high 

 with a pileus often 5 to 6 inches in diameter, reddish 

 brown in color, with darker blotch-like scales. The 

 stem is delicate except for the bulbous base. The ring 

 is large and free. L. naucinoides in prime condition is 

 usually pure white. It is about the average size of the 

 cultivated mushroom, but with a thinner cap and a 

 stem more slender, thickening toward the base. One 

 who is not an expert should remember that the deadly 

 amanita is also white. See Amanita, below. 



2414. Amanita phalloides, poisonous. V. volva. ( X Yz) 



Armillaria mellea, the honey agaric, commonly brown- 

 ish yellow in general appearance, is typically an autumn 

 plant growing in clusters about stumps and the bases of 

 trees, or appearing through the sod over decaying roots. 

 It is one of the more abundant mushrooms in wooded 

 sections. In form this plant differs from Lepiota largely 

 in the fact that the gills are attached to the stem. The 

 spores are white but the gills become discolored with 

 age. This species is parasitic on a number of trees. The 

 mycelium develops a characteristic cord-like, or rhizo- 

 morphic stage. This plant is acrid and disagreeable 

 raw, but cooked it is said to be of good flavor. 



Amanita. The genus Amanita is interesting for two 

 reasons: (1) because it contains some handsome species, 

 which are quite likely to attract the attention of every 

 beginner in identification; and (2) because among these 

 species there are several which are the most deadly 

 poisonous of all mushrooms. Unless one is an expert, 



