2088 



MUSHROOM 



MUSHROOM 



some positively toxic. Boletus edulis (la cepe, der 

 Steinpilz) probably furnishes more than any other one 

 species of the fresh wild fungi sold on the markets of 

 European cities. Boletus subtomentosus (Fig. 2416) is 

 not poisonous, but is of inferior quality. 



Fistulina hepalica, often known as the beefsteak 

 mushroom, is a juicy, fleshy species with red pileus. 

 The plants are bracketed, and grow from the stumps 

 of several hardwoods. The fungus is prized by many, 

 and while widely distributed it occurs sparingly. 



The Hydnacese are characterized by a spore-bearing 

 surface spread over teeth or spines arising either from a 

 cap-like pileus or from a tubercular or much-branched 

 structure. Among the edible species Hydnum repandum 

 possesses a pileus and true stem. It is of a smoky color 

 and occurs in the autumn on the ground in moist woods. 

 H. coralloides (coral hydnum) and H. erinaceus (satyr's 

 beard) are both delicate white or creamy fungi both 

 found in the autumn, on logs or trees. 



2418. Ly co per don era ni forme. 



In moist wooded places there appear in the late sum- 

 mer and early fall along with Boletus, Russula, and 

 other species, several members of the Clavariaceae 

 (stag horn or fairy club fungi) . In this family the spores 

 are borne over the whole horn or club-like body. These 

 are of various colors from buff to orange or sooty gray. 

 All species which are of sufficient size to be usable are 

 considered edible. Clavaria aurea (Fig. 2417), C. for- 

 mosa, and C. botrytes are among the larger forms. In 

 the Thelephoracese, which include species more or less 

 leathery in texture, the spores are on the lower or outer 

 surface, where that may be distinguished. The horn of 

 plenty, Craterellus cornucopioides, a smoky-blue horn- 

 shaped species, is practically the only edible species of 

 interest in this family. The gelatinous fungi, includ- 

 ing the Tremellacese and allied families, are not of suf- 

 ficient interest to require special description. 



Among the Basidiomycetes in which the spores are 

 differentiated internally, or remain long covered, the 

 puff-balls (Lycoperdacese) furnish a number of species 

 of economic importance. All of these plants with white 

 flesh are edible, and some are valuable food accessories. 

 They should be eaten only so long as the flesh is white, 

 and when discolored with age normally due to the 



2419. a, Scleroderma vulgare; 

 b, section of same. 



formation of the spores they must be discarded. The 

 largest species, Lycoperdon giganteum (giant puff-ball), 

 frequently attains a diameter of 16 inches, while 

 specimens over 2 feet in diameter have been reported. 

 This species occurs in gardens and meadows. The flesh 

 is pure white until 

 practically full size 

 is attained. Lyco- 

 perdon cyathiforme, 

 the beaker-shaped 

 puff-ball, is common 

 in pastures in the 

 fall. In the young 

 stages the plants 

 vary in color from 

 creamy white to 

 pink-brown, with white flesh. With the formation of 

 spores it becomes purplish throughout, and leaves a 

 purple beaker-shaped sterile basal part. This is perhaps 

 the puff-ball of highest flavor, and consequently the one 

 which should be known by all persons interested in 

 edible mushrooms. Lycoperdon craniforme (Fig. 2418) 

 is found in meadows or in open woods. At maturity 

 the plant shrinks, and may become considerably fur- 

 rowed, from which character the specific name is de- 

 rived. Resembling smaller members of the Lycoper- 

 daceae externally is a fungus, Scleroderma vulgare (Fig. 

 2419), which is black within, tough and inedible. 



Ascomycetes. 



While the larger part of the flesh fungi belong to the 

 Basidiomycetes, nevertheless the few families of the 

 Ascomycetes furnish some forms of special interest. 

 The family Helvellacese includes the genus Morchella 

 (morels), as well as Helvella (saddle fungi) and Gyro- 

 mi tra (contorted saddle fungi). There are several 

 species of morels often appropriately called sponge 

 mushrooms, the latter designation being given both 

 on account of the color of the plant and the porous 

 character of the pileus. The morels are widely distribu- 

 ted in the United States. All appear after the warm 

 rains of the spring. They constitute, therefore, about the 

 earliest edible mushrooms. The season is often limited 

 to one or two weeks of favorable weather. Morchella 

 esculenla (Fig. 2420) is a common species, and one which 

 appears to be M . crassipes is frequently found in the 

 Central States at least. The tuber family (Tuberacese) 

 includes all truffles, very aromatic subterranean fungi 

 found for the most part in southern Europe, and there 

 constituting a considerable article of commerce. The 

 mycelium of these plants is associated with the roots 

 of certain trees and shrubs, especially oaks. The spe- 

 cies most highly prized are Tuber melanosporum, the 

 typical French or black truffle, sometimes called the 

 Perigord truffle, which is commercially much more 

 important than all other species combined; T. sestivum, 

 which is the summer truffle of France; and T. magna- 

 tum, a large smooth species with onion-like flavor, which 

 is the commoner form in 

 Italy. The terfas, or false 

 truffles (Terfeziacese), are 

 also subterranean fungi found 

 associated with the roots of 

 certain species of Cistaceae 

 and Compositse. The regions 

 of their occurrence are "pri- 

 marily semi-arid sections of 

 northern Africa and localities 

 in the Asiatic Mediterranean 

 country. They are appar- 

 ently the truffles of ancient 

 times. The plants are spheri- 

 cal or ovoidal in form, and at 

 maturity they have a general 

 resemblance in size and tex- 2420. 

 ture to a potato. Morchella esculenta. ( X H) 



