-u^nTOtm QOCUMEVfS Dtmmio 



CIRCULAR NO. 143 



Issued March 1931 \ 



Slightly revised August 1946 



UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

 WASHINGTON. D. C. 



SOME COMMON MUSHROOMS AND HOW 

 TO KNOW THEM^ 



By Veka K. Charles, Associate ratholofjist. Office of Mijcology and Disease 

 Survey, Bureau of Plant Industry 



CONTENTS 



Pa.iie 



Intro(l,uction 1 



Danjrer from p()i^^<lIlolIS funjii 3 



Agaricaccae (f,'ill fungi) 4 



Polyporaceae (pore fungi) 43 



Hydiiaceae (tooth fungi) 51 



Clavariaceae (coral fungi) 51 



Page 



Phallaccac (slinkliurn fungi) 52 



L.vccii)enlaf»'ae (puffhalls) 53 



AHfoniycetes (sac fungi) 56 



Collateral reading 5y 



Glossary 59 



Index of species 60 



INTRODUCTION 



A study of the wild nuislirooms of the fiekls and woods makes its 

 api^eal to the amateur collector and the lover of nature as well as to 

 the scientist. The beautiful colors and delicate textures exhibited 

 by many of these plants oli'er a great attraction to the artistic, while 

 the more practical are reminded of the gastronomic possibilities - 

 offered by many of the wild species. To the more advanced student, 

 the great variety in form and the detailed microscopic characters 

 provide an unlimited field for investigation. The hope of finding 

 something new continually urges one on, and the thrill of possible 

 discover}'^ is ever present. 



The principal object of this circular is to provide the amateur 

 collector or nature student with a convenient, safe, and practical 

 means for the determination of some of the more common mushrooms 

 and certain other interesting or conspicuous forms of fungi. It is 

 hoped and confidently believed that an acquaintance with these 

 humble dwellers of tlie woods and fields will add a real and vital 

 interest to a walk or a day spent in the open. 



In order that this circular may be of service to the largest number 

 of ])eople, species of common occurrence and wide geographic range 

 liave been selected for discussion. 



1 In this circular the term " mushroom " is not restricted to the Agaricaceae (gill 

 fungi), l)ut is used in a general sense to cover tlu" larger fungi, in accordance ■with 

 popular usage. Tliis circular is in part a revision of and supersedes United States 

 bepartment of Agiicultnre P.ulletin 175. Mushrooms and Other Common Fungi, and 

 Farmers' Bulletin 796, Some Common Edible and Poisonous Mushrooms. 



2 Requests for information about cooling mushrooms should be addressed to the Bureau 

 of Home Economics, U. S. Department of Agriculture. 



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