SOME COMMON MLTSHHOOMS AND U()\V TO KNOW TIJEM 



55 



CAX,VATIA CYATIIIFOKMIS. VVV ITFTUALL. (EUIBLE) 



In tilis species the i)laiit is {jclohnse i>r turliinate aiul depressed alutvc. with 

 a thiek, soinewliat stendike hase and cordlike root; the cortex is whitisli 

 gray or hrowii. sometimes with a ]>iidvish-purple tinge, thin, fi-agile, areolate 

 in the upper i»art. which, after maturity, soon l)reaks U4) and falls away, 

 leaving a cup-shaped base with a ragged margin attached to tlie gi'ound ; tlu; 

 capillitium and sjiores are at first viol&t, becoming dark purple brown. The 

 plant is ;> to <! inches in diameter. 



Tins species is connnon im open grassy ground in pastures, fields, and 

 lawns. It is edible and of tine flavor. 



CALVATIA GIGAXTELA.. GIANT PTJKFBALL. (EDIBLE) 



(Fig. 47) 



The giant pufthall is globose or obovoid in shape, nearly sessile, plicate at the 

 base, with cordlike mycelial strands. The cortex is at lirst white and smooth, 

 becoming yellowish or brown, sometimes slightly roughened by minute warts 

 or cracking in areas; the inner peridium is thin and fragile; the capillitium 

 and spores are yellowish green to dingy olive when mature. 



FiijiRE 4V. — Valiatiii (jigantca. (Edible) 



Individuals of this species often attain an enormous size, the specimen sliown 

 in Figure 47 measnring 5 feet 1 inch in circumference. The usual size, how- 

 ever, varies from I(» to 20 inches in diamett-r. 



This is an excellent edible species of wide geographic range, growing very 

 abundantly on lawns, pastures, and meadows. 



GEASTER (EARTH STARS) 



In the fjenus Goaster the poridituu coii.sists of three persistent 

 coats. The two outer coats generally adhei-e and form the thick, 

 fleshy-coriaceous hiyer (exoperidiinn), which at maturity splits 

 from the apex into several segments; the inner coat is more or less 

 IJarchmeiitlike, either sessile or short staJked, and opens by an 

 apical mouth. The spores are usually dark brown and mixed with 

 capillitium. 



