No. 15.] HYMENIALES OF CONNECTICUT. 35 



before expanding, becoming more or less flattened with age, and 

 is usually white and smooth. The gills are at first white, later 

 becoming dingy with the accumulation of spores. The stem is 

 from one to three inches long, and has a thickened base which 

 gradually tapers upward. It is covered with minute fibers when 

 }'oung, but becomes smooth at maturit}-. 



This plant is considered equal to Agaricus campestris in point 

 of edibility, and some predict that its cultivation will be equally 

 feasible. The writer has enjoyed several meals, and has found 

 the species a delicious one. 



ARMILLARIA Fr. 



But one known edible species occurs in this genus, but this 

 has a wide distribution, and has characteristics which make it 

 well known. 



Armillaria mellea Vahl. Honey-colored Mushroom. (Plate 

 IV, Bull. No. 3.) Grows about the bases of trees, either 

 attached directly to the stump or growing in soil. Upon close 

 examination the mycelial strands at the base of the stem are 

 found to be closely interwoven ; and these become closely con- 

 nected with the root system of the trees in the vicinity. The 

 plants usually occur in large clusters, the individual plants of 

 which are closely joined. The plant varies much in size, and 

 its chief characters are its honey color, its oval to convex cap, 

 usually covered with sharp, erect, brown scales, which may, 

 however, entirely disappear in moist weather, and its tough, 

 elastic stem, which is uniform in thickness throughout, and more 

 or less covered with floccose scales. The ring, which is usually 

 quite thick, is joined to the stem near its apex. This varies much 

 as regards thickness, often becoming very thin or entirely disap- 

 pearing with age. This plant is of considerable economic import- 

 ance, since it frequently attacks fruit trees, cspeciariy those whose 

 physiological vigor is already weakened, and serious results 

 follow. 



Armillaria mellea is far from being one of the most desirable 

 species for food, because of its tough, leathery consistency; 

 however, when young, it is fairly tender. 



