FIELD BOOK OF COMMON GILLED MUSHROOMS 



Species of Laccaria 



Laccaria laccata; laccate laccaria; waxy clitocybe; waxy 

 mushroom. Plate X, Species 69. 



On ground in woods, groves, swamps, mossy places and pas- 

 tures, in wet, dry or sandy soil and even in sphagnum moss; 

 solitary, in groups or tufts; May to October; edible. 



Cap convex or plane, sometimes depressed at the center; 

 surface smooth; hygrophanous ; fleshy; rather thin; sometimes 

 with radial lines at the margin (striated); pale red, buff -red, 

 or flesh-red when moist; pale ochre, grayish or buff when 

 dry; margin even; >^ to 2 inches broad. 



Gills broad; thick; rather far apart; attached to the stem 

 or extending down it (adnate or decurrent) ; sometimes slightly 

 toothed near the stem; pale flesh-red and occasionally deep 

 violet; powdered white when old by the spores. 



Stem long or short; cylindric or nearly so; fibrous; firm; 

 straight or bent; smooth; stuffed; colored like the cap; i to 3 

 inches long. 



Spores white; 8 to 10 microns in diameter; covered with 

 minute warts or elevations. 



This is the most common and the most variable species of 

 the genus Laccaria. It is not particular concerning its habitat 

 or season. It may be found at any time from spring to late 

 autumn if the weather is not too dry. As in other species of 

 the genus, the color of the gills is more persistent than that 

 of the cap and is one of the most available characters by 

 which to separate this species from others. Peck. 



This species is very variable in form, size and color; but 

 after all, it is so different from other mushrooms that it is 

 easily recognized. It is one of the most common species 

 met with, both in woods or fields. All authors pronounce 

 it harmless, and although poor in quality, it is often eaten. 

 Murrill. , 



200 



