12 BULLETIN" 1*75, TJ. S. DEPARTMENT OE AGRICULTURE. 



and Lepiota by the continuity of the substance of the stem and cap, 

 and it is further differentiated from Amanita by the absence of a 

 volva. It contains several edible species. 



Armillaria mellea. Honey-colored mushroom. (Edible.) 



Cap oval to convex and expanded, sometimes with a slight elevation, smooth, or 

 adorned with pointed dark-brown or blackish scales, especially in the center, honey 

 color to dull reddish brown, margin even or somewhat striate when old; gills adnate or 

 decurrent, white or whitish, sometimes with reddish brown spots; stem elastic, 

 spongy, sometimes hollow, smooth or scaly, generally whitish, sometimes gray or yellow 

 above the ring, below reddish brown. 



Cap \\ to 6 inches broad; stem 2 to 6 inches long, one-half to three-fourths inch 

 thick. (PI. VIII, fig. 1; from W. A. Kellerman.) 



This species is extremely common and variable. It generally occurs in clusters 

 about the base of rotten stumps and is often a serious parasite of fruit trees. Both ring 

 and stem are subject to marked variations. The former may be thick, or thin, or en- 

 tirely absent, and the latter uniform in diameter or bulbous. The species is edible, 

 though not especially tender or highly flavored. 



On account of the great variation in color, surface of the cap, and shape of the stem, 

 several forms of Armillaria mellea have been given varietal distinction. The following 

 varieties as distinguished by Prof. Peck may be of assistance to the amateur: 

 Armillaria mellea var. Jlava, with yellow or reddish yellow cap. 

 Armillaria mellea var. radicata, with a tapering root. 

 Armillaria mellea var. albida, with white or whitish cap. 



Armillaria nardosmia. (Edible.) 



Cap fleshy, firm and thick at the center, thin toward the margin, whitish with brown 

 spots, cuticle becoming squamulose; flesh white; gills whitish, crowded, slightly 

 emarginate; stem stout, fibrous, sheathed by the brown velvety veil. 



Cap about 3 inches broad; stem 1£ to 2\ inches long. 



This plant resembles a short-stemmed Lepiota, but is more robust than species of 

 that genus. It is found on the ground in woods, especially in the sandy soil of conifers. 

 Its strong taste and smeM. of almonds disappear in cooking. 



Armillaria ventricosa. 



Cap fleshy, convex or nearly plane, smooth, shining white, margin thin and involute; 

 flesh whitish; gills narrow and close, decurrent, sometimes dentate or denticulate on 

 the edge, whitish; stem thick and short, ventricose, abruptly pointed at the base; 

 ring lacerated and membranaceous. 



Cap 4 to 7 inches broad; stem 2 to 3 inches long, ventricose portion 1 to 2 inches 

 broad. (PL IX.) 



This is a coarse, conspicuous fungus. It was first described as Lentinus on account 

 of the serrate character of the gills mentioned in the above description. This species 

 was collected in Alabama and described by Prof. Peck in 1896; since that date several 

 collections have been made in the District of Columbia, but it is not generally reported 

 as having a wide distribution. 



PLEUROTUS. 



The genus Pleurotus is chiefly distinguished among the white-spored 

 agarics by the excentric stem or resupinate cap. The stem is fleshy 

 and continuous with the substance of the cap, but it is subject to great 

 variation in the different species and may be excentric, lateral, or en- 



