213 



Steccheeinum Septenteionale (Fe.) Bankek in Indiana. 



By HowABD J. Banker. 



The fungus here considered is perhaps better linown as Hi/dmim sep- 

 teiitrionale (Fr. ). Although a large and conspicuous plant it appears to 

 have attracted very little attention it we are to judge by the references 

 to it in literature. In the entire series of Just's Botanischer Jahrsbericht 

 covering a period of more than twenty years I did not find a single refer- 

 ence to this species. As to size it possesses the unique distinction of being 

 by far the largest representative of the family of the Hydnacese, if not in- 

 deed being able to lay claim to the first place in this respect in the entire 

 fungal world. A specimen that recently came under the writer's observa- 

 tion and which is the occasion of this paper, after being damaged and a 

 portion of it lost, weighed 35 lbs. The whole mass measured 30 cm. long, or 

 in its projection from the substratum, 58. cm. wide, and 40. cm high. I 

 should not be surprised if specimens were to be found considerably ex- 

 ceeding this in size. 



The formation of the sporophore is somewhat peculiar. The mycelium 

 emerges from the main trunk of the tree through some small opening such 

 as the hole formed by a dead limb. In the ease of the plant here shown 

 it emerged under the base of the tree in a crevice formed by the diver- 

 gence of buttress-like roots and where there was a small opening apparently 

 into the heart of the tree. In every case that I have observed, the opening 

 has not been over ten centimeters in diameter and is out of all proportion 

 to the size of the sporophore. On emerging from the hole the mycelium 

 apparently grows radially, spreading in close adhesion to the substratum 

 and forming outwardly a series of overlapping or imbi'icate pilei. Ttie 

 first impression is that the mass is thoroughly rooted in the tree at all 

 points and can be removed only by breaking it in pieces or by cutting out a 

 portion of the tree. However, it will be found that no stronger implements 

 than one's fingers are sufficient to remove the specimen intact, for its at- 

 tachment to the bark is very slight and the fingers can easily be forced 

 between the fungus and the tree, pushing it off until the small cord of 

 mycelium which forms th6 real point of attachment is broken. 



