52 • NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



NEW YORK SPECIES OF MARASMIUS 



L. H. PENNINGTON PH.D. 



Professor of Botany in Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 



Many species of Marasmius occupy a unique position as the xero- 

 phytes among the Agarics. They play an important role in the 

 formation of humus, since among the higher fungi they are the 

 first to attack and begin the decomposition of leaves, twigs etc. 

 which fall into situations not moist enough to permit the growth of 

 ordinary humus forming fungi. For example, Marasmius 

 androsaceous (L.) Fr. grows upon dead pine needles upon 

 ledges of rock and other exposed situations where the rain water 

 runs off or dries up quickly, and Marasmius minutus 

 Peck may be found upon dead leaves before they have fallen to 

 the ground. The ability of the dried plants to revive readily when 

 moistened makes it possible for them to take advantage of every 

 moist period, no matter how short, to continue their growth. 



Although many species of Marasmius are among the first fungi 

 to begin the decay of plant tissues, very few of them are parasitic, 

 and therefore they play but a small part in causing plant disease. 

 In the tropics a few species as M. sacchari Wakker, and 

 M . p 1 i c a t u s Wakker are known to cause serious rootrot in 

 sugar cane. M. caryophylleus ( Schaeff . ) Schrot., the 

 common fairy ring mushroom, has been shown to be a weak para- 

 site upon roots and underground stems of grasses. The grass is at. 

 first stimulated to produce a more vigorous growth with a darker 

 green color than usual. It may then die thus making it possible, 

 even when the fungus is not visible, to detect its presence in lawns 

 by the bare spots where it has killed the grass. 



M. caryophylleus is practically the only species of 

 Marasmius which is commonly used as a food. This species is 

 highly esteemed by many people and is considered equal to any 

 other mushroom for the table. M. alliatus (Schaefif.) Schrot., 

 which has the odor and taste of onions, is said to be used in 

 European countries to flavor other dishes. Several species have a 

 bitter or acrid taste and are considered as poisonous. Some have 

 both a disagreeable odor and taste. 



Seventy-one species of Marasmius are known in temperate North 

 America. Fifty-five of these have been described or reported from 

 New York State,, the majority of them by the illustrious former 

 State Botanist Dr Charles H. Peck. Seventeen species are con- 

 sidered as common to both Europe and North America. Further 



