136 MINOR PRODUCTS OF PHILIPPINE FORESTS 



and the margin strongly but deciduously appendaged. The 

 gills are free, close, obtuse at both ends, and 4 millimeters deep. 

 The spores are elliptical, 6 to 6.5 by 4.5 microns, and obscurely 

 1 or 2 guttulate. The stipe is 3 to 4 centimeters high, and 3 to 

 4 millimeters thick, also equal, firm, naked, and subhoUow. The 

 annulus is high up and fugacious. This species grows on ma- 

 nured ground. 



Agarics growing on the lawn frequently produce "Fairy Rings" 

 (Fig. 25). 



Genus PLEUROTUS 



Edge of the gills entire, not canaliculate or split. Fleshy, 

 putrescent, not reviving when wet. Trama of the pileus not 

 vesiculose; spores typically smooth, gills more or less fleshy, 

 readily separable into two layers. Stipe excentric or none. 



The general characters of Pleurotus are that it grows like 

 a shelf fungus with a stalk from one side, instead of a central 

 typical stalk as with other mushrooms. All species are edible. 



PLEUROTUS OSTREATUS Jacq. 



This is one of the most sought for forms. (Fig. 19). It 

 varies in shape according to where it is growing, either on the 

 side or on top of a log. In some cases the plant may have a 

 definite lateral stem, but frequently no stem is produced. The 

 cap is white to gray and varies from 4 to 20 centimeters broad. 

 It is soft and fleshy, being thicker towards the place of attach- 

 ment. The gills iare broad and white, not crowded and de- 

 current if a stem is present. The spores are white, or a pale 

 purple. The stem if present is short, white, and without ring 

 or volva. 



Pleurotiis noctilucens (Lev.) Sacc. grows on dead wood, and 

 Pleurotus striatvlus Fries, has been found growing on dead 

 parts of Urena lobata Linn. var. sinuata (Linn.) Gagnepain. 

 The latter fungi are rather small. Pleurotus applicatus Fr. var. 

 cytidiatus Pat. may also be found on dead wood. 



Genus COLLYBfA 



Pileus between fleshy and tough, at length rather leathery, 

 sulcate, or corrugated; margin at first involute. Stem some- 

 what cartilaginous, mycelium floccose, sometimes not manifest. 



The fungi of this genus are commonly found growing from 

 termite nests. 



COLLYBIA ALBUM INOSA (Berk.) Fetch. 



Collybia albuminosa is the common form of Agaric that grows 

 from termite nests. It is found throughout the tropics (Figs. 

 20 and 21). 



