GILL FUNGI 45 



Marasmius peronatus Boot Stem 



Cap small to medium, 3-8 cm. wide, yellowish, tan or pale brownish red, smooth, 

 striate at the margin, convex to flat; stem slender and tough, 5-8 cm. by 3-4 mm., 

 whitish or yellowish, with a downv covering which separates readily, densely yellow- 

 ish or white-woolly at the base, stuffed, then hollow ; gills adnexed, then free, 

 pale to reddish ; spores o-\'oid, 6-8 X 3-S/i. The name refers to the sheath-like 

 down at the base of the stem. 



Common on the ground in woods, June to frost ; acrid, but highly flavored and 

 delicious when cooked. 



Figure 25. Marasmius oreades 



Marasmius cohaerens Tuft Marasmius 



Cap small, 2-3 cm. wide, tan, yellow to reddish brown, smooth, striate when 

 moist, convex to plane or upturned; stem tall and slender, 10-20 cm. by 4-6 mm., 

 colored like the cap, but shining, or paler, hollow, fastened together near the base 

 by threads ; gills adnate, more rarely free, tan to red-brown, with spindle-shaped, 

 yellow-brown spines, 60-90/i ; spores elliptic, 6 X 3/x. The name refers to the 

 fused bases of the stems. 



On the ground among leaves and in much-decayed wood, late summer and au- 

 tumn. 



