Fungi with Gills 



Stem or Stipe — Colour of cap ; hollow ; a mere tube, with thin 

 walls. When cut quickly, it changes to a deep red brown 

 and exudes a purple juice. Flexible, fragile. 



Spores — White. 



Ring or Annuhts — None. 



Time — September. 



Habitat — Decayed wood in forest. 



GENUS LENTINUS 



The genus Lentinus has white spores, no annulus, and no 

 volva. The stem is central or lateral, and the lamellae are nor- 

 mally toothed on their margins. The species are leathery, fleshy, 

 and tough ; will stand drying, and revive when moist. 



Lentinus lepideus is one cause of the decay of telegraph poles, 

 railroad ties, and bridges. 



Scaly Lentinus (Edible) 



Lentinus lepideus 



Section of 

 L. lepideus 



Cap or Pileus — Fleshy, firm, convex or 

 expanded. Creamy white, spotted 

 with dark brown appressed scales. 

 3-5 inches. 



Gills or Lamella — Rather broad, not 

 crowded; growing down the stem. 

 White edges, irregularly toothed. 



Stem or Stipe — Whitish. Sometimes ec- 



Len-ti'-nus 



Le>M'. 



56 



