32 



CIRCULAR 14 3, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



PLUTEUS 



The genus Pluteus may be recognized among the rosy-spored 

 agarics by its symmetrical cap, central stem distinct from the cap, 

 and free salmon-colored gills. In addition to these features, the 

 absence of a volva and ring will assist in the determination of the 

 species of this genus. 



These plants are usually found growing on decaying wood, lum- 

 ber, and sawdust piles. 



PLUTEUS CERVINUS. FAWN-COLORED PLUTEUS. ( EDIBLE) 



In this species the cap is at first bell-shaped, later convex and expanded 

 to almost plane, fleshy, generally smooth but with radiating fibrils, or some- 

 times more or less scaly, light brown, or sooty ; margin entire ; the flesh is 



Figure 30. — Volvaria bombycina 



white ; the gills are broad, ventricose, unequal, free, white becoming flesh- 

 colored ; the stem is color of cap, paler above, firm, solid, fibrillose or sub- 

 glabrous, nearly equal but slightly tapering above. 



The cap is 2 to 5 inches broad ; the stem is 2 to 5 inches long and 3 to 6 

 lines thick. 



Pluteus cervinus occurs intermittently from spring to early fall. It grows 

 at the base of decaying stumps or logs and sometimes appears in great abun- 

 dance on sawdust piles. It is edible, and when young it is tender and of good 

 flavor. 



PHOLIOTA 



The genus Pholiota is distinguished among the ocher-spored 

 agarics by the presence of an annulus which is membranaceous in 

 character and persistent or fugacious. The cap is more or less fleshy, 

 yellowish, tawny, and sometimes scaly. The gills are adnate or 

 slightly decurrent by a tooth. This genus corresponds to Armillaria 

 of the white-spored agarics. 



