20 



CIRCULAR, 14 3, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



CLITOCYBE BEALBATA. (SUSPECTEB) 



In this species the cap is convex, then plane, finally revolute and undulate, 

 dry, even, smooth, somewhat shining; the flesh is thin, dry, white; the gills 

 are adnate, crowded, scarcely decurrent, white ; the stem is equal, erect, or 

 ascending, stuffed, wholly fibrous, apex subpruinose. 



While this species has been considered edible, it may easily be mistaken for 

 Clitocy'be sudoriflca, a very dangerous fungus known as the " sweat-producing 

 Clitocybe." 



CLITOCYBE ILLUBENS. JACK-O'' -LANTERN. (POISONOUS) 

 (Fig. 19) 



In Clitocybe illudens the cap is fleshy, convex or expanded, then depressed, 

 sometimes with a small umbo, saffron yellow, in age becoming sordid or 

 brownish ; the gills are broad, distant, and unequally decurrent ; the stem is 



Figure 19. — Clitocybe illudens. (Poisonous.) (From M. A. Williams) 



solid, firm, smooth, and tapering toward the base, ascending, curved, rarely 

 erect, color same as cap. 



The cap is 4 to 6 inches broad ; the stem is 5 to 8 inches long. 



This is a very striking fungus on account of both its color and the large 

 clumps it forms about stumps or decaying trees. It is often irregular in form, 

 from the crowded habit of growth. On account of the phosphorescence which 

 renders it conspicuous at night, it is commonly known as the jack-o'-lantern. 

 While not considered a dangerous poisonous species, it produces illness and is 

 to be carefully avoided. It may be found from August to October. 



OMPHALIA 



In the genus Omphalia the cap is generally thin, at first umbilicate, 

 but later funnel shaped, with the margin either incurved or straight. 

 The stem is cartilaginous, its flesh being continuous with that of the 

 pileus but differing in character. Species of Omphalia are common 

 on rotten wood on hilly slopes and are especially abundant in damp 

 weather. Some species are extremely small. 



This genus is closely related to Mycena and Collybia, but it is dis- 

 tinguished from them because of its decurrent gills. 



