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32 CIRCULAR 143, 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. FAWWN-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 oceurs 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. 
