14 CIRCULAR 143, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
The cap is 2 to 4 inches broad; the stem is 2 to 4 inches long and 8 to 5 
lines thick. 
This mushroom is of wide geographic distribution and grows singly or in 
clusters, often at the base of stumps, sometimes on sawdust piles, and again 
on grassy lawns. The plants are white when young, with the exception of 
the umbo and the scales, but in drying become smoky red. They are sometimes 
erect but frequently more or less ascending. Lepiota americana may be easily 
recognized by the peculiarity of turning red when bruised or old. 
ARMILLARIA 
Armillaria is another white-spored genus having a ring and no 
volva. The gills are attached to the stem and are sinuate or more 
or less decurrent. The substance of the stem and cap is continuous 
and firm. This genus may be distinguished from Amanita and 
Lepiota by the con- 
tinuity of the sub- 
stance of the stem 
and cap, and it is 
further differentiated 
from Amanita by the 
absence of a volva. 
Armillaria mellea is 
a common edible 
species. 
ARMTLLARTA MELLEA. 
HONEY-COLORED MUSH- 
ROOM. (EDIBLE) 
(Fig. 12) 
In Armillaria mellea 
the cap is oval to convex 
and expanded, sometimes 
with a slight elevation, 
smooth, or adorned with 
small pointed dark-brown 
or blackish scales, espe- 
FIGURE 12.—Armiilaria mellea. (Edible) cially in the center, 
honey color to dull red- 
dish brown, margin even or somewhat striate when old; the gills are adnate or 
decurrent, white or whitish, sometimes with reddish-brown spots; the stem is 
elastic, spongy, sometimes hollow, smooth or scaly, generally whitish, sometimes 
gray or yellow above the ring, below reddish brown. 
The cap is 1% to 6 inches broad; the stem is 2 to 6 inches long and one-half 
to three-fourths inch thick. 
The species is extremely common and variable. It grows in large clusters 
about the base of rotten stumps and is often a serious parasite of fruit and 
shade trees. Both ring and stem are subject to marked variations. The 
former may be thick or thin or entirely absent, and the latter uniform in 
diameter or bulbous. The species is edible. though not especially tender or 
highly flavored. 
On account of the great variation in color, surface of the cap, and shape 
of the stem, several forms of Armillaria mellea have been given varietal dis- 
tinction. The following varieties as distinguished by Peck may be of assistance 
to the amateur: 
Armillaria mellea var. flava, with yellow or reddish yellow cap. 
Armillaria mellea var. radicata, with a tapering root. 
Armillaria mellea var. albida, with white or whitish cap. 
