CIRCULAR No. 143 MARCH, 1931 
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
WASHINGTON, D. C. 
SOME COMMON MUSHROOMS AND HOW 
TO KNOW THEM! 
By Vera K. CHARLES, Associate Pathologist, Office of Mycology and Disease 
Survey, Bureau of Plant Industry 
CONTENTS 
Page |! Page 
LEAN ETOYS AEKOU VON Dees ee ey oe ee Be af: Phallaceae (stinkhorn fungi) ______ 52 
Danger from poisonous fungi_—--~_ 3 | Lycoperdaceae (puffballs) _~________ 53 
Agarnicacede (gill) fungi) =o ee 4 | Ascomyeetes (sac fungi) __________ 56 
Polyporaceae (pore fungi) ___--___-- Ale Gl OS Saat yrocee ee mwa ats eo Sec? eae oe 58 
Hydnaceae (tooth fungi) ______-___ Hilal elim dexccOtiSDeCleSs Aw enc ee ee 59 
Clavariaceae (coral fungi)_---__~-_- 51 
INTRODUCTION 
A study of the wild mushrooms of the fields and woods makes its 
appeal to the amateur collector and the lover of nature as well as to 
the scientist. The beautiful colors and delicate textures exhibited 
by many of these plants offer a great attraction to the artistic, while 
the more practical are reminded of the gastronomic possibilities ? 
offered by many of the wild species. To the more advanced student, 
the great variety in form and the detailed microscopic characters 
provide an unlimited field for investigation. The hope of finding 
something new continually urges one on, and the thrill of possible 
discovery is ever present. 
The principal object of this circular is to provide the amateur 
collector or nature student with a convenient, safe, and practical 
means for the determination of some of the more common mushrooms 
and certain other interesting or conspicuous forms of fungi. It is 
hoped and confidently believed that an acquaintance with these 
humble dwellers of the woods and fields will add a real and vital 
interest to a walk or a day spent in the open. 
In order that this circular may be of service to the largest number 
of people, species of common occurrence and wide geographic range 
have been selected for discussion. 
1In this circular the term ‘‘mushroom” is not restricted to the Agaricaceae (gill 
fungi), but is used in a general sense to cover the larger fungi, in accordance with 
popular usage. This circular is in part a revision of and supersedes United States 
Department of Agriculture Bulletin 175, Mushrooms and Other Common Fungi, and 
Farmers’ Bulletin 796, Some Common Edible and Poisonous Mushrooms. 
2 Requests for information about cooking mushrooms should be addressed to the Bureau 
of Home Hconomics, U. S. Department of Agriculture. 
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