46 BULLETIN 175, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Guepinia spathularia. 



In rainy or damp weather this little fungus forces itself upon the attention of the 

 collector. It occurs abundantly, especially upon railroad ties. Plants arise from a 

 stemlike base, are spatulate, lobed, and branched, one-half to 1 inch in height, yellow 

 or orange. In damp weather they are subgelatinous to membranaceous, in dry 

 weather horny to cartilaginous. After a rain these little fungi appear suddenly and 

 are conspicuous, but they soon shrivel, becoming insignificant. The species has no 

 valve from an epicurean point of view. 



TREMELLODON. 



The genus Tremellodon can not be confused with any other, as it 

 is the only gelatinous spiny fungus known. 



Tremellodon gelatinosum. 



Specimens are somewhat stipitate, tremulous, dimidiate, fan shaped; cap opal- 

 escent, roughened with small dots; teeth, soft, white. They grow on decaying logs 

 in damp woods in the fall and early winter, and are considered delicious when slowly 

 stewed. 



CLAVARIACE^E (coral fungi). 



In the family Clavariaceas the plants are erect, simple, mostly 

 club shaped, and variously branched. The hymenium covers both 

 the side and upper surfaces. 



Many beautiful plants belong to this family, which owes its name 

 to the corallike appearance of many of its species. The color also 

 adds to the beauty of the plants, which may be lavender, orange, 

 yellow, pink, red tipped, cream, or white. Many species are edible; 

 but, since cases of poisoning have been reported, the indiscriminate 

 eating of Clavariaceae is not to be advised. 



Key to Clavariacese. 



Plants much branched, branches compressed, platelike, crisped Sparassis. 



Plants club shaped and simple or variously branched, stem not distinct 

 from the hymenophore Clavaria. 



Sparassis crispa. Leaf coral. (Edible.) 



This fungus forms a rosette, or tuft, which springs from a thick, rootlike base, and is 

 composed of flat, thick, leaflike, revolute, white, or yellowish branches. The specific 

 name was suggested by the curly character of the branches. Specimens are gelatinous 

 waxy in consistency and retain their form fairly well when dried. The species is 

 considered very delicious. 



The plants vary from 4 to 10 inches broad and 2\ to 7 inches high. 



Clavaria pistillaris. (Edible.) 



Clavaria pistillaris, unlike many species of Clavaria, is not crowded or corallike. It 

 consists of a club-shaped body, yellowish, ochraceous, or brownish, with flesh white 

 and spongy and exterior smooth or wrinkled. 



It grows to a height of 2 to 6 inches or more and is 1 or more inches thick. 



This fungus is found growing in mixed woods, preferably damp, mossy locations, 

 and by some authorities is considered one of the best edible varieties. 



