Barrett: Three Common Species of Auricularia 17 



Illustrations : Hussey, 111. Brit. Myc. '2 : pi. 6; Mich. Gen. 

 pL 66, f. 4. 



A. mesenterica resembles a Stereum. It differs from A. nigres- 

 cens in having zones and a wrinkled hymenium. The hairs, too, 

 are longer and darker in color, and the whole plant lies closer 

 to the surface from which it grows. The form having mixed 

 bare and hairy zones was formerly called A. lobata. Among the 

 specimens examined, however, were several which showed both 

 the hairy and the mixed zones in the same collection, thus con- 

 firming the theory of Montagne (PI. Cell. Cuba 373. 1841) 

 and of others, that they belong to the same species. 



A. tremelloides Bull. (Champ, pi. 2po. 1786) is often con- 

 sidered a synonym, but the illustration shows a crater-like form 

 with alveolate folds on the outside. If this, however, is A. mes- 

 enterica, it and its dependent species, A. corrvigata (Relh.) 

 Sowerb. (Brit. Fung. pi. 2po. 1803) and Tremellidium tremel- 

 loides (Bull.) Chev. (Fl. Gen. i: 92. 1826) should be added 

 to the above list. 



Summary 



Auricularia Auricula (L.) Underwood includes forms some- 

 times known as A. samhucina Mart, and as A. ampla Pers. Prob- 

 ably A. auriformis (Schw.) Earle and possibly half a dozen 

 other foliaceous species also belong here. A. Auricula differs 

 from A. nigrescens in possessing a thinner texture, shorter and 

 darker hairs, and veins upon the sterile side. As compared with 

 A. mesenterica it is foliaceous rather than resupinate or shelving, 

 is much thinner, has fewer and shorter hairs and is zoneless. 



A. nigrescens (Sw.) Farlow comprises A. nigra (Fries) Earle 

 (cup-shaped) and A. polytricha (Mont.) Sacc. (lobed) besides 

 the less known species of Exidia pur pur asc ens Jungh. and A. 

 hispidula (Berk.) Farlow. It differs from A. mesenterica in its 

 absence of zones, in its shorter and lighter hairs, in its smooth 

 hymenial surface, and in its more expanded shape. 



A. mesenterica (Dicks.) Pers., A. lobata Sommerf., and A. 

 ornata Pers. are the same species, and it is probable that A. 

 tremelloides Bull, and A. corrugata (Relh.) Sowerb. also belong 

 here. 



