( 209 ) 
NOTE ON P0LY8ACCUM OBASSIPES, D.C. A COMMON FUNGUS 
IN EUCALYPTUS PLANTATIONS EOUND PRETOEIA. 
By Paul A. van dee, Bijl, M.A., F.L.S., Mycologist, Union Department 
of Agriculture. 
(With Plates XXXIII-XXXVIII. ) 
Contents. 
PAGE 
Introduction ........ 209 
Morphology of the Fungus ...... 209 
Relation of the Fvmgus to the Eucalyptus .... 210 
Colour of the Fungus ...... 212 
Conclusion . . , . . . .213 
Explanation of Illustrations . . . . .214 
Introduction. 
Polysaccum crassipes is so common in Eucalyptus plantations around 
Pretoria that it appeared interesting to determine in what relation it stood 
to the Eucalyptus. 
The investigation was begun at the Botanical Laboratories, Pretoria, and 
subsequently concluded at the Natal IIerl)arium, Durban. Figs. 9 and II 
are from paintings by Miss K. A. Lansdell, of this Department. 
Morphology. 
The plant (Frontispiece and Figs. 1-4) usually shows as an irregular 
globose peridium situated on a more or less stem-like base varying consider- 
ably in size, and from which pass into the soil the yellow rhizomorphic 
strands of the fungus. The peridium varies in colour and frequently shows 
yellow ochre, grey with Vandyke brown markings, and in small low plants 
often chrome yellow in the region next to the soil. Older specimens are usually 
Vandyke brown right through. The peridium breaks through the soil, and 
stones, which must be of appreciable weight to the fungus, are comparatively 
easily displaced. In how far light influences the development of colour was 
not determined, though, as mentioned above, older specimens are usually 
brown throughout, whereas the younger, or in parts next the soil, show other 
shades. The peridia vary considerably in both shape and size, are frequently 
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