Sub-Class BASIDIOMYCETES.
Cohort GASTROMYCETES. Gr—gasteron, a sac, etc.
A. Exterior skin, bark, rind, cortex, scurf, warts, spines, bristles—peridium. Plants with long spines—echinate.
B. Inner rind or true peridium. [A.B.—peridia (plural of peridium).]
C. Columella—those filaments springing from the base and rising, which do not unite freely with those issuing from the inner peridium. This mass of threads is usually conical, but sometimes globose.
D. Capillitium—a soft mass of cottony threads interspersed with minute dust-like spores; the space occupied is called the gleba.
E. Coarse empty, sterile cells. The space they occupy is called the subgleba.
F. Echinate spores magnified.
G. Spines (magnified) which fall off and leave the inner peridium exposed.
A. Lycoperdon echinatum.
B. Spines (magnified) which fall off and leave tesselated inner peridium exposed. (After Morgan.)
As has been stated, the two Cohorts in which a hymenium or spore-bearing surface is present are called Hymenomycetes and Gastromycetes. In the first the hymenium is exposed, as in the common mushroom. In the second—Gastromycetes—the hymenium is at first enclosed in a sac or peridium, as in the common puff-ball.
The botanical description of Gastromycetes, given by M.C. Cooke, is: “Hymenium more or less permanently concealed, consisting in most cases of closely-packed cells, of which the fertile ones bear naked spores on distinct spicules, exposed only by the rupture or decay of the insisting coat or peridium.’
The Gastromycetes are usually large, ground-growing fungi. A few grow upon wood. The peridium is of dense structure, usually globose and of considerable thickness. It commonly consists of two layers. These form the sac holding the spore-bearing structure, which is called the gleba. The gleba consists of innumerable chambers or cells, curved and branched, and only to be distinguished by magnifying. The primary structure is retained in some species throughout the life of the plants, excepting changes due to growth and maturing, or in others these cells or chambers are large and few, and form distinct peridiola, which contain the spores.
The maturing of the plant and the consequent changes in the gleba is accompanied by various transformations of the peridium.”
It is impossible within the scope of this book to even name all the genera of Gastromycetes. Professor Morgan’s table of the families and table of the genera of Lycoperdaceæ are here given. The orders are defined as are some of the genera, and the edible species are described.
Peridium becoming transformed into a receptacle of various shape, with a volva at its base. Gleba becoming dissolved into a dark green mass of jelly.
Peridium sessile, usually with a more or less thickened base or sometimes stipitate, at maturity filled with a dusty mass of mingled threads and spores.
Peridium discrete from the gleba, often with a columella; cells of the gleba subpersistent.
Peridium concrete with the gleba, indehiscent; cells of the gleba persistent. (No edible species reported. C. McIlvaine.)
Peridium cyathiform, open at the top, containing one or more distinct peridiola. Morgan.
(Small. No species reported edible. C. McIlvaine.)
FAMILY I.—PHALLOIDEÆ.
Receptacle and gleba at first enclosed in a universal volva composed of three distinct layers, the central one being gelatinous at maturity. Spores minute, elliptic-oblong, smooth, when mature involved in mucus. Massee.
Spores 3–5µ in length. Morgan.
There are but few edible species within the family, and those edible only when very young. The family embraces the very offensive fungi known as stink-horns.
Receptacle consisting of an elongated stipe bearing the gleba on a conical pileus at its apex.
Pileus attached only to the apex of the stipe, dependent free all around below.
Pileus wholly adnate to the summit of the stipe.
Receptacle a hollow clathrate body, with the gleba attached to the upper part of the inner surface.
Receptacle composed of obliquely anastomosing bars and sessile.
Receptacle composed of obliquely anastomosing bars and stipitate.
Receptacle composed of a few vertical columns and sessile.
Photographed by Dr. J.R. Weist. Plate CLVIII.
PHALLUS RAVENELII.
I.—PHAL´LEÆ.
Receptacle consisting of an elongated stem bearing the gleba on a conical pileus at its apex. Stem cylindric, hollow, composed of one to several layers of round-celled tissue; the gleba occupying the outer surface of the pileus.
GENUS I.—PHAL´LUS Mich.
Stem hollow within, the wall composed of several layers of round-celled tissue. Pileus attached only to the apex of the stipe, dependent free all around below, the gleba occupying its outer surface. Morgan.
The following synoptical tables will exhibit the prominent distinctive features of the species of Phallus of this state (New York) and the United States, so far as I am able to get them from the published descriptions and the specimens at my command.
| Denuded pileus reticulate with coarse deep pits or cells | |
| Veil exposed, reticulate with small perforations | P. Dæmonum Rumph. |
| Veil none | P. impudicus L. |
| Denuded pileus porous, veil not perforate, concealed | P. Ravenelii B. and C. |
| Denuded pileus reticulate with coarse deep pits or cells. | |
| Veil exposed. | |
| Large and reticulate with large perforations. | P. indusiatus Vent. |
| Smaller and reticulate with small perforations. | P. Dæmonum Rumph. |
| Smaller and plicate. | P. duplicatus Bosc. |
| Veil none. | P. impudicus L. |
| Denuded pileus even or merely porous. | |
| Veil short, concealed beneath the pileus. | P. Ravenelii B. and C. |
| Veil none. | P. rubicundus Bosc. |
| Peck, 32d Rep. N.Y. State Bot. |
I.—Hymenophal´lus.
An indusium or veil surrounding the stipe and dependent from its apex beneath the pileus.
P. Dæ´monum Rumph. Volva globose, not very thick, pinkish; segments 3 or 4, irregular. Stem cylindric, tapering at each end, cellulose; the veil reticulate, somewhat expanded and bell-shaped, hanging nearly to the middle of the stem. Pileus bell-shaped, somewhat oblique; the surface reticulate-pitted after deliquescence; the apex truncate, smooth, perforate. Spores elliptic-oblong, 4×2µ.
Plant 9 in. high. Volva 2 in. in diameter. Stem 1⅛ in. thick at the middle. Pileus 2 in. in height; the lower edge of the veil hangs about 4 in. from the apex of the stem. The short veil and the smooth ring at the apex will distinguish this species from the next. Morgan.
Growing on the ground in woods.
Ohio, Morgan, Lea; Maryland, Miss Banning; New York, Peck.
Mt. Gretna, ground in mixed woods, August, 1899. McIlvaine.
Several specimens were found; but two in the early or ovum stage. In this condition the species is edible. Quality same as P. impudicus.
P. duplica´tus Bosc. Volva depressed globose, thick, flabby white; segments 3–5, acute. Stipe fusiform-cylindric cellulose; the veil reticulate, hanging down to the volva, sometimes much expanded, often torn and shreddy with pieces adherent to the stipe. Pileus campanulate, reticulate-pitted after deliquescence; the apex acute, not regularly perforate. Spores elliptic-oblong, 4×2µ.
Plant 6–8 in. high. Volva 2½ in. in diameter. Stipe 1¼ in. thick in the middle. Pileus 2 in. in height. The long veil usually clings close to the stipe though sometimes swinging free and much expanded. In this species the gleba extends over the apex and there is no thick smooth ring encircling the perforation as in the preceding species (P. Dæmonum). Morgan.
Growing in woods about old stumps and rotten logs. West Virginia, in woods, along mountain trails; Mt. Gretna, Pa., in mixed woods, summer. McIlvaine.
In the forests of the West Virginia mountains, P. duplicatus is frequent. Before rupture of the volva the plant is a semi-gelatinous mass, tenacious and elastic. It has little taste or smell. Cut in slices and fried, or stewed, it is a tender, agreeable food.
P. Ravenel´ii B. and C. Volva subglobose or ovoid, pinkish; with an inner membrane, the lower half of the veil surrounding the base of the stem; segments 2 or 3. Stem cylindric, tapering at each end, cellulose; the veil membranous, scarcely half as long as the pileus and concealed beneath it. Pileus conico-bell-shaped; the surface not reticulate-pitted after deliquescence; the apex smooth and closed or finally perforate. Spores elliptic-oblong, 4–5×2µ.
Plant 5–7 in. high. Volva 1½-2 in. in diameter. Stem nearly 1 in. thick. Pileus 1½ in. in height. This species vitiates the genus Dictyophora and it can not very well be placed in Ithyphallus.
Growing in woods and fields about rotting stumps and logs. Morgan.
South Carolina, Ravenel; Ohio, Morgan; New York, Peck.
II.—Ithyphal´lus Fischer. (Gr—erect; Gr—phallus.)
Stipe without an indusium or veil dependent from its apex. Morgan.
P. impudi´cus Linn. (Plate CLVIII.) Volva globose or ovoid, white or pinkish; segments 2 or 3. Stem cylindric, tapering at each end, cellulose, without a veil. Pileus conic-campanulate; the surface reticulate pitted after deliquescence, the apex smooth, at first closed, at length perforate. Spores elliptic-oblong, 4–5×2µ.
Growing on the ground in woods.
Plant 6–8 in. high. Volva 2 in. in diameter. Stem 1¼ in. thick. Pileus 2 in. in height.
By the elongation of the stem the thin membrane which separates the stipe from the pileus is torn into shreds and the pileus is thus liberated from the stipe except at the apex. Morgan.
West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. Summer and autumn. McIlvaine.
P. impudicus makes itself known wherever it grows. The stench of the full-grown plant is aggravatingly offensive, attracting blow-flies in quantities, and the carrion beetle Necrophorus Americanus. It is common over the United States, in woods, open fence corners, along road-sides, but a favorite abode is in kitchen yards and under wooden steps, where, when mature, it will compel the household to seek it in self-defense. It is a beautiful plant.
When in the egg-shape it is white or light dull-green, semi-gelatinous, tenacious and elastic. As many as a dozen sometimes grow in a bunch, each from a peculiar white, cord-like root or mycelium. They look, when young, like bubbles of some thick substance. In this condition they are very good when fried. They demand to be eaten at this time, if at any.
GENUS II.—MUTI´NUS Fr.
Stipe hollow within, the wall composed of a single layer of round-celled tissue. Pileus wholly adnate to the summit of the stipe, the gleba occupying its outer surface. Morgan.
Distinguished from Ithyphallus by the cap being adnate to the receptacle.
M. cani´nus Fr. (Phallus caninus Berk.; Phallus inodorus Sow.) Receptacle elongato-fusiform, cellular, white or rosy. Pileus short, subacute, rugulose, red. Spores cylindrical, involved in green mucus, 3–5×2µ.
In woods and bushy places. Sporophore from ½-¾ in. before the volva is ruptured. When fully evolved 3–4 in. high. Sometimes scentless, at others with a distinct odor, but never so strong and disagreeable as in Ithyphallus impudicus. Massee.
Spores elliptic, 6×4µ Morgan; 3–5×2µ Massee.
New England, Frost; New York, Warne; West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, McIlvaine.
This species is common. Few old woods are without it. It is conspicuous in color among the brown of the forest carpet. The plant has not the mal-odor of its relations, but is not pleasant. In the egg shape it is gelatinous, tenacious, rather firm, edible and good when sliced and fried.
M. bovi´nus Morg. Volva oblong-ovoid, pinkish, segments 2 or 3. Stem cylindric, tapering gradually to the apex, white or pinkish below, bright red above. Pileus indeterminate, conic-acuminate, perforate at the apex. Spores elliptic-oblong, 4–5×2µ.
Plant 4–7 in. in height, the stem ¾ of an in. in thickness, the volva not much thicker and 1–1½ in. in height; the pileus occupies 1–2 in. of the pointed apex, but is not definitely limited below. This plant has the strong disagreeable odor of other Phalloids.
Growing in rich soil in cultivated grounds and in woods. Morgan.
Common in mixed woods, West Virginia, Pennsylvania. Smell strong, but not so offensive as P. impudicus. Edible in the egg-shape.
M. brevis B. and C.—short. Volva globose or ovoid, segments 2 or 3. Stem bright red, coarsely cribrose, attenuated below. Pileus somewhat broadly clavate, sometimes conical, but always more or less obtuse, perforate at the apex.
Plant 2–3 in. high. Stem 4–5 lines thick, the volva ¾ of an in. in diameter, the pileus sometimes half as long as the stem.
Growing on the ground in fields and gardens. Morgan.
North Carolina, Curtis; South Carolina, Ravenel; New England, Wright; New York, Howe, Gerard, Peck.
In the remaining genera, Clathrus, Simblum, Laternea, no species have been reported as tested.
FAMILY II.—LYCOPERDA´CEÆ.
Peridium sessile, usually with a more or less thickened base or sometimes stipitate, at maturity filled with a dusty mass of mingled threads and spores.
This order contains many of our most delicious and important food species. The characteristics of all genera are given. In several of them no species are reported edible, but it is more than probable that all are. The genera are therefore given in this table, but are omitted in place to save room. The omitted genera are Nos. 1, Polyplocium; 2, Batarrea; 3, Myriostoma; 5, Astreus; 6, Mitremyces.
Outer peridium a thick, firm, persistent coat, bursting irregularly or splitting from the apex downward into segments.
Inner peridium pileate, with aculeiform processes underneath; threads of the capillitium slender, hyaline, scarcely branched.
Inner peridium circumscissile, the upper part coming off like a lid; threads of the capillitium with spiral markings.
Inner peridium dehiscent above by many mouths; columella —--; threads of the capillitium simple, tapering to each extremity.
Inner peridium dehiscent at the apex by a single mouth; columella present; threads of the capillitium simple, tapering to each extremity.
Inner peridium membranaceous; dehiscent at the apex by a single mouth; columella none; threads of the capillitium very long, much branched and interwoven.
Inner peridium cartilaginous, dehiscent at the apex by a stellate fissure; columella none; threads of the capillitium very long, much branched and interwoven.
Outer peridium (cortex) a soft, fragile, more or less deciduous layer, often with external projections in the shape of warts, spines or scales.
(c) Peridium stipitate.
Peridium membranaceous, dehiscent by a regular apical mouth; threads of the capillitium very long, much branched and interwoven.
Peridium large, globose or turbinate, breaking up into fragments from above downward, and gradually falling away; threads of the capillitium very long, much branched and interwoven.
Peridium small, globose, obovoid or turbinate, membranaceous, dehiscent by a regular apical mouth, threads of the capillitium long, slender, simple or branched.
Peridium subglobose, membranaceous, dehiscent by a regular apical mouth; threads of the capillitium free, short, several times dichotomously branched.
Peridium globose, subcoriaceous, dehiscent by a basal aperture; threads of the capillitium free, short, simple, or scarcely branched.
Peridium subglobose, membranaceous, dehiscent by an apical mouth, or opening irregularly; threads of the capillitium free, short, several times dichotomously branched.
Peridium subglobose, very thick, coriaceous, the upper part finally breaking up into irregular lobes or fragments; threads of the capillitium free, short, with a few short branches and scattered prickles. Morgan.
GENUS IV.—GEA´STER Mich.
Mycelium filamentous or fibrous, much branched and interwoven with the soil. Peridium subglobose, composed of two distinct persistent coats; outer peridium thick, fleshy-coriaceous, at first closely investing the inner, but discrete (distinct) at maturity splitting from the apex downward into several segments which become reflexed; inner peridium thin, membranaceous then papyraceous (like parchment), sessile or with a short pedicel, dehiscent at the apex by a single mouth. Capillitium taking its origin from the inner surface of the peridium and also from a distinct central columella, which arises from its base; threads simple, long, slender, thickest in the middle and tapering to each extremity, fixed at one end and free at the other. Spores small, globose, minutely warted, brown. Morgan.
G. minimus, when found by the writer, was not tested because not found in condition. It is a plant beautiful in its oddity. Its seven to nine outer segments of skin loosen at the bottom, spring up, raising the oval body of the plant with them, turn their points down and balance on the lower points, and look, in miniature, just as would two sectional orange peels spread at their loose points if one was rested, point to point, upon the other. This hoisting of the spore-bearing part aloft, that it may better eject its spores to the wind, does not seem to have been noted by Professor Morgan. Specimens sent to Professor Peck by the writer beautifully illustrated this enterprise of the plant.
G. hygrome´tricus Pers. (Plate CLX, 2 figs., p. 580.) Peridium depressed-globose, the cuticle deciduous with the mycelium; outer peridium deeply parted, the segments 7–20, strongly hygrometric, acute at the apex; inner peridium depressed-globose, sessile, reticulate, pitted, whitish becoming gray or brownish; the mouth an irregularly lacerate aperture. Threads of the capillitium rather thinner than the spores, hyaline. Spores globose, minutely warted, brown, 8–11µ in. in diameter.
Growing in fields and woods in sandy soil. A very common species found everywhere in the world. Inner peridium ¾-1 in. in diameter, the segments expanding to a breadth of 2–3 in. The inner layer of the outer peridium is cartilaginous-gelatinous, hard and rigid when dry, swelling greatly and flexible when wet though constantly becoming more and more cracked and fissured, it retains its hygroscopic qualities a long time, and the outer peridium remains lying on the soil, stellate in shape, spreading out its rays in moist weather and bending them inward in dry. Morgan.
Mr. Morgan made a new genus—Astræus, in which he placed this species. It is so widely known as Geaster hygrometricus that to avoid confusion it is placed in its old genus.
This natural barometer, spreading its stellate covering on the soil about it when the air is laden with moisture, and closing it around its puffy body when humidity is absent, is odd and interesting. The entire genus is more or less gifted with this weather-wise quality. The species is very common, but seldom found in number. Once, in the West Virginia mountains, 1882, I found a large patch of it, and was able to collect from it enough young ones to test its edibility. It is difficult to find before it bursts its outer coat. When young it is, when cooked, soft and creamy inside. The outer part is tough and semi-glutinous but of pleasant texture. It has not a marked flavor, but makes a succulent dish.
II.—CORTICATÆ.
GENUS VII.—TYLOS´TOMA Pers.
Plants growing on the ground, oftenest in dry and sandy regions. The genus is readily distinguished from all others of the Lycoperdaceæ by the entire peridium being mounted upon the apex of the stem. Morgan.
The genus contains but few species. Those I have found were not in condition to test. There is no report upon the edibility of any.
GENUS VIII.—CALVA´TIA Fr.
Mycelium fibrous, usually thick and cord-like, rooting from the base. Peridium large, globose and nearly sessile, or turbinate with a well-developed base; cortex a very thin adherent layer, often smooth and continuous, sometimes composed of minute spinules or granules; inner peridium a loosely woven and very fragile covering, after maturity breaking up into fragments from above downward and gradually falling away. Subgleba cellulose, mostly definitely limited and concave above, persistent; mass of spores and capillitium dense, compact, persistent a long time and slowly dissipating after the fracture of the peridium; the threads very long, slender, much branched and interwoven. Spores small, globose, usually sessile or with only a minute pedicel. Morgan.
Puffballs of the largest size, growing on the ground in fields and woods. Morgan.
I.—Sessiles.
Peridium very large, without a distinct base; subgleba nearly obsolete, the mass of spores and capillitium quite filling the interior.
C. gigantea Batsch.—gigantic. (L. bovista Linn.; L. maximum Schaeff.; L. giganteum Batsch.) Very large, 10–20 in. in diameter, obconic or depressed-globose, nearly or quite sessile, white or whitish, becoming discolored by age, smooth or slightly roughened by weak spinose or minute floccose warts, sometimes cracking in areas; capillitium and spores yellowish-green to dingy-olive. Spores smooth, 4µ in. in diameter. Edible. Peck, 32d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
Spores globose, even or sometimes minutely warted, 3.5–4.5 in. in diameter, often with a minute pedicel. Morgan.
Common over the states. Growing on the ground in grassy places in fields and woods. August to October.
As the name implies, this species is gigantic. It is the largest of all fungi. It has attained the diameter of three feet in this country, but is reported larger in Europe. I have found it in West Virginia weighing nine pounds, but one is reported as found in Gordon Park weighing forty-seven pounds. I have often followed the advice of Vittadini and sliced a meal for my family from growing individuals. The cut surface contracts and dries. The plant seems to be deprived of its power to further ripen. It can thus be cut for many days. It has other than food uses in its dry form—as a sponge, as tinder, as a color, as a styptic in hemorrhage; the Finns make a remedy of it for diarrhea in calves, and it is burned under bee-hives to stupefy bees.
It, as well as L. cyathiforme, is an admirable and delicate fungus.
C. pachyder´ma Pk. Gr—thick-skinned. Peridium very large, globose or obovoid, often irregular, with a thick cord-like root; cortex thin, smooth, whitish, persistent, drying up into polygonal areolæ which are white in the center with a brown border; inner peridium very thick but fragile, with a separable membranaceous lining, after maturity gradually breaking up into fragments and falling away. Subgleba obsolete; mass of spores and capillitium greenish-yellow then olive-brown; the threads very long, occasionally septate, branched, mostly thinner than the spores. Spores globose, distinctly warted, 5–6µ in diameter, sometimes with a minute pedicel.
Growing on the ground. Arizona, Pringle; Dakota, Miss Nellie Crouch. Peridium 4–8 in. in diameter. Remarkable for its thick peridium, which becomes white spotted and areolate. Morgan.
I have not seen this species.
Photographed by Dr. J.R. Weist. Plate CLXII.
CALVATIA CYATHIFORMIS.
(Lycoperdon Cyathiforme.)
II.—Cyathiformes.
Peridium large, top-shaped, with a stout thick base; subgleba limited and concave above, persistent.
C. cyathifor´mis Bosc.—cup-shaped. (L. cyathiforme Bosc.) (Plate CLXII, p. 584.) Peridium 3–6 in. in diameter, globose or depressed-globose, smooth or minutely floccose or scaly, whitish cinereous brown or pinkish brown, often cracking into areas in the upper part, commonly with a short, thick, stem-like base; capillitium and spores purple-brown, these and the upper part of the peridium falling away and disappearing when old, leaving a cup-shaped base with a ragged margin. Spores globose, rough, purple-brown, 5–6.5µ broad. Peck, 48th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
Common over United States. Indiana, H.I. Miller; West Virginia, New Jersey. On open grassy ground. July to October. McIlvaine.
Often a queer, ragged, cup-shaped, purplish mass is noticed protruding from the ground, looking as if the upper half had been cut off horizontally. This is the mature C. cyathiformis, or rather, what is left of it. The upper half has blown away and is spreading its spores elsewhere.
A first-class Lycoperdon, meaty and of excellent flavor. When it occurs, it is usually in plenty. On the great parade ground at Mt. Gretna, Pa., it annually appears in large quantities. Cows are fond of it, and it is this fungus which is currently believed among farmers to affect milk. I have watched cows pawing it to pieces and eating portions of it.
C. fra´gilis Vitt.—fragile. Peridium obovoid, plicate below, with a short-pointed base and a cord-like root. Cortex a smooth continuous layer, very thin and fragile, separable, white or grayish, becoming brownish and tinged with violet and purple, commonly areolate above; inner peridium thin, violet to purple, velvety, extremely fragile, after maturity the upper part soon breaking up into fragments and falling away. Subgleba occupying but a small portion of the peridium, cup-shaped above, persistent; mass of spores and capillitium from violet to pale purple; the threads very long, mostly thinner than the spores, scarcely branched. Spores globose, minutely warted, 4–5.5µ in diameter, sessile.
Growing on the open prairies. Wisconsin, Brown; Iowa, McBride; Nebraska, Wyoming, Webber; Kansas, Cragin; California, Harkness. Peridium 1½-3 in. in diameter. Morgan.
Not seen by writer. Doubtless edible.
C. sigilla´ta Cragin—adorned with figures. Peridium large, depressed above, narrowed below into a stem-like base. Cortex very thin and fragile, white, easily abraded; inner peridium subcoriaceous, with a fragile rust-color brown lining, marked off above into polygonal areas by lines of depression, at length breaking up into fragments and falling away. Mass of spores and capillitium violet to dark-purple. Spores globose, even, 3.5–4.5µ in diameter, with a long pedicel.
Growing on the open prairie. Kansas, Cragin. Peridium 4–5 in. in diameter. The species is well marked by the even pedicellate spores. Morgan.
C. cæla´ta Bull.—carved in relief. (L. cæla´tum Bull.; L. bovista Pers.) Peridium large, obovoid or top-shaped, depressed above, with a stout thick base and a cord-like root. Cortex a thickish floccose layer, with coarse warts or spines above, whitish then ochraceous or finally brown, at length breaking up into areola which are more or less persistent; inner peridium thick but fragile, thinner about the apex, where it finally ruptures, forming a large irregular lacerate aperture. Subgleba occupying nearly half the peridium, cup-shaped above and a long time persistent; mass of spores and capillitium compact, farinaceous, greenish-yellow or olivaceous, becoming pale to dark-brown; the threads very much branched, the primary branches two or three times as thick as the spores, very brittle, soon breaking up into fragments. Spores globose, even, 4–4.5µ in diameter, sessile or sometimes with a short or minute pedicel.
Growing on the ground in fields and woods.
Peridium 3–5 in. in diameter, sometimes larger. Morgan.
Wisconsin, Brown; Minnesota, Johnson; Kansas, Kellerman; L. cælatum, New York, edible, Peck, 23d Rep.; Indiana, good, H.I. Miller. Common, West Virginia, wooded lanes, McIlvaine.
An excellent species.
C. hiema´lis Bull.—belonging to winter. Peridium obovoid or top-shaped, depressed above, with a stout thick base and a cord-like root. Cortex a thin furfuraceous coat, with stout convergent spines above, whitish or gray, becoming yellowish and reddish, after maturity gradually falling away from the upper part; inner peridium thin, submembranaceous, pallid or brownish, dehiscent at the apex by an irregular lacerate mouth. Subgleba occupying nearly half the peridium, cup-shaped above and a long time persistent; mass of spores and capillitium soft, lax, greenish-yellow then brownish-olivaceous; the threads very long, much branched, the primary branches about as thick as the spores, the ultimate ones long, slender and tapering. Spores globose, even, 3.5–4.5µ in diameter, with a short or minute pedicel.
Growing on the ground in fields and pastures. Peridium 2–4 in. in diameter and 3–5 in. in height. I find this species referred to North America in Saccardo’s Sylloge. It is Lycoperdon cælatum of Fries S. M. Possibly the L. cælatum of Curtis’s catalogue may be this species. Morgan.
Not seen by writer.