T. fla´vo-brun´neum Fr.—flavus, yellow; brunneus, brown. Pileus fleshy, conical, then convex, at length expanded, subumbonate, viscid, clothed with streak-like scales. Stem hollow, somewhat ventricose, fibrillose, at first viscid, yellowish within, tip naked. Gills emarginate, decurrent, crowded, yellowish, then reddish. Fries.
Odor that of new meal. Stem 3–5 in. long, ½ in. thick, dull-reddish or brownish. Pileus 3–6 in. broad, disk darker, dingy dull-red or reddish-brown.
North Carolina, Curtis; damp woods, A. fulvus, Schweinitz.
Edible, Cooke, 1891.
T. rus´sula Schaeff.—reddish. (Plate XVIII, fig. 3, p. 60.) Pileus fleshy, convex, becoming plane or centrally depressed, obtuse, viscid, even or dotted with granular squamules on the disk, red or incarnate, the margin usually paler, involute and minutely downy in the young plant. Flesh white, sometimes tinged with red, taste mild. Gills sub-distant, rounded behind or subdecurrent, white, often becoming red-spotted with age. Stem solid, firm, whitish or rose-red, squamulose at the apex. Spores elliptical, 7×4µ.
Pileus 3–5 in. broad. Stem 1–2 in. long, 6–8 lines thick.
Mixed woods. Albany. Cattaraugus and Steuben counties. September and October.
According to the description the typical plant has the pileus incarnate and the stem rosy-red, but in the American plant the pileus is generally more clearly red and the stem white, though this is often varied by reddish stains. Peck, 44th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
Mixed woods. August until after frost. At Mt. Gretna, Pa. 1897–1898 the patches were large, generous yielders.
Edible, Cooke; edible, Cordier, Roques.
T. russula is a dressy fungus and has a fashion of its own. The mottlings upon its cap, gill and stem, in shades of red, subdued though they be, give it a handsome personality distinct from any other.
The species is a variable one in its minor markings. When moisture is prevalent the caps of all are viscid. Both young and old are often cracked. Stems frequently not squamulose at apex, frequently rosy when young, often flattened. The fibrous interior of the stem and its fibrous connection with the flesh of the cap are very marked. Gills emarginate in youth as well as in age. It is solitary, gregarious, occasionally bunched.
An excellent fungus, a free late grower, meaty, easily cooked, and of fine flavor.
T. frumenta´ceum Bull.—frumentum, made of corn. Pileus 2–3 in. broad, whitish or clay-color and variegated dull red, truly fleshy, convex then plane, obtuse, viscous, dry in fine weather, even, smooth. Flesh white. Stem 3 in. long, ½ in. thick, solid, equal, fibrillose when dry, whitish. Gills rounded, somewhat crowded, rather broad, white, at length spotted-red.
Wholly becoming pale white, but the stem and pileus are alike marked-red, and the gills are at length reddish, wherefore, as well as for the strong smell of new meal, it is undoubtedly nearest to A. pessundatus. When full grown it has all the appearance of Entoloma. On the ground. Stevenson.
Spores 6µ W.G.S.
North Carolina, Curtis. Edible. Porcher says Dr. Curtis was the first to declare it edible.
T. pessunda´tum Fr.—pessum dare, bent downward. Pileus fleshy, compact, convex, very obtuse, repand, viscid, granulose or spotted. Stem solid, firm, at first ovato-bulbous, everywhere villose with whitish scales. Gills emarginate, nearly free, crowded, white, at length spotted with red.
In pine woods. Odor and taste mealy.
Pileus bay, reddish, paler at the margin. Stature of Ag. equestris. Fries.
Spores 5×2.5µ Massee; very minute, globose, 2–3µ C.B.P.
Reckoned edible, but very rare. Stevenson.
California, H. and M.
II.—Genui´na. Cuticle of pileus torn into downy or fibrillose scales.
T. decoro´sum Pk.—decorus, decorous. Pileus firm, at first hemispherical, then convex or nearly plane, adorned with numerous brownish sub-squarrose tomentose scales, dull ochraceous or tawny. Flesh white. Gills close, rounded and slightly emarginate behind, the edge slightly scalloped. Stem solid, equal or slightly tapering upward, white and smooth at the top, elsewhere tomentose-scaly and colored like the pileus. Spores broadly elliptical, 5×4µ.
Pileus 1–2 in. broad. Stem 2–4 in. long, 2–4 lines thick.
Decaying trunks of trees. Catskill mountains and Alleghany county. September and October.
A rare but beautiful species. It is often cespitose. It departs from the character of the genus in growing on decaying wood. Peck, 44th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
Tricholoma decorosum is not rare in Pennsylvania. I have found it at Angora, Philadelphia and in Chester county, Pa., growing in clusters and singly. At first sight one might take it for one of the many forms of Armillaria, but even cursory examination shows the difference.
It is of good consistency and flavor, having a decided mushroom taste.
T. flaves´cens Pk.—pale yellow. Pileus convex, firm, often irregular, dry, slightly silky becoming bare, sometimes cracking into minute scales on the disk, whitish or pale yellow. Flesh whitish or yellowish. Gills close, white or pale-yellow, emarginate, floccose on the edge. Stems firm, solid, often unequal, central or sometimes eccentric, single or cespitose, colored like the pileus. Spores subglobose, 5µ in diameter.
Pileus 2–3 in. broad. Stem 1–2.5 in. long, 4–6 lines thick.
Pine stumps. Albany and Rensselaer counties. October.
The species seems to be related to T. rutilans but has not the red or purplish tomentum of that fungus. It, like T. decorosum, is always lignicolous. T. rutilans is sometimes so. Peck, 44th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
Frequently found in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Pine stumps. September to frost. McIlvaine.
The flesh compares with that of T. rutilans, and makes an equally good dish.
T. gran´de Pk. Pileus thick, firm, hemispherical, becoming convex, often irregular, dry, scaly, somewhat silky-fibrillose toward the margin, white, the margin at first involute. Flesh grayish-white, taste farinaceous. Gills close, rounded behind, adnexed, white. Stem stout, solid, fibrillose, at first tapering upward, then equal or but slightly thickened at the base, pure white. Spores elliptical, 9–11×6µ.
Pileus 4–5 in. broad. Stem 2–4 in. long, 1–1.5 in. thick.
Among fallen leaves in woods. Cattaraugus county. September.
The plants are often cespitose, and then the pileus is more or less irregular and the gills somewhat lacerated. The species is related to T. columbetta, from which its larger size, constantly scaly pileus, more cespitose mode of growth, larger spores and farinaceous taste separate it. The scales of the pileus are brownish, and the pileus itself is sometimes slightly dingy on the disk. The young margin is pure white like the stem, and both it and the upper part of the stem are sometimes studded with drops of moisture.
The plant was found on trial to be edible, but not of first quality. The flesh is not very tender, nor the flavor captivating even in young specimens. Peck, 44th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
Mt. Gretna, Pa. Mixed woods. August to frost. McIlvaine.
Gross when old. Young specimens of medium quality and flavor.
T. columbet´ta Fr.—columba, a pigeon. (Plate XVIII, fig. 5, p. 60.) Pileus convex, then nearly plane, fleshy, obtuse, rigid, somewhat flexuous, dry, at first bare, then silky-fibrillose, becoming even or scaly, white, the margin at first involute, more or less tomentose. Flesh white, taste mild. Gills close, emarginate, thin, white. Stem stout, solid, unequal, nearly bare, white. Spores 7–8×4.5µ.
The species is very variable and the following varieties have been described:
Var. A. Pileus nearly always repand or lobed, at first bare, even, at length cracked-scaly, often reddish spotted, the margin when young inflexed, tomentose. Stem obese, even, unequal, swollen, an inch thick. The typical form.
Birch wood among mosses.
Var. B. Pileus subflexuous, silky-fibrillose, at length scaly, sometimes dingy-brown spotted, the margin scarcely tomentose. Stem longer, equal or slightly narrowed at the base.
Bushy places. Intermediate between A and C.
Var. C. Pileus regular, flattened, evidently fibrillose, sometimes spotted with blue, four inches broad. Stem equal, cylindrical, fibrillose-striate, four inches long.
Beech woods. A showy variety so diverse from variety A that it might be regarded as a distinct species, did not variety B connect them, and so much resemble both that it might with equal propriety be referred to either.
Pileus 2–4 in. broad. Stem 1–4 in. long, 3–12 lines thick.
Woods and pastures. Albany county, N.Y.
It may be distinguished from T. album by its mild taste. It is recorded as edible. Peck, 44th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
Edible, Curtis, Cooke, Stevenson.
This much varied Tricholoma is as varied in its habitat. I have found it on vacant lots in Philadelphia, in mixed woods at Devon, Pa., and in the forests of the West Virginia mountains, and eaten it since 1881.
It cooks readily and is of mild, agreeable flavor.
T. ru´tilans Schaeff.—rutilo, to be reddish. Pileus fleshy, campanulate becoming plane, dry, at first covered with a dark-red or purplish tomentum then somewhat scaly, the margin thin, at first involute. Flesh yellow. Gills crowded, rounded, yellow, thickened and downy on the edge. Stem somewhat hollow, nearly equal or slightly thickened or bulbous at the base, soft, pale-yellow variegated with red or purplish floccose scales. Spores 6.5–8×6.5µ.
Pileus 2–4 in. broad. Stem 2–4 in. long, 5–8 lines thick.
On or about pine stumps, rarely on hemlock trunks. July to November. Peck, 44th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
Spores subglobose, 5–6µ diameter Massee; 6–8×6µ B.; 6×9µ W.G.S.
West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey. May to November. McIlvaine.
Quite common in West Virginia mountains and in pine woods of New Jersey. The Boston Mycological Club reports it found in quantity in Massachusetts. The flesh when cooked is gummy, like the marshmallow confection. It is excellent.
T. vacci´num Pers.—vacca, a cow. Pileus fleshy, convex or campanulate, becoming nearly plane, umbonate, dry, floccose-scaly, reddish-brown, the margin involute, tomentose. Flesh white. Gills adnexed, subdistant, whitish, then reddish or reddish-spotted. Stem equal, hollow, covered with a fibrillose bark, naked at the apex, pale reddish.
Spores subglobose, 6µ.
Pileus 1–3 in. broad. Stem 2–3 in. long, 4–6 lines thick.
Under or near coniferous trees. Greene and Essex counties. September and October. Peck, 44th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
Recorded as edible by Gillet.
Plentiful in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia. Have eaten it since 1885. Fair.
T. fuligi´neum Pk.—fuligineus, resembling soot. Pileus convex or nearly plane, obtuse, often irregular, dry, minutely scaly, sooty-brown. Flesh grayish, odor and taste farinaceous. Gills subdistant, uneven on the edge, ash-colored becoming blackish in drying. Stem short, solid, equal, bare, ash-colored. Spores oblong-elliptical, 8×4µ.
Pileus 1–2.5 in. broad. Stem 1–1.5 in. long, 3–5 lines thick.
Among mosses in open places. Greene county. September. Rare. Peck, 44th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
Quite common in Pennsylvania and New Jersey on mossy wood margins. It is of fair quality and flavor.
T. ter´reum Schaeff.—the earth. (Plate XVIII, fig. 4, p. 60.) Pileus fleshy, thin, soft, convex, campanulate or nearly plane, obtuse or umbonate, innately fibrillose or floccose-scaly, ashy-brown, grayish-brown or mouse color. Flesh white or whitish. Gills adnexed, subdistant, more or less eroded on the edge, white becoming ash-colored. Stem equal, varying from solid to stuffed or hollow, fibrillose, white or whitish. Spores broadly elliptical, 6–7×4–5µ.
Pileus 1–3 in. broad. Stem 1–2 in. long, 2–4 lines thick.
Woods. Albany, Rensselaer and Cattaraugus counties. September to November. Peck, 44th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
Spores 7×5.5µ Morgan; 5–6µ, Massee; 6–7×4µ K.; 6µ W.G.S.
Eaten by Professor Peck. Eaten by McIlvaine. Quality fair.
T. ter´reum Schaeff.—var. fra´grans Pk. Pileus convex or nearly plane, dry, innately-fibrillose or minutely floccose-scaly, grayish-brown or blackish-brown. Gills rather broad, adnexed, whitish or ash-colored. Stem equal, solid or stuffed, rarely hollow, whitish. Spores broadly elliptical, 6–7×4–5µ.
The Fragrant tricholoma has a distinct farinaceous odor and flavor. In other respects it closely resembles the Earth-colored tricholoma of which it is considered a mere variety. The typical European plant is said to be without odor or nearly so and has not been classed among the edible species by European writers. But our variety, though not high-flavored, is fairly good and entirely harmless. Its cap varies considerably in color but is some shade of gray or brown. Its center is without any prominence or very bluntly prominent, and its surface is commonly very obscurely marked with innate fibrils or in small plants may have very small flocculose tufts or scales. The flesh is whitish as also are the gills, though these sometimes assume a more decided grayish hue. They are rather broad and loose and sometimes uneven on the edge or even split transversely. They are usually deeply excavated next the stem and attached to it by a narrow part. The stem is whitish or slightly shaded with the color of the cap. It often has a few longitudinal fibrils, but never any collar. It may be either solid, stuffed or spongy within, or in large specimens, hollow.
The plants grow gregariously or sometimes in tufts on the ground under or near trees or in thin woods, especially of pine, or in mixed woods. The caps vary from 1–4 in. broad, and the stems from 1–3 in. long and from 2–6 lines thick. The plants occur in autumn. In Europe there is a variety of this species which also has a farinaceous odor, but it differs from our plant in having reddish edges to the gills. It is called variety orirubens. Peck, 49th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
Var. fragrans is plentiful and gregarious among New Jersey pines, October to frost. Other varieties are often found. Specimens found by me at Mt. Gretna, Pa., and sent to Professor Peck who identified them as var. fragrans Pk., were decidedly umbonate. Gills were easily separable from cap.
Var. fragrans is a favorite. It is pleasant to many, even raw. Plentiful salting while cooking develops a high and exquisite flavor.
T. fumes´cens Pk.—smoky. Pileus convex or expanded, dry, clothed with a very minute appressed tomentum, whitish. Gills narrow, crowded, rounded behind, whitish or pale cream color, changing to smoky-blue or blackish where bruised. Stem short, cylindrical, whitish. Spores oblong-elliptical, 5–6.5µ.
Pileus 1 in. broad. Stem 1–1.5 in. high, 2–3 lines thick.
Woods. Columbia county. October. Rare.
The species is remarkable for the smoky or blackish hue assumed by the gills when bruised and also in drying. It is apparently related to T. immundum Berk., but in that species the whole plant becomes blackish when bruised, and the gills are marked with transverse lines and tinged with pink. Peck, 44th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
Mt. Gretna, Pa. September to November, 1898. McIlvaine.
The size of cap sometimes attains to 3 in and stem to ½ in. in thickness. Taste at first farinaceous then sweetish. The caps are of excellent quality and flavor.
T. imbrica´tum Fr.—covered with tiles. Pileus fleshy, compact, convex or nearly plane, obtuse, dry, innately scaly, fibrillose toward the margin, brown or reddish-brown, the margin thin, at first slightly inflexed and pubescent then naked. Flesh firm, thick, white. Gills slightly emarginate, almost adnate, rather close, white when young, becoming reddish or spotted. Stem solid, firm, nearly equal, fibrillose, white and mealy or pulverulent at the top, elsewhere colored like the pileus. Spores 6.5 × 4–5µ.
Pileus 2–4 in. broad. Stem 2–3 in. long, 4–10 lines thick. Under or near coniferous trees. Greene and Essex counties. September and October.
This is an edible species. It has a farinaceous odor and taste when fresh. Peck, 44th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
Closely resembles T. transmutans in size, color and taste. It is, however, easily separated by its dry cap and solid stem. Peck.
Plentiful in pine woods of New Jersey, and among hemlocks in West Virginia. Mt. Gretna, Pa., under pines. October and November, 1898. McIlvaine.
Specimens found at Mt. Gretna had caps dark umber when young, and margin incurved to stem. Gills yellowish. Stem up to 4 in. long, stout, solid, swollen at base, and having a short pointed ending, firm, fibrillose, white. Flavor farinaceous.
Flesh of good texture and taste.
T. sapona´ceum Fr.—sapo, soap. Strong, smelling of an undefinable soap. Cap 2–4 in. across, involute at first, convex then flattened, dry, glabrous, moist in wet weather, never viscid, brownish, more or less spotted or having the skin cracked into scales, occasionally covered with dark fibrils. Flesh firm, whitish becoming reddish when wounded. Gills emarginate, with a hooked tooth (uncinate) thin, distant, pale white. Stem 2–4 in. long, about ½ in. thick, often unequal, base sometimes long and rooting, usually smooth, at times reticulated with black fibrils, or is scaly. Distasteful.
The species is variable in size and color. Stevenson remarks: “Scarcely any species has been more confounded with others.” It may always be safely distinguished by its odor, by its distant gills, by the smooth cuticle of the cap cracking into scales, and by the change of color to reddish when bruised.
West Virginia mountains. August to frost. 1881–85. New Jersey, Pennsylvania. McIlvaine.
This fungus is not extremely unpleasant when eaten—like T. sulphureum, but no one will care to eat it. There is nothing in the flavor to recommend it or to inspire a cultivation of taste for it.
T. sulphu´reum Bull.—sulphur, brimstone. Odor strong, fetid or like gas tar. Cap 1–4 in. across, subglobose, then convex and plane, slightly umbonate, sometimes depressed, fleshy, margin at first involute. Color dingy or reddish sulphur-yellow, at first silky, becoming smooth or minutely tomentose. Flesh thick, yellow. Gills rather thick, narrowed behind, emarginate or acutely adnate, sometimes appearing arcuate from shape of cap. Stem 2–4 in. long, 3–5 lines thick, equal or slightly bulbous, often curved, smooth striate, sulphur-yellow, stuffed, fibrous or hollow, yellow within, at times having yellow fibrous roots.
Spores 9–10×5µ Massee.
Very variable in size. Gregarious, common in mixed woods.
West Virginia, 1881. West Philadelphia, 1886. McIlvaine.
When quite young T. sulphureum is showy and inviting. Its smell is discouraging, its taste forbidding. No amount of cooking removes its unpleasant flavor. I have tried to eat enough of it to test its qualities, but was satisfied after strenuous efforts to mark it INEDIBLE.
T. chrysenteroi´des Pk.—like gold. Pileus fleshy, convex or plane, not at all umbonate, firm, dry, glabrous or slightly silky, pale-yellow or buff, becoming dingy with age, the margin sometimes reflexed, flesh pale-yellow, taste and odor farinaceous. Gills rather close, emarginate, yellowish, becoming dingy or pallid with age, marked with transverse veinlets along the upper edge, the interspaces veined. Stem equal, firm, solid, bare, fibrous-striate, yellowish without and within. Spores elliptical, 8–10×5–6µ.
Pileus 1–2 in. broad. Stem 2–3 in. long, 3–4 lines thick.
Woods. Lewis and Cattaraugus counties. September.
Nearly allied to T. chrysenterum, but separable by the gills, which are somewhat veiny and not free, by the entire absence of an umbo and by its farinaceous odor and taste. Peck, 44th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
Frequently found at Angora, and in Woodland Cemetery, West Philadelphia.
Edible. Fair flavor and good quality.
T. o´picum Fr.—uncouth. Pileus 1–1½ in. across. Flesh rather thin, becoming grayish; convex, then expanded, obtusely-umbonate, at length usually upturned and split, very dry, even at first, then minutely scaly, gray. Gills broadly emarginate, ventricose, rather thick, scarcely distant, hoary. Stem 2–3 in. long, 2–3 lines thick, equal, fibrillose, becoming almost glabrous, pallid then grayish, stuffed. Massee.
Among moss, in pine woods, etc.
Inodorous. Somewhat resembling T. saponaceum, but distinguished by the absence of smell.
Waretown, N.J. Under pines and open places in pine woods. August to September, 1889. McIlvaine.
When wet the caps become darker and have a mottled appearance. They are tender, but rather tasteless. The species serves to make quantity when cooked with others of higher flavor.
T. pipera´tum Pk.—piper, pepper. Pileus rather thin, firm, dry, convex, obtuse or subumbonate, virgate with innate brownish fibrils, varying in color from grayish-brown to blackish-brown, sometimes with greenish or yellowish tints. Flesh white or whitish, taste acrid. Gills broad, close, rounded behind, adnexed, whitish or yellowish. Stem generally short, equal, solid, silky, slightly mealy or pruinose at the top, white or slightly tinged with yellow. Spores elliptic, 6–7µ long, 5µ broad. Pileus 4–7 cm. broad. Stem 5–7 cm. long, 6–12 mm. thick.
The central part of the pileus is sometimes a little darker than the rest. The peppery or acrid taste is very distinct and remains in the mouth many minutes. This and the innately fibrillose character of the pileus are distinguishing characters of the species. The plants appear from September to November. Peck, Torr. Bull., Vol. 26.
Mt. Gretna, Pa. October to November, 1898, on damp ground among moss. McIlvaine.
Cap up to 3 in. across, bell-shaped, then convex, depressed in center and undulate, light-brown, darker toward center, dry, minutely fibrillose. Flesh thick, white, thin toward margin. Gills emarginate, unequal, not forked. Stem 1½-2 in. long, hard, equal or enlarging toward base, white, silky, striate.
Though peppery raw, this Tricholoma is of good substance and flavor when cooked.
T. gambo´sum Fr.—gambosus, swelling near the hoof. Pileus 3–4 in. and more broad, becoming pale-tan, fleshy, hemispherico-convex, then flattened, obtuse, undulated and bent backward, even, smooth, but spotted as with drops, at length widely cracked (not, however, torn into squamules), the margin at the first involute and tomentose. Flesh thick, soft, fragile, white. Stem 2 in. and more long, ½-1 in. thick, solid, fleshy-firm, almost equal, often curved-ascending at the base, white, downy at the apex. Gills rounded or emarginato-adnexed, with a somewhat decurrent tooth and when old sinuato-decurrent, crowded, ventricose, 2–3 lines broad, whitish. Fries.
Odor pleasant, of new meal. Often forming large rings or clusters. A whitish form must not be confounded with T. albellus.
Spores 13×11µ W.G.S.; 13–14×8–9µ Massee; 13×10µ Cooke.
Angora, Philadelphia. Chester and Lebanon county, Pa. McIlvaine. Fair.
T. tigri´num Schaeff.—spotted like a tiger. Pileus 2 in. broad, pallid-brown, variegated with crowded and darker dingy-brown spots, compactly fleshy, convex then expanded, obtuse, repand. Flesh thick, firm, white, unchangeable, but thin at the involute margin. Stem 1 in. long and thick, very compact, solid, pruinate, white. Gills rounded behind, at length decurrent with a tooth, crowded, narrow, white, at length darker.
Solitary or cespitose. Very distinguished, obese, and without any marked smell of new meal. In fir woods and open grassy ground. Rare. June to July. Stevenson.
Edible, Cooke, Fries.
T. albel´lum Fr.—albus, white. Pileus about 3 in. broad, becoming pale-white, passing into gray when dry, fleshy, thick at the disk, thinner at the sides, conical then convex, gibbous when expanded, when in vigor moist on the surface, spotted (mottled) as with scales, the thin margin naked. Flesh soft, floccose, white, unchangeable. Stem curt, 1½-2 in. long, 1 in. thick at the base, reaching ½ in. toward the apex, solid, fleshy-compact, ovato-bulbous (conical to the middle, cylindrical above the middle), fibrillose-striate, white. Gills very much attenuated behind, not emarginate, becoming broad in front, very crowded, quite entire, white. Fries.
Spores elliptical, 6–7×4µ Massee; ovoid, 3µ W.G.S.; ovoid, 3µ Cooke.
Pileus not becoming yellow. Odor weak when fresh, taste pleasant, almost that of cooked flesh. There are two forms: one larger, solitary, another smaller, connato-cespitose, quite as in A. albellus Sow. It is often confounded with smaller forms of A. gambosus. Stevenson.
North Carolina, Curtis. Damp woods. Edible.
T. vires´cens Pk.—viresco, to grow green. Pileus convex or nearly plane, sometimes centrally depressed, moist, bare, dingy-green, the margin sometimes wavy or lobed. Gills close, gradually narrowed toward the outer extremity, rounded or slightly emarginate at the inner, white. Stem subequal, stuffed or hollow, thick but brittle, whitish, sometimes tinged with green. Spores broadly elliptical, 5×4µ.
Pileus 3–5 in. broad. Stem 3–4 in. long, 6–12 lines thick.
Thin woods. Essex county. July.
The dull smoky-green hue of the pileus is the distinguishing feature of this species. Peck, 44th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
Quite common in West Virginia, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. July to October. McIlvaine.
Edible. Tastes somewhat like many Russulæ, when cooked. Flavor good.
T. fumidel´lum Pk.—smoky. Pileus convex, then expanded, subumbonate, bare, moist, dingy-white or clay-color clouded with brown, the disk or umbo generally smoky-brown. Gills crowded, subventricose, whitish. Stem equal, bare, solid, whitish. Spores minute, subglobose, 4.5×4µ.
Pileus 1–2 in. broad. Stem 1.5–2.5 in. long, 2–3 lines thick.
Woods. Albany county and Catskill mountains. September and October.
The stem splits easily and the pileus becomes paler in drying. It sometimes becomes cracked in areas. Peck, 44th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
On ground. Mt. Gretna. October and November. 1897. McIlvaine.
The species was plentiful among the leaf mold, growing from the ground in mixed woods.
The caps are delicate in substance and flavor.
T. leucoceph´alum Fr. Gr.—white; head. Pileus 1½-2 in. across, convex then plane, even, moist, smooth, but when young covered with a satiny down; water-soaked after rain. Flesh thin, tough, white. Gills rounded behind and almost free, white. Stem up to 2 in. long, ¼ in. thick, exterior hard, shining, fibrous; interior hollow but solid at base which is attenuated and rooting, twisted. Smell strong of new meal. Taste pleasant.
Spores 9–10×7–8µ.
Mt. Gretna, Pa. Grassy woods and borders. October to November, 1898. McIlvaine.
Quite common. The caps are excellent.
T. al´bum Schaeff.—albus, white. Pileus fleshy, tough, convex, becoming plane or depressed, obtuse, very dry, even, glabrous, white, sometimes yellowish on the disk, rarely wholly yellowish, the margin at first involute. Flesh white, taste acrid or bitter. Gills emarginate, somewhat crowded, distinct, white. Stem solid, elastic, equal or tapering upward, externally fibrous, obsoletely frosted at the apex, white. Spores elliptical, 5–6µ, long.
Pileus 2–4 in. broad. Stem 2–4 in. long, 4–6 lines thick.
Woods. Common. August to October. This species is variable in color and in size, being sometimes robust, sometimes slender. It grows singly, in troops or in tufts. It has no decided odor, but a bitter unpleasant taste. Peck, 44th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
Cooked, tender and of fair flavor.
T. persona´tum Fr.—wearing a mask (from its many varieties of colors). (Plate XVIII, p. 60.) Pileus compact, becoming soft, thick, convex or plane, obtuse, regular, moist, bare, variable in color, generally pallid or ashy tinged with violet or lilac, the margin at first involute and frosted with fine hairs. Flesh whitish. Gills broad, crowded, rounded behind, free, violaceous becoming sordid-whitish or dingy-brown. Stem generally thick, subbulbous, solid, fibrillose or frosted with fine hairs, whitish or colored like the pileus. Spores dingy white, subelliptical, 8–9×4–5µ. On white paper the spores have a slight salmon tint, but they are regular in shape, not angular as in Entoloma.
Pileus 2–5 in. broad. Stem 1–3 in. long, 6–12 lines thick. Peck, 44th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
Woods and open places, and growing from old, matted stable straw. Common over the United States.
When T. personatum becomes known to the collector, either in the field or on the table, it is sure to become a favorite. It is fleshy, rotund, stocky, moist and smooth, with a tendency in its cap to be wavy-rimmed and jauntily cocked in wet weather. It grows singly or in troops, occasionally in tufts of from five to six individuals. A patch of it is valuable and worth husbanding with covering of fine straw. Cortinarius violaceus resembles it somewhat in color and shape, but it shows a spidery veil, and has brown spores. It is edible.
The common name of T. personatum in England is Blewits, which translated into understandable English is believed to be “blue-hats.” It is everywhere eaten, being of substantial substance, good flavor and cookable in any way. It is especially fine in patties, stews and croquettes.
T. nu´dum Bull.—naked. Pileus about 3 in. broad, becoming purple-violaceous then changing color, reddish, fleshy, comparatively thin, convexo-plane then depressed, obtuse, even, smooth, with a pellicle which is moist and manifest in rainy weather; margin inflexed, thin, naked. Flesh thin, pliant, colored. Stem about 3 in. long, ½ in. thick, stuffed, elastic, equal, almost naked, mealy at the apex, violaceous then becoming pale. Gills rounded then decurrent (on account of the depressed pileus), crowded, narrow, of the same color as the pileus or deeper violaceous, but soon changing color, at length reddish without the least tinge of violet. Stevenson.
Spores 7×3.5µ Massee; 6–8×4µ B.; 6×3µ W.G.S. On ground among leaves. Esculent, very good and delicate. Cordier. Edible. Roze. Edible, all American authorities.
T. grammopo´dium Bull. Gr.—a line; Gr.—a foot. Pileus 3–6 in. broad, pallid-livid or brownish-red when moist, whitish when dry, fleshy, very thin toward the margin, campanulate then convex, and at length flattened, obtusely umbonate, even, smooth, pellicle moist in rainy weather, not viscous, separating, flesh-colored when moist, white when dry, soft, fragile. Stem tall, about 3–4 in. long, ½ in. and more thick, solid, elastic, equal with exception of the thickened base, cylindrical, firm, smooth, evidently longitudinally sulcate, whitish. Gills arcuato-adnate or broadly horizontally emarginate, acute at both ends, very crowded, quite entire, very many shorter, somewhat branched behind, white.
Odor moldy. Striking in appearance; the chief of this group. There is a variety wholly white. In pastures and grassy woods. Stevenson.
Spores 5–6µ Massee.
Distinguished by the grooved stem and crowded gills, which are adnate when the pileus is expanded. Often growing in rings.
North Carolina, Curtis. Not reported elsewhere. Esculent. Cooke. Much eaten in Europe.
T. bre´vipes Bull.—brevis, short; pes, a foot. Pileus about 2 in. broad, umber then becoming pale, fleshy, soft, convex then becoming plane, even, smooth, moist (opaque when dry); flesh of the pileus becoming brownish when moist, becoming white when dry. Stem solid, very rigid, at length fibrous, pruinate at the apex, externally and internally fuscous; otherwise very variable, sometimes very short, 2–3 lines only long and thick, attenuated downward; commonly 1 in., sometimes bulbous, sometimes equal, more slender. Gills emarginato-free, crowded, ventricose, disappearing short of the margin, quite entire, becoming fuscous then whitish. Solitary. Inodorous. The pileus is often stained with soil. Stevenson.
Spores elliptical, 7.5×5µ Peck; 7–4µ Massee.
Esculent and very delicate. Paulet. Esculent. Cooke.
T. hu´mile Pers.—low, small. (Plate XVIII, fig. 6, p. 60.) Very variable in form and color. Cap 2–3 in. across, convex then expanded, wavy, flattened, sometimes umbonate, sometimes depressed, glabrous, occasionally powdered with thin white dust, fragments of veil, sometimes viscid. Color changes with moisture, blackish, grayish, and having somewhat the appearance of an oyster. Gills rounded-adnexed, with a slight tooth, arcuately decurrent, crowded, 2–3 lines broad, whitish. Flesh soft, whitish or grayish. Stem 1–2 in. long, up to ½ in. thick, equal (misshapen by pressure when tufted), light gray, covered with fine down, stuffed, becoming hollow, soft, fragile. Gregarious, usually tufted.
Spores 7–8×5–6µ K.
Open woods, in gardens, among cinders, grass, etc., September to frost.
Woodland Cemetery, Philadelphia, 1897. McIlvaine.
Its tufted habit and fair size, fleshy cap of good flavor, make it a desirable species. It cooks readily and the caps are of fine flavor.
T. pæ´didum Fr.—pædidus, nasty. Pileus about 1-½ in. across. Flesh very thin, tough, becoming whitish; bell-shaped then convex, at length expanded, umbonate, at length depressed round the conical, prominent umbo, moist, virgate or streaked with innate fibrils radiating from the center, otherwise almost even, smoky-mouse color, opaque, margin naked. Gills adnexed with a slight decurrent tooth, slightly sinuate, crowded, narrow, white then gray. Stem about 1 in. long and 2 lines thick, base slightly bulbous, tough, slightly striate, naked, dingy-gray. Spores elliptic-fusiform, 10–11×5–6µ.
In gardens, on dung-hills, etc. Small, tough, color dingy, without a trace of violet tinge. Massee.
Edible. Cooks tender, and is of good flavor, notwithstanding its name, which in no way applies.
T. subpulverulen´tum Pers.—slightly dusty. Pileus 1–2½ in. across, convex then plane or depressed in center, even, innately pruinose, hoary, white, whitish, grayish, margin extending as a slight rim incurved beyond gills. Flesh white, thick, firm, hygrophanous. Gills rounded without a tooth, close, narrow, white. Stem 2–3 in. long, 3–5 lines thick, equal, solid, somewhat striate, whitish.
Spores 5×3µ Massee; 4×3µ W.G.S.
Biological grounds, University of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia. May to November, 1898. McIlvaine.
A species one is glad to find. It has a healthy substantial presence full of promise. It is a solitary grower among grass on lawns and pastures, but its individuals are neighborly. Caps and stems are excellent.