Photographed by Dr. J.R. Weist. Plate CLXXI.
LYCOPERDON PYRIFORME.
L. calyptrifor´me Berk.—hood-shaped. Peridium about 6 lines high, 3–4 in. broad, ovate or subconical, sessile, whitish, furfuraceous with minute warts or spinules; capillitium and spores olivaceous or yellowish-olivaceous. Spores smooth, 4µ in diameter.
Moss-covered rocks. Very rare. Adirondack mountains. August.
I have met with this very small and rare species but once, and then but two specimens were found. In these the apex was compressed or laterally flattened, instead of papilliform, as required by the original description of the species; but in all other respects they agree well with the specific characters. The plant is very distinct from all our other species by its small size and ovate or conical shape. Peck, 32d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
L. pyrifor´me Schaeff.—pear-shape. (Plate CLXXI, p. 602.) Plant 6–15 lines broad, 10–20 lines high, generally cespitose, obovate, pyriform or turbinate, sessile or with a short stem-like base, radicating with white branching and creeping root-like fibers, subumbonate, covered with very minute subpersistent, nearly uniform warts or scales, often with a few slender scattered deciduous spinules intermingled, pallid dingy-whitish or brownish; capillitium and spores greenish-yellow, then dingy-olivaceous, columella present. Spores smooth, 4µ in diameter. Edible, but not well-flavored.
Decaying wood and ground both in woods and cleared fields. Very common. July to October. Peck, 32d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
Common the world over. Growing on logs, stumps, ground containing decaying woody matter. So dense in its clusters at times as to present an impervious surface. It is slightly acrid to taste and smell when raw.
Edible. Tender and of second-class flavor when young; white inside; intensely bitter when slightest tinge of yellow is visible. One too old will embitter a whole dish. A little lemon juice or sherry improves it.
L. subincarna´tum Pk.—pale flesh-color. Peridium 6–12 lines broad, globose, rarely either depressed or obovate, gregarious or cespitose, sessile, with but little cellular tissue at the base, covered with minute nearly uniform pyramidal or subspinulose at length deciduous warts, pinkish-brown, the denuded peridium whitish or cinereous, minutely reticulate-pitted; capillitium and spores greenish-yellow, then dingy-olivaceous, columella present. Spores minutely roughened, 4–5µ in diameter.
Prostrate trunks, old stumps, etc., in woods. Common. August to October. Peck, 32d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
New York, Peck, Rep. 24th, 32d; Pennsylvania, Gentry; Ohio, Morgan; Wisconsin, Brown.
L. Wright´ii B. and C.—in honor of Charles Wright. Peridium globose, depressed-globose or lentiform, 6–24 lines in diameter, generally sessile, white or whitish, echinate with deciduous sometimes crowded stellate spines or pyramidal warts, when denuded smooth or minutely velvety; capillitium and spores dingy-olive, columella present. Spores smooth, 4µ in diameter. Edible.
Ground in pastures and grassy places. Very common. July to October.
This is another very variable species. The typical form is a small one, minutely echinate and having the denuded peridium smooth. The plant often occurs much larger and more coarsely echinate with stout angular spines or pyramidal warts, which fall off and generally leave the surface of the peridium velvety.
Var. typ´icum. Small, 6–9 lines broad, globose, minutely echinate, the warts quickly falling off and leaving the peridium smooth. (L. Wrightii B. and C.)
Var. sep´arans. Larger, 10–24 lines broad, subglobose or lentiform, echinate with coarse substellate spines or pyramidal warts, which at length fall off and leave the peridium smooth or velvety. (L. separans Pk.)
Var. atropunc´tum. Larger, 10–15 lines broad, subglobose, pure white, warts or coarse spines brown or blackish at the tips.
This species is generally gregarious, but sometimes it forms tufts of several individuals closely crowded together. It sometimes occurs in cultivated grounds and stubble fields. The under surface is occasionally plicate as in the long-stemmed puff-ball. In the var. separans the warts or spines are crowded at their thickened bases and slightly attached to each other, so that they come off at maturity in flakes or patches. When the denuded surface of the peridium is velvety, it is usually of a darker color than when smooth, being subcinnamon, reddish-brown or dark-brown. Peck, 32d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
Ground in grassy places. July to frost. McIlvaine.
I have found var. separans in December, under snow.
Edible. Peck, Rep. 32.
The edible qualities of L. Wrightii and varieties are good.
L. calves´cens B. and C.—calvesco, to become bald. Subglobose, at first rough with warts which soon disappear, leaving the surface slightly velvety, 1¼ in. broad, bearing short rootlets at the base. Spores globose, smooth, having at first only a slight stalk (pedicel), dingy-ochraceous, 3–4µ.
Nearly related to L. Wrightii.
Connecticut, Wright, New York, ground in open woods. Bethlehem, Peck, 22d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
L. pusil´lum (Batsch.) Fr.—small. Peridium ¼-1 in. broad, globose, scattered or cespitose, sessile, radicating, with but little cellular tissue at the base, white or whitish, brownish when old, rimose-squamulose or slightly roughened with minute floccose or furfuraceous persistent warts; capillitium and spores greenish-yellow, then dingy-olivaceous. Spores smooth, 4µ in diameter.
Ground in grassy places and pastures. Common. June to October. Peck, 32d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina. Common. Spring to autumn on ground in grassy places. McIlvaine.
Grows where almost nothing else will, and where I have despaired of finding a meal of fungi, I could always find the ubiquitous L. pusillum.
L. oblongi´sporum B. and C.—oblong-spored. Peridium subglobose, with a slender mycelial cord. Cortex a thin, whitish, furfuraceous coat, drying up into minute persistent granules on the pale-brown surface of the inner peridium. Subgleba nearly obsolete; mass of spores and capillitium olivaceous, then brown; threads much branched, the main stem about as thick as the spores, the branches tapering. Spores elliptic, even, 5–6×3–4µ, sometimes with a minute pedicel.
Growing on the ground in dense woods. Wisconsin, Trelease. Peridium ⅜-1 in. in diameter. This pretty species, previously known only from Cuba, is indistinguishable from L. pusillum when immature, the spores affording the only really characteristic feature. Morgan.
L. cepæsfor´me Bull.—onion-shaped. Peridium globose or depressed-globose, plicate underneath, with a cordlike root. Cortex at first a thin, white, minutely furfuraceous coat, this soon becomes rimulose and at length breaks up into small scales and patches, which finally disappear from the pale or pale-brown surface of the inner peridium. Subgleba nearly obsolete; mass of spores and capillitium greenish-yellow, then pale-olivaceous; the threads very much branched, the main stem thicker than the spores, the branches long and tapering. Spores globose, even, 3.5–4µ in diameter, often with a minute pedicel.
Peridium ½-1 in. in diameter.
Growing on the ground in meadows and pastures.
New York, Peck, 51st Rep.
Good.
L. colora´tum Pk.—colored. Peridium 5–10 lines broad, globose or obovate, subsessile, radicating, yellow or reddish-yellow, brownish when old, slightly roughened with minute granular or furfuraceous persistent warts; capillitium and spores at first pale, inclining to sulphur-color, then dingy-olive. Spores subglobose, smooth, about 4µ in diameter.
Ground in thin woods and bushy places. Sandlake and Catskill mountains. July and August.
Peck, 32d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
New York, Peck, 29th Rep.; New England, Morgan; Ohio, Morgan; Wisconsin, Trelease.
L. acumina´tum Bosc.—pointed. Peridium globose, then ovoid, with a mycelium of fine white fibers. Cortex a white soft delicate continuous coat, drying up into a thin furfuraceous persistent layer on the surface of the inner peridium. Subgleba obsolete; mass of spores and capillitium pale-olivaceous then dirty-gray; threads simple, hyaline, two to three times as thick as the spores. Spores globose, even, 3µ in diameter. Plate II, fig. 8. Peridium ¼-½ of an inch in height.
Growing on the mosses of old logs and about the base of living trees. New York, Peck; North Carolina, Curtis; South Carolina, Ravenel, Atkinson; Ohio, Morgan; Costa Rica, Oersted.
Section Bovistella
Ohiensis.
Showing cellulose and definitely limited subgleba and the free threads of the capillitium. (From Morgan.)
Mycelium cord-like, rooting from the base. Peridium subglobose, with a well-developed base; cortex a dense floccose subpersistent coat; inner peridium thin, membranaceous, dehiscent by a regular apical mouth. Subgleba cellulose, cup-shaped above and definitely limited, persistent; capillitium originating within the tissue of the gleba; the threads free, short, several times dichotomously (two-forked) branched, the main stem thicker than the diameter of the spores, the branches tapering. Spores small, globose or oval, even, pedicellate.
A puff-ball of moderate size, growing in fields and open woods. Morgan.
B. Ohien´sis Ellis and Morg. Peridium globose or broadly obovoid, sometimes much depressed, plicate underneath, with a thick cord-like root. Cortex a dense floccose coat, sometimes segregated into soft warts or spines, white or grayish in color; this dries up into a thick buff-colored or dirty ochraceous layer, which gradually falls away, leaving a smooth, shining, pale-brown or yellowish surface to the inner peridium. Subgleba broad, ample, occupying one-half the peridium, a long time persistent; mass of spores and capillitium lax, friable, clay-color to pale-brown; the threads .6-.8 mm. in extent, three to five times branched, the main stem 6–8µ in thickness, the branches tapering. Spores globose or oval, even, 4–5µ in length by 3.5–4µ in breadth, with long hyaline persistent pedicels.
Growing on the ground in old pastures, in fields and open woods. Morgan.
This species of puff-ball is made the type of the new genus Bovistella by Mr. Morgan.
Puff-balls growing just beneath the surface of the ground and connected immediately with it by filamentous threads, which issue from every part of the cortex; after maturity, when the peridium breaks away, the lower part of the outer coat is held fast by the soil, while the upper portion which has attained the surface remains, covering the inner peridium like a cap or inverted cup; consequently the apparent apex at which the mouth is situated is the actual base of the plant as it grows. The capillitium threads are similar to the densely interwoven hyphæ, which form the inner peridium and are evidently branches of them radiating from the interior. It is plain that the affinities of these plants are closest with Tylostoma and Astræus, but the needs of a systematic arrangement, according to more obvious characters, causes us to place them next to Bovista. Morgan.
Catastoma circumscissum.
Showing method of growth, breaking away and turning over. Section of same showing origin of the threads of the capillitium. (After Morgan.)
C. circumscis´sum B. and C. (Plate CLXXVIII.) Peridium subglobose, more or less depressed and often quite irregular; cortex thickish, fragile, usually rough and uneven from the adhering soil, after maturity torn away, leaving the lower two-thirds or more in the ground; inner peridium depressed-globose, subcoriaceous, rather thin, pallid, becoming gray, minutely furfuraceous, with a small regular basal mouth. Mass of spores and capillitium soft, compact, then friable, olivaceous, changing to pale brown; the pieces of the threads short, unequal in length, flexuous, hyaline, 3–4µ in thickness. Spores globose, minutely warted, 4–5µ in diameter, often with a minute pedicel.
Growing in heavy clay soil in old lanes and pastures, especially along the hard-trodden paths.
Maine, Blake; Ohio, Morgan; Kansas, Kellerman; Nebraska, Webber.
Inner peridium ½-¾ in. in diameter.
This is Bovista circumscissa B. and C., of Berkeley’s Notices of North America Fungi. It grows in great abundance with us some seasons, right in the hard-trodden barn-yard, and along the lane to the cattle pasture. Arachnion album Schw. usually keeps it company. Morgan.
I have not seen this acrobatic species. Study of its unique habit suggests the query: Is not the turning over of its spore-filled portion a substitute for an original but lost power of growing right side up?
Mycelium fibrous or sometimes filamentous. Peridium subglobose, without a thickened base; cortex a thin fragile continuous layer, shelling off or disappearing at maturity, except sometimes a small portion about the base; inner peridium thin, membranaceous, becoming papyraceous, dehiscent by an apical mouth or opening irregularly. Capillitium originating within the tissue of the gleba; the threads free, short, several times dichotomously branched, the main stem much thicker than the diameter of the spores, the branches tapering. Spores small, globose, or oval, even, brown. Morgan.
Small puff-balls growing upon the ground in fields and woods. One grows underground.
B. pi´la B. and C.—a ball. Peridium globose or obovoid, with a stout, cord-like root. Cortex a thin, white, smooth, continuous coat, breaking up at maturity into minute scales, which soon disappear; inner peridium thickish, tough, rigid, becoming brown or purplish-brown, smooth and shining, a long time persistent, and finally with age often fading to silvery-gray; dehiscence taking place at length by an irregular, torn aperture at or about the apex. Mass of spores and capillitium very firm, compact and persistent, at first clay-colored, pale brown or olivaceous, at length dark or purplish-brown; the threads rather small, .6-.8 mm. in extent, three to five times branched, 12–15µ thick, the ultimate branches rigid, nearly straight, tapering to a fine point. Spores globose, even, 4–5µ in diameter, sessile or with only a minute pedicel.
Growing on the ground in woods.
Peridium 1½-2½ in. in diameter.
This Bovista is remarkably tough, it maintains its shape firmly and persists a long time; it breaks away from its root and rolls about over the old leaves before the wind, even till the following season. Morgan.
West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, in fields and woods on ground. June to October. McIlvaine.
Edible. Trelease.
When young and fresh it is excellent.
B. Monta´na Morg. Peridium subglobose with a cord-like root. Cortex a thin white continuous layer, breaking up at maturity into a mealy or furfuraceous coat, which soon falls away; inner peridium thin, flaccid, becoming brown, smooth and shining, dehiscent by an irregular torn aperture about the apex. Mass of spores and capillitium soft, lax, at first ochraceous or pale-brown, finally purplish-brown; the threads curled and flexuous, very large, with an expanse of 1.25–1.75 mm., four to seven times branched, the main stem 15–20µ in thickness, the ultimate branches long and tapering. Spores globose, even, 4.5–5.5µ in diameter, often with a minute pedicel.
Growing on the ground. Rocky mountains. Jones. Peridium 1½-2 in. in diameter. This differs from B. pila in being soft, flaccid, and soon collapsing; it, no doubt, is not so persistent. Microscopically it is readily distinguished by its much larger threads. Morgan.
B. nigres´cens (Vitt.) Pers.—blackish. Peridium subglobose, with a fibrous mycelium. Cortex a thin, smooth, white continuous layer, at maturity breaking up into scales, which soon disappear; inner peridium thin, flaccid, becoming dark-brown, smooth and shining, dehiscent at the apex by a lacerate mouth. Mass of spores and capillitium soft, lax, at first ochraceous or olivaceous, at length purplish-brown; the threads flexuous, about 1 mm. in extent, three to five times branched, the main stem 12–18µ thick, the ultimate branches tapering. Spores globose or oval, even, 5–6µ in diameter, with long hyaline pedicels.
Growing in old pastures, in fields and woods. Canada, Saccardo; Pennsylvania, Schweinitz; North Carolina, Curtis; Ohio, Lea; California, Harkness.
Peridium 1–2 in. in diameter. I have never succeeded in obtaining an American specimen of this species; my description is drawn up from European specimens. Morgan.
Pennsylvania, McIlvaine. B. nigrescens is a first-class puff-ball.
B. plum´bea Pers.—lead-colored. Peridium ¾-1¼ in. in diameter, depressed-globose, with a fibrous mycelium. Cortex a thin, smooth, white continuous coat, loosening at maturity and shelling off, except sometimes a small portion about the base; inner peridium thin, tough, smooth, lead-colored, dehiscent at the apex by a round or oblong aperture. Mass of spores and capillitium soft, lax, ochraceous or olivaceous, then purplish-brown, the threads .8–1.0 mm. in extent, three to five times branched, the main stem 12–16µ thick, the ultimate branches long, straight and tapering to a fine point. Spores oval, even, 6–7×5–6µ, with long hyaline pedicels.
Growing on the ground in meadows and pastures. Morgan.
Indiana, in abandoned brick-yard, H.I. Miller; West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. Common on ground in open places. Solitary or in groups. Spring to autumn; after rains, McIlvaine.
Edible. Trelease, Badham.
The botanic difference between a Lycoperdon and a Bovista does not affect the Mycophagist. He can not distinguish the difference when cooked. B. plumbea is given in Cooke and in Massee as Lycoperdon plumbeum. Bovista plumbea is a first-class edible.
B. mi´nor Morg. (Plate CLXXIX, p. 610.) Peridium subglobose, deeply sunk in the soil and connected with it by a filamentous mycelium, which issues from every part of the surface. Cortex thickish, rough and irregular from the adherent soil, fragile, falling away at maturity, except sometimes a small portion about the base; inner peridium thin, smooth, flaccid, reddish-brown, dehiscent by a regular apical mouth. Mass of spores and capillitium olivaceous, then reddish-brown; the threads curled and flexuous, with an expanse of 1.0–1.5 mm., two to four times branched, the main stem 10–15µ thick, the ultimate branches very long and tapering to a fine point. Spores globose or slightly oval, even, 3.5–4.5µ in diameter, with long hyaline pedicels.
Growing in damp shaded situations. Ohio, Morgan; Nebraska, Webber. Peridium ½-¾ of an inch in diameter. A species well marked by its peculiar habit. The curled and flexuous threads are interesting microscopic objects. Morgan.
Mycelium funicular, rooting from the base. Peridium subglobose, without a thickened base; cortex a smooth continuous layer, at first closely adnate to the inner peridium, after maturity gradually breaking up and falling away; inner peridium thick, tough, coriaceous, becoming hard, rigid and corky, the upper part finally breaking up into irregular lobes or fragments. Capillitium originating within the tissue of the gleba; the threads free, short, thick, with a few short branches, acutely pointed and with scattered prickles. Spores large, globose, sessile, brown.
Puff-balls of considerable size, growing in the sandy soil of dry regions. A very distinct genus, in no way related to Scleroderma, and resembling it only in its thick, corky, inner peridium. The threads of the capillitium originate within the tissue of the gleba, along with the spores, and are set free by deliquescence, the same as in Bovista. Morgan.
M. spinulo´sum Pk. Peridium globose, depressed globose, sometimes elongated and often irregular, with a thick, cord-like root. Cortex at first a thickish, white, smooth, continuous layer; after maturity it cracks or becomes furrowed into large polygonal areas, and at length falls away in large flakes or scales; inner peridium very thick, at first white and coriaceous, becoming hard, dry, brown and rigid, the upper part finally breaking up into irregular lobes or fragments. Mass of spores and capillitium compact then friable, at first olivaceous, then dark purplish-brown; the threads bent, curved and flexuous, subhyaline, .2-.7 mm. in length, about the same thickness as the spores, with a few short branches, and with scattered prickles, which are most abundant toward the acute extremities. Spores globose, very minutely warted, opaque, 9–12µ in. diameter, often with a minute or slender hyaline pedicel.
Growing on the sandy soil of the western prairies. Wisconsin, Brown; Dakota, Ellis; Nebraska, Webber; Colorado, Trelease; Kansas, Kellerman, Cragin; New Mexico, Irish.
Peridium 2–4 in. in diameter. The plants are said to grow together in groups, sometimes of many individuals; after maturity they are easily loosened from their place of growth and are then rolled about by the wind. Morgan.
No report upon edibility. Probably good.
Peridium discrete from the gleba, often with a columella; cells of the gleba subpersistent. Morgan.
Skin firm with an innate bark, bursting irregularly; woolly threads adhering on all sides to the bark and forming distinct veins in the central mass. Base sterile, usually becoming elongated into a stem-like structure. Spores large, granulated.
Scleroderma vulgare and verrucosum are general and very common over the United States. S. bovista and S. geaster have the same range but are not so common. They much resemble puff-balls, but are more pudgy, solid-looking. All are edible. Their qualities are noted under their descriptions.
S. vulga´re Fr.—vulgaris, common. (Plate CLXXX.) Subsessile, irregular; bark corky, hard, opening indefinitely; inner mass in which the spores are collected into little heaps separated by a few grayish woolly threads, bluish-black. Spores dingy; in the mass blackish with purple tinge, globose, warted, 9–11µ Massee.
The larger form is generally of a yellowish or brownish hue, surface warty or covered with rough scales; the smaller, stemless minutely warty, bright brown.
Under trees, etc. Often cespitose, 1–3 in. across. Peridium variable, white or pale-brown, often becoming pink when cut. Dehiscing by decay of upper portion of peridium. Massee.
Scleroderma vulgare is one of our most common and plentiful toadstools. Its hard, rough, warty, light brown knobs, single or clustered, growing along brook-banks or under trees, generally choosing hard ground, are known to all who observe Nature’s curiosities. When quite young they are white inside. As they enlarge the center darkens and this purplish color finally develops into a grayish-purplish-black which extends throughout the interior and gives it a granular appearance. The fungus is solid, cutting like a potato. Its smell is strong; also its taste when raw. Sliced and well-cooked the species is good, even after it has become purplish, but if a single one is wilted it will embitter a whole dish. Or if it is not very well stewed or fried it remains strong. In no condition is it injurious. Specimens must be pared, and the base well cut away.
S. bovis´ta Fr. Subsessile, often irregular, peridium thin, pliant, almost smooth; tramal walls floccose, yellow, mass of spores olive-brown, spores globose, warted, 10–13µ.
Sandy soil under trees, etc. From 1–2 in. across. Distinguished by the thin, almost smooth peridium, and the yellow tramal walls. Massee.
West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. On ground under trees. June to November. McIlvaine.
Not rough like S. vulgare and S. verrucosum, nor as solid. Same habit, same edible qualities when young. It is not good after it begins to change color.
S. verruco´sum Pers.—verrucosus, covered with warts (verrucœ). Peridium thin above, ochraceous or dingy brown, covered with minute warts, subglobose, continued downward as a more or less elongated stem-like base. Spores umber in the mass; trama whitish.
Spores globose, warted, 10–13µ.
On the ground, under trees, etc. Peridium 1–3 in. across. Stem ½-2 in. long, thick, flatly pitted, sometimes almost sessile, when it approaches S. vulgare, but is distinguished by the thin peridium and absence of purple tinge in the immature spore mass. Massee.
West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. June to October. On ground under trees. Same habit as S. vulgare. McIlvaine.
S. verrucosum closely resembles S. vulgare. The distinctions are noted in the description. It must be young, fresh and white inside, or it is bitter. It is not of as good quality as S. vulgare.
S. geas´ter Fr.—resembling genus Geaster in its manner of opening. Subglobose, sessile, peridium thick, rigid, almost smooth, splitting in an irregularly stellate manner at the apex.
Spores warted, 12–16µ.
Sandy places. Known by the peridium dehiscing in a stellate manner; from 1–2 in. across. Massee.
New Jersey, August. In sandy woods. McIlvaine.
I have found but few specimens. Those were edible and good.
Peridium irregularly globose, thick, attenuated downward into a stem-like base, opening by disintegration of its upper portion; internal mass (gleba) divided into distinct sack-like cells.
Allied to Scleroderma and distinguished by the cavities of the gleba containing distinct peridiola. Massee.
P. pisocar´pium Fr. Gr—a pea; Gr—fruited. Peridium irregularly globose, indistinctly nodulose, passing downward into a stout stem-like base; peridiola irregularly angular, 4–5×2–3µ, yellow. Spores globose, warted, coffee-color, 9–13µ Massee.
P. pisocarpium was quite common at Mt. Gretna, Pa., from August to October, 1898, in open pine and mixed woods, growing from sandy ground. The height reached 5 in. and diameter 2 in. The shapes were usually those of inverted pears, more or less flattened along their lengths. Skin hard, polished, olivaceous-black with dull yellow mottlings, not unlike rattlesnake skin. When broken the peridiola (small ovate cylinders which bear the spores within) are very distinct, often over ⅛ in. long. The entire interior is dark when mature, and the rupture of the plant is irregular and by disintegration of the upper part. They often dry without rupturing. Search as I would, I could not find a young one, or one in edible condition. The plant is here given because interesting and one the student will wish to identify. It is so odd that it is not surprising to find it employed as a medicine in China.