Sub-Class BASIDIOMYCETES.
Cohort GASTROMYCETES. Gr—gasteron, a sac, etc.
1.
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.
2.
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.
TABLE OF FAMILIES OF GASTROMYCETES.
A. Terrestrial.
(a) Peridium double.
I.—Phalloi´deæ. Page [570].
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.
II.—Lycoperda´ceæ. Page [577].
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.
(b) Peridium single.
III.—Scleroderma´ceæ. Page 615.
Peridium discrete from the gleba, often with a columella; cells of the gleba subpersistent.
IV.—Hymenogastra´ceæ.
Peridium concrete with the gleba, indehiscent; cells of the gleba persistent. (No edible species reported. C. McIlvaine.)
B. Epiphytal.
V.—Nidularia´ceæ.
Peridium cyathiform, open at the top, containing one or more distinct peridiola. Morgan.
(Small. No species reported edible. C. McIlvaine.)
A. Terrestrial.
(a) Peridium double.
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.
TABLE OF GENERA.
I.—PHALLEÆ.
Receptacle consisting of an elongated stipe bearing the gleba on a conical pileus at its apex.
1. Phallus. Page [571].
Pileus attached only to the apex of the stipe, dependent free all around below.
2. Mutinus. Page [575].
Pileus wholly adnate to the summit of the stipe.
II.—CLATHREÆ.
Receptacle a hollow clathrate body, with the gleba attached to the upper part of the inner surface.
3. Clathrus.
Receptacle composed of obliquely anastomosing bars and sessile.
4. Simblum.
Receptacle composed of obliquely anastomosing bars and stipitate.
5. Laternea.
Receptacle composed of a few vertical columns and sessile.
Morgan.
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.
NEW YORK SPECIES OF PHALLUS.
| 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. |
UNITED STATES SPECIES OF PHALLUS.
| 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.
a. Veil reticulate, hanging below 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.
b. Veil not reticulate, concealed beneath the pileus.
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.
Mutinus caninus.
(After Massee and Morgan.)
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.
TABLE OF GENERA OF LYCOPERDACEÆ.
I.—VOLVATÆ.
Outer peridium a thick, firm, persistent coat, bursting irregularly or splitting from the apex downward into segments.
(a) Inner peridium stipitate, the outer remaining as a volva at the base of the stipe.
1. Polyplocium.
Inner peridium pileate, with aculeiform processes underneath; threads of the capillitium slender, hyaline, scarcely branched.
2. Batarrea.
Inner peridium circumscissile, the upper part coming off like a lid; threads of the capillitium with spiral markings.
(b) Inner peridium sessile, the outer splitting into segments which become reflexed.
3. Myriostoma.
Inner peridium dehiscent above by many mouths; columella —--; threads of the capillitium simple, tapering to each extremity.
4. Geaster. Page 580.
Inner peridium dehiscent at the apex by a single mouth; columella present; threads of the capillitium simple, tapering to each extremity.
5. Astræus.
Inner peridium membranaceous; dehiscent at the apex by a single mouth; columella none; threads of the capillitium very long, much branched and interwoven.
6. Mitremyces.
Inner peridium cartilaginous, dehiscent at the apex by a stellate fissure; columella none; threads of the capillitium very long, much branched and interwoven.
II.—CORTICATÆ.
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.
7. Tylostoma. Page 582.
Peridium membranaceous, dehiscent by a regular apical mouth; threads of the capillitium very long, much branched and interwoven.
(d) Peridium sessile, but with a more or less thickened base.
8. Calvatia. Page 582.
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.
9. Lycoperdon. Page 589.
Peridium small, globose, obovoid or turbinate, membranaceous, dehiscent by a regular apical mouth, threads of the capillitium long, slender, simple or branched.
10. Bovistella. Page 608.
Peridium subglobose, membranaceous, dehiscent by a regular apical mouth; threads of the capillitium free, short, several times dichotomously branched.
(e) Peridium sessile, without any thickened base.
11. Catastoma. Page 609.
Peridium globose, subcoriaceous, dehiscent by a basal aperture; threads of the capillitium free, short, simple, or scarcely branched.
12. Bovista. Page 610.
Peridium subglobose, membranaceous, dehiscent by an apical mouth, or opening irregularly; threads of the capillitium free, short, several times dichotomously branched.
13. Mycenastrum. Page 613.
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.
Gr—the earth; Gr—star.
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.
Geaster hygrometricus.
Natural size. (After 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.
Gr—a knob.
Tylostoma
Meyenianum.
(After Morgan.)
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.
Calvatia craniiformis.
(After Morgan.)
C. craniifor´mis Schw.—cranion, a skull. Peridium very large, obovoid or turbinate, depressed above, the base thick and stout, with a cord-like root. Cortex a smooth continuous layer, very thin and fragile, easily peeling off, pallid or grayish, sometimes with a reddish tinge, often becoming folded in areas; the inner peridium thin, ochraceous to bright brown, velvety, extremely fragile, after maturity the upper part breaking up into fragments and falling away. Subgleba occupying about one-half of the peridium, cup-shaped above and a long time persistent; mass of spores and capillitium greenish-yellow then ochraceous or dirty olivaceous; the threads very long, about as thick as the spores, branched. Spores globose, even, 3–3.5µ in diameter, with a minute pedicel.
Growing on the ground in woods. Peridium commonly 3–6 in. in diameter and 4–5 in. in height, but much larger specimens are sometimes met with. This species abounds in the woods of southern Ohio, growing in great patches of numerous individuals. I do not know that the edible qualities of this species have been tested. Morgan.
Chester county, Pa. Springton Hills. On ground in mixed woods. August to October. McIlvaine.
Not a frequent species with us. I have seen it only in the locality named. The substance is very like that of L. pyriforme. When white it has a strong but pleasant odor, and in this condition it is an excellent fungus. The slightest change to yellow makes it bitter.
C. rubro-fla´va Cragin—reddish-yellow. Peridium obconic, tapering gradually downward to the rooting mycelium. Cortex a very thin furfuraceous or granulose coat, with a few short, scattered spinules above; inner peridium thin and fragile, at first whitish, soon becoming orange-red to orange-brown in color, after maturity the upper part breaking up into fragments and falling away. Subgleba occupying about a third part of the peridium; mass of spores and capillitium reddish-ocher then olivaceous-orange; the threads very long, rather thicker than the spores, branched. Spores globose, even, 3–3.5µ in diameter, sometimes with a minute pedicel.
Growing on the ground. Kansas, Cragin, Kellerman. Peridium 1½-3 in. in height with a breach of 1–2 in. The peculiar orange or rather reddish-ocher color with which the whole plant is pervaded at maturity is very remarkable. Morgan.
III.—Stipitatæ.
Peridium depressed, globose above, abruptly contracted below into a long stem-like base; subgleba not definitely limited above, continuous with the capillitium, persistent.
C. sacca´ta (Vahl.) Fr.—saccus, a bag or pouch. Medium size, 2–4 in. high, 1–2 in. broad. Peridium depressed-globose or somewhat lentiform, supported by a long stem-like base, furfuraceous with minute persistent mealy or granular warts or spinules, often plicate beneath, white or creamy-white, at maturity becoming brown or olive-brown, subshining and very thin or membranous, breaking up into irregular fragments which sometimes adhere to the capillitium for a considerable time, the stem-like base cylindrical or narrowed downward, sometimes thick; capillitium rather dense, subpersistent, and with the spores dingy-olive or dingy-brown, sometimes verging toward purplish-brown. Spores rough, 4–5µ in diameter. Edible.
Low mossy grounds and bushy swamps, especially under alders. Sandlake, Center and Adirondack mountains. August to October. Peck, 32d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
West Virginia, 1881–1885; Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina. Frequent, thin moist woods. July to November. McIlvaine.
C. saccata, the long-stemmed puff-ball, is a common and pleasing species. Shape, color, feel, combine to make it attractive. It is one of the very best we have. When white inside and otherwise in good condition it is delicious.
Calvatia elata.
(After Morgan.)
C. ela´ta Massee. Peridium globose or depressed-globose above, plicate below and abruptly contracted into a long stem-like base; the base slender, cylindric or tapering downward, sometimes pitted; mycelium fibrous and filamentous. Cortex a very thin coat of minute persistent spinules or granules; inner peridium white or cream-colored, becoming brown or olivaceous, very thin and fragile, after maturity the upper part soon breaking up into fragments and falling away. Subgleba occupying the stem-like base, a long time persistent; mass of spores and capillitium brown or brownish-olivaceous; the threads very long, branched, the main stem as thick as the spores, the branches more slender. Spores globose, even or very minutely warted, 4–5µ in diameter with a short or minute pedicel.
Growing among mosses in low grounds and bushy places. New England, Humphrey; New York, Peck. Peridium 1–2 in. in diameter and 3–6 in. in height, the stem-like base ½-¾ of an inch in thickness. This American form of Lycoperdon saccatum has lately been separated from it, and named, figured and described as Lycoperdon elatum by George Massee. Morgan.
Edible.
GENUS IX.—LYCOPER´DON Tourn.
Mycelium fibrous, rooting from the base. Peridium small, globose, obovoid or turbinate, with a more or less thickened base; cortex a subpersistent coat of soft spines, scales, warts or granules; inner peridium thin, membranaceous becoming papyraceous, dehiscent by a regular apical mouth. Morgan.
When the plant sits (without stem) directly upon the ground or wood it is sessile. The outer layer of the two parts of its covering is the exterior peridium (sometimes spoken of as cortex). This frequently breaks up into scales, spines, bristles, minute flocculent or powdery masses, and these vary in size and in many species disappear as the plant matures. These are of determining value in several species of Lycoperdaceæ. Plants with coarse, long spines are echinate because they bristle. When the spines incline together and form a point they are stellate. Various formations of this outside covering are also called warts. The inner rind or skin is the true peridium.
The mass of thread-like filaments which fills the interior of the plant is called the capillitium. The filaments are deftly interlaced. At times filaments springing from the base do not interlace with the others; these are called columellæ. These filaments bear the spores—the dust which puffs out in such quantity and gives the common name to the plant—puff-ball—and its Mephistophelian one—The Devil’s Snuff-box. In some species the filaments at the base of the plant are sterile—they do not bear spores. These filaments are more contracted and form the neck, stem or subgleba. The gleba is the upper interior of the plant, in which the spores are contained. See plate [CLVI].
Dehiscent is said of an organ which opens of itself at maturity. A plant is dehiscent at the discharging point of its spores. If this is at the summit it is apically dehiscent.
The descriptions herein given of American representatives of European species are in many instances those of A.P. Morgan, who has made special study of this genus, and those of Professor C.H. Peck, whose interstate experience acquaints him with every varying form. Mr. Morgan has kindly given permission to use his text and drawings.
No one has yet had reason to doubt the harmlessness of any puff-ball. There are a few I have not eaten, but believing that these will be proven edible, descriptions of all species occurring in America are given.
There are first and second-class puff-balls. Usually the small species are slightly strong, and if a shade of yellow appears upon breaking any puff-ball, it will be more or less bitter and will spoil a whole dish. The larger species are milder. The flavor of puff-balls appears to be issued to them as a ration. It is all there in a little fellow, and in a big one it is simply spread through more substance.
Lafayette B. Mendel in Am. Jour. of Physiology, March, 1898, gives the nitrogenous compounds in L. bovista as:
| Nitrogen soluble in gastric juice | 3.13 |
| Digestible protein nitrogen | 3.13 |
| Indigestible protein nitrogen | 2.70 |
| Protein nitrogen | 5.79 |
| Extractive nitrogen | 2.40 |
| Total nitrogen | 8.19 |
TABLE OF THE SPECIES OF LYCOPERDON.
I.—Purple-Spored Series.
Mature spores purplish-brown.
a. Cortex consisting of very long convergent spines. Page [591].
b. Cortex composed of long slender convergent spines. Page [592].
c. Cortex composed of minute spinules. Page [594].
d. Cortex a furfuraceous persistent coat. Page [595].
e. Cortex a smooth, continuous layer, becoming areolate. Page [597].
II.—Olive-Spored Series.
Mature spores usually brownish-olivaceous.
A. Peridium Obovoid or Turbinate, the Subgleba Well Developed.
f. Cortex of long spines mingled with shorter ones, the former at length fall away, leaving a reticulate surface to the inner peridium. Page 598.
g. Cortex of stout spines which fall away and leave a tomentose or furfuraceous surface to the inner peridium. Page 599.
h. Cortex of long spines, curved and convergent at the apex, which fall away and leave a smooth surface to the inner peridium. Page 600.
i. Cortex of minute spinules and granules or furfuraceous scales. Terrestrial. Page 602.
k. Cortex of minute spinules, scales or granules. Lignatile. Page [603].
B. Peridium Very Small, Globose, the Subgleba Nearly Obsolete.
l. Cortex a thin coat of minute spinules, scales or granules. Page [604].
Morgan.
I.—Purple-spored Series.
(a) Cortex consisting of very long convergent spines; denuded
peridium smooth.
L. echina´tum Pers.—prickly. (L. Peck´ii Morg.) (Plate [CLVI], fig. 2, p. 568.) Peridium ¾-1½ in. broad, subglobose, generally narrowed below into a short stem-like base, whitish brownish or pinkish-brown, echinate above with rather stout spines, which at length fall off and leave the surface smooth; toward the base spinulose or furfuraceous; capillitium and spores dingy-olive. Spores minutely rough, 4µ in diameter.
Ground and decaying wood in woods. Albany, Forestburg and Adirondack mountains. August to October.
The whole plant is generally obovate, pyriform or turbinate, and the spines are larger and more or less curved at and near the apex, diminishing in size toward the base where they are more persistent. In the immature condition it is difficult to distinguish it from L. pedicellatum; but when mature its smooth peridium and spores destitute of pedicels separate it. Peck, 32d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
L. echinatum appears to be common to all the states. August to frost. It is frequent but not abundant. Raw the taste is slight. Cooked it is tender and of good flavor.
L. pulcher´rimum B. and C. (L. Frost´ii Pk.) Peridium usually obovoid, sometimes subturbinate, with a short stout base; the mycelium forming a thick cord-like root. Cortex consisting of very long white spines, converging and often coherent at the apex; the spines at length fall away from the upper part of the peridium, leaving the inner peridium with a smooth purplish-brown shining surface, sometimes faintly reticulated. Subgleba occupying about a third part of the peridium; mass of spores and capillitium at first olivaceous, then brownish-purple; the threads much branched, the main stem thicker than the spores, the branches long, slender and tapering. Spores globose, minutely warted, 4.5–5.5µ in diameter.
Peridium 1–2½ in. in diameter and 1–2 in. in height.
The fresh specimens of this plant have a strong and not unpleasant fragrance.
Growing in low grounds, in fields and woods. September, October.
L. pulcherrimum is frequent, but not abundant. It ranks with second-class puff-balls. It is good when young and fresh.
Lycoperdon constellatum.
(After Peck.)
L. constella´tum Fr.—grouped. Peridium subglobose or obovate, sometimes depressed, 10–18 lines broad, echinate with rather long stout crowded brown spines which are either straight curved or stellately united and which at length fall off and leave the surface reticulate with brown lines; capillitium and spores brown or purplish-brown, columella present. Spores rough, 5–6.5µ in diameter.
Ground in dense shades and groves. Oneida, Warne. Rare. Autumn. Peck, 32d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
(b) Cortex composed of long, slender convergent spines; denuded peridium smooth.
L. hirtum Mart.—hairy. Peridium broadly turbinate, depressed above, contracted below into a short, thick, tapering or pointed base, with a cord-like root. Cortex a dense coat of soft spines, long, slender and convergent above, becoming shorter downward, gray or brownish in color; these finally fall away, leaving the inner peridium with a brown or purplish-brown, smooth, shining surface. Subgleba occupying from one-third to one-half of the peridium; mass of spores and capillitium olivaceous, then brownish-purple; the threads branched, the main stem about as thick as the spores, with slender, tapering branches. Spores globose, distinctly warted, 5–6µ in diameter.
Growing on the ground in woods. Peridium 1–2½ in. in diameter and 1½-2 in. in height. This species in this country heretofore has been included with L. atropurpureum. I have followed Mr. Massee in keeping them separate. This is perhaps L. bicolor W. and C., of the Pacific Coast Catalogue. Morgan.
New York, Peck, 46th Rep.; West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. Ground in woods. August to October. McIlvaine.
It is edible. Good when young and fresh.
L. atropurpur´eum Vitt.—ater, black; purpureus, purple—of the spores. Peridium globose depressed-globose or obovate, 6–30 lines broad, generally narrowed below into a short stem-like base, white cinereous or brownish, mealy-spinulose, hairy-spinulose, echinate or stellately echinate, when denuded smooth and subshining; capillitium and spores finally purplish-brown, columella present. Spores rough, 5–6µ in diameter.
Sandy pastures, woods and bushy places. Common. August to October.
This appears to be one of the most polymorphous species we have. It is so variable that I have been obliged to modify the usual description very much, in order to include forms which are quite diverse, yet which appear to me to run together in such a way that I am unable to draw any satisfactory line of distinction between them.
There are three principal varieties which I have referred to this species. The first is usually 1–2 in. broad, sessile, or with a very short stem, nearly smooth, being mealy or pruinose, and having a few minute, weak, scattered spinules or scales. Its color is generally whitish or white slightly clouded with brown. It grows in sandy pastures and cleared lands, and is probably the nearest of the three in its resemblance to the type.
I regard the second and third as worthy of a name and designate and define them as follows:
Var. hirtel´lum. Peridium hairy-spinulose with erect or curved sometimes stellately united spinules, which are often of a blackish color.
Ground and decaying vegetable matter in woods.
Var. stella´re. Peridium echinate or stellately echinate with rather stout easily deciduous spines.
Ground in woods and bushy places.
In this species the capillitium and spores are at first greenish-yellow, olive-tinted or brownish; but when fully mature they are purple-tinted. Some care will, therefore, be necessary, lest the last variety be confused with the Echinate Puff-ball, L. echinatum. Peck, 32d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
Spores 6–7µ Massee; globose, distinctly warted, 5.5–6µ, Morgan.
Ohio, West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. On ground in woods. August to October. McIlvaine.
L. atropurpureum is frequent, not abundant. It is edible, good.
(c) Cortex composed of minute spinules; denuded peridium smooth.
L. cu´pricum Bon.—coppery. Peridium obconic, depressed above and tapering downward, the base plicate, with a fibrous mycelium. Cortex gray or flesh-color, composed of minute spinules circularly arranged and convergent and coherent at the apex; these dry up, becoming dark purplish in color, and finally fall away from the smooth, shining, copper-colored surface of the inner peridium. Subgleba occupying nearly a third part of the peridium; mass of spores and capillitium, at length purplish-brown; the threads branched, the main stem thinner than the spores, with long, tapering branches. Spores globose, distinctly warted, 6–7µ in diameter.
Growing in sandy soil in woods. New Jersey, Ellis.
Peridium about 1 in. in diameter and an inch or more in height. The microscopic features are given from specimens received from Mr. Ellis. Morgan.
Near Haddonfield, N.J., 1891–1896. Sandy woods. McIlvaine.
Not frequent. Those found upon several occasions were eaten and found good.
L. asterosper´mum D. and M.—aster, star; sperma, seed. Peridium obovoid or pyriform (pear-shaped), the base short and pointed, with a slender fibrous mycelium. Cortex a thin coat of minute spinules with intermingled granules, gray or brownish above, paler below; these dry up and are a long time persistent, but they finally fall away, leaving the inner peridium with a pale brown, smooth, shining surface. Subgleba obconical, occupying nearly a third part of the peridium; mass of spores and capillitium olivaceous, then brownish-purple; the threads about as thick as the spores, with slender tapering branches. Spores globose, distinctly warted, 5.5–6.5µ in diameter.
Peridium 1–1½ in. in diameter. A very pretty species of regular form; its glossy cortex is quite persistent. Morgan.
Growing on the ground in open woods. Ohio, Morgan; Nebraska, Webber.
New York, Peck, 46th, 51st Rep.; Ohio, Lloyd.
L. delica´tum Berk. Peridium subglobose, plicate underneath, with a fibrous mycelium. Cortex a thin coat of minute spinules and granules, gray or brownish above, whitish below, finally falling away from the smooth, shining, pale or brownish surface of the inner peridium. Subgleba very small or quite obsolete; mass of spores and capillitium olivaceous, then pale or brownish-purplish; the threads rather thinner than the spores, with slender tapering branches. Spores globose, distinctly warted, 5–6µ in diameter.
Peridium 1–2 in. in diameter. Morgan.
Growing on the ground. Pennsylvania, Gentry; Missouri, Professor Trelease (Peck, Rep. 40); Louisiana, Langlois.
(d) Cortex a furfuraceous persistent coat.
Lycoperdon glabellum.
(After Morgan.)
L. glabel´lum Pk.—smooth, bare. Subglobose or subturbinate, 1–1.5 in. broad, sometimes narrowed below into a short stem-like base, furfuraceous with very minute nearly uniform persistent warts, which appear to the naked eye like minute granules or papillæ, yellow, opening by a small aperture; inner mass purplish-brown, capillitium with a central columella. Spores purplish-brown, globose, rough, 5–6.5µ in diameter.
Ground in copses and in pine woods. West Albany and North Greenbush. Autumn. Peck, 31st Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
Ohio, Morgan; Wisconsin, Trelease; West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey. Frequent. Autumn. McIlvaine.
One of the prettiest Lycoperdons. Symmetrical, and otherwise attractive. Sweet, firm, solid. It is not high in flavor, but is delicate.
L. elonga´tum Berk.—elongated. Peridium globose above, contracted below into a stout thick base, more or less elongated and cylindric or tapering downward; mycelium composed of thick fibers. Cortex a loose flocculose white or yellowish coat, drying up into a mealy or furfuraceous persistent layer, which scarcely reveals the pale shining surface of the inner peridium. Subgleba occupying more than half the interior of the peridium; mass of spores and capillitium pale olivaceous, then pale brown or finally purplish; the threads much branched, the main stem much thicker than the spores, the branches tapering. Spores globose, distinctly warted, 5.5–6.5µ in diameter.
Growing on the ground in damp woods. Ohio, Morgan. Peridium 1–2 in. in diameter and 2–3 in. in height, the base ¾-1 in. in thickness. In form it somewhat resembles L. gemmatum, but it has a cortex like that of L. glabellum. Morgan.
New York, Peck, 49th Rep. Closely allied to L. glabellum. Its stout elongated base serves as a mark of distinction.
Ohio, Morgan; Pennsylvania, Washington, Pa., Myc. Club.
Not common. Sometimes tufted, three or four together. Edible, good.
L. el´egans Morgan—elegant. Peridium large, depressed globose, plicate underneath and sometimes with a narrow umboniform base, which is continuous with the thick root. Cortex at first flocculose, white or yellowish, drying up into a dense furfuraceous persistent coat, which becomes ochraceous or brownish in color, and sometimes obscurely areolate. Subgleba broad, convex above, occupying a third part or more of the peridium; mass of spores and capillitium olivaceous, then pale-brown or finally purplish-brown; the threads much branched, the main stem thicker than the spores, the branches long and tapering. Spores globose, distinctly warted, 5–6µ, in diameter.
Growing on rich soil on the open prairie about Iowa City, Ia., Prof. T.H. McBride. Peridium 1½-3 in. in diameter. In form and size this species somewhat resembles Calvatia fragilis, but the threads are arranged in two sets as in Lycoperdon; the cortex is similar to that of L. glabellum; the mycelium forms a remarkably thick root. Morgan.
(e) Cortex a smooth, continuous layer, becoming areolate.
Lycoperdon rimulatum.
With magnified spores.
(After Morgan.)
L. rimula´tum Pk.—rimula, a small chink. Peridium depressed—globose or broadly obovoid, plicate underneath with a slender fibrous mycelium. Cortex at first a thin, smooth, continuous fibrillose layer, gray or bluish-gray, sometimes with a purplish tinge; this at length breaks into a network of fine lines or fissures, gradually dries up into minute thin adnate scales, and finally falls away from the smooth grayish or purplish-brown surface of the inner peridium. Subgleba broad, but distinct, plane above, occupying about a fourth part of the peridium; mass of spores and capillitium purplish-gray, then brownish-purple; the threads simple or scarcely branched, variable in thickness, but always thinner than the spores. Spores glovose, distinctly warted, 6–7µ in diameter, often pedicellate.
Growing on the ground in fields and open woods. New York, Peck; South Carolina, Atkinson; Ohio, Morgan; Wisconsin, Trelease. Peridium ¾-1½ in. in diameter, scarcely an inch in height. Morgan.
New Jersey, T.J. Collins; Pennsylvania. Autumn. McIlvaine.
A pretty species, generally in groups. Frequent. It is not common, but occasionally generous patches of it are found. Edible, good.
L. vela´tum Vitt.—velatus, having a velum. Peridium globose or obovoid, with a cord-like root. Cortex white or yellowish, at first a thickish continuous layer, then breaking up into circular or irregular persistent patches with fimbriate margins. Subgleba occupying about a third part of the peridium; mass of spores and capillitium olivaceous, then purplish-brown; the threads branched, the main stem nearly as thick as the spores, the branches long and tapering. Spores globose, distinctly warted, 5–6µ in diameter.
Growing on the ground in woods. South Carolina, Ravenel.
Peridium 1–2 in. in diameter. Morgan.
New Jersey, T.J. Collins; Chester county, Pa., sometimes clustered, McIlvaine.
Good.
II.—Olive-Spored Series.
A. Peridium Top-Shaped, the Subgleba Well Developed.
(f) Cortex of long spines, etc.
L. gemma´tum Batsch.—gemmed. Peridium turbinate, depressed above, the base short and obconic or more elongated and tapering or subcylindric, arising from a fibrous mycelium. Cortex consisting of long, thick, erect spines or warts of irregular shape, with intervening smaller ones, whitish or gray in color, sometimes with a tinge of red or brown; the larger spines first fall away, leaving pale spots on the surface, and giving it a reticulate appearance. Subgleba variable in amount, usually more than half the peridium; mass of spores and capillitium greenish-yellow, then pale-brown; threads simple or scarcely branched, about as thick as the spores. Spores globose, even or very minutely warted, 3.5–4.5µ in diameter.
Peridium 1–2 in. in diameter and 1–3 in. in height. This species is distinguished from all others by the peculiar large erect terete spines or warts, the so-called gems which stud its upper surface. Morgan.
Growing on the ground and sometimes on rotten trunks in woods, often cespitose. Frost. New York, Peck.
Found in every part of the world.
New York, Peck, Rep. 22; Indiana, H.I. Miller; West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. On the ground and on logs. McIlvaine.
Edible, but not pleasant. Peck. Edible, H.I. Miller.
Professor Peck gives two varieties:
Var. hir´tum. Turbinate, subsessile, hairy with soft, slender warts which generally become blackish.
Var. papilla´tum. Subrotund, sessile, papillose, furfuraceous-pulverulent.
Very common and known in all countries. It is, to my thinking, our prettiest puff-ball. Its beautifully studded surface, reminding of exquisite settings, is in itself worth studying for the designs. It is usually solitary or in small groups, but at times these groups contain scores of individuals. It grows in the open on the ground or from both ground and wood, in woods.
I think it equal to any other puff-ball. But great care must be taken to examine each specimen before putting it into the pan. A single one, which has turned yellow in the slightest degree, will spoil a whole dish. And this is the case with any of the small puff-balls. One ageing L. pyriforme will embitter a hundred.
L. perla´tum Pers.—perfero, to endure. (Enduring through winter.) Peridium turbinate, broad and depressed above, plicate underneath and contracted into a short and pointed or sometimes elongated and tapering base; mycelium fibrous. Cortex of long slender spines, mingled with smaller spinules and warts, gray brown or blackish in color; the longer spines first fall away, leaving a reticulate surface to the inner peridium. Subgleba occupying one-third to one-half of the peridium; mass of spores and capillitium greenish-yellow, then brownish-olivaceous; the threads mostly simple, some of them thicker than the spores. Spores globose, even or very minutely warted, 3.5–4.5µ in diameter.
Growing on the ground in woods. Peridium 1–2 in. in diameter and 1–2 in. in height. This is L. gemmatum, var. hirtum, of Peck’s United States species of Lycoperdon. Morgan.
New York, Peck, 46th Rep.; Maryland, James; West Virginia, New Jersey. Occasional. On ground and decaying wood. McIlvaine.
Edible. Same habit and quality as L. gemmatum.
(g) Cortex of stout spines which fall away, etc.
L. excipulifor´me Scop.—excipula, a receptacle. Peridium turbinate, depressed above, plicate below and contracted into a more or less elongated base. Cortex of large stout spines, convergent above, becoming smaller downward, which at length fall away, leaving a tomentose surface to the inner peridium. Subgleba occupying one-half or more of the peridium; mass of spores and capillitium greenish-yellow, then brownish-olivaceous; the threads about as thick as the spores, scarcely branched. Spores globose, minutely warted, 4–5µ in diameter.
Peridium 1–2 in. in diameter and 1–4 in. in height. Morgan.
Growing on the ground in meadows and woods. Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Schweinitz; Canada, Saccardo.
(h) Cortex of long spines, etc., which fall away, etc.
Lycoperdon pedicellatum
With magnified spores. (After Morgan.)
L. pedicella´tum Pk.—pediculus, a little foot. Peridium ¾-1½ in. in diameter, globose or depressed-globose, sessile or narrowed below into a stem-like base, whitish or cinereous, becoming dingy or smoky-brown with age, echinate with rather dense spines which are either straight, curved or stellately united and which at length fall off and leave impressions or obscure reticulations on the surface; capillitium and spores greenish-yellow, then dingy-olive, columella present. Spores smooth, pedicellate, 4–4.5µ in diameter, the pedicel three to five times as long.
Ground and decaying wood in woods and bushy places. Croghan, Center, Brewerton and Catskill mountains. Autumn. Oneida. Warne.
The pedicellate spores constitute the peculiar feature of this species. It is one which suggests the name and which enables the species to be easily distinguished from all its allies. The spore is terminally and persistently attached to the pedicel, as in some species of Bovista. The plant is sometimes sessile, but usually it is narrowed below into a stem-like base. In the immature state it has a rough, shaggy appearance, but the spines shrivel with age so that it appears less rough when old. The pitted surface of the denuded peridium affords a mark of distinction from L. echinatum. L. pulcherrimum B. and C. is evidently the same species, but the name here adopted has priority of publication. Peck, 32d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
Growing on the ground and on rotten wood in woods. New York, Peck; Alabama, Atkinson; Ohio, Morgan; Wisconsin, Trelease.
Lycoperdon eximium.
With magnified spores. (After Morgan.)
L. exi´mium Morgan—eximius, excellent. Peridium obovoid, with a fibrous mycelium. Cortex white or brownish, composed of long slender spines, often curved and convergent at the apex, which at length fall away from above downward, leaving a pale smooth surface to the inner peridium. Subgleba small, occupying scarcely more than a fourth part of the peridium; mass of spores and capillitium greenish-yellow, then brownish-olivaceous; the threads mostly thinner than the spores, much branched. Spores oval, even, 5–6×4–4.5µ, usually furnished with a short pedicel.
Peridium ¾-1½ in. in diameter and about 1 in. in height. This species is readily distinguished by its large oval spores. Morgan.
Growing on the ground in sandy soil. South Carolina, Prof. Geo. F. Atkinson; Alabama U. and E.
Lycoperdon Curtisii.
(After Morgan.)
L. Cur´tisii Berk.—in honor of Rev. M.A. Curtis. Peridium globose, with a very short rooting base and a slender fibrous mycelium. Cortex consisting of a pale yellowish farinaceous layer, covered by a coat of soft, fragile white spines, curved and convergent at the apex; after maturity it soon disappears, leaving a pale smooth surface to the inner peridium. Subgleba small, but distinct, convex above and definitely limited; mass of spores and capillitium greenish-yellow, then pale olivaceous; the threads long, simple, hyaline, two to three times as thick as the spores. Spores globose, even, 3.5–4µ in diameter.
Peridium ⅜-¾ of an inch in diameter. This is L. Wrightii, var. typicum, of Peck’s U.S. species of Lycoperdon. The peculiar characteristic of the species is the hyaline threads of the capillitium; although they are of large diameter, yet the walls are very thin and the threads collapse in drying. Morgan.
General. Growing gregariously and sometimes cespitosely on the ground, in meadows, pastures and even in cultivated fields.
This being L. Wrightii, var. typicum Pk., and being edible, it is hardly necessary to repeat the old axiom: Things which are equal to the same thing are equal to one another.
(i) Cortex of minute spinules, granules, etc.
L. molle Pers.—mollis, soft. (L. muscorum Morg.) Peridium 6–16 lines broad, globose or depressed-globose, narrowed below into a stem-like base, furfuraceous with nearly uniform persistent minute weak spinules or granular warts, sometimes with a few larger papilliform ones toward the apex, whitish, sometimes tinged with yellow, when mature brownish or olive-brown, nearly smooth, subshining; capillitium and spores dingy-olive; columella present. Spores minutely rough, 4–4.5µ in diameter.
Among mosses, especially Polytrichum, in old meadows and pastures. Albany, Summit and South Corinth. Autumn.
Peck, 32d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
West Virginia, Pennsylvania. On ground in woods and grassy places in the open. McIlvaine.
L. molle is of frequent occurrence but not abundant. Though exceedingly soft, it holds its body in cooking and is well flavored.
Lycoperdon Turneri
With magnified spores.
(After Morgan.)
L. Tur´neri E. and E. Peridium obovoid, somewhat depressed above, plicate underneath, with a mycelium of rooting fibers. Cortex white, often gray or brownish above, consisting of minute spinules with intermingled granules; these after maturity dry up and are quite persistent, forming a minutely scabrous coat on the olive-brown shining surface of the inner peridium. Subgleba broad and shallow, scarcely occupying more than a fourth part of the peridium; mass of spores and capillitium greenish-yellow, then brownish-olivaceous; the threads with the main stem about as thick as the spores, and long tapering branches. Spores globose, minutely warted, 4–5µ in diameter, mostly with a short pedicel.
Peridium 1–2 in. in diameter and 1–2 in. in height. A very pretty puff-ball with a silky shining coat. Morgan.
New York, Peck, 49th Rep.; West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey. Ground in woods. August to October. McIlvaine.
Not frequent though general. It is good but must be young.
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.
(k) Cortex of minute spinules, scales or granules. Lignatile.
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.
Lycoperdon subincarnatum
With spines and pits magnified.
(After Morgan.)
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.
B. Peridium Very Small, Globose, Etc.
(l) Cortex a thin coat of minute spinules, etc.
Lycoperdon separans
With magnified spores.
(After Morgan.)
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.
Lycoperdon pusillum.
(After Morgan.)
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.
Lycoperdon
cepæsforme.
(After 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.
Lycoperdon coloratum.
(After Morgan.)
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.
Lycoperdon acuminatum
With spores. (From Morgan.)
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.
GENUS X.—BOVISTEL´LA Morg.
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.
Bovistella Ohiensis.
Natural size.
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.
GENUS XI.—CATAS´TOMA Morg.
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?
GENUS XII.—BOVIS´TA Dill.
Bovista minor and section.
(From Morgan.)
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.
GENUS XIII.—MYCENAS´TRUM Desv.
Mycenastrum spinulosum Pk.
(After 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.
FAMILY III.—SCLERODERMA´CEÆ.
Peridium discrete from the gleba, often with a columella; cells of the gleba subpersistent. Morgan.
GENUS I.—SCLERODER´MA Pers.
Scleros, hard; derma, skin.
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.
Scleroderma vulgare.
A-B. Firm when young and remain nearly so when mature.
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.
GENUS II.—POLYSAC´CUM De C.
Polus, many; saccus, a sack.
Polysaccum pisocarpium.
Natural size.
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.
