C. ochropurpu´rea Berk.—ochra, ocher; purpureus, purple. (Plate [XXIV], figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, p. 82.) Pileus subhemispherical, at length depressed, fleshy, compact, tough, pale yellow, slightly changing to purplish, cuticle easily separable; margin inflexed, at first tomentose. Stem paler, here and there becoming purplish, solid, swollen in the middle, occasionally equal. Gills thick, purple, broader behind, decurrent. Spores white or pale yellow.
Pileus 2 in. broad. Stem 2½ in. high, ¾ in. thick in the center.
August. On clayey soil in woodlands.
Its spores darken when shed in quantity, have a granulated and light-lilac appearance. It is a solitary grower, sometimes reaching the height of six inches. The upturned, wavy pileus, showing the purple gills in contrast with the pale Naples-yellow of the cap is markedly attractive. The stem is often rough with fibers, hard and tough. The caps are tough. It grows in grassy woods and open places. The novice, even the expert, will be puzzled to place it in its genus.
Specimens were sent to me by Miss Lydia M. Patchen, Westfield, N.Y., and E.B. Sterling, Trenton, N.J. I afterward found many at Mt. Gretna, Pa. I reported their edible qualities to Prof. Peck who wrote, September 3, 1897: “I have often wished it was edible, but it has such a disagreeable flavor when fresh that I have never ventured to eat it. I have known it to be mistaken for the common mushroom, but not eaten.”
Though tough it cooks tender and is excellent. Stew and put in patties or croquettes.
VI.—Orbifor´mes.
C. di´topa Fr. Gr.—twofold; Gr.—a foot. Probably from stems growing two together. Pileus thin, submembranaceous, convex, rarely with a small umbo, smooth, hygrophanous, brown when young and moist, grayish-white when dry. Gills grayish, close, thin, attached, not decurrent. Stem slender, equal, smooth, hollow.
Height 1–2 in., breadth of pileus 6–18 lines. Stem 1–2 lines thick.