Much esteemed in France, W.D.H. Edible, but tough. M.C.C.
P. lævis B. and C.—light. Pileus 3 in. broad, orbicular, slightly depressed, white, clothed in the center with long, intricate, rather delicate hairs, which are shorter and more matted toward the inflected margin; substance rather thin. Stem 3 in. high, ½ in. thick, attenuated upward, generally excentric, sometimes lateral, not rooting, solid, hairy below like the margin of the pileus. Gills rather broad, entire, decurrent, but not to a great degree, the interstices even above, behind clothed with the same coat as the top of the stem. Spores white.
On oak and hickory trunks.
A most distinct species, remarkable for its great lightness when dry and the long villous but not compressed or compound flocci of the pileus. Sometimes the center of the pileus becomes quite smooth when old.
One of the prettiest of fungi. The markings upon the white margin are more precise than those of the finest bee comb. One does not tire looking at the work of Nature’s geometrician. It is not plentiful, but is of useful size. It has good flavor and cooks quite tender.
Panus Strigosus.
One-third natural size.
P. strigo´sus B. and C.—covered with stiff hairs. Pileus white, excentric, clothed with coarse strigose pubescence, margin thin. Stem strigose like the pileus. Gills broad, distant, decurrent. Allied to P. lævis.
Pileus 8 in. broad. Stem 2–3 in. long, 1 in. or more thick.