C. pru´nulus Scop.—prunus, plum. (Plate [LXIII], fig. 4, 5, p. 254.) Pileus fleshy, compact, at first convex and regular, then repand, dry, pruinate, white or ashy-white. Flesh white, unchangeable, with a pleasant farinaceous odor. Gills deeply decurrent, subdistant, flesh-colored. Stem solid, naked, striate, white. Spores subelliptical, pointed at each end, 10–11×5–6µ.
Pileus 1.5–3 in. broad. Stem 1–2 in. long, 3–4 lines thick.
Woods.
Not abundant, but edible, and said to be delicious and one of the best of the esculent species. Peck, 42d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
June to October. Most plentiful in August and September.
Very plentiful in oak woods at Angora, West Philadelphia, moderate crops at Mt. Gretna, Pa.
An abortive form (see Plate [LXIII], fig. 2, 3, p. 254) occurs not distinguishable from that of Armillaria mellea. It grows singly and in tufts, very variable in shape, white, tinged with brown on ruptured surfaces. This form equals its original.
C. prunulus has a strong smell of fresh meal. It is a delicious species.
Stew. It is one of the very best in patties, croquettes, etc.