Pileus more or less fleshy, conical or convex, then expanded, margin at first incurved. Gills free or adnate, not decurrent. Veil fugacious or absent, sometimes attached in minute flakes to the edge of the young pileus. Stem cartilaginous, hollow or with a spongy stuffing. Growing on wood or on the ground, sometimes rooted. Spores various shades of brown, dull or bright.
Naucoria corresponds with Collybia, Leptonia and Psilocybe; from the latter it is distinguished by the spore colors and from Galera in the brown-spored series by the margin of the pileus being at first incurved.
“The spores are rust-color, or brownish rust-color. The color of the pileus is some shade of yellow. The stem is not distinctly ringed, but sometimes a slight spore-stained band marks the place of the obsolete ring.” Peck, 23d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
The members of this genus are with two or three exceptions very common, and common over the land. The greater number grow on the ground among grass; a few grow upon decaying wood. The stems are not of the same texture as the cap and frequently will not cook tender. The caps, however, are, of all species tested, tender and of good flavor. Species of the genus are among the first to appear in spring, and well reward the enterprising mycophagist for his early tramps.
ANALYSIS OF TRIBES.
Gymnoti (Gr—naked). Page [295].
Pileus smooth. Veil absent. Spores rust-color, not becoming dusky-rust-color.
Phæoti (Gr—dusky). Page [296].
Pileus smooth. Gills and spores dusky rust-color. Veil rarely manifest.
Lepidoti (lepis, a scale).