The marked features of this genus are the strongly involute margin, the soft, tough, decurrent gills, separating readily from the flesh, and the color of the spores.
The members of this genus possess some of the characters of Boletus. The gills separate easily from the hymenophore as do the tubes of the latter, and their anastomosing tendency is in P. porosus so marked that the hymenium consists of large angular tubes. The gills of P. solidus B. and C. form pores at the base, and its spores are elongated, both features indicating an affinity with Boletus.
ANALYSIS OF TRIBES.
Lepista (a pan). Page [327].
Pileus entire, central. Spores dingy-white, in P. panæolus somewhat rust-color. On the ground.
Tapinia (to depress). Page —--.
Pileus generally eccentric or resupinate. Spores rust-color. On the ground or on stumps.
So far as known the species of this genus are harmless. Many of them are large, fleshy and inviting in appearance, but their flesh is usually dry and coarse, and, though absorbent, is hard to cook tender. P. atrotomentosus, which seems to be rare, is an exception. The flesh of this species being firm in texture and readily made into a first-class dish.
Lepis´ta.
P. lepis´ta Fr.—lepista, a pan. Pileus 2–4 in. broad, flat or depressed, dirty-white, smooth, sometimes minutely cracked near the margin which is thin, involute and often undulate. Stem very variable in length, 1–4 in., ½-¾ in. thick, dingy white or cream, solid, white inside, equal, with a cartilaginous cuticle passing between the gills and the flesh of the pileus, base blunt, villous, white. Gills very decurrent, crowded, 2–3 lines broad, slightly branched but not at the base, dingy-white becoming darker.