Plant 1.5–2 in. high. Pileus 1–1.5 in. broad. Stem 1–2 lines thick.
Woods. Croghan and Sandlake, N.Y. August. Autumn.
This is a small but symmetrical and beautiful Agaric. It is perhaps too closely related to the preceding species (A. silvaticus), of which it may possibly prove to be a mere variety or dwarf form. Its pileus is quite thin and fragile. Usually the darker or reddish hue of the disk gradually loses itself in the paler color of the margin, but sometimes the whole surface is tinged with red. Peck, 36th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
Chester county; West Philadelphia, Pa., September; Mt. Gretna, Eagle’s Mere, Pa., August. McIlvaine.
I have found A. diminutivus so intimately associated with A. silvaticus that its being a dwarf form of the latter seemed more than probable. Its edible qualities are the same.
A. Rod´mani Pk. Pileus rather thick, firm, at first convex, then nearly or quite plane, with decurved margin, smooth or rarely slightly cracked into scales on the disk, white or whitish, becoming yellowish or subochraceous on the disk, the flesh white, unchangeable. Lamellæ close, narrow, rounded behind, free, reaching nearly or quite to the stem, at first whitish then pink or reddish-pink, finally blackish-brown. Stem short, subequal, solid, whitish, smooth below the ring, often scurfy or slightly mealy-squamulose above; ring variable, thick or thin, entire or lacerated, at or below the middle of the stem. Spores broadly elliptical or subglobose, generally uninucleate, 5–6×4–5µ.
Plant 2–3 in. high. Pileus 2–4 in. broad. Stem 6–10 lines thick. Grassy ground and paved gutters. Astoria, L.I. Rev. W. Rodman. Washington Park, Albany. May to July.
This species is intermediate between A. campestris and A. arvensis, from both of which it may be distinguished by its narrow gills, solid stem and smaller, almost globose, spores. In size, shape of the pileus and general appearance it most resembles A. campestris, but in the whitish primary color of the gills and in the yellowish tints which the pileus often assumes, it approaches nearer to A. arvensis. * * * Peck, 36th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
I can now add my own testimony to that of Mr. Rodman as to its edibility. Its flesh is firm but crisp, not tough, and its flavor, though not equal to that of the common mushroom, is nevertheless agreeable, and its use as food is perfectly safe. Peck, Rep. 49.
This species has grown freely for several years at Hull and Cohasset, Mass. It is usually found about June 1st, and is not seen again until early autumn. It is the handsomest mushroom I have seen, and its edible qualities are on a par with its appearance. Macadam.