P. semilancea´ta Fr.—semi, half; lancea, a spear. Pileus ½ in. high, not broad, various in color, becoming yellow, green, dingy-brown, somewhat membranaceous, acutely conical, almost cuspidate, never expanded, but the margin when young at first bent inward, covered with a pellicle which is viscous and separable in wet weather, slightly striate chiefly round the margin. Stem as much as 3 in. long, scarcely 1 line thick, tubular and containing a pith, equal, more frequently flexuous, smooth, capable of being twisted round the finger, smooth, becoming pale; furnished with a veil when young. Gills ascending into the summit of the cone, adnexed, almost linear, crowded, becoming purple-black. Fries.
Gregarious, very tough. Pastures and roadsides, etc. Common. August to November. Stevenson.
Spores ellipsoid, 9–16×4–9µ K.; 14×9µ W.G.S.
New York, Peck, Rep. 23; Novia Scotia, Somers.
Var. cærules´cens Cooke—becoming blue. Base of stem turning indigo-blue.
Not common in America, but frequently found. According to M. C. Cooke—a careful authority—P. semilanceata has a dangerous reputation. It is said to have proved fatal to children when eaten raw. It is not deleterious when cooked.
PSA´THYRA Fr.
Gr—friable.