C. soboli´ferus Fr. Pileus 1½-2½ in. across, subcylindrical, then oval bell-shaped, lower half of pileus usually undulate but not furrowed or striate, disk obtuse, usually depressed, distinctly scaly, dingy white, toward the apex tinged with pale brown, scales darker. Flesh very thin. Gills free, tapering toward each end, ¼ in. or more broad, crowded, pale then blackish. Stem 5–8 in. long, ¾ in. thick at the base, slightly attenuated upward, silky-white, stuffed; toward the base there is a depressed zone caused by the edge of the pileus when young. Ring fugacious. Spores elliptical, 15×7µ.
Amongst grass near to trunks, buried wood, etc. A very large and beautiful species, distinguished from Coprinus atramentarius, its nearest ally, by the larger size of every part, the costate (ribbed) or waved lower portion of the pileus, the truncate, depressed disk, with distinct squamules, the whitish color of the pileus, and the imperfectly hollow or stuffed stem.
Spores elliptical, 15×7µ Massee.
Almshouse grounds, Philadelphia. On maple roots in grass-grown places, May, 1897–1898. McIlvaine. Not previously noted in United States.
C. soboliferus is a substantial food-giving species, very heavy for its size. It grows singly and in clusters and will immediately attract attention, wherever found. It is of fine flavor and substance. Cook at once.
C. ova´tus (Schaeff.) Fr.—ovum, an egg. Pileus white, somewhat membranaceous, at the first egg-shaped and densely imbricated with thick spreading concentric scales, covered with an even hood at the apex, then expanded, striate. Stem 3–4 in. long, solid at the base, rooting, otherwise hollow, with spider-web threads within, attenuated upward, downy, shining white. Ring not very conspicuous and soon vanishing. Gills free, remote, slightly ventricose, at the first somewhat naked and remaining long shining white, at length umber-blackish, never becoming purple.
Smaller, thinner, less handsome than C. comatus. For the most part solitary. Fries.
Spores 11–12×7–8µ Massee.
On rich ground, dumps, etc. Same habitat as C. comatus.
West Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, New Jersey. McIlvaine.