PANÆOLUS Fr.
Gr—all; Gr—variegated.
Panæolus.
Pileus slightly fleshy, not striate, margin exceeding the gills. Gills ascending in a conical manner, slate-gray, mottled with the black spores. Stem polished. Veil woven, often absent. Spores black.
On the ground in rich earth, and on dung.
In the black-spored series Psathyrella is separated by the striate pileus, not exceeding the gills, Anellaria by the ring and Coprinus by the deliquescent gills.
Panæolus, in its entirety, has a precise looking membership. If the gills were cut from cardboard and fixed by machinery, they could not be more correct. Some of the species are among the earliest arrivals at toadstool lawn parties, and some are the last to leave. Several are culinary favorites, notably Panæolus solidipes. P. papilionaceus possesses intoxicating properties. P. campanulatus is reported to be a sedative.
The edible species are easily cooked and are exceptionally delicate and well flavored.