Stem is decidedly swollen downward. Veil heavy, apparently double, thickest at margin of cap to which it remains attached in heavy fragments. It tears from the stem, leaving no mark of ring.
Var. puella´ris Fr.—puella, a girl. Smaller than typical form, shining white, pileus with downy scales. Not yet reported in America.
Edible qualities similar to those of L. procera. It is sold indiscriminately with it in London markets.
L. excoria´ta Schaeff.—stripped of its skin. Flesh spongy, rather thick, white, unchangeable. Pileus at first globose, then flat, hardly umbonate, pale-fawn or whitish, disk dark; cuticle thin, silky or scaly, sometimes areolate, more or less peeled toward margin, hence its name. Gills ventricose, white, free, somewhat remote. Stem attenuated, hollow or stuffed, short, scarcely bulbous, smooth, white, not spotted, very distinct from flesh of pileus. Ring movable but not so freely as that of L. procera.
Stem 1½-2½ high, less than ½ in. thick. Pileus 2–3 in. broad.
Spores 14–15×8–9µ Massee.
In pastures or grassy lawns. May to September.
North Carolina, edible, Curtis; Massachusetts, Frost; California, H. and M.; Ohio, Morgan; Minnesota, Johnson.
Distinguished from the preceding by its smaller size and short stem which is scarcely bulbous.
Esculent qualities good.