Pileus 4–5 in. broad. Stem 4–5 in. long, 1 in. thick.
Woods. North Carolina and Pennsylvania, Schweinitz; Ohio, Morgan; New York, Peck.
According to Fries this is a larger and firmer species than S. strobilaceus but manifestly related to it. The New York specimens which I have referred to it differ from S. strobilaceus in no respect, except in the tubes being depressed around the stem. Unless there are other differences in the European plant, it scarcely seems to me to be worthy of specific distinction. Boletus floccopus, Rost. tab. 40, is referred to Boletus scaber, as is B. holopus, Rost. tab. 48. Peck, Boleti of the U.S.
I agree with Professor Peck that this species is not worthy of specific distinction. During 1898 I found a bunch containing eight individuals which varied through all botanic characteristics given to both species. The largest individual was 4½ in. across cap, the smallest 1½ in. On some the tubes were adnate, on others shortened behind. There was no difference in flavor excepting that due to age.
Plate CXXV.
| Fig. | Page. | Fig. | Page. |
| 1. Fistulina hepatica, | [477] | 2. Polyporus sulphureus, | [485] |
FISTULI´NA Bull.
Fistula, a pipe.
Hymenium formed on the under surface of a fleshy hymenophore, at first warted, the warts developing into cylindrical tubes that remain distinct and free from each other, producing in their interior cellular processes each bearing four spores. Conidia are produced in cavities of the old hymenophore.