Very variable in size. On ground in woods and grassy places in open woods. Summer, autumn. North Carolina, Curtis; West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, McIlvaine.
Have seen it 2 ft. across. “Delicosissima.” Fries.
A perfect specimen of S. crispa resembles a huge rosette, round and many-folded in tortuous design. The folds are wide, flattened branches springing from a common base, thin, semi-transparent, not unlike damp sheets of gelatine although thicker. Surfaces of the leaves are dull, like the flattened seaweeds and the light-colored sea-rock mosses. S. crispa may be easily dried, and though shrinking much in size, retains its shape, forming a very pretty ornament for the desk of the mycologist. It is not common. Where it has chosen a habitat several tufts may be found during the moderate season. The writer found three specimens ranging from 6–12 in. in diameter near Haddonfield, N.J., others, not as large, in West Virginia and in Chester county, Pa.
It has long been known as edible. It makes an ever-to-be-remembered dish.
CLAVA´RIA L.
Clava, a club.
Fleshy, branched or simple, somewhat round, without a distinct stem. Hymenium continuous, dry, homogeneous. For the most part growing on ground. Fries.
The members of this genus vary greatly in form, which in some is that of a club growing singly or cespitose, while others present a more or less bush-like appearance, being slightly or excessively branched.
The color of the plant covers a wide range, as it may be white, red, yellow, violet or their various shades, and to be in harmony the spores do not confine themselves to one color, but are white, ochraceous or cinnamon. In cases where the plant is not otherwise well defined the spore colors will be found a valuable aid in placing it.
ANALYSIS OF TRIBES.