M. bi´spora Sor.—Two-spored. The Two-spored morell is very similar to the Half-free morell in external appearance. It is distinguishable by its cap, which is free from the stem almost or quite to the top. The stem of the European plant has been described as stuffed, but in our plant it is hollow, though possibly in very young plants it may be stuffed. The remarkable and very distinctive character which gives name to the species can only be seen by the aid of a microscope. In this species there are only two spores in each ascus or sack and these are much larger than the spores of the other species. They are two or three times longer and sometimes slightly curved. The spores of the other species are eight in an ascus and are very much alike in size and shape, and do not furnish decided specific characters; but in this species their importance can not be overlooked. Their length is about 60µ, while in the others it is 20–25µ.
This is probably our rarest species. I am not aware that it has been found in but one locality in our state. A few years ago Mr. H.A. Warne detected it growing among fallen leaves in a ravine near Oneida. I have not tested its edible qualities, but would have no hesitation in eating it if opportunity should be afforded. Peck, 48th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
Var. trunca´ta. Pileus broadly rounded or truncate, its costæ slightly prominent, the margin often a little recurved; paraphyses numerous. Stem long.
Michigan. May. Hicks. Peck, 46th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
M. angus´ticeps Pk.—angustus, narrow; caput, head. Pileus oblong-conical and subobtuse or narrowly conical and acute, adnate to the stem, 1–2 in. high, and about half as broad at the base, ribs longitudinal, here and there anastomosing or connected by transverse veins. Stem subequal, hollow, whitish, furfuraceous without and within, even or rarely rough with irregular longitudinal furrows; asci cylindrical. Spores elliptical, whitish tinged with ocher, 20–25×12.5–18µ; paraphyses short, clavate, with one or two septa near the base.
Sandy soil in the borders of woods and in open places. West Albany and Center. April and May.
Two forms occur, one with the pileus oblong-conical, rather obtuse, often tipped with a slight umbo or papilla, and with a diameter a little surpassing that of the stem from which the base is separated by a slight groove; the other with the pileus narrowly conical, rather acute, scarcely exceeding the stem in diameter and without any separating groove. The stem and fruit are alike in both forms. The stem is usually about equal in length to the pileus. The species is related to M. conica and M. elata, but may be separated from both by the size of the spores and the character of the paraphyses. In our plant I have never seen these as long as the asci. Large forms appear also to approach M. rimosipes, but that species has the margin of the pileus more free, the stem proportionately longer, and the paraphyses as long as the asci, if we may rely upon the figure of it. Our plant is edible. Peck, 32d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
The plants are commonly 2–3 in. high, with the cap generally less than an inch broad in its widest part, but sometimes much larger specimens occur. Peck, 48th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
