P. Dæ´monum Rumph. Volva globose, not very thick, pinkish; segments 3 or 4, irregular. Stem cylindric, tapering at each end, cellulose; the veil reticulate, somewhat expanded and bell-shaped, hanging nearly to the middle of the stem. Pileus bell-shaped, somewhat oblique; the surface reticulate-pitted after deliquescence; the apex truncate, smooth, perforate. Spores elliptic-oblong, 4×2µ.
Plant 9 in. high. Volva 2 in. in diameter. Stem 1⅛ in. thick at the middle. Pileus 2 in. in height; the lower edge of the veil hangs about 4 in. from the apex of the stem. The short veil and the smooth ring at the apex will distinguish this species from the next. Morgan.
Growing on the ground in woods.
Ohio, Morgan, Lea; Maryland, Miss Banning; New York, Peck.
Mt. Gretna, ground in mixed woods, August, 1899. McIlvaine.
Several specimens were found; but two in the early or ovum stage. In this condition the species is edible. Quality same as P. impudicus.
P. duplica´tus Bosc. Volva depressed globose, thick, flabby white; segments 3–5, acute. Stipe fusiform-cylindric cellulose; the veil reticulate, hanging down to the volva, sometimes much expanded, often torn and shreddy with pieces adherent to the stipe. Pileus campanulate, reticulate-pitted after deliquescence; the apex acute, not regularly perforate. Spores elliptic-oblong, 4×2µ.
Plant 6–8 in. high. Volva 2½ in. in diameter. Stipe 1¼ in. thick in the middle. Pileus 2 in. in height. The long veil usually clings close to the stipe though sometimes swinging free and much expanded. In this species the gleba extends over the apex and there is no thick smooth ring encircling the perforation as in the preceding species (P. Dæmonum). Morgan.
Growing in woods about old stumps and rotten logs. West Virginia, in woods, along mountain trails; Mt. Gretna, Pa., in mixed woods, summer. McIlvaine.
In the forests of the West Virginia mountains, P. duplicatus is frequent. Before rupture of the volva the plant is a semi-gelatinous mass, tenacious and elastic. It has little taste or smell. Cut in slices and fried, or stewed, it is a tender, agreeable food.