Peridium 1–2 in. in diameter. Morgan.
New Jersey, T.J. Collins; Chester county, Pa., sometimes clustered, McIlvaine.
Good.
II.—Olive-Spored Series.
A. Peridium Top-Shaped, the Subgleba Well Developed.
(f) Cortex of long spines, etc.
L. gemma´tum Batsch.—gemmed. Peridium turbinate, depressed above, the base short and obconic or more elongated and tapering or subcylindric, arising from a fibrous mycelium. Cortex consisting of long, thick, erect spines or warts of irregular shape, with intervening smaller ones, whitish or gray in color, sometimes with a tinge of red or brown; the larger spines first fall away, leaving pale spots on the surface, and giving it a reticulate appearance. Subgleba variable in amount, usually more than half the peridium; mass of spores and capillitium greenish-yellow, then pale-brown; threads simple or scarcely branched, about as thick as the spores. Spores globose, even or very minutely warted, 3.5–4.5µ in diameter.
Peridium 1–2 in. in diameter and 1–3 in. in height. This species is distinguished from all others by the peculiar large erect terete spines or warts, the so-called gems which stud its upper surface. Morgan.
Growing on the ground and sometimes on rotten trunks in woods, often cespitose. Frost. New York, Peck.
Found in every part of the world.