This is a common fungus in gardens, waste corners of fields, and lanes, and occasionally growing on stumps of trees in such situations: it is gregarious and cæspitose, and occurs both in spring and autumn. Young specimens afford a fine ketchup.
AGARICUS COMATUS.
[Plate VII. Figs. 1, 2, and 3.]
Subgenus Coprinus, Fries.
“A fungus in great request about Via Reggio and Lucca.”—Puccinelli.
Bot. Char. Pileus cylindrical, breaking up into long scales, campanulate, epidermis thin, flesh thick in the centre, very thin and stringy at the margins. Gills numerous, quite free, leaving a space round the top of the stem. Stem from four to five inches high, rather bulbous at the base, stuffed with fibres, brittle, ring moveable.
This fungus may be found from early spring till late in the autumn, in meadows and waste places.
When used for making ketchup or for the table, only young specimens should be selected.