The Sapid Pleurotus. Edible.
Figure 121.—Pleurotus sapidus. One-third natural size, showing imbricated growth. Spores lilac.
Figure 122.—Pleurotus sapidus.
Sapidus, savory. This plant grows in clusters whose stems are more or less united at the base as in Figure 121. The caps when densely crowded are often irregular. They are smooth and vary much in color, being whitish, ash-gray, brownish, yellowish-gray.
The flesh is thick and white. The gills are white or whitish, rather broad, running down on the stem, and slightly connected, at times, by oblique or transverse branches. The stem is generally short, solid, several usually springing from a thickened base, white or whitish and either laterally or eccentrically connected with the cap.
This plant is classed with the white-spored species, yet its spores, after a short exposure to the air, really exhibit a pale lilac tint. This can only be seen when the spores are in sufficient quantity and resting on a suitable surface.