The stem is equal, straight, hollow, white, slender, at least one to three inches long. The spores are purplish-brown and elliptical. It is found in lawns, gardens, pastures, and thin woods. It is small but grows in such profusion that one can obtain quantities of it. The caps are very tender and delicious. It appears as early as May.
Hypholoma appendiculatum. Bull.
The Appendiculate Hypholoma. Edible.
Appendiculatum, a small appendage. This is so called from the fragments of the veil adhering to the margin of the cap.
The pileus is thin, ovate, expanded, watery, when dry, covered with dry atoms; margin thin and often split, with a white veil; the color when moist dark-brown, when dry nearly white, often with floccose scales on the cap.
The gills are firmly attached to the stem, crowded, white, then rosy-brown, and at length dingy-brown.
The stem is hollow, smooth, equal, white, fibrous, mealy at the apex. The veil is very delicate and only seen in quite young plants.
The plant grows in the spring and the summer and is found on stumps and sometimes on lawns. It is a favorite mushroom with those who know it. The plant can be dried for winter use and retains its flavor to a remarkable degree.
Hypholoma candolleanum, Fr., resembles the H. appendiculatum in many features, but the gills are violaceous, becoming cinnamon-brown and in old plants nearly free from the stem. It has more substance. The caps, however, are very tender and delicious. Found in clusters.