Photo by C. G. Lloyd.
Figure 280.—Psathyrella disseminata. Natural size.
Disseminata is from dissemino, to scatter. Pileus is about a half inch across, membranaceous, ovate, bell-shaped, at first scurvy, then naked; coarsely striated, margin entire; yellowish then gray. Gills adnate, narrow, whitish, then gray, finally blackish. Stem one to one and a half inches long, rather curved, mealy then smooth, fragile, hollow. Massee.
This is a very small plant, growing on grassy lawns, and very common on old trunks, and about decaying stumps.
A cluster about two yards square shows itself at intervals all summer on the Chillicothe High School lawn. The grass shows itself to be greener and thriftier there on account of fertilization by the mushroom. The entire plant is very fragile and soon melts away. I have eaten the caps raw many times and they have a rich flavor. They are found from May till frost.
Psathyrella hirta. Pk.
