  Hymenium not distinct from the hymenophore, covering entire outer surface, somewhat fleshy, not coriaceous; vertical, simple or branched. Fries. Most of the species grow on the ground or on well rotted logs. The following genera are included here:
Sparassis. Fr.Sparassis, to tear in pieces. The species are fleshy, branched with plate-like branches, composed of two plates, fertile on both sides. Sparassis Herbstii. Pk.This is a plant very much branched, forming tufts four to five inches high, and five to six inches broad; whitish, inclining to creamy-yellow; tough, moist; the branches numerous, thin, flattened, concrescent, dilated above, spathulate or fan-shaped, often somewhat longitudinally curved or wavy; mostly uniformly colored, rarely with a few indistinct, nearly concolorous, transverse zones near the broad, entire apices. The spores are globose, or broadly elliptical, .0002 to .00025 inch long, .00016 to .0002 broad. This species was first found by the late Dr. William Herbst of Trexlertown, Pa., and was named by Dr. Peck in his honor. The specimen in Figure 384 was found at Trexlertown, Pa., and photographed by Mr. C. G. Lloyd. The plant delights in open oak woods, and is found through August and September. It is edible and quite good. Sparassis crispa. Fr. Crispus, curly. This is a beautiful rosette-like plant, growing quite large at times, very much branched, whitish, oyster-colored, or pale yellow; branches intricate, flat and leaf-like, having a spore surface on both sides. The entire plant forms a large round mass with its leaf-like surface variously curled, folded, and lobed, with a crest-like margin, and springing from a well-marked root, most of which is buried in the ground. No one will have any trouble to recognize it, having once seen its photograph. I found the plant quite frequently, in the woods about Bowling Green. It is not simply good, but very good. Clavaria. Linn. Clavaria is from clavus, a club. This is by far the largest genus in this family, and contains very many edible species, some of which are excellent. The entire genus is fleshy, either branched or simple; gradually thickening toward the top, resembling a club. In collecting clavaria special attention should be given to the character of the apices of the branches, color of the branches, color of spores, the taste of the plant, and the character of the place of its growth. This genus is readily recognized, and no one need to hesitate to eat any of the branching forms. Clavaria flava. Schaeff.Pale-yellow Clavaria. Edible. Flava is from flavus, yellow. The plant is rather fragile, white and yellow, two to five inches high, the mass of branches from two to five inches wide, the trunk thick, much branched. The branches are round, even, smooth, crowded, I have eaten this species since 1890, and I regard it as very good. It is found in woods and grassy open places. I have found it as early as June and as late as October. Clavaria aurea. Pers.The Golden Clavaria. Edible. This plant grows from three to four inches high. Its trunk is thick, elastic, and its branches are uniformly a deep golden yellow, often longitudinally wrinkled. The branches straight, regularly forked and round. The stem is stout but thinner than in C. flava. The spores are yellowish and elliptical. It is found in woods during August and September. Clavaria botrytes. Pers.The Red-tipped Clavaria. Edible. Botrytes is from a Greek word meaning a cluster of grapes. This plant differs little from C. flava in size and structure, but it is easily recognized from the red tips of its branches. It is whitish, or yellowish, or pinkish, with its branches red-tipped. The stem is short, thick, fleshy, whitish, unequal. The branches are often somewhat wrinkled, crowded, repeatedly branched. Clavaria muscoides. Linn.Forked Yellow Clavaria. Edible. Muscoides means moss-like. This plant is inclined to be tough, though graceful in growth; slender-stemmed, two or three time forked; smooth; base downy, bright yellow. The branchlets are thin, crescent-shape, acute. The spores are white and nearly round. The plant is usually solitary, not branching as much as some other species; quite dry, very smooth, except at the base, which is downy, in color resembling the yolk of an egg. It is frequently found in damp pastures, especially those skirting a wood. Clavaria amethystina. Bull. The Amethystine Clavaria. Edible. Amethystina means amethyst in color. This is a remarkably attractive plant and easily recognized by its color. It is sometimes quite small yet often grows from three to five inches high. The color of the entire plant is violet; it is very much branched or almost simple; branches round, even, fragile, smooth, obtuse. The spores are elliptical, pale-ochraceous, sub-transparent, 10–12×6–7µ. This plant is quite common around Chillicothe, and it has a wide distribution over the United States. The specimens in Figure 387 were found in Poke Hollow. Clavaria stricta. Pers.The Straight Clavaria. Edible. Stricta is a participle from stringo, to draw together. The plant is very much branched, pale, dull-yellow, becoming brownish when bruised; the stem somewhat thickened; branches very numerous and forked, straight, even, densely pressed, tips pointed. The spores are dark cinnamon. It is found on the Huntington hills near Chillicothe. Look for it in August and September. Clavaria pyxidata. Pers.The Cup Clavaria. Edible. Figure 389.—Clavaria pyxidata. Natural size. Pyxidata is from pyxis, a small box. This plant is quite fragile, waxy, light- It is found on rotten wood and is readily recognized by the cup-like tips. The specimen in Figure 389 was found near Columbus and photographed by Dr. Kellerman. Found from June to October. Clavaria abietina. Schum.The Fir-wood Clavaria. Abietina means fir-wood. This plant grows in dense tufts, very much branched, ochraceous, trunk somewhat thickened, short, clothed with a white down; branches straight, crowded, longitudinally wrinkled when dry, branchlets straight. The spores are oval and ochraceous. It can be readily identified by its changing to green when bruised. It is very common on our wooded hillsides. It is found from August to October. Clavaria spinulosa. Pers.Spinulosa means spiny or full of spines. The trunk of this plant is rather short and thick, at least one-half to one inch thick, whitish. The branches are elongated, crowded, tense and straight; attenuated, tapering upward; color somewhat cinnamon-brown throughout. The spores are elliptical, yellowish-brown, 11–13×5µ. It is usually given as found under Clavaria formosa. Pers.Beautiful Clavaria. Edible. Formosa is from formosus, meaning finely formed. This plant is two to six inches high, trunk rather thick, often over an inch in The spores are elongated-oval, rough, buff-colored, 16×8µ. This is an extremely beautiful plant, very tender or brittle. When the plant is quite young, just coming through the ground, the tips of the branches are often of a bright red or pink. This bright color soon fades, leaving the entire plant a light yellow in color. The plant has a wide distribution, and is found on the ground in the woods, frequently growing in rows. While the handsomest of the Clavarias, it is not the best, and only the tender parts of the plant should be used. It is found from July to October. The specimen in Figure 392 was found in Poke Hollow. Clavaria cristata. Pers.The Crested Clavaria. Edible. Cristata is from cristatus, crested. This is a smaller plant than the C. flava or C. botrytes. It is usually two to three inches high, white or whitish, the tufts of broad flattened branches, sometimes tinged with a dull pink or creamy-yellow. The branches are numerous, widened and flattened above, deeply cut into several finger-like points, sometimes so numerous as to give it a crested appearance. This peculiar characteristic distinguishes it from C. coralloides. When the plant is old the tips usually turn brown. Sometimes a form will be found in which the crested appearance is wanting, and in that case the branches terminate in blunt points. The stem is short and inclined to be spongy. It is found in the woods, in cool, moist, shady places. While it is tougher than some of the other species, if cut fine and well cooked it is very good. I have eaten it for years. It is found from June to October. Clavaria coronata. Schw. The Crowned Clavaria. Edible. Pale yellow, then fawn color; divided immediately from the base and very much branched; the branches divergent and compressed or angulate, the final branchlets truncate-obtuse at apex and there encircled with a crown of minute processes. Morgan. This plant is found on decayed wood. It is repeatedly branched in twos and forms clusters sometimes several inches in height. It resembles in form C. pyxidata, but it is quite a distinct species. In some localities it is found quite frequently. It is plentiful about Chillicothe. Found from July to October. Clavaria vermicularis. Scop.White-Tufted Clavaria. Small, two to three inches high; cÆspitose, fragile, white, club-shaped; clubs stuffed, simple, cylindrical, subulate. Found on lawns, short pastures or in paths in woods. Someone has said they "look like a little bundle of candles." Edible, but too small to gather. June and July. Clavaria crispula. Fr. Flexuous Clavaria. Edible. Very much branched, tan-colored, then ochraceous; trunk slender, villous, rooting; branches flexuous, having many divisions, branches of the same color, divaricating, fragile. The spores are creamy-yellow, slightly elliptical. This plant is slightly acrid to the taste and retains a faint trace of acridity even after it is cooked. It is very plentiful in our woods. Found from July to October. Clavaria Kunzei. Fr.Kunze's Clavaria. Rather fragile, very much branched from the slender cÆspitose base; white; branches elongated, crowded, repeatedly forked, subfastigiate, even, equal; axils compressed. Specimens were found on Cemetery Hill under beech trees, and identified by Dr. Herbst. The spores are yellowish. Clavaria cinerea. Bull.Ash-Colored Clavaria. Edible. Cinerea, pertaining to ashes. This is a small plant, growing in groups, frequently in rows, under beech trees. The color is gray or ashy; it is quite fragile; stem thick, short, very much branched, with the branches thickened, somewhat wrinkled, rather obtuse. Its gray color will distinguish it from the other Clavaria. Clavaria pistillaris. L. Indian-Club Clavaria. Edible. Pistillaris is from pistillum, a pestle. They are simple, large, stuffed, fleshy, everywhere smooth, three to ten inches high, attaining to one inch in thickness; light yellow, ochraceous, brownish, chocolate, club-shaped, ovate-rounded, puckered at the top; flesh white, spongy. The spores are white, 10×5µ. They are found in the leaf-mold of mixed woods, and you will sometimes find several growing together. They are found from July to frost. The dark variety, which is frequently vertically wrinkled, is slightly acrid when raw, but this disappears upon cooking. The plant is widely distributed but abundant nowhere in our state. I found it occasionally in the woods near Chillicothe. The plants in Figure 396 were found near Columbus, and were photographed by Dr. Kellerman of Ohio State University. Clavaria fusiformis. Sow. Spindle-Shaped Clavaria. Edible. Fusiformis is from fusus, a spindle, and forma, a form. The plant is yellow, smooth, rather firm, soon hollow, cÆspitose; nearly erect, rather brittle, attenuated at each end; clubs somewhat spindle-shaped, simple, toothed, the apex somewhat darker; even, slightly firm, usually with several united at the base. The spores are pale yellow, globose, 4–5µ. They are found in woods and pastures. The plants in the figure were in the woods beside an untraveled road, on Ralston's Run. They strongly resemble C. inÆqualis. When found in sufficient quantities they are very tender and have an excellent flavor. Clavaria inÆqualis. Mull.The Unequal Clavaria. Edible. InÆqualis means unequal. Somewhat tufted, quite fragile, from one to three inches high, often compressed, angular, often forked, ventricose; yellow, occasionally whitish, sometimes variously cut at the tip. The spores are colorless, elliptical, 9–10×5µ. One can readily distinguish it from C. fusiformis by the tips, these not being sharp pointed. It is found in clusters in woods and pastures from August to October. As delicious as C. fusiformis. Clavaria mucida. Pers. Mucida means slimy, so named from the soft and watery condition of the plants. The plants are quite small, usually simple yet sometimes branched, club-shaped, one-eighth to an inch high, white, sometimes yellowish, frequently pinkish or rose-tinted. These plants are very small and easily overlooked. It is found on decayed wood. I have found it late in the fall and early in the spring. You can look for it at any time of the year after warm rains or in damp places, on well decayed wood. The specimens in Figure 398 were photographed by Prof. G. D. Smith, Akron, Ohio. Calocera. Fr. This plant is gelatinous, somewhat cartilaginous when moist, horny when dry, vertical, simple or branched, cÆspitose or solitary. The hymenium is universal; the basidia round and two-lobed, each lobe bearing a single one-spored sterigma. The spores are inclined to be oblong and curved. This genus resembles Clavaria, but is identified by being somewhat gelatinous and viscid when moist and rather horn-like when dry, but especially by its two-lobed basidia. Calocera cornea. Fr.This is unbranched, cÆspitose, rooting, even, viscid, orange-yellow or pale yellow; clubs short, subulate, connate at the base. The spores are round and oblong, 7–8×5µ. Found upon stumps and logs, especially upon oak where the timber is cracked, the plants springing from the cracks. When dry they are quite stiff and rigid. Calocera stricta. Fr.These plants are unbranched, solitary, about one inch high, elongated, base somewhat blunt, even when dry, yellow. Its habitat is very similar to C. cornea but more scattered. C. striata, Fr., is very similar to C. cornea, but is distinguished by its being solitary, and striate or rugose when dry. Typhula. Fr.Epiphytal. Stem filiform, flaccid; clubs cylindrical, perfectly distinct from hymenium, sometimes springing from a sclerotium; hymenium thin and waxy. This is distinguished from Clavaria and Pistillaria by having its stem distinct from the hymenium. It is a small plant resembling, in miniature, Typha, hence its generic name. Typhula erythropus. Fr.Simple; club cylindrical, slender, smooth, white; stem nearly straight, dark red, inclining to be black, springing usually from a blackish and somewhat wrinkled sclerotium. The spores are oblong, 5–6×2–2.5µ. This plant has a wide distribution, and is found in damp places upon the stems of herbaceous plants. Typhula incarnata. Fr.Simple; club cylindrical, elongated, smooth; whitish, more or less tinged with pink above; one to two-inches high, base minutely strigose, springing from a compressed brownish sclerotium. The spores are nearly round, 5×4µ. This is a common and beautiful little plant and easily distinguished both by its color and the size and form of its spores. If the collector will watch the dead herbaceous stems in damp places, he will not only find the two just described, but another, differing in color, size, and form of spores, called T. phacorrhiza, Fr. It has a brownish color and its spores are quite oblong, 8–9×4–5µ. Lachnocladium. Lev.Lachnocladium is from two Greek words meaning a fleece and a branch. Pileus coriaceous, tough, repeatedly branched; the branches slender or filiform, tomentose. Hymenium amphigenous. Fungi slender and much branched, terrestrial, but sometimes growing on wood. Lachnocladium semivestitum. B. & C. Pileus, much branched from a slender stem of variable length, expanded at the angles; the branches filiform, straight, somewhat fasciculate, smooth at the tips and paler in color. This is quite a common specimen on our north hillsides. It is white and quite fragile. Found in damp places in August and September. Lachnocladium Micheneri. B. & C.Coriaceous, tough, pale or whitish; stem well marked, branching from a point, branches numerous, tips pointed; white tomentum at the base of the stem. This plant is very abundant here and is found very generally over the United States. It grows on fallen leaves in woods, after a rain, being found from July to October. |
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