PREFATORY

The first edition of “One Thousand American Fungi” so fully embodied the species known to be edible, that the field for fresh investigation has been confined principally to newly discovered species. In the eighteen months elapsing since the publication of the first edition, Professor Charles H. Peck—the American authority upon fungi—has reported several. These, with his descriptions, are named in the supplement.

The many requests made of the author for information upon the raising of mushrooms show a prevalent interest in the industry. What he knows is stated herein; what he does not know, and what is not known upon the subject, would furnish the matter for a volume.

Interest in the study of fungi is well established and is rapidly increasing. This department of botany has been made a specialty in many colleges and schools. Its importance is everywhere recognized.

The author and publishers feel a just pride in the success of “One Thousand American Fungi.” The prompt sale of the first edition, and immediate demand for the second, warrant it. Their thanks are due to the many who have kindly interested themselves in obtaining subscriptions to the author’s edition.

Report of the State Botanist, New York State Museum. 1900. Charles H. Peck. Albany, N.Y. With many colored plates. Price, 50 cents. Purchasable from Melvil Dewey, M.A., State Librarian, Albany, N.Y.

The Genera of Gastromycetes. Illustrated with 49 figures. By C.G. Lloyd, 224 West Court street, Cincinnati, Ohio. January, 1902. A valuable monograph, privately printed. To be obtained by mycological workers from the author only, in exchange for specimens of puff balls.

ILLUSTRATIONS TO SUPPLEMENT

INDEX TO SUPPLEMENT

Amanita Frostiana pallidipes n. var. (See A. Frostiana, page 16.) In his report of the New York State Botanist for 1899, Prof. Charles H. Peck describes a new variety of Amanita Frostiana as follows:

The typical form of this species, which is common in our cool northern woods, has the pileus and annulus, and usually the stem also, of a yellow color, that of the pileus sometimes verging to orange. But in warmer and more open or bushy places forms occur in which the whole plant is whitish, but in other respects has the characters of the species. Sometimes the pileus is pale-yellow and the stem and annulus white. The warts are soft and flocculent, are sometimes numerous and persistent, and again are few or wanting. The form with yellow stem and annulus and yellow or orange pileus may be considered the typical form of the species, but forms having the stem and annulus pale or white may be designated as variety pallidipes. Peck, 53d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Undoubtedly POISONOUS. McIlvaine.

Lepiota Morgani Pk. (See page 37.) The majority of mycophagists are immune to the poison of this species. Yet many cases of severe, but not fatal poisoning by it came within the writer’s knowledge during the season of 1900–1901.

A valuable report is contained in a letter from George B. Clementson, attorney, Lancaster, Wis.:

“* * * Lepiota Morgani has grown in this locality this season in unusual abundance. While I was absent last week, my father picked a number, mistaking them for L. procera, and my mother, in preparing them for the table, ate a small piece of the cap of one—a piece, she assures me, no larger than a hickory nut. About two hours afterward and shortly after dinner (at which the mushrooms were not served, and at which nothing indigestible was eaten) she experienced a peculiar numbness and nausea, with constriction of the throat. Vomiting set in within half an hour and was excessive, lasting several hours and giving no relief. She was very greatly weakened and thought herself dying, being so reduced at one time that she was unable to see. Purging set in not long after the vomiting. The constriction of the throat did not disappear until after the vomiting stopped.

“Whisky and nitroglycerine (by the stomach) were given to keep up the heart’s action.

“It seems probable that the poison itself did not directly affect the heart, but that the alarming weakness was due to the vomiting and purging. That is my mother’s own opinion. After being in bed for a day she was able to get around, but suffered considerable pain in the abdomen for forty-eight hours.

“I presume that owing to the fact that my mother is not very strong and has a weak stomach, she was more violently affected than many might be. But a poison that in any person can produce such symptoms, when taken in so small a quantity, ought to be labeled decidedly dangerous.

“There can be no question that the specimens were L. Morgani, as I examined some that were left of those picked, and also gathered others from the same patch where these were obtained.

“As everything relating to mushroom poisoning should be of interest to the mycologist and mycophagist, I take the liberty of reporting this case.”

The Lepiota Morgani appears to be spreading. In 1901 I found large specimens of it outside a stable in Lebanon, Pa. Its appearance and luxuriance are so much in its favor, that the toadstool lover will be tempted to try it. Experiments in eating it should be conducted with the greatest caution.

Lepiota clypeolaria (Bull.) Fr. Shield Lepiota. (Plate II.) Pileus thin, soft, convex or subcampanulate, becoming nearly plane, obtuse or umbonate, squamose, whitish or yellowish, the center or umbo smooth, yellowish or brownish, the margin often appendiculate with fragments of the veil. Flesh white. LamellÆ thin, close, free, white. Stem slender, equal or slightly tapering upward, hollow, fragile, pallid, adorned with soft, loose, white or yellowish floccose scales or filaments. Spores oblong or subfusiform, 12–20µ long, 6–8µ broad.

The cap of the shield lepiota is at first somewhat ovate or bell-shaped, but with advancing age it becomes convex above or nearly flat. It is white or whitish, but spotted with numerous small scales of a yellowish or brownish-yellow color. These scales are the result of the breaking up of the thin cuticle that covers the very young plant, and they have the same color as it. A small space in the center is brown or yellowish-brown, or darker than the rest of the cap, because the cuticle covering it remains unbroken and retains its color. The center in some specimens is more prominent than in others, giving what is called an umbonate cap. The margin of the cap is sometimes shaggy, specially in young plants, by the adhering fragments of the whitish veil.

The gills are thin, closely placed side by side and rounded at the end next the stem, but they are not attached to the stem. They are white. The stem is rather long and slender, fragile and adorned with loose, soft fibrils or flocculent, cottony tufts, which give it a somewhat shaggy appearance, but it becomes smoother as the plant grows older.

The cap is usually from 1–2.5 inches broad, and the stem from 1.5–3 inches long and 1.5–3 lines thick. The plants grow in woods, specially in hilly and mountainous regions, and are generally solitary or few in a place, but in favorable seasons they are of frequent occurrence and may be found from July to October. Though small and thin, the caps are well flavored and make a desirable dish. L. metulaespora B. and Br. scarcely differs from this species, except in the striate margin of its cap. Peck, 54th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Lepiota naucinoides Pk. (See page 45.) This valuable food species is spreading and rapidly increasing in many of the states. Prof. Charles H. Peck, in 54th Annual Report of the New York State Museum, says of it: “It has shown considerable variability in some of its characters. Usually its pileus is very white and smooth, clean and attractive, but specimens have been found this year having the pileus dingy or smoky brown, others have been seen in which the cuticle of the pileus was cracked in such a way as to form minute squamules, and in one or two instances plants were observed having the surface of the pileus adorned with minute granules, a character attributed to L. naucina Fr. In such cases the importance of recognizing the spore characters is shown. By disregarding this character our plant has sometimes been referred to L. naucina and sometimes to Agaricus cretaceus Fr., both of which it closely resembles, and with which it appears to be confused by European mycologists, some referring it to one species and some to the other.”

The species named are equally excellent.

Clitocybe patuloides Pk. (Plate III.) Pileus fleshy, firm, rather thick, convex, becoming nearly plane or somewhat centrally depressed, glabrous, even and white when young, with the margin incurved, becoming pale ochraceous with age and often squamose or rimosely areolate. Flesh white, taste mild, odor like that of mushrooms. LamellÆ thin, close, slightly or strongly decurrent, forked or anastomosing at the base, white. Stem usually short, equal or slightly tapering upward, solid, white. Spores broadly elliptic, 6–8µ long, 5µ broad.

Pileus 1–4 inches broad. Stem 1–3 inches long, 4–12 lines thick.

Gregarious or cespitose. Woods, especially of pine. When growing in tufts the stem is often eccentric and the pileus irregular. The base of the stem is often white tomentose. Its agreeable odor and mild taste led to a trial of its edible qualities, but it developed a bitter taste in cooking. Peck, 54th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Clitocybe Adirondackensis Pk. Adirondack Clitocybe. Pileus thin, convex or nearly plane and umbilicate, or centrally depressed and funnel-form, glabrous, moist, white or pale tan color. Flesh white. LamellÆ thin, narrow, close, very decurrent, white. Stem nearly equal, glabrous, stuffed or hollow, colored like the pileus. Spores subglobose or broadly elliptic, 4–5µ long, 3–4µ broad.

The Adirondack clitocybe is common in the northern forests of the state, but is not limited to them. Its cap is thin, and soon becomes nearly flat with a decurved margin and a central depression or umbilicus, or very concave by the elevation of the margin, and then it resembles a wineglass in shape. Its margin is sometimes wavy or irregular. In color it varies from white to a very pale red or tan color. White specimens sometimes have the center slightly darker than the rest.

The gills are very narrow, being scarcely broader than the thickness of the flesh of the cap. They are closely placed, white and decurrent.

The stem is nearly cylindric, smooth and stuffed or hollow. It is colored like the cap. Often there is a white tomentum or cottony substance at its base.

The cap varies in size and is 1–2 inches broad; the stem 1.5–3 inches long and 1–2 lines thick. It may be found from July to October. Its flavor is suggestive of that of the common mushroom. Peck, 54th Rep N.Y. State Bot.

Clitocybe maculosa Pk. Spotted Clitocybe. Pileus fleshy, convex, often centrally depressed, glabrous, centrally marked with numerous small round spots, yellowish-white, the young margin involute and minutely downy. Flesh white, taste mild. LamellÆ narrow, close, very decurrent, whitish or slightly yellowish, some of them forked. Stem equal or slightly tapering upward, glabrous or sparingly fibrillose, stuffed, sometimes becoming hollow, whitish. Spores subglobose or orbicular, 4–5µ broad.

The peculiar mark by which the spotted clitocybe may be distinguished consists in the small round definite spots in the central part of the cap. They have a slightly darker or watery or yellowish color and appear as if depressed below the rest of the surface. The cap is smooth and whitish or yellowish white and is generally depressed in the center and decurved on the margin. The margin is usually adorned with slight, short radiating ridges. The flesh is white and the taste mild.

The gills are closely placed side by side, narrow and prolonged downward on the stem. They have nearly the same color as the cap. The stem is nearly cylindric, smooth or adorned with a few silky fibrils, whitish and spongy within or sometimes hollow when old.

The cap is from 1–3 inches broad; the stem 2–3 inches long and 2–4 lines thick. This mushroom grows among fallen leaves in woods. It appears in August and September. I have found it in the Adirondack forests only. Its range is probably northward, and its rarity detracts from its importance as an edible species. Peck, 54th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Hygrophorus laurÆ Morg. Pileus fleshy, convex and umbonate, then expanded and depressed, more or less irregular, glutinous, white, clouded with a reddish or brownish tinge especially on the disk. Stem solid, more or less curved or crooked, tapering downward, yellowish-white; the apex scabrous with scaly points. LamellÆ unequally adnate-decurrent, distant, white. Spores pellucid, elliptic, apiculate, .0083×.0055µ.

Growing in rich soil among the leaves in hilly woods. Pileus 2–4 in. broad, stipe 2–4 in. long and ½ an inch thick. This is a much larger plant than H. eburneus, has a wash of red or brown upon the disk, and is covered with a thick gluten. It is more like H. cossus, but has no odor. Journal Cincinnati Soc. Nat. Hist. Vol. VI, 180, 1883.

Edible. Prof. C.H. Peck.

Lactarius subpurpureus Pk. Purplish Lactarius. (Plate IV. See page 172.) “When fresh, their taste is slightly acrid, but, when they are cooked, it is scarcely inferior to that of L. deliciosus.” Peck, 54th Rep. N. Y. State Bot.

I had not seen this species when the first edition of this work went to press, consequently could not report its edible qualities. The favorable testing by Professor Peck adds weight to the opinion I have frequently expressed, that acridity of species when raw is no evidence whatever that they are harmful. Acridity usually disappears in cooking.

Lactarius distans Pk. Distant-gilled Lactarius. Pileus firm, broadly convex or nearly plane, umbilicate or slightly depressed in the center, with a minute velvety pruinosity, yellowish tawny or brownish orange. LamellÆ rather broad, distant, adnate or slightly decurrent, white or creamy yellow, the interspaces venose, milk white, mild. Stem short, equal or tapering downward, solid, pruinose, colored like the pileus. Spores subglobose. 9–11µ broad.

The distant-gilled Lactarius is similar to the orange Lactarius in color, but in other respects it is quite distinct. The short stem, widely separated gills and pruinose surface of the cap are distinctive features. The cap is broadly convex and often has a small central depression or umbilicus. In some cases it becomes nearly plane or even slightly funnel-shape by the spreading or elevation of the margin. The surface, specially in young and in well-developed specimens, has a soft pruinose or almost velvety appearance to the naked eye, and when viewed through a magnifying glass it is seen to be covered with minute persistent granules. The surface is sometimes wrinkled and frequently it cracks in such a way as to form small angular or irregular areas. The color is a peculiar one, varying somewhat in shade, but with tawny hues prevailing. It has been described as yellowish tawny and brownish orange. The flesh is white or whitish and has a mild taste.

The gills are wide apart, somewhat arched in specimens having a convex cap and slightly decurrent in those with fully expanded or centrally depressed caps. Their color is white or creamy yellow and in old and dried specimens they have a white pruinosity as if frosted by the spores. The milk is white and mild.

The stem is short, rarely more than an inch long, and is cylindric or tapering downward. It is solid and colored and clothed like the cap.

The cap is 1 to 4 in. broad; the stem is usually about 1 in. long, 4 to 8 lines thick. It is found in thin woods, bushy places and pastures from July to September. It is similar to the orange Lactarius, L. volemus, in its edible qualities. Peck, 52d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Russula rugulosa n. sp. Rugulose Russula. Pileus rather thin, fragile, convex, becoming nearly plane or centrally depressed, viscid when moist, roughened or uneven with small tubercles and rugÆ, even on the margin when young, becoming tuberculate striate with age, the viscid pellicle separable on the margin. Flesh white, reddish under the cuticle, taste tardily acrid. LamellÆ rather close, adnate or slightly rounded behind, white. Stem nearly equal, spongy within, white. Spores white, rough, subglobose, 8–10µ broad, shining in transmitted light.

The rugulose russula is closely related to the emetic russula, but differs from it in the uneven or rugulose surface of the cap, in the tardily acrid taste and in its closer adnate gills. Its cap is red, varying from pale-red to dark-red, viscid when moist, even on the margin when young, but somewhat tuberculate and striate when old. Its surface is roughened by minute tubercles or pimples, which sometimes appear to run together and form short ridges. These are sometimes absent from the center of the cap. The viscid cuticle easily peels from the margin of the cap, but not from the center. The flesh is white, except just under the cuticle, where it is reddish. It is soft and fragile, and its taste is slowly and much less sharply acrid than in the emetic russula. Its gills are closely placed, attached to the stem and persistently white. The stem is brittle, soft and spongy within, smooth and white. The cap is 2–4 inches broad, the stem 2–3 inches long, 4–8 lines thick.

It grows in woods among mosses and fallen leaves or on the bare ground, and appears in August and September. It is an inhabitant of the Adirondack forests. Its slightly acrid flavor is destroyed in cooking, and it affords a harmless, tender and agreeable food. Peck, 54th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Russula abietina n. sp. Fir Tree Russula. Pileus thin, fragile, convex, becoming nearly plane or slightly depressed in the center, viscid when moist, the viscid pellicle separable, tuberculate striate on the margin. Flesh white, taste mild. LamellÆ subdistant, ventricose, narrowed toward the stem, rounded behind and nearly free, whitish, becoming pale yellow, the interspaces venose. Stem equal or tapering toward the top, stuffed or hollow, white. Spores bright yellowish ochraceous, subglobose, rough, 8–10µ broad.

The fir tree russula is closely related to the youthful russula, R. puellaris Fr., from which it is separated by the viscid cap, the gills rather widely separated from each other and nearly free, the stem never yellowish nor becoming yellow where wounded, and the spores having an ochraceous hue. They are much brighter and more highly colored in the mass than the mature gills. The cap varies much in color, but the center is generally darker than the rest. It may be dull purple or greenish purple with a brownish or blackish center, or sometimes with an olive green center, or it may be olive green or smoky green with a brownish center. Olive green and purplish hues of various shades are variously combined, but sometimes the margin is grayish and the center olive green. The flesh is white and its taste mild. The gills are white when young, or barely tinged with yellow, but they become pale yellow with age. They are neither crowded nor widely attached to the stem, and are connected with each other by cross veins, which can be seen at the bottom of the interspaces. The stems are rather slender, soft or spongy, sometimes becoming hollow and occasionally tapering upward. They are very constantly and persistently white. The cap is 1–2.5 inches broad, the stem 1–2.5 inches long, 3–5 lines thick. This russula grows under or near pine, spruce or balsam fir trees. It occurs from July to October. It is tender and palatable. The stems also are tender and may be cooked with the caps. Peck, 54th Rep. N. V. State Bot.

Cantharellus cinnabarinus Schw. Cinnabar Chantarelle. (Plate V.) Pileus firm, convex or slightly depressed in the center, often irregular with a wavy or lobed margin, glabrous, cinnabar red. Flesh white. LamellÆ narrow, distant, branched, decurrent, red. Stem equal or tapering downward, glabrous, solid or stuffed, red. Spores elliptic, 8–10µ long, 4–5µ broad.

The cinnabar Chantarelle is readily recognized by its color. It is externally red in all its parts, the interior only being white. It is a small species but often quite irregular in shape. Small specimens are more likely to be regular than large ones. Sometimes the cap is more fully developed on one side than on the other. This makes the stem eccentric or in some cases almost lateral. The color is quite constant, but in some instances it is paler and approaches a pinkish hue. It is apt to fade or even disappear in dried specimens. The gills are blunt on the edge as in other species of this genus. They are forked or branched, narrow and decurrent.

The stem is small, smooth and usually rather short. It is generally solid, but in the original description it is characterized as stuffed. The cap is 8 to 18 lines broad; the stem 6 to 12 lines long and 1 to 3 broad. It grows gregariously in thin woods and open places and may be found from July to September. It sometimes occurs in great abundance, which adds to its importance as an edible species. The fresh plant has a tardily and slightly acrid flavor, but this disappears in cooking. In Epicrisis, Fries referred this species to the genus Hygrophorus, and in Sylloge also it is placed in that genus, but it is a true Cantharellus and belongs in the genus in which Schweinitz placed it. Peck, 52d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Cortinarius corrugatus Pk. Corrugated Cortinarius. (Plate VI.) Pileus fleshy, broadly campanulate or very convex, viscid when moist, coarsely corrugated, bright-yellow, reddish-yellow, tawny or ochraceous. Flesh white. LamellÆ close, pallid when young, becoming tawny with age. Stem rather long, equal, hollow, bulbous, pallid or yellowish, the bulb viscid and usually colored like the pileus. Spores broadly elliptical, rough, 11–16µ long, 8–10µ broad.

The corrugated Cortinarius is a well-marked and easily-recognized species, quite distinct from its allies. Although the color of the pileus is variable, its viscid, corrugated surface and the viscid bulb of the stem afford distinctive and easily-recognized characters. Sometimes the corrugations or wrinkles anastomose with each other in such a way as to give a reticulated appearance. The color varies from yellow to reddish-tawny or reddish-ochraceous. The margin in young plants is incurved.

There is a variety in which the cap is adorned with darker-colored spots or scales. This bears the name, variety subsquamosus. In all other respects it is like the species.

The gills are closely placed side by side. They are at first of a pale hue, but assume a darker and more definite tawny color with age. They are usually minutely uneven or eroded on the edge and transversely striate on the sides. They are slightly narrowed toward the stem.

The stem is generally a little longer than the width of the cap. It is commonly smooth, but sometimes sprinkled near the top with minute yellowish particles and adorned below with a few fibrils. It is hollow and has a distinct viscid bulbous base, the viscidity of which is a peculiar feature. This bulb in the very young plant is even broader than the young cap, that at this stage of development appears to rest upon it. The color of the bulb is usually like that of the cap, but the stem is commonly paler than either.

The cap is 2 to 4 inches broad, the stem 3 to 5 inches long, 3 to 8 lines thick. The plants are gregarious in woods and bushy places, and may be found from June to September. It sometimes grows in considerable abundance, and as an edible species it is not to be despised. Peck, 52d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Agaricus hÆmorrhoidarius Schulz. Bleeding Mushroom. The bleeding mushroom is easily recognized, when fresh, by the red color assumed by wounds of the flesh either of the cap or stem. This character is also found in the seashore mushroom, A. maritimus, a species that has a solid stem and has not yet been found growing far from the sea. The cap is generally some shade of brown, but sometimes when young it is white. It is adorned with darker fibrils or scales, though these sometimes become obscure or disappear with age. When young it is hemispheric or very convex, but it soon becomes broadly convex or nearly flat, with the center either slightly depressed or somewhat prominent. The flesh is generally whitish or grayish white when first exposed to the air. It assumes the red color rather slowly and after a time loses it again.

The gills are pink or rarely whitish when young, but become brown or blackish brown with age. The stem is long or short, cylindric or tapering upward, sometimes slightly thickened or bulbous at the base, sometimes not. It is hollow, but the cavity small, at first fibrillose and more or less adorned with floccose scales toward the base, but these generally disappear with age, and the primary white color of the stem is apt to become darker with age. The collar is membranaceous and at first conceals the gills. It is persistent, silky and white or whitish, sometimes tinged with brown.

The cap is 2–4 inches broad; the stem 2–4 inches long, 3–5 lines thick. It grows in woods or bushy places and seems to prefer damp soil rich in vegetable mold. It may be found from August to October. It sometimes grows in clusters. It gives to milk in which it is stewed a brownish color. Its flavor is similar to that of the common mushroom. A variety in which the stem is commonly shorter and the pileus of a darker smoky brown color is sometimes abundant in low damp ground on Long Island. It may be called variety fumosus. Peck, 54th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Agaricus abruptus Pk. (A. silvicola Vitt., A. arvensis var. abruptus Pk.) (Plate I, page 722.) Agaricus abruptus Pk. is described on page 343 as A. silvicola Vitt. It is very common in the woods of West Virginia, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. In the summer of 1901, I found it in Rockingham Co., N.C. The probabilities are that its spread is extensive.

Being the wood cousin of the field mushroom (A. campester) it deserves more than ordinary attention. It is found during months which do not favor the growth of the mushroom. It is equally good, though not so fleshy. It gives the true mushroom flavor to less flavored edible species when cooked with them.

When seen at a distance, growing in the woods, it has the appearance of an Amanita, but the color of the gills, which are never white after the cap opens and become as the spores ripen a blackish brown, distinguishes it at once. Neither has it a volva.

The excellent photograph of the species, taken by the late Dr. J.R. Weist, Richmond, Ind., presents a life-like picture of it.

Boletus granulatus albidipes n. var. “Under pine trees. Westport. October. This variety differs from the typical form of the species in having the flesh of the pileus white, except next the tubes, where it is faintly yellowish, the stem white externally and internally, and in having a slight membranaceous veil which forms a very thin annulus on the stem of the young plant, or forms fragments which adhere to the margin of the pileus.” Peck, 54th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

For typical form B. granulatus, see page 416.

Boletus chrysenteron albocarneus n. var. White Flesh Boletus. Pileus fleshy, convex above, dry, subglabrous, varying from brick red to bay red. Flesh white, sometimes tinged with red near the surface; tubes rather long, adnate or slightly depressed around the stem, greenish yellow, their mouths small, subrotund. Stem equal or nearly so, solid, subglabrous, colored like or a little paler than the pileus, white within.

The white flesh boletus is quite common in the Adirondack forests and quite constant in its characters. I have not seen it with yellow flesh, though in other respects it agrees very well with the description of B. chrysenteron. The cap is not often cracked, but, when it is, the cracks are sometimes red, sometimes yellowish, though the flesh is constantly white except just beneath the cuticle, where it is sometimes reddish. The tubes are long and greenish yellow. They are at first nearly plane in the mass, but with the expansion of the cap the mass often becomes ventricose. The mouths of the tubes are small and nearly round. Wounds or bruises of the mass become bluish or greenish blue. The stem is firm, solid and colored like the cap, though it is sometimes a little paler.

The Cap is 1–2.5 inches broad; the Stem 1–2 inches long, 2–4 lines thick. The trial specimens were fried in butter and found to be harmless, palatable and digestible. Peck, 54th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

For typical species—B. chrysenteron—see page 431.