Part 45

=B. Po´cono= Schw. =Pileus= pulvinate, cervine (dun color), minutely covered with bundles of tomentum on the closely-inflexed margin. =Tubes= rather large, somewhat prominently angular, concolorous. =Stem= subattenuated, thickened toward the base, pallid-striate at the apex, elsewhere spadiceous, subfurfuraceous.

=Pileus= 1 in. broad. Stem 2–3 in. long.

Beech woods. Pennsylvania, _Schweinitz_.

=STROBILO´MYCES= Berk.

_Gr_—a pine cone; a fungus.

(Plate CXXIV.)

Hymenophore even. =Tubes= not easily separable from it, large, equal. =Pileus= and =stem= distinctly rough-scaled, the =flesh= tough. Syl. Fung., Vol. VI, p. 49.

I have given Professor Saccardo’s emended diagnosis of this genus, because it expresses what appears to me to be the most important generic character, that is, tubes not easily separable from the hymenophore. By this character and by the tough substance the transition between Boletus and Polyporus is made.

Tubes nearly equal in length S. strobilaceus Tubes shortened around the stem S. floccopus _Peck_, Boleti of the U.S.

=S. strobila´ceus= Berk. _Gr_—cone-like. (Plate CXXIV.) =Pileus= hemispherical or convex, dry, covered with thick floccose projecting blackish or blackish-brown scales, the margin somewhat appendiculate with scales and fragments of the veil. =Flesh= whitish, changing to reddish and then to blackish where wounded. =Tubes= adnate, whitish, becoming brown or blackish with age; their mouths large, angular, changing color like the flesh. =Stem= equal or tapering upward, sulcate at the top, floccose-tomentose, colored like the pileus. =Spores= subglobose, rough, blackish-brown, 10–12.5µ.

=Pileus= 2–4 in. broad. =Stem= 3–5 in. long, 4–10 lines thick. _Peck_, Boleti of the U.S.

West Virginia mountains, Pennsylvania, _McIlvaine_; Indiana, _H.I. Miller_.

Common in woods and their margins, under the overhanging sods of washes and road-cuts. Often in troops, occasionally cespitose. The rough fuzzy cap reminds of short fur that has been wet and dried. Its appearance is unique among Boleti. Before cooking the stem and tubes should be removed, unless the latter are very firm and fresh. The squamules must be cut away or the dish will be rough.

With many this Boletus is a prime favorite. It has a strong woody taste, sometimes musky, sometimes faintly of anisette. It cooks well by any method.

=S. floc´copus= Vahl.—floccose-stemmed. =Pileus= convex, soft, covered with areas of bunched rough, scaly tomentum, cinereous, at length blackish, appendiculate with the silky, thick annular veil. =Tubes= _shortened behind_, their mouths large, whitish-gray. =Stem= stout, pitted above, umber-tomentose below. =Spores= perfectly globose, brown, 9µ broad.

=Pileus= 4–5 in. broad. =Stem= 4–5 in. long, 1 in. thick.

Woods. North Carolina and Pennsylvania, _Schweinitz_; Ohio, _Morgan_; New York, _Peck_.

According to Fries this is a larger and firmer species than S. strobilaceus but manifestly related to it. The New York specimens which I have referred to it differ from S. strobilaceus in no respect, except in the tubes being depressed around the stem. Unless there are other differences in the European plant, it scarcely seems to me to be worthy of specific distinction. Boletus floccopus, Rost. tab. 40, is referred to Boletus scaber, as is B. holopus, Rost. tab. 48. _Peck_, Boleti of the U.S.

I agree with Professor Peck that this species is not worthy of specific distinction. During 1898 I found a bunch containing eight individuals which varied through all botanic characteristics given to both species. The largest individual was 4½ in. across cap, the smallest 1½ in. On some the tubes were adnate, on others shortened behind. There was no difference in flavor excepting that due to age.

FIG. PAGE. FIG. PAGE. 1. FISTULINA HEPATICA, 477 2. POLYPORUS SULPHUREUS, 485

=FISTULI´NA= Bull.

_Fistula_, a pipe.

Hymenium formed on the under surface of a fleshy hymenophore, at first warted, the warts developing into cylindrical tubes that remain distinct and free from each other, producing in their interior cellular processes each bearing four spores. Conidia are produced in cavities of the old hymenophore.

With the outward appearance of a Polyporus, but separated by the tubes being free from each other.

A small genus of which F. hepatica is the principal species. This is known and valued in Europe and wherever found in this country. Unfortunately it is rare or unknown in many localities. A new species has recently been found in the United States—Fistulina firma, by Mrs. A. M. Hadley, Manchester, N.H.—a white-flesh species whose edibility is not reported. Torrey Bull., 1899. F. pallida B. and Rav.; F. radicata, Schw.; F. spathulata B. and C., are reported from Alabama. Edible qualities not stated. The writer has not seen them or he surely would have tested them. The spread and cultivation of F. hepatica is possible. Experiments in this line are desirable.

=F. hepat´ica= (Huds.) Fr. _Gr_—resembling the liver. (Plate CXXV, fig. 1, p. 476.) Juicy-fleshy, not rooting. =Pileus= entire, blood-red. =Flesh= thick, soft, viscid above, transversed with tenacious fibers, hence variegated-red. =Tubes= at first pallid.

Changeable in form, sessile or extended into a lateral stem. _Fries._

=Spores= salmon-color, nearly round with an oblique apiculus, 3µ _W.G.S._; broadly elliptical, 5–6×3–4µ; conidia, 6–10×5µ _Massee_; yellowish, elliptical, 5–6.5µ long _Peck_.

West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. August to frost. _McIlvaine._

Small specimens may be confounded with F. pallida, which follows.

Fistulina hepatica is celebrated in most countries, and known usually as the Beefsteak fungus. It grows from decaying crevices in oak, chestnut and other trees and stumps, but those named are its favorites. July, August, September are its months, and after rains. In some localities and years it is rare. At Mt. Gretna, in 1898, a hundred pounds of it could be gathered almost any day.

August, 1899, at Mt. Gretna, Pa., I found several specimens in vicinity which, though evidently F. hepatica, were remarkable for their structure—2–4 in. across, irregularly cylindrical, with spore surface covering the entire fungus. Stem curt, eccentric, almost central. Specimens were sent Professor Peck, who writes:

“The sample of Fistulina which you send is a singular thing. Saccardo has noted a somewhat similar form but without pore surface. Yours has pore surface, but I do not find spores developed in it. I am inclined to think it a monstrosity, as you do, but as you say you have found several of them I think it would be well to put it on record and I will enter it in my record as Fistulina hepatica monstrosa n. var. and indicate its characters.” Letter from Professor Peck, August 28, 1899.

I have partially succeeded in transplanting the mycelium of F. hepatica. Experiments in this direction, I feel confident, will introduce this valuable fungus to localities where it is not now found, or is rare. Experiments with the spores have not been as yet successful.

=F. hepatica monstrosa= n. var. Pk. Subglobose, supported on a short stem or stem-like base, the external surface entirely covered with tubules 2–4 mm. long.

Pennsylvania. _C. McIlvaine._ In color and texture resembling the common form, but Mr. McIlvaine informs me that there is nothing in the position or place of growth of the specimens to account for their peculiar character. They are 2–4 in. in diameter. _Peck_, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club, 27, January, 1900.

Excellent.

=F. pal´lida= B. and Rav.—_pallidus_, pale. =Pileus= kidney-shaped, pallid-red, pulverulent, 1–2 in. broad, about 1 in. long, margin inflexed. =Tubes= more or less decurrent. =Stem= lateral, striate, when dry, 1½ in. long, ⅓ in. thick.

Mountains of South Carolina on the ground. _Ravenel._ Alabama, base of stumps of white oak. Peters. Grev., Vol. 1, No. 5. New Jersey, _Ellis_.

No. 1. POLYPORUS FUMOSUS. }

2. POLYSTICTUS VERSICOLOR. } About natural size.

3. MERULIUS CORIUM. }

4. POLYPORUS PERENNIS AND } SECTION.

5. DÆDALEA QUERCINA. }

6. FOMES IGNIARIUS. } Reduced in size.

7. TRAMETES GIBBOSA. }

=POLY´PORUS= Fr.

_Gr_—many; a passage, pore.

=Pileus= fleshy, moist, tough, becoming harder in age, internally composed of radiating fibers; the spore-bearing surface is within passages or pores which are made by the descending substance of the pileus forming the dissepiments or separating walls, hence they are not easily separable from the pileus or from one another. The pores not appearing at first, then becoming rounded, angular or torn. They form a distinct strata. =Stem= central, eccentric, lateral or absent.

With few exceptions growing from wood. Section Merisma contains species which are conspicuous among fungi for their size and beauty.

The majority of this genus are unedible, because of their being woody, tough or bitter. Few of the edible species are of the first class.

Excellent dishes are made by stewing the species well, serving them in patties or in croquettes. The cooking of P. intybaceus is a guide to all.

ANALYSIS OF TRIBES.

I.—MESOPUS. (_Gr_—middle; a foot.) Page 479.

Stem single, distinct, central or eccentric; not black at the base.

II.—PLEUROPUS. (_Gr_—the side; a foot.) Page 480.

Stem single, lateral or eccentric; base black.

III.—MERISMA. (_Gr_—to divide.) Page 482.

Divided into numerous pileoli, borne on a simple or much-branched stem, or a short, thick tubercle.

IV.—APUS. (_Gr_—without; a foot.) Page 488.

Stem wanting; pileus attached by the side or spread on the matrix.

V.—RESUPINATI. (Lying on the back.) Page 489.

The pores being placed directly upon the wood or on the mycelium, the pileus proper is absent.

I.—ME´SOPUS.

=P. ovi´nus= Schaeff.—relating to sheep. =Pileus= 2–4 in. broad, fleshy, thick, fragile, irregular in shape, becoming scaly, whitish. =Stem= short, thick, 1 in. or more in length, white. =Pores= minute, equal, round, white then citron-color.

On the ground. Autumn.

North Carolina, _Curtis_; Massachusetts, _Frost_; Ohio, _Morgan_; New York, ground in pine woods. Bethlehem. September, _Peck_, 22d Rep.

Cordier says it possesses an agreeable odor of almonds and that Fries and his companions ate it raw in their mycological excursions.

Edible. _Peck_, _Curtis_.

=P. leuco´melas= (Pers.) Fr.—_leucos_, white; _melas_, black. =Pileus= 2–4 in. broad, fleshy, somewhat fragile, irregularly-shaped, silky, sooty-black. =Flesh= soft, reddish when broken. =Stem= 1–3 in. in length, stout, unequal, somewhat tomentose, sooty-black, becoming black internally. Pileus and stem becoming black in places. =Pores= rather large, unequal, ashy or whitish, becoming black in drying.

=Spores= pale brown, 10–12×4–5µ. _Massee._

North Carolina, edible, _Curtis_; Ohio, a curious esculent. _Morgan._

=P. circina´tus= Fr.—round. =Pileus= 3–4 in. broad, compact, thick round, plane, zoneless, velvety, reddish-brown. =Flesh= the same color. It forms duplicate strata of pilei, the inferior contiguous with the stem and corky; the superior compact, soft, floccose. =Stem= 1 in. thick and high, bearing a reddish-brown tomentum. =Pores= decurrent, entire, dusky-gray.

In fir woods.

A noble species, memorable for the stratified duplicate pilei.

Var. _prolif´erus._ Like the typical form but having one or more pilei developed from the upper surface of the first one. Fulton Chain. August. _Peck_, 46th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

New York. On ground in borders of woods. September. _Peck_, 32d, 46th Rep.

On ground in oak woods, West Philadelphia. _McIlvaine._

When young the soft pilei are good.

II.—PLEUROPUS.

=P. squamo´sus= Fr.—_squama_, a scale. (Plate CXXX, p. 480.) =Pileus= 3 in.-1½ ft. broad, somewhat ochraceous, _variegated with a broad_, _adpressed, spot-like_, centrifugal, _darker scales_, fleshy-pliant, fan-shaped, flattened. =Stem= excentric and lateral, obese, _reticulated_ at the apex, blackish at the base. =Pores= thin, variable (at first minute), then large, angular and torn, pallid. _Fries._

Handsome, commonly very large, somewhat central and umbilicate when young, at length lateral, very variable in shape.

On trunks and stumps, chiefly ash. Common. May to November. _Stevenson._

=Spores= oval, white, 14×6µ _W.G.S._; elliptical, colorless, 12×5µ _Massee_.

Massachusetts, _Sprague_; Iowa, _Macbride_; New York. Trunk of elm. May. _Peck_, 27th Rep.; West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. On fallen trunks and on stumps. May to November. _McIlvaine._

This species does not seem to be common in America, but is found throughout Europe. It varies in size from 3 in. to over 3 feet. It has been known to attain the circumference of 7 ft. 5 in., and the weight of 40 lbs. Dr. Badham says that it can not be masticated and that its expressed juice is very disagreeable. The fact, however, remains that it is eaten, and is recorded as edible by most authors. It is undoubtedly tough, but cut fine and stewed slowly for half an hour it is quite as tender as the muscle of an oyster and has a pleasant flavor.

=P. pi´cipes= Fr.—_pix_, pitch; _pes_, a foot. Pallid then chestnut, commonly pale yellowish-livid, with the disk chestnut. =Pileus= fleshy-coriaceous, then rigid, tough, even, smooth, depressed at the disk or behind. =Flesh= white. =Stem= excentric and lateral, equal, firm, at first velvety, then naked, dotted, black up to the pores. =Pores= decurrent, round, very small, rather slender, white, then slightly pale yellowish. _Fries._

Imbricated, odor somewhat sweet. The pileus is depressed behind, commonly emarginate, funnel-shaped with lobes all round.

On trunks, especially willow. Frequent. July to December. _Stevenson._

Many young plants, in tufts upon a decaying oak log, were found by me at Mt. Gretna, August, 1899. They were oyster-color, the very thin caps translucent, 2–6 in. across, 1⁄16 in. thick; pores not visible to the naked eye. The black dots upon the stems developed some time after gathering.

They were pleasantly crisp when stewed and of fine flavor. Older specimens were bitter and tough.

III.—MERISMA.

=P. umbella´tus= Fr.—_umbella_, a sun-shade. Very much branched, fibrous-fleshy, toughish. =Pileoli= very numerous, ½-1½ in. broad, sooty, dull-red or pallid light-yellow, _entire, umbilicate_. =Stems= elongated, separate, united at the base, white. =Pores= minute, white.

The pileoli have occurred white. _Fries._

Edible. _Fries._

New York, _Peck_, Rep. 51; Richmond, Ind., _Dr. J.R. Weist_; Gouverneur, N.Y., _Mrs. E.C. Anthony_; West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. On decaying roots in ground and on stumps. May to November. _McIlvaine._

Tufts dense, branches spreading from a center. The pilei up to 2 in. across, connected at base. The dense spreading tufts, up to a foot across and half as high, are very noticeable. The flesh is soft and of good flavor. Cook like P. intybaceus.

=P. a´nax= Berk. Fleshy, fibrous, rather tough, dusky-gray, branching out from a thick, single stem at the base and forming a large head of branches and pileoli 10–20 lines in diameter; the branches terminate in numerous large pileoli of various forms and size, imbricating, confluent and recurved. =Flesh= and =pores= white. =Stems= thick, growing together, white. =Pores= large, unequal, angular, white. =Spores= white, subelliptic, 7–8µ long.

Ohio, at the base of oak trees and stumps. Autumn. _Morgan._

This species has apparently been confused by some American mycologists with P. intybaceus. I have received specimens of it bearing that name. The spores of that species are described as elliptic or ovoid. The spores of Polyporus anax, as shown by our specimens, are globose. _Peck_, 51st Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Ohio, _Morgan_; New York, _Peck_, 51st Rep.; New Jersey, _Sterling_; Angora, West Philadelphia, growing on rotting stump. September, 1897, _McIlvaine._

Edible when young and fresh.

=P. frondo´sus= Fr.—_frons_, a leafy branch. (Plate CXXVIII, p. 482.) Tuft ½-1 ft. broad, very much branched, fibrous-fleshy, toughish. =Pileoli= very numerous, ½-2 in., sooty-gray, _dimidiate, wrinkled_, lobed, intricately recurved. =Flesh= white. =Stems= growing into each other, white. =Pores= _rather tender, very small, acute_, white.

Pores commonly round, but in an oblique position, gaping open and torn. _Fries._

North Carolina, _Curtis_; Iowa, _Macbride_; New York, _Peck_, 24th Rep.; West Virginia, 1881–1885, Chester county, Angora, Philadelphia, Pa. On stumps, roots, etc. Rare. September to frost, _McIlvaine_.

Edible. _Curtis._ Sold in the Roman market.

Tufts up to 12 in. across; the branches very numerous, up to 2 in. wide. The plant is tender when young and grows tough as it matures. When young it is of good flavor and edible—older it makes a well-flavored gravy, or is edible if chopped fine and very well cooked.

(Plate CXXIX.)

=P. intyba´ceus= Fr.—succory-like. Very much branched, fleshy, somewhat fragile. =Pileoli= _very numerous_, pale-yellowish inclining to fuscous, _dimidiate, stretched out_, sinuate, at length spathulate. =Stems= connate in a very short trunk. =Pores= _firm, obtuse_, white, inclining to dingy-brown. _Fries._

About same size as P. frondosus and larger. _Stevenson._

=Spores= colorless, elliptical, 7×3.5µ _Massee_; 6×3µ _W.G.S._

Indiana, _H.I. Miller_. Base of living trees. Woodland Cemetery, West Philadelphia, Pa., Mt. Gretna, Pa., West Virginia, New Jersey. Large tufts growing from oak roots in ground and at base of oak trees. _McIlvaine._

Edible. _Stevenson._ Paulet says: In place of its being heavy upon the stomach, _he_ will feel all the lighter who sups upon it.

The people of the Vosges call it the Hen-of-the-Woods.

The words of the old song—

“So very much depends upon The way in which it’s done,”

apply with exceptional force to the cooking of P. intybaceus. If it is cut in thin slices across the grain and slowly stewed for half an hour it will be tender and of good flavor. It can then be served in that way, or made into patties or croquettes.

=P. crista´tus= Fr.—_crista_, a crest. Branched, firmly fleshy, fragile. =Pileoli= about 3 in. broad, _reddish-green_, entire and dimidiate, imbricated, _depressed, somewhat pulverulent-villous, then cracked into scales_. =Stems= connate, irregularly shaped, white. =Pores= minute, angular and torn, whitish. _Fries._

Very changeable in form, sometimes simple with an undulato-lobed, central pileus.

Edible. _Curtis._

Mt. Gretna, Pa., Woodland Cemetery, Philadelphia, West Virginia. On ground over roots, open woods and grassy places. September, October. _McIlvaine._

Variable in form, but usually in rose-shaped clusters, which are slightly greenish at times; oftener shades of yellow. The substance is the same in texture as P. intybaceus. Cook in same manner.

=P. con´fluens= Fr.—stems confluent; adherent. =Pilei= branched, fleshy, fragile, thick, dimidiate, imbricated, confluent, smooth, fleshy-yellow becoming obscure, slightly scaly. =Stem= short. =Pores= short, minute, pallid-white.

Eaten about Nice; savor a little sharp. _Cordier_; North Carolina, superior eating. _Curtis._ Pine woods. New Scotland. September.

Our specimens are not at all squamulose, and this character is not attributed to the species by all authors. It is probable that it is not uniform in this respect. _Peck_, 39th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

=P. Berk´eleyi= Fr. Very much branched. =Pileoli= very large, subzonate, finally tomentose, yellowish, fleshy, tough becoming corky and hard. =Stem= short or none, arising from a long and thick common base growing out of the ground usually near trees or stumps. =Pores= rather large, irregular, angular, pale yellowish.

A magnificent specimen found near Boston a dozen years ago and exhibited in the window of Doyle, the florist, was fully four feet high and from two to three feet broad, containing very many pileoli.

North Carolina, edible, _Curtis_; Iowa, _Bessey_; Ohio, _Morgan_; Mt. Gretna, Pa., very large specimens, 20 in. across. _McIlvaine._

Edible when young.

=P. gigante´us= Fr.—_gigas_, a giant. Tuft 1–2 ft. and more broad, in many imbricated layers, fleshy-pliant then somewhat coriaceous. =Pilei= _date-brown_, dimidiate, very broad, flaccid, somewhat zoned, rivulose, depressed behind. =Stems= connato-branched from a common tuber. =Pores= _minute, somewhat round, pallid_, at length torn.

The rigid cuticle separates into granules or fibrillose squamules. Pores becoming dark when touched. _Fries._

Edible, _Curtis_. Esculent when young. On the continent its esculent qualities are known and appreciated. _Cooke._

West Virginia, Chester county, Pa., Eagle’s Mere, Pa. On decaying stumps and roots. _McIlvaine._

It is well marked by its spore-surface becoming black to the touch. When young and fresh it stews to a pleasant, edible consistency, but is tough if not well cooked or too old. The flavor of a gravy from it is at all times good.

=P. sulphu´reus= Fr.—_sulphur_, brimstone. (Plate CXXV, fig. 2, p. 476.) In many cespitose layers, 1–2 ft. and more, _juicy-cheesy_. =Pilei= 8 in. or more broad, _reddish-yellow_, imbricated, undulated, rather smooth. =Flesh= light yellowish, then white, splitting open and not hardened when old. =Pores= minute, plane, _sulphur-yellow_. _Fries._

Soon becoming pale. Commonly sessile, but varying with a stem, lateral on standing trees, but expanded on all sides on fallen ones; also club-shaped, porous throughout. _Sow._ In its fullest vigor it is filled with sulphur-yellow milk.

On living trees and stumps. Frequent. August to October. _Stevenson._

=Spores= oval, white, minutely papillose, 8×5µ _W.G.S._; elliptical, hyaline, slightly papillose, 7–8×4–5µ _Massee_.

Edible. _Stevenson_, _Curtis_.

Maryland, _Miss Banning_; Indiana, _H.I. Miller_; West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. On willow, apple, cherry, maple, hickory, etc. Frequent. August to November. _McIlvaine._

Frequently in large masses. Commonly broadly attached, but sometimes with a short stem. Very occasionally a single pileus will protrude from a tree like a giant yellow tongue shaded with reddish-orange. Usually the pilei are in clusters united in a solid base, white-fleshed and rich in color. I have seen clusters two feet across. On an old willow at Mt. Gretna, a cluster 18 in. across afforded a dozen meals. Whenever a meal was wanted a pound or two was broken off. It lasted until January. If P. sulphureus is cooked properly it is a delicious fungus. Cut fine, stew slowly and well, season, add butter, milk with a little thickening.

=P. macula´tus= Pk.—having _maculæ_-spots. =Pileus= of a cheesy consistence, broad, flattened, sometimes confluent, sessile or narrowed into a short stem, slightly uneven, white or yellowish-white, marked with darker zones and watery spots. =Pores= minute, subangular, short, whitish, sometimes tinged with brown. =Flesh= white.

=Pileus= 4–6 in. broad, 6–8 lines thick.

Prostrate trunks of trees in woods. Worcester. July.

In texture and shape this species is related to P. sulphureus, but the pores are smaller than in that species. The plants are sometimes cespitose, sometimes single. The spots in the dried specimens have a smooth depressed appearance. _Peck_, 26th Rep.

Angora, West Philadelphia. September, 1896. Mt. Gretna, Pa., September, 1897–1898. On white oak trunks. _McIlvaine._