Part 48
A few species are tough as shoe-strings; a few bitter; one, C. dichotoma, on the authority of Leuba, contains a minor poison. The genus is plentiful and reliable. Many individuals are of marked excellence. In soups, stews, patties, they remind one of noodles; sometimes of macaroni. The hard parts of the stem should be removed, the branches broken or cut in ½ in. lengths. If stewed, they require time and slow cooking; if fried in butter they are crisp, choice bits.
RAMA´RIA—_ramus_, a branch.
Branched, branches attenuated upward.
_A._ SPORES WHITE OR PALLID.
* _Plant, color bright, red, yellow or violet._
=C. fla´va= Schaeff.—yellow. Fragile, trunk thick, fleshy, white, very much branched. =Branches= even, round, fastigiate, obtuse, yellow. _Fries._
=Height= 2–4 in., 2–4 in. across; pale-yellow, dingy-yellow. =Stem= or trunk short, robust, whitish. =Branches= very numerous, dense, fragile, erect, straight, lighter than the yellow tips (fading with age) which are toothed. =Flesh= white. =Spores= white. Taste and odor pleasant.
Woods and open places. June to frost.
Indiana, _H.I. Miller_; West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, _McIlvaine_.
The C. flava and C. botrytes have long been noted edible species, liberally commended abroad and in the United States. Variations in their structure are interchangeable; variations in their quality are due to environment. There is a slight difference in the measurement of their spores, but the difference is not so great as between spores of the same specimen. Specific differences may exhibit themselves in young plants, yet disappear with age.
Plants for the table should be young and fresh. When aged or when the ravages of insects appear, they should not be used, as they then have an unpleasant taste which will effect a whole dish.
They should be cut into small pieces and stewed slowly for fully thirty minutes. They can be seasoned and eaten as a stew or made into patties.
=C. botry´tes= Pers. _Gr_—a cluster of grapes (from shape). =Height= 3–4 in., 3–6 in. across, white, yellow, pinkish, dingy in shades of these colors. =Base= thick, short, fleshy, unequal. =Branches= many, swollen, thick, crowded, unequal, enlarged at the ends and divided into several small branchlets which are sometimes reddish at tips. =Flesh= white.
=Spores= ellipsoid, sub-transparent, white, 8×5µ _Massee_.
On wood earth. Common.
New York, _Peck_, Rep. 24; West Virginia, New Jersey, _McIlvaine_.
A general favorite and highly esteemed in Europe. Edible. _Curtis._
“When old the branches both of this species and of C. flava become elongated, obtuse, very fragile, and of a uniform color. The yellow tips of the latter and the red ones of the former species wholly disappear.” _Peck_, 32d Rep.
Excepting when young (not always then) the red tips to the branchlets can not be relied upon as distinctive features of this species. The place of its growth and the character of the soil have very much to do with its size, and the color and quality of its flesh. A well-shaded thin-soiled spot will, after a rain, grow pale, spindling, tender bunches, having but a tinge of red upon the points; perhaps not any. A rich, better lighted spot will produce more robust and highly colored plants. The same can be said of C. flava. C. botrytes is plentiful in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia and like latitudes. It must be well cooked.
=C. amethys´tina= Bull.—amethyst in color. (Plate CXXXIX, fig. 1, p. 516.) =Height= ½-3 in. =Color= violet, very much branched or almost simple. =Branches= round, even, fragile, smooth, obtuse, known by its color.
=Spores= elliptical, pale ochraceous, sub-transparent, 10–12×6–7µ _Massee_.
Common in open woods and grassy places.
New York, _Peck_ 30th Rep.; West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, _McIlvaine_. August, September.
Eaten in Europe, and by some preferred to any other.
A handsome species, very brittle, and though large, delicate.
=C. fastigia´ta=—_fastigium_, the top. =Height= 1–2 in., tufted, yellow. =Branches= numerous, flexible, tough, equal, fastigiate (branches pointing upward), sometimes short and simple, when higher very much branched.
=Spores= white, irregularly globose, 4–6µ _Massee_.
In pastures and grassy places, during warm months.
North Carolina, _Curtis_; California, West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, _McIlvaine_.
Commonly eaten throughout Europe. In Germany they call it Ziegenbart—goat’s beard.
This is one of the species that has to be looked for. Grass tufts hide it. Its yellowish stools are not unlike them in color. It is freely found, and, though not of the best, well rewards the seeker.
FIG. PAGE. FIG. PAGE. 1. CLAVARIA AMETHYSTINA, 516 3. CLAVARIA FORMOSA, 520 2. CLAVARIA AUREA, 520
=C. muscoi´des=—_muscus_, moss. =Height= 1–1½ in., slightly tufted, yellow. =Stem= slender, tomentose at base, becoming two or three times forked. =Branchlets= thin, tapering, crescent-shaped, acute.
=Spores= white, subglobose, 5–6µ _Massee_.
In pastures.
North Carolina, _Schweinitz_, _Curtis_; Ohio; New York, _Peck_, 47th Rep.
Edible. _Curtis_.
=C. Her´veyi= Pk. Gregarious or subcespitose, simple or with a few branches, often compressed or irregular, scarcely 1 in. high, golden-yellow, sometimes brownish at the apex. =Flesh= white. =Branches= when present, short, simple or terminating in few or many more or less acute denticles. =Spores= globose, 7.5µ broad, minutely roughened; mycelium white.
Ground under hemlock trees. Orono, Me. September. _F.L. Hervey._
Allied to C. fastigiata and C. muscoides, but distinct from both by its more irregular and less branching character and by its larger spores. _Peck_, 45th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
Near Haddonfield, N.J., August, 1890, among scrub pines and spruce. A pretty species of medium flavor.
** _Plant white, gray or yellowish._
=C. coralloi´des= Linn. =Height= 2–4 in., usually tufted, growing into each other, white. =Trunk= thick, short, much branched. =Branches= repeatedly forked, compressed, hollow within, fragile, dilated upward, tips crowded acute.
Occasionally the branches do not develop entirely and are obtuse; they then somewhat resemble in shape C. rugosa, but are not wrinkled.
=Spores= pale-ochraceous, pointed, 10×8µ _Massee_.
Indiana, _H.I. Miller_; West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, _McIlvaine_.
A common edible species in Europe. Common in United States.
The writer has eaten it for many years. It is not always tender. It should be young, fresh, and the branches alone cooked. It requires slow, patient cooking if at all old. It does dry well, as stated by some writers, but it does not wet well again.
(Plate CXL.)
=C. cine´rea= Bull.—_cinis_, ashes. (Plate CXL.) =Height= 1–3 in., gregarious or tufted, sometimes in rows. Gray. =Stem= either thin or thick, short, lighter than branches. =Branches= very numerous compressed, wrinkled, irregular, somewhat obtuse or flattened and divided into slender points.
Its gray color easily distinguishes it from others. It is variable in its mode of growth and in its shape.
On ground in woods. Common. June to frost.
Eatable, but injurious in quantities. _Cordier._ Edible, but provokes indigestion in delicate stomachs. _Leuba._
Eaten generally in Europe. In France it is called _pied de coq_.
Plentiful in United States, in mixed woods. June to frost.
The writer and his friends have eaten it for fifteen years, and know of no Clavaria equalling it.
=C. tetrago´na= Schw.—Four-angled. Very fragile, deep orange-yellow, twice forked. =Stem= and =branches= quadrangular, 1–1½ in. tall.
Moist shady places.
New York. Ground in shaded places. August and September. Poughkeepsie, _Gerard_, _Peck_, 24th Rep.; North Carolina, _Schweinitz_, _Curtis_; Pennsylvania, _Schweinitz_.
Edible. _Curtis._
=C. crista´ta= Pers.—_crista_, a crest. (Plate CXLI, p. 518.) =Height= 1–5 in., whitish, tufts of broad flattened branches cut on margins or crested. =Base= short, stout. =Branches= numerous, irregular, flattened upward and divided like moose horns, tough, stuffed, dingy. This peculiarity distinguishes it and separates it from C. coralloides.
=Spores= pale ochraceous, pointed, 10×8µ _Massee_.
Woods. Common. Summer and autumn. Indiana, _H.I. Miller_; West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, _McIlvaine_.
Edible. _Curtis._
After a summer rain the crested Clavaria is usually abundant where there is good encouragement of mossy beds or mats of rich wood-soil in woods where leaves and mold accumulate. It is not as tender as many other species, but chopped fine and stewed slowly for an hour it will be eaten with enjoyment.
=C. rugo´sa= Bull.—_ruga_, a wrinkle. White or dingy, simple or tufted, 2–4 in. high, branched from the base with irregular blunt branches wrinkled lengthwise, sometimes thickened upward.
Distinguished by the distinct, irregular, longitudinal wrinkles.
=Spores= white, irregularly globose, 8–10µ _Massee_.
In woods, solitary or gregarious. August to November.
North Carolina, _Schweinitz_, _Curtis_. Pennsylvania, Ohio.
It is reported edible by Dr. Curtis, M.C. Cooke and Dr. Badham.
=C. pyxida´ta= Pers.—_pyxis_, a small box. Tufted, light tan-color, shaded with red, 1–3 in. high. =Stem= or trunk thin, smooth, variable in length, dividing into many erect forked branches, which are cup-shaped at the tips. The margins of these tips have slender branchlets issuing from them (proliforme).
Distinguished by the cup-like tips. =Spores= white, 4×3µ _Massee_.
On rotten wood, on rotten roots in ground. June and into the autumn.
North Carolina, _Schweinitz_, _Curtis_; Pennsylvania, _McIlvaine_.
Specimen sent by writer to Prof. Peck, June, 1897, and identified by him. Not tested by writer, but is in Dr. Curtis' list of edible species.
=C. subtil´is= Pers. Scattered, slender, subtenaceous, pallid-white, bases smooth and of equal thickness, branches few, forked, subfastigiate.
North Carolina, _Schweinitz_, _Curtis_; Pennsylvania.
Edible. _Curtis._
=C. den´sa= Pk. =Tufts= 2–4 in. high, nearly as broad, whitish or creamy-yellow, branching from the base. =Branches= very numerous, nearly parallel, crowded, terete, somewhat wrinkled when dry, the tips dentate, concolorous. =Spores= slightly colored, elliptical, 7.5–10×5–8.5µ.
Ground in woods. Selkirk. August.
Apparently closely allied to C. condensata, but differing decidedly in color. _Peck_, 41st Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
Specimens identified by Professor Peck.
Large masses of it grew at Mt. Gretna, Pa., July, August and September, 1898, in mixed woods.
Brittle; when young it is very compact. It is without much flavor, but stews tender and makes a good dish.
_B._ SPORES OCHRACEOUS OR CINNAMON.
** _Plant yellow or dingy ochraceous._
=C. au´rea= Schaeff.—_aurum_, gold. (Plate CXXXIX, fig. 2, p. 516.) =Trunk= thick, elastic, pallid. =Flesh= white, dividing into numerous thick branches that become repeatedly divided in a dichotomous manner upward, and terminate in slender, erect, round, yellow branchlets. =Spores= pale ochraceous, elliptical, 10–11×5–6µ.
In woods. Forming large tufts 2–3 in. high, colorless or almost so below, tips yellow. _Massee._
North Carolina, _Curtis_; Ohio, Alabama. Found in West Virginia, 1882; Devon, Angora, Eagle’s Mere, Mt. Gretna, Pa.; Haddonfield, N.J. August and September. _McIlvaine._
Eaten in Europe. Edible. _Curtis._
In structure it reminds one of a miniature cropped Lombardy poplar. The color is not bright, but dingy-yellow. Resembles C. flava; distinguished by different color of spores. The branches (not stem) are tender and good.
Var. _rufes´cens_ Schaeff.
This plant occurs after heavy rains. It sometimes grows in continuous rows several feet in extent. The pinkish-red tips of the branches fade with age. The axils are rounded and the plant is quite fragile. Fries considers it a variety of C. aurea. _Peck_, 25th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
Found at Springton, Chester county, Pa., August, 1887. It is edible and good. The plant is tender and easily cooked.
=C. formo´sa= Pers.—_formosus_, finely formed. (Plate CXXXIX, fig. 3, p. 416.) =Height= 2–4 in. =Trunk= 1 in. and more thick, whitish or yellowish, elastic. =Branches= numerous, crowded, elongated, divided at ends into yellow branchlets which are thin, straight, obtuse or toothed.
=Spores= ochraceous 9×3–4µ _Massee_; elongated, oval, rough, 16×8µ _W.G.S._
On ground in woods, in large tufts, frequently in rows several feet long.
North Carolina, _Schweinitz_, _Curtis_; Pennsylvania, New Jersey, _McIlvaine_.
Esteemed in Europe. Edible. _Dr. Curtis._
Common in the United States in woods. Variable. An orange-rose color is sometimes prominent on the tips. The tenderer portions of the plant are excellent, but must be well cooked.
=C. spinulo´sa= Pers.—spined. =Height= 2–3 in. high. =Stem= ½-1 in. thick. =Trunk= stout, short, whitish. =Branches= numerous, crowded, erect, tense, elongated, tapering upward. =Color= cinnamon-brown or darker.
=Spores= ochraceous, elliptical, 11–13×5–6µ _Massee_.
On ground in pine woods. August to October.
New York, _Peck_, 24th Rep.; New Jersey, _Sterling_; Pennsylvania, _McIlvaine_.
Of same edible quality as C. aurea, which it resembles, excepting that it is darker and less abrupt in the ending of its clusters.
=C. flac´cida= Fr.—_flaccidus_, flaccid. =Height= 1–3 in., bright ochraceous, slender. =Stem= short, smooth, sometimes wanting, thin, 1–2 lines thick, repeatedly branched. =Branches= crowded, unequal, flaccid, upper ones forcep-shaped, pointed. Does not turn green when bruised like C. abietina. The whitish mycelium creeps over the leaves on which it grows. Brittle, tender, flesh white.
=Spores= ochraceous, broadly elliptical 4–5×3µ _K._
Received from E.B. Sterling, Trenton, N.J.
Two specimens eaten. These were quite dry. After soaking they were tender and had good flavor.
(Plate CXLII.)
=C. cir´cinans= Pk.—_circino_, to make round. (Plate CXLII.) =Stem= short, solid, dichotomously or subverticillately branched. =Branches= slightly diverging or nearly parallel, nearly equal in length, the ultimate ones terminating in two or more short acute concolorous ramuli. =Spores= ochraceous.
=Plant= 1–2 in. high, obconic in outline, flat-topped, appearing almost as if truncated, pallid or almost whitish in color, generally growing in imperfect circles or curved lines.
Under spruce and balsam trees. Adirondack mountains. August. _Peck_, 39th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
Where pines have grown, but where now oak and chestnut trees make rather open woods, it grows at Mt. Gretna, Pa. A stumpy fungus impressing one as stunted. Its texture is solid. It does not cook tender, but yields a fungus flavor to the cooking medium.
** _Growing on wood._
=C. stric´ta= Pers.—_stringo_, to draw tight. =Height= 2–3 in. =Color= pale dull-yellow becoming brown when bruised. =Stem= distinct, thick, short. =Branches= numerous, repeatedly forked, straight, closely pressed, tips pointed.
=Spores= dark cinnamon, _Fries_; creamy yellow 4×6µ _W.G.S._
Var. _fu´mida_. The whole plant is a dingy, smoky-brownish hue, otherwise of the typical form. Catskill mountains. September. In the fresh state the specimens appear very unlike the ordinary form, but in the dried state they are scarcely to be distinguished. _Peck_, 41st Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
Eaten in Germany.
This form occurs in West Virginia mountains and at Mt. Gretna, Pa., Trenton, N.J., in August and September, among leaves in mixed woods. It compares favorably with the ordinary run of Clavaria.
=C. dicho´toma= God.—dividing by pairs. Cespitose, white; branches regularly dividing by pairs, elongated, flexuous, diverging, somewhat compressed, extremities obtuse, rounded at or just below the apex broadly compressed.
On the ground, under beeches.
“Notwithstanding its beauty this is dangerous. In 1883, when it was very plentiful, I saw entire families sick from it and in 1888 there was a repetition with new victims. “It produces nausea, vertigo and violent diarrhea.” _Leuba._
I have not seen the plant.
SYNCO´RYNE. _Gr_—together, a club.
Clubs almost simple, tufted at the base.
FIG. PAGE. FIG. PAGE.
1. CLAVARIA FUSIFORMIS, 523 3. CLAVARIA PISTILLARIS 524 (DARK VAR.),
2. CLAVARIA PISTILLARIS 524 (YELLOW VAR.),
=C. fusifor´mis= Sow.—_fusus_, a spindle. (Plate CXXXVIII, fig. 1, p. 522.) _Yellow_, cespitoso-connate, slightly firm, soon hollow. =Clubs= somewhat fusiform, simple and toothed, even, attenuated to the base which is of the same color. _Stevenson._
=Spores= pale yellow, globose, 4–5µ _Massee_.
Closely resembles C. inæqualis Fl. Dan.
Woods and pastures. August to November.
Received from _E.B. Sterling_, Trenton, N.J., August, 1897.
The clubs are 1⁄16 in. through, 4 in. high, light clear yellow, translucent, clustered in groups of four or five united at the base.
Tender, well flavored, cooks easily.
=C. auran´tio-cinnabari´no= Schw.—_aurantius_, orange; _cinnabaris_, vermilion. Orange-red; base white with a sub-hairy powder; clubs simple, flexuous, fleshy, somewhat tenacious, fasciculate, thickened in the middle and attenuated toward either end, at first cylindrical then compressed, 6–7 mm. thick, 2–4 in. high.
Pennsylvania. On the ground among rhododendrons.
Received from _E.B. Sterling_, Trenton, N.J.
The plant when fresh is a beautiful rose color, inclining to orange at the tips. It reminds one of the peach-blow vase color in some of its shades. The single clubs, growing in cluster, to the height of four inches, graceful in outline, exquisitely shaded, are a sight one lingers over. While they invite the mycophagist to eat them, his voracity is checked by their beauty. They are tender and delicious. It is regrettable that thus far it has not been reported in quantity.
=C. inæqual´is= Fl. Dan.—unequal. =Height= 2–3 in. club-shaped, yellow, gregarious, single or in loose tufts, fragile, _stuffed_. =Clubs= club-shaped or almost equal, simple, sometimes forked or variously cut at tip, one color.
=Spores= colorless, elliptical, 9–10×5µ _Massee_.
Woods and pastures. August to October.
Distinguished from C. fusiformis by the tips not being sharp-pointed and colored.
North Carolina, _Schweinitz_; New Jersey, _Sterling_.
This Clavaria is quite common in New Jersey. Its clusters are clear bright yellow and conspicuously pretty. The clubs are translucent and smooth. Excepting in color it resembles C. aurantio-cinnabarino. In the many specimens seen there was nothing to suggest the propriety of the name, excepting height of clubs.
A dish of it is a delicacy.
=C. vermicula´ris= Scop.—_vermis_, a worm. =Height= 1–2½ in., white, tufted. =Clubs= simple, quill-shaped, stuffed, awl-shaped, brittle, pointed.
=Spores= white, elliptical, 4×3µ _Massee_.
New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio. Thin grassy woods and among grass. July to October.
Edible. _Cordier._
Common in southern New Jersey, and in warm soils from June to frost. When growing among grass it is not conspicuous and is often missed unless specially sought for. Its purity, its choice of refreshing abode, its excellent qualities, make it select among Clavaria.
HOLOCO´RYNE. _Gr_—entire; _Gr_—a club.
Clubs almost simple, distinct at the base.
=C. pistillar´is= L.—_pistillum_, a pestle. (Plate CXXXVIII, figs. 2, 3, p. 522.) =Height= 2–12 in., up to 1 in. and more thick, color light yellow, ochraceous, brownish, chocolate. =Clubs= Indian-club shape, ovate-rounded, puckered at top, simple, fleshy, white within, spongy, exterior smooth or more or less wrinkled, usually with smooth base.
=Spores= white, 10×5µ _W.G.S._; 9–11×5–6µ _Massee_.
Mixed woods, moss and grassy places. August until November.
North Carolina, Pennsylvania, California, Alabama.
Eaten in Poland, Russia and Germany.
The writer first found this truly club-like species in West Virginia in 1882, and ate it. But few specimens were found, and those of a dark chocolate color. At Mount Gretna in 1897 and 1898 the yellow variety grew in considerable quantity from July until after frost. The largest specimen found measured 5½ in. and was 1 in. in diameter at its thickest part. The average height is 2½ in. Both varieties grew in mixed woods from the leaf-covered ground. They are often clustered, four or five together, and of different sizes. The surface, especially of the dark variety, is regularly, vertically wrinkled, truncated in few places, very much resembling that of the Craterellus cantharellus. The stems of both are white. The apex of the clubs is folded inward as though pulled by drawing-strings.
The flesh is soft, white, fine grained. A slight bitter is present in the dark variety, when raw, which entirely disappears upon cooking. This is one of the best of Clavariæ.
=C. clava´ta= Pk. Simple, straight, clavate, obtuse, smooth, not hollow, yellow when fresh, rugose-wrinkled and orange-colored when dry, 4–6 lines high.
Damp shaded banks by road-sides. Sandlake. June. _Peck_, 25th Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
Patches of it are conspicuous—golden-hued upon somber background. They are seen at Eagle’s Mere, Mt. Gretna, and on the Springton Hills, Pa., along wooded road-sides. Raw, they have a mild, pleasant flavor, and have the same when cooked. A small species seldom found in sufficient quantity to make a comforting dish.
FAMILY VI.—=TREMELLA´CEÆ= Fr.
Whole fungus homogeneous, gelatinous, shrivelling when dry, reviving when moistened, pervaded internally with branched filaments, terminating toward the surface all round in sporophores. Spores transparent, from globose to sausage-shape and curved, sometimes septate. _Fries._
The Tremellaceæ, as their name signifies, tremble, because jelly-like when moist. They are hard, tough, horny when dry, but swell and become gelatinous when wet. In the typical genus, Tremella, there is often but little consistency. Whoever has climbed an old rail fence on a rainy day has had the doubtful pleasure of acquaintance with some of them. Sections for the microscope are obtainable by hardening them in alcohol.
There are several edible species in the family. They are good in soups, giving them flavor and body, and some are excellent when stewed.
SYNOPSIS OF GENERA.
Sub-Family—=Auricularieæ=. Page 528.
AURICULARIA.
Broadly attached, margin free and reflexed. (No edible species reported.)
HIRNEOLA. Page 528.
Cartilaginous, ear-shaped, attached by a point.
Sub-Family—=Tremellineæ=. Page 529.
EXIDIA.
Cup-shaped, truncate, or irregularly lobed; spores reniform, producing curved sporidiola on germination. (No edible species reported.)
ULOCOLLA.
Pulvinate and gyrose; spores reniform, producing rod-shaped sporidiola on germination. (No edible species reported.)
TREMELLA. Page 529.
Brain-like or lobed; spores globose or ovoid.
NÆMATELIA.
Firm, convex, with a central hard nucleus. (No edible species reported.)
GYROCEPHALUS.
Erect, spathulate. (No edible species reported.)
TREMELLEDON. Page 533.
Gelatinous, tremelloid, fan-shaped, fleshy; hymenium with distinct spines.
Sub-Family—=Dacryomyceteæ=.
DACRYOMYCES.
Small, pulvinate and gyrose. (No edible species reported.)
GUEPINIA.
Irregularly cup-shaped, hymenium on one surface only. (No edible species reported.)
DACRYOPSIS.
Hymenium at the apex of a short stem, bearing conidia and spores. (No edible species reported.)
DITIOLA.