Part 52
A. Exterior skin, bark, rind, cortex, scurf, warts, spines, bristles—peridium. Plants with long spines—echinate.
B. Inner rind or true peridium. [A.B.—peridia (plural of peridium).]
C. Columella—those filaments springing from the base and rising, which do not unite freely with those issuing from the inner peridium. This mass of threads is usually conical, but sometimes globose.
D. Capillitium—a soft mass of cottony threads interspersed with minute dust-like spores; the space occupied is called the gleba.
E. Coarse empty, sterile cells. The space they occupy is called the subgleba.
F. Echinate spores magnified.
G. Spines (magnified) which fall off and leave the inner peridium exposed.
2.
A. Lycoperdon echinatum.
B. Spines (magnified) which fall off and leave tesselated inner peridium exposed. (After Morgan.)
As has been stated, the two Cohorts in which a hymenium or spore-bearing surface is present are called Hymenomycetes and Gastromycetes. In the first the hymenium is exposed, as in the common mushroom. In the second—Gastromycetes—the hymenium is at first enclosed in a sac or peridium, as in the common puff-ball.
The botanical description of Gastromycetes, given by M.C. Cooke, is: “Hymenium more or less permanently concealed, consisting in most cases of closely-packed cells, of which the fertile ones bear naked spores on distinct spicules, exposed only by the rupture or decay of the insisting coat or peridium.’
The Gastromycetes are usually large, ground-growing fungi. A few grow upon wood. The peridium is of dense structure, usually globose and of considerable thickness. It commonly consists of two layers. These form the sac holding the spore-bearing structure, which is called the gleba. The gleba consists of innumerable chambers or cells, curved and branched, and only to be distinguished by magnifying. The primary structure is retained in some species throughout the life of the plants, excepting changes due to growth and maturing, or in others these cells or chambers are large and few, and form distinct peridiola, which contain the spores.
The maturing of the plant and the consequent changes in the gleba is accompanied by various transformations of the peridium.”
It is impossible within the scope of this book to even name all the genera of Gastromycetes. Professor Morgan’s table of the families and table of the genera of Lycoperdaceæ are here given. The orders are defined as are some of the genera, and the edible species are described.
TABLE OF FAMILIES OF GASTROMYCETES.
_A._ TERRESTRIAL.
_(a)_ _Peridium double._
I.—=Phalloi´deæ.= Page 570.
Peridium becoming transformed into a receptacle of various shape, with a volva at its base. Gleba becoming dissolved into a dark green mass of jelly.
II.—=Lycoperda´ceæ.= Page 577.
Peridium sessile, usually with a more or less thickened base or sometimes stipitate, at maturity filled with a dusty mass of mingled threads and spores.
_(b)_ _Peridium single._
III.—=Scleroderma´ceæ.= Page 615.
Peridium discrete from the gleba, often with a columella; cells of the gleba subpersistent.
IV.—=Hymenogastra´ceæ.=
Peridium concrete with the gleba, indehiscent; cells of the gleba persistent. (No edible species reported. _C. McIlvaine._)
_B._ EPIPHYTAL.
V.—=Nidularia´ceæ.=
Peridium cyathiform, open at the top, containing one or more distinct peridiola. _Morgan._
(Small. No species reported edible. _C. McIlvaine._)
_A._ TERRESTRIAL.
(_a_) _Peridium double._
FAMILY I.—=PHALLOIDEÆ.=
=Receptacle= and =gleba= at first enclosed in a universal volva composed of three distinct layers, the central one being gelatinous at maturity. =Spores= minute, elliptic-oblong, smooth, when mature involved in mucus. _Massee._
=Spores= 3–5µ in length. _Morgan._
There are but few edible species within the family, and those edible only when very young. The family embraces the very offensive fungi known as stink-horns.
TABLE OF GENERA.
I.—=PHALLEÆ.=
Receptacle consisting of an elongated stipe bearing the gleba on a conical pileus at its apex.
1. PHALLUS. Page 571.
Pileus attached only to the apex of the stipe, dependent free all around below.
2. MUTINUS. Page 575.
Pileus wholly adnate to the summit of the stipe.
II.—=CLATHREÆ.=
Receptacle a hollow clathrate body, with the gleba attached to the upper part of the inner surface.
3. CLATHRUS.
Receptacle composed of obliquely anastomosing bars and sessile.
4. SIMBLUM.
Receptacle composed of obliquely anastomosing bars and stipitate.
5. LATERNEA.
Receptacle composed of a few vertical columns and sessile.
_Morgan._
I.—=PHAL´LEÆ.=
=Receptacle= consisting of an elongated stem bearing the gleba on a conical pileus at its apex. =Stem= cylindric, hollow, composed of one to several layers of round-celled tissue; the gleba occupying the outer surface of the pileus.
GENUS I.—=PHAL´LUS= Mich.
=Stem= hollow within, the wall composed of several layers of round-celled tissue. =Pileus= attached only to the apex of the stipe, dependent free all around below, the gleba occupying its outer surface. _Morgan._
The following synoptical tables will exhibit the prominent distinctive features of the species of Phallus of this state (New York) and the United States, so far as I am able to get them from the published descriptions and the specimens at my command.
NEW YORK SPECIES OF PHALLUS.
Denuded pileus reticulate with coarse deep pits or cells
Veil exposed, reticulate with small perforations P. Dæmonum Rumph.
Veil none P. impudicus L.
Denuded pileus porous, veil not perforate, P. Ravenelii B. concealed and C.
UNITED STATES SPECIES OF PHALLUS.
Denuded pileus reticulate with coarse deep pits or cells.
Veil exposed.
Large and reticulate with large perforations. P. indusiatus Vent.
Smaller and reticulate with small perforations. P. Dæmonum Rumph.
Smaller and plicate. P. duplicatus Bosc.
Veil none. P. impudicus L.
Denuded pileus even or merely porous.
Veil short, concealed beneath the pileus. P. Ravenelii B. and C.
Veil none. P. rubicundus Bosc.
_Peck_, 32d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
I.—HYMENOPHAL´LUS.
An indusium or veil surrounding the stipe and dependent from its apex beneath the pileus.
a. _Veil reticulate, hanging below the pileus._
=P. Dæ´monum= Rumph. =Volva= globose, not very thick, pinkish; segments 3 or 4, irregular. =Stem= cylindric, tapering at each end, cellulose; the veil reticulate, somewhat expanded and bell-shaped, hanging nearly to the middle of the stem. =Pileus= bell-shaped, somewhat oblique; the surface reticulate-pitted after deliquescence; the apex truncate, smooth, perforate. =Spores= elliptic-oblong, 4×2µ.
=Plant= 9 in. high. =Volva= 2 in. in diameter. =Stem= 1⅛ in. thick at the middle. =Pileus= 2 in. in height; the lower edge of the veil hangs about 4 in. from the apex of the stem. The short veil and the smooth ring at the apex will distinguish this species from the next. _Morgan._
Growing on the ground in woods.
Ohio, _Morgan_, _Lea_; Maryland, _Miss Banning_; New York, _Peck_.
Mt. Gretna, ground in mixed woods, August, 1899. _McIlvaine._
Several specimens were found; but two in the early or ovum stage. In this condition the species is edible. Quality same as P. impudicus.
=P. duplica´tus= Bosc. =Volva= depressed globose, thick, flabby white; segments 3–5, acute. =Stipe= fusiform-cylindric cellulose; the veil reticulate, hanging down to the volva, sometimes much expanded, often torn and shreddy with pieces adherent to the stipe. =Pileus= campanulate, reticulate-pitted after deliquescence; the apex acute, not regularly perforate. =Spores= elliptic-oblong, 4×2µ.
=Plant= 6–8 in. high. =Volva= 2½ in. in diameter. =Stipe= 1¼ in. thick in the middle. =Pileus= 2 in. in height. The long veil usually clings close to the stipe though sometimes swinging free and much expanded. In this species the gleba extends over the apex and there is no thick smooth ring encircling the perforation as in the preceding species (P. Dæmonum). _Morgan._
Growing in woods about old stumps and rotten logs. West Virginia, in woods, along mountain trails; Mt. Gretna, Pa., in mixed woods, summer. _McIlvaine._
In the forests of the West Virginia mountains, P. duplicatus is frequent. Before rupture of the volva the plant is a semi-gelatinous mass, tenacious and elastic. It has little taste or smell. Cut in slices and fried, or stewed, it is a tender, agreeable food.
_b. Veil not reticulate, concealed beneath the pileus._
=P. Ravenel´ii= B. and C. =Volva= subglobose or ovoid, pinkish; with an inner membrane, the lower half of the veil surrounding the base of the stem; segments 2 or 3. =Stem= cylindric, tapering at each end, cellulose; the veil membranous, scarcely half as long as the pileus and concealed beneath it. =Pileus= conico-bell-shaped; the surface not reticulate-pitted after deliquescence; the apex smooth and closed or finally perforate. =Spores= elliptic-oblong, 4–5×2µ.
=Plant= 5–7 in. high. =Volva= 1½-2 in. in diameter. =Stem= nearly 1 in. thick. =Pileus= 1½ in. in height. This species vitiates the genus Dictyophora and it can not very well be placed in Ithyphallus.
Growing in woods and fields about rotting stumps and logs. _Morgan._
South Carolina, _Ravenel_; Ohio, _Morgan_; New York, _Peck_.
II.—ITHYPHAL´LUS Fischer. (_Gr_—erect; _Gr_—phallus.)
Stipe without an indusium or veil dependent from its apex. _Morgan._
=P. impudi´cus= Linn. (Plate CLVIII.) =Volva= globose or ovoid, white or pinkish; segments 2 or 3. =Stem= cylindric, tapering at each end, cellulose, without a veil. =Pileus= conic-campanulate; the surface reticulate pitted after deliquescence, the apex smooth, at first closed, at length perforate. =Spores= elliptic-oblong, 4–5×2µ.
Growing on the ground in woods.
=Plant= 6–8 in. high. =Volva= 2 in. in diameter. =Stem= 1¼ in. thick. =Pileus= 2 in. in height.
By the elongation of the stem the thin membrane which separates the stipe from the pileus is torn into shreds and the pileus is thus liberated from the stipe except at the apex. _Morgan._
West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. Summer and autumn. _McIlvaine._
P. impudicus makes itself known wherever it grows. The stench of the full-grown plant is aggravatingly offensive, attracting blow-flies in quantities, and the carrion beetle Necrophorus Americanus. It is common over the United States, in woods, open fence corners, along road-sides, but a favorite abode is in kitchen yards and under wooden steps, where, when mature, it will compel the household to seek it in self-defense. It is a beautiful plant.
When in the egg-shape it is white or light dull-green, semi-gelatinous, tenacious and elastic. As many as a dozen sometimes grow in a bunch, each from a peculiar white, cord-like root or mycelium. They look, when young, like bubbles of some thick substance. In this condition they are very good when fried. They demand to be eaten at this time, if at any.
GENUS II.—=MUTI´NUS= Fr.
=Stipe= hollow within, the wall composed of a single layer of round-celled tissue. =Pileus= wholly adnate to the summit of the stipe, the gleba occupying its outer surface. _Morgan._
Distinguished from Ithyphallus by the cap being adnate to the receptacle.
(Plate CLIX.)
=M. cani´nus= Fr. (_Phallus caninus_ Berk.; _Phallus inodorus_ Sow.) =Receptacle= elongato-fusiform, cellular, white or rosy. =Pileus= short, subacute, rugulose, red. =Spores= cylindrical, involved in green mucus, 3–5×2µ.
In woods and bushy places. Sporophore from ½-¾ in. before the volva is ruptured. When fully evolved 3–4 in. high. Sometimes scentless, at others with a distinct odor, but never so strong and disagreeable as in Ithyphallus impudicus. _Massee._
=Spores= elliptic, 6×4µ _Morgan_; 3–5×2µ _Massee_.
New England, _Frost_; New York, _Warne_; West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, _McIlvaine_.
This species is common. Few old woods are without it. It is conspicuous in color among the brown of the forest carpet. The plant has not the mal-odor of its relations, but is not pleasant. In the egg shape it is gelatinous, tenacious, rather firm, edible and good when sliced and fried.
=M. bovi´nus= Morg. =Volva= oblong-ovoid, pinkish, segments 2 or 3. =Stem= cylindric, tapering gradually to the apex, white or pinkish below, bright red above. =Pileus= indeterminate, conic-acuminate, perforate at the apex. =Spores= elliptic-oblong, 4–5×2µ.
=Plant= 4–7 in. in height, the stem ¾ of an in. in thickness, the volva not much thicker and 1–1½ in. in height; the pileus occupies 1–2 in. of the pointed apex, but is not definitely limited below. This plant has the strong disagreeable odor of other Phalloids.
Growing in rich soil in cultivated grounds and in woods. _Morgan._
Common in mixed woods, West Virginia, Pennsylvania. Smell strong, but not so offensive as P. impudicus. Edible in the egg-shape.
=M. brevis= B. and C.—short. =Volva= globose or ovoid, segments 2 or 3. =Stem= bright red, coarsely cribrose, attenuated below. =Pileus= somewhat broadly clavate, sometimes conical, but always more or less obtuse, perforate at the apex.
=Plant= 2–3 in. high. =Stem= 4–5 lines thick, the volva ¾ of an in. in diameter, the pileus sometimes half as long as the stem.
Growing on the ground in fields and gardens. _Morgan._
North Carolina, _Curtis_; South Carolina, _Ravenel_; New England, _Wright_; New York, _Howe_, _Gerard_, _Peck_.
In the remaining genera, Clathrus, Simblum, Laternea, no species have been reported as tested.
FAMILY II.—=LYCOPERDA´CEÆ.=
Peridium sessile, usually with a more or less thickened base or sometimes stipitate, at maturity filled with a dusty mass of mingled threads and spores.
This order contains many of our most delicious and important food species. The characteristics of all genera are given. In several of them no species are reported edible, but it is more than probable that all are. The genera are therefore given in this table, but are omitted in place to save room. The omitted genera are Nos. 1, Polyplocium; 2, Batarrea; 3, Myriostoma; 5, Astreus; 6, Mitremyces.
TABLE OF GENERA OF LYCOPERDACEÆ.
I.—=VOLVATÆ.=
Outer peridium a thick, firm, persistent coat, bursting irregularly or splitting from the apex downward into segments.
(_a_) _Inner peridium stipitate, the outer remaining as a volva at the base of the stipe._
1. POLYPLOCIUM.
Inner peridium pileate, with aculeiform processes underneath; threads of the capillitium slender, hyaline, scarcely branched.
2. BATARREA.
Inner peridium circumscissile, the upper part coming off like a lid; threads of the capillitium with spiral markings.
(_b_) _Inner peridium sessile, the outer splitting into segments which become reflexed._
3. MYRIOSTOMA.
Inner peridium dehiscent above by many mouths; columella —--; threads of the capillitium simple, tapering to each extremity.
4. GEASTER. Page 580.
Inner peridium dehiscent at the apex by a single mouth; columella present; threads of the capillitium simple, tapering to each extremity.
5. ASTRÆUS.
Inner peridium membranaceous; dehiscent at the apex by a single mouth; columella none; threads of the capillitium very long, much branched and interwoven.
6. MITREMYCES.
Inner peridium cartilaginous, dehiscent at the apex by a stellate fissure; columella none; threads of the capillitium very long, much branched and interwoven.
II.—=CORTICATÆ.=
Outer peridium (cortex) a soft, fragile, more or less deciduous layer, often with external projections in the shape of warts, spines or scales.
(_c_) _Peridium stipitate._
7. TYLOSTOMA. Page 582.
Peridium membranaceous, dehiscent by a regular apical mouth; threads of the capillitium very long, much branched and interwoven.
(_d_) _Peridium sessile, but with a more or less thickened base._
8. CALVATIA. Page 582.
Peridium large, globose or turbinate, breaking up into fragments from above downward, and gradually falling away; threads of the capillitium very long, much branched and interwoven.
9. LYCOPERDON. Page 589.
Peridium small, globose, obovoid or turbinate, membranaceous, dehiscent by a regular apical mouth, threads of the capillitium long, slender, simple or branched.
10. BOVISTELLA. Page 608.
Peridium subglobose, membranaceous, dehiscent by a regular apical mouth; threads of the capillitium free, short, several times dichotomously branched.
(_e_) _Peridium sessile, without any thickened base._
11. CATASTOMA. Page 609.
Peridium globose, subcoriaceous, dehiscent by a basal aperture; threads of the capillitium free, short, simple, or scarcely branched.
12. BOVISTA. Page 610.
Peridium subglobose, membranaceous, dehiscent by an apical mouth, or opening irregularly; threads of the capillitium free, short, several times dichotomously branched.
13. MYCENASTRUM. Page 613.
Peridium subglobose, very thick, coriaceous, the upper part finally breaking up into irregular lobes or fragments; threads of the capillitium free, short, with a few short branches and scattered prickles. _Morgan._
GENUS IV.—=GEA´STER= Mich.
_Gr_—the earth; _Gr_—star.
Mycelium filamentous or fibrous, much branched and interwoven with the soil. Peridium subglobose, composed of two distinct persistent coats; outer peridium thick, fleshy-coriaceous, at first closely investing the inner, but discrete (distinct) at maturity splitting from the apex downward into several segments which become reflexed; inner peridium thin, membranaceous then papyraceous (like parchment), sessile or with a short pedicel, dehiscent at the apex by a single mouth. Capillitium taking its origin from the inner surface of the peridium and also from a distinct central columella, which arises from its base; threads simple, long, slender, thickest in the middle and tapering to each extremity, fixed at one end and free at the other. =Spores= small, globose, minutely warted, brown. _Morgan._
(Plate CLX.)
G. minimus, when found by the writer, was not tested because not found in condition. It is a plant beautiful in its oddity. Its seven to nine outer segments of skin loosen at the bottom, spring up, raising the oval body of the plant with them, turn their points down and balance on the lower points, and look, in miniature, just as would two sectional orange peels spread at their loose points if one was rested, point to point, upon the other. This hoisting of the spore-bearing part aloft, that it may better eject its spores to the wind, does not seem to have been noted by Professor Morgan. Specimens sent to Professor Peck by the writer beautifully illustrated this enterprise of the plant.
=G. hygrome´tricus= Pers. (Plate CLX, 2 figs., p. 580.) Peridium depressed-globose, the cuticle deciduous with the mycelium; outer peridium deeply parted, the segments 7–20, strongly hygrometric, acute at the apex; inner peridium depressed-globose, sessile, reticulate, pitted, whitish becoming gray or brownish; the mouth an irregularly lacerate aperture. Threads of the capillitium rather thinner than the spores, hyaline. =Spores= globose, minutely warted, brown, 8–11µ in. in diameter.
Growing in fields and woods in sandy soil. A very common species found everywhere in the world. Inner peridium ¾-1 in. in diameter, the segments expanding to a breadth of 2–3 in. The inner layer of the outer peridium is cartilaginous-gelatinous, hard and rigid when dry, swelling greatly and flexible when wet though constantly becoming more and more cracked and fissured, it retains its hygroscopic qualities a long time, and the outer peridium remains lying on the soil, stellate in shape, spreading out its rays in moist weather and bending them inward in dry. _Morgan._
Mr. Morgan made a new genus—Astræus, in which he placed this species. It is so widely known as Geaster hygrometricus that to avoid confusion it is placed in its old genus.
This natural barometer, spreading its stellate covering on the soil about it when the air is laden with moisture, and closing it around its puffy body when humidity is absent, is odd and interesting. The entire genus is more or less gifted with this weather-wise quality. The species is very common, but seldom found in number. Once, in the West Virginia mountains, 1882, I found a large patch of it, and was able to collect from it enough young ones to test its edibility. It is difficult to find before it bursts its outer coat. When young it is, when cooked, soft and creamy inside. The outer part is tough and semi-glutinous but of pleasant texture. It has not a marked flavor, but makes a succulent dish.
II.—=CORTICATÆ.=
GENUS VII.—=TYLOS´TOMA= Pers.
_Gr_—a knob.
(Plate CLXI.)
Plants growing on the ground, oftenest in dry and sandy regions. The genus is readily distinguished from all others of the Lycoperdaceæ by the entire peridium being mounted upon the apex of the stem. _Morgan._
The genus contains but few species. Those I have found were not in condition to test. There is no report upon the edibility of any.
GENUS VIII.—=CALVA´TIA= Fr.
Mycelium fibrous, usually thick and cord-like, rooting from the base. =Peridium= large, globose and nearly sessile, or turbinate with a well-developed base; cortex a very thin adherent layer, often smooth and continuous, sometimes composed of minute spinules or granules; inner peridium a loosely woven and very fragile covering, after maturity breaking up into fragments from above downward and gradually falling away. Subgleba cellulose, mostly definitely limited and concave above, persistent; mass of spores and capillitium dense, compact, persistent a long time and slowly dissipating after the fracture of the peridium; the threads very long, slender, much branched and interwoven. =Spores= small, globose, usually sessile or with only a minute pedicel. _Morgan._
Puffballs of the largest size, growing on the ground in fields and woods. _Morgan._
I.—SESSILES.
Peridium very large, without a distinct base; subgleba nearly obsolete, the mass of spores and capillitium quite filling the interior.
=C. gigantea= Batsch.—gigantic. (_L. bovista_ Linn.; _L. maximum_ Schaeff.; _L. giganteum_ Batsch.) Very large, 10–20 in. in diameter, obconic or depressed-globose, nearly or quite sessile, white or whitish, becoming discolored by age, smooth or slightly roughened by weak spinose or minute floccose warts, sometimes cracking in areas; capillitium and spores yellowish-green to dingy-olive. =Spores= smooth, 4µ in. in diameter. Edible. _Peck_, 32d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.
=Spores= globose, even or sometimes minutely warted, 3.5–4.5 in. in diameter, often with a minute pedicel. _Morgan._
Common over the states. Growing on the ground in grassy places in fields and woods. August to October.