Part 54

Growing in sandy soil in woods. New Jersey, _Ellis_.

Peridium about 1 in. in diameter and an inch or more in height. The microscopic features are given from specimens received from Mr. Ellis. _Morgan._

Near Haddonfield, N.J., 1891–1896. Sandy woods. _McIlvaine._

Not frequent. Those found upon several occasions were eaten and found good.

=L. asterosper´mum= D. and M.—_aster_, star; _sperma_, seed. =Peridium= obovoid or pyriform (pear-shaped), the base short and pointed, with a slender fibrous mycelium. Cortex a thin coat of minute spinules with intermingled granules, gray or brownish above, paler below; these dry up and are a long time persistent, but they finally fall away, leaving the inner peridium with a pale brown, smooth, shining surface. Subgleba obconical, occupying nearly a third part of the peridium; mass of spores and capillitium olivaceous, then brownish-purple; the threads about as thick as the spores, with slender tapering branches. =Spores= globose, distinctly warted, 5.5–6.5µ in diameter.

=Peridium= 1–1½ in. in diameter. A very pretty species of regular form; its glossy cortex is quite persistent. _Morgan._

Growing on the ground in open woods. Ohio, _Morgan_; Nebraska, _Webber_.

New York, _Peck_, 46th, 51st Rep.; Ohio, _Lloyd_.

=L. delica´tum= Berk. =Peridium= subglobose, plicate underneath, with a fibrous mycelium. Cortex a thin coat of minute spinules and granules, gray or brownish above, whitish below, finally falling away from the smooth, shining, pale or brownish surface of the inner peridium. Subgleba very small or quite obsolete; mass of spores and capillitium olivaceous, then pale or brownish-purplish; the threads rather thinner than the spores, with slender tapering branches. =Spores= globose, distinctly warted, 5–6µ in diameter.

=Peridium= 1–2 in. in diameter. _Morgan._

Growing on the ground. Pennsylvania, _Gentry_; Missouri, _Professor Trelease_ (_Peck_, Rep. 40); Louisiana, _Langlois_.

(_d_) _Cortex a furfuraceous persistent coat._

(Plate CLXVI.)

=L. glabel´lum= Pk.—smooth, bare. Subglobose or subturbinate, 1–1.5 in. broad, sometimes narrowed below into a short stem-like base, furfuraceous with very minute nearly uniform persistent warts, which appear to the naked eye like minute granules or papillæ, yellow, opening by a small aperture; inner mass purplish-brown, capillitium with a central columella. =Spores= purplish-brown, globose, rough, 5–6.5µ in diameter.

Ground in copses and in pine woods. West Albany and North Greenbush. Autumn. _Peck_, 31st Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Ohio, _Morgan_; Wisconsin, _Trelease_; West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey. Frequent. Autumn. _McIlvaine._

One of the prettiest Lycoperdons. Symmetrical, and otherwise attractive. Sweet, firm, solid. It is not high in flavor, but is delicate.

=L. elonga´tum= Berk.—elongated. =Peridium= globose above, contracted below into a stout thick base, more or less elongated and cylindric or tapering downward; mycelium composed of thick fibers. Cortex a loose flocculose white or yellowish coat, drying up into a mealy or furfuraceous persistent layer, which scarcely reveals the pale shining surface of the inner peridium. Subgleba occupying more than half the interior of the peridium; mass of spores and capillitium pale olivaceous, then pale brown or finally purplish; the threads much branched, the main stem much thicker than the spores, the branches tapering. =Spores= globose, distinctly warted, 5.5–6.5µ in diameter.

Growing on the ground in damp woods. Ohio, _Morgan_. =Peridium= 1–2 in. in diameter and 2–3 in. in height, the base ¾-1 in. in thickness. In form it somewhat resembles L. gemmatum, but it has a cortex like that of L. glabellum. _Morgan._

New York, _Peck_, 49th Rep. Closely allied to L. glabellum. Its stout elongated base serves as a mark of distinction.

Ohio, _Morgan_; Pennsylvania, Washington, Pa., Myc. Club.

Not common. Sometimes tufted, three or four together. Edible, good.

=L. el´egans= Morgan—elegant. =Peridium= large, depressed globose, plicate underneath and sometimes with a narrow umboniform base, which is continuous with the thick root. Cortex at first flocculose, white or yellowish, drying up into a dense furfuraceous persistent coat, which becomes ochraceous or brownish in color, and sometimes obscurely areolate. Subgleba broad, convex above, occupying a third part or more of the peridium; mass of spores and capillitium olivaceous, then pale-brown or finally purplish-brown; the threads much branched, the main stem thicker than the spores, the branches long and tapering. =Spores= globose, distinctly warted, 5–6µ, in diameter.

Growing on rich soil on the open prairie about Iowa City, Ia., _Prof. T.H. McBride_. =Peridium= 1½-3 in. in diameter. In form and size this species somewhat resembles Calvatia fragilis, but the threads are arranged in two sets as in Lycoperdon; the cortex is similar to that of L. glabellum; the mycelium forms a remarkably thick root. _Morgan._

(_e_) _Cortex a smooth, continuous layer, becoming areolate._

(Plate CLXVII.)

=L. rimula´tum= Pk.—_rimula_, a small chink. =Peridium= depressed—globose or broadly obovoid, plicate underneath with a slender fibrous mycelium. Cortex at first a thin, smooth, continuous fibrillose layer, gray or bluish-gray, sometimes with a purplish tinge; this at length breaks into a network of fine lines or fissures, gradually dries up into minute thin adnate scales, and finally falls away from the smooth grayish or purplish-brown surface of the inner peridium. Subgleba broad, but distinct, plane above, occupying about a fourth part of the peridium; mass of spores and capillitium purplish-gray, then brownish-purple; the threads simple or scarcely branched, variable in thickness, but always thinner than the spores. =Spores= glovose, distinctly warted, 6–7µ in diameter, often pedicellate.

Growing on the ground in fields and open woods. New York, _Peck_; South Carolina, _Atkinson_; Ohio, _Morgan_; Wisconsin, _Trelease_. =Peridium= ¾-1½ in. in diameter, scarcely an inch in height. _Morgan._

New Jersey, _T.J. Collins_; Pennsylvania. Autumn. _McIlvaine._

A pretty species, generally in groups. Frequent. It is not common, but occasionally generous patches of it are found. Edible, good.

=L. vela´tum= Vitt.—_velatus_, having a velum. =Peridium= globose or obovoid, with a cord-like root. Cortex white or yellowish, at first a thickish continuous layer, then breaking up into circular or irregular persistent patches with fimbriate margins. Subgleba occupying about a third part of the peridium; mass of spores and capillitium olivaceous, then purplish-brown; the threads branched, the main stem nearly as thick as the spores, the branches long and tapering. =Spores= globose, distinctly warted, 5–6µ in diameter.

Growing on the ground in woods. South Carolina, _Ravenel_.

=Peridium= 1–2 in. in diameter. _Morgan._

New Jersey, _T.J. Collins_; Chester county, Pa., sometimes clustered, _McIlvaine_.

Good.

II.—OLIVE-SPORED SERIES.

_A._ PERIDIUM TOP-SHAPED, THE SUBGLEBA WELL DEVELOPED.

(_f_) _Cortex of long spines, etc._

=L. gemma´tum= Batsch.—gemmed. =Peridium= turbinate, depressed above, the base short and obconic or more elongated and tapering or subcylindric, arising from a fibrous mycelium. Cortex consisting of long, thick, erect spines or warts of irregular shape, with intervening smaller ones, whitish or gray in color, sometimes with a tinge of red or brown; the larger spines first fall away, leaving pale spots on the surface, and giving it a reticulate appearance. Subgleba variable in amount, usually more than half the peridium; mass of spores and capillitium greenish-yellow, then pale-brown; threads simple or scarcely branched, about as thick as the spores. =Spores= globose, even or very minutely warted, 3.5–4.5µ in diameter.

=Peridium= 1–2 in. in diameter and 1–3 in. in height. This species is distinguished from all others by the peculiar large erect terete spines or warts, the so-called gems which stud its upper surface. _Morgan._

Growing on the ground and sometimes on rotten trunks in woods, often cespitose. _Frost._ New York, _Peck_.

Found in every part of the world.

New York, _Peck_, Rep. 22; Indiana, _H.I. Miller_; West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. On the ground and on logs. _McIlvaine._

Edible, but not pleasant. _Peck._ Edible, _H.I. Miller_.

Professor Peck gives two varieties:

Var. _hir´tum_. Turbinate, subsessile, hairy with soft, slender warts which generally become blackish.

Var. _papilla´tum_. Subrotund, sessile, papillose, furfuraceous-pulverulent.

Very common and known in all countries. It is, to my thinking, our prettiest puff-ball. Its beautifully studded surface, reminding of exquisite settings, is in itself worth studying for the designs. It is usually solitary or in small groups, but at times these groups contain scores of individuals. It grows in the open on the ground or from both ground and wood, in woods.

I think it equal to any other puff-ball. But great care must be taken to examine each specimen before putting it into the pan. A single one, which has turned yellow in the slightest degree, will spoil a whole dish. And this is the case with any of the small puff-balls. One ageing L. pyriforme will embitter a hundred.

=L. perla´tum= Pers.—_perfero_, to endure. (Enduring through winter.) =Peridium= turbinate, broad and depressed above, plicate underneath and contracted into a short and pointed or sometimes elongated and tapering base; mycelium fibrous. Cortex of long slender spines, mingled with smaller spinules and warts, gray brown or blackish in color; the longer spines first fall away, leaving a reticulate surface to the inner peridium. Subgleba occupying one-third to one-half of the peridium; mass of spores and capillitium greenish-yellow, then brownish-olivaceous; the threads mostly simple, some of them thicker than the spores. =Spores= globose, even or very minutely warted, 3.5–4.5µ in diameter.

Growing on the ground in woods. =Peridium= 1–2 in. in diameter and 1–2 in. in height. This is _L. gemmatum_, var. _hirtum_, of Peck’s United States species of Lycoperdon. _Morgan._

New York, _Peck_, 46th Rep.; Maryland, _James_; West Virginia, New Jersey. Occasional. On ground and decaying wood. _McIlvaine._

Edible. Same habit and quality as L. gemmatum.

(_g_) _Cortex of stout spines which fall away, etc._

=L. excipulifor´me= Scop.—_excipula_, a receptacle. =Peridium= turbinate, depressed above, plicate below and contracted into a more or less elongated base. Cortex of large stout spines, convergent above, becoming smaller downward, which at length fall away, leaving a tomentose surface to the inner peridium. Subgleba occupying one-half or more of the peridium; mass of spores and capillitium greenish-yellow, then brownish-olivaceous; the threads about as thick as the spores, scarcely branched. =Spores= globose, minutely warted, 4–5µ in diameter.

=Peridium= 1–2 in. in diameter and 1–4 in. in height. _Morgan._

Growing on the ground in meadows and woods. Pennsylvania, North Carolina, _Schweinitz_; Canada, _Saccardo_.

(_h_) _Cortex of long spines, etc., which fall away, etc._

(Plate CLXIX.)

=L. pedicella´tum= Pk.—_pediculus_, a little foot. =Peridium= ¾-1½ in. in diameter, globose or depressed-globose, sessile or narrowed below into a stem-like base, whitish or cinereous, becoming dingy or smoky-brown with age, echinate with rather dense spines which are either straight, curved or stellately united and which at length fall off and leave impressions or obscure reticulations on the surface; capillitium and spores greenish-yellow, then dingy-olive, columella present. =Spores= smooth, pedicellate, 4–4.5µ in diameter, the pedicel three to five times as long.

Ground and decaying wood in woods and bushy places. Croghan, Center, Brewerton and Catskill mountains. Autumn. Oneida. _Warne._

The pedicellate spores constitute the peculiar feature of this species. It is one which suggests the name and which enables the species to be easily distinguished from all its allies. The spore is terminally and persistently attached to the pedicel, as in some species of Bovista. The plant is sometimes sessile, but usually it is narrowed below into a stem-like base. In the immature state it has a rough, shaggy appearance, but the spines shrivel with age so that it appears less rough when old. The pitted surface of the denuded peridium affords a mark of distinction from L. echinatum. L. pulcherrimum B. and C. is evidently the same species, but the name here adopted has priority of publication. _Peck_, 32d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Growing on the ground and on rotten wood in woods. New York, _Peck_; Alabama, _Atkinson_; Ohio, _Morgan_; Wisconsin, _Trelease_.

(Plate CLXX.)

=L. exi´mium= Morgan—_eximius_, excellent. =Peridium= obovoid, with a fibrous mycelium. Cortex white or brownish, composed of long slender spines, often curved and convergent at the apex, which at length fall away from above downward, leaving a pale smooth surface to the inner peridium. Subgleba small, occupying scarcely more than a fourth part of the peridium; mass of spores and capillitium greenish-yellow, then brownish-olivaceous; the threads mostly thinner than the spores, much branched. =Spores= oval, even, 5–6×4–4.5µ, usually furnished with a short pedicel.

=Peridium= ¾-1½ in. in diameter and about 1 in. in height. This species is readily distinguished by its large oval spores. _Morgan._

Growing on the ground in sandy soil. South Carolina, _Prof. Geo. F. Atkinson_; Alabama _U. and E._

(Plate CLXX_a_.)

=L. Cur´tisii= Berk.—in honor of Rev. M.A. Curtis. =Peridium= globose, with a very short rooting base and a slender fibrous mycelium. Cortex consisting of a pale yellowish farinaceous layer, covered by a coat of soft, fragile white spines, curved and convergent at the apex; after maturity it soon disappears, leaving a pale smooth surface to the inner peridium. Subgleba small, but distinct, convex above and definitely limited; mass of spores and capillitium greenish-yellow, then pale olivaceous; the threads long, simple, hyaline, two to three times as thick as the spores. =Spores= globose, even, 3.5–4µ in diameter.

=Peridium= ⅜-¾ of an inch in diameter. This is _L. Wrightii_, var. _typicum_, of Peck’s U.S. species of Lycoperdon. The peculiar characteristic of the species is the hyaline threads of the capillitium; although they are of large diameter, yet the walls are very thin and the threads collapse in drying. _Morgan._

General. Growing gregariously and sometimes cespitosely on the ground, in meadows, pastures and even in cultivated fields.

This being L. Wrightii, var. typicum Pk., and being edible, it is hardly necessary to repeat the old axiom: Things which are equal to the same thing are equal to one another.

(_i_) _Cortex of minute spinules, granules, etc._

=L. molle= Pers.—_mollis_, soft. (_L. muscorum_ Morg.) =Peridium= 6–16 lines broad, globose or depressed-globose, narrowed below into a stem-like base, furfuraceous with nearly uniform persistent minute weak spinules or granular warts, sometimes with a few larger papilliform ones toward the apex, whitish, sometimes tinged with yellow, when mature brownish or olive-brown, nearly smooth, subshining; capillitium and spores dingy-olive; columella present. =Spores= minutely rough, 4–4.5µ in diameter.

Among mosses, especially Polytrichum, in old meadows and pastures. Albany, Summit and South Corinth. Autumn.

_Peck_, 32d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

West Virginia, Pennsylvania. On ground in woods and grassy places in the open. _McIlvaine._

L. molle is of frequent occurrence but not abundant. Though exceedingly soft, it holds its body in cooking and is well flavored.

(Plate CLXX_b_.)

=L. Tur´neri= E. and E. =Peridium= obovoid, somewhat depressed above, plicate underneath, with a mycelium of rooting fibers. Cortex white, often gray or brownish above, consisting of minute spinules with intermingled granules; these after maturity dry up and are quite persistent, forming a minutely scabrous coat on the olive-brown shining surface of the inner peridium. Subgleba broad and shallow, scarcely occupying more than a fourth part of the peridium; mass of spores and capillitium greenish-yellow, then brownish-olivaceous; the threads with the main stem about as thick as the spores, and long tapering branches. =Spores= globose, minutely warted, 4–5µ in diameter, mostly with a short pedicel.

=Peridium= 1–2 in. in diameter and 1–2 in. in height. A very pretty puff-ball with a silky shining coat. _Morgan._

New York, _Peck_, 49th Rep.; West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey. Ground in woods. August to October. _McIlvaine._

Not frequent though general. It is good but must be young.

=L. calyptrifor´me= Berk.—hood-shaped. =Peridium= about 6 lines high, 3–4 in. broad, ovate or subconical, sessile, whitish, furfuraceous with minute warts or spinules; capillitium and spores olivaceous or yellowish-olivaceous. =Spores= smooth, 4µ in diameter.

Moss-covered rocks. Very rare. Adirondack mountains. August.

I have met with this very small and rare species but once, and then but two specimens were found. In these the apex was compressed or laterally flattened, instead of papilliform, as required by the original description of the species; but in all other respects they agree well with the specific characters. The plant is very distinct from all our other species by its small size and ovate or conical shape. _Peck_, 32d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

(_k_) _Cortex of minute spinules, scales or granules. Lignatile._

=L. pyrifor´me= Schaeff.—pear-shape. (Plate CLXXI, p. 602.) Plant 6–15 lines broad, 10–20 lines high, generally cespitose, obovate, pyriform or turbinate, sessile or with a short stem-like base, radicating with white branching and creeping root-like fibers, subumbonate, covered with very minute subpersistent, nearly uniform warts or scales, often with a few slender scattered deciduous spinules intermingled, pallid dingy-whitish or brownish; capillitium and spores greenish-yellow, then dingy-olivaceous, columella present. =Spores= smooth, 4µ in diameter. Edible, but not well-flavored.

_Decaying wood and ground_ both in woods and cleared fields. Very common. July to October. _Peck_, 32d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Common the world over. Growing on logs, stumps, ground containing decaying woody matter. So dense in its clusters at times as to present an impervious surface. It is slightly acrid to taste and smell when raw.

Edible. Tender and of second-class flavor when young; white inside; intensely bitter when slightest tinge of yellow is visible. One too old will embitter a whole dish. A little lemon juice or sherry improves it.

(Plate CLXXII.)

=L. subincarna´tum= Pk.—pale flesh-color. =Peridium= 6–12 lines broad, globose, rarely either depressed or obovate, gregarious or cespitose, sessile, with but little cellular tissue at the base, covered with minute nearly uniform pyramidal or subspinulose at length deciduous warts, pinkish-brown, the denuded peridium whitish or cinereous, minutely reticulate-pitted; capillitium and spores greenish-yellow, then dingy-olivaceous, columella present. =Spores= minutely roughened, 4–5µ in diameter.

Prostrate trunks, old stumps, etc., in woods. Common. August to October. _Peck_, 32d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

New York, _Peck_, Rep. 24th, 32d; Pennsylvania, _Gentry_; Ohio, _Morgan_; Wisconsin, _Brown_.

_B_. PERIDIUM VERY SMALL, GLOBOSE, ETC.

(_l_) _Cortex a thin coat of minute spinules, etc._

(Plate CLXVIII.)

=L. Wright´ii= B. and C.—in honor of Charles Wright. =Peridium= globose, depressed-globose or lentiform, 6–24 lines in diameter, generally sessile, white or whitish, echinate with deciduous sometimes crowded stellate spines or pyramidal warts, when denuded smooth or minutely velvety; capillitium and spores dingy-olive, columella present. =Spores= smooth, 4µ in diameter. Edible.

Ground in pastures and grassy places. Very common. July to October.

This is another very variable species. The typical form is a small one, minutely echinate and having the denuded peridium smooth. The plant often occurs much larger and more coarsely echinate with stout angular spines or pyramidal warts, which fall off and generally leave the surface of the peridium velvety.

Var. _typ´icum_. Small, 6–9 lines broad, globose, minutely echinate, the warts quickly falling off and leaving the peridium smooth. (L. Wrightii B. and C.)

Var. _sep´arans_. Larger, 10–24 lines broad, subglobose or lentiform, echinate with coarse substellate spines or pyramidal warts, which at length fall off and leave the peridium smooth or velvety. (L. separans Pk.)

Var. _atropunc´tum_. Larger, 10–15 lines broad, subglobose, pure white, warts or coarse spines brown or blackish at the tips.

This species is generally gregarious, but sometimes it forms tufts of several individuals closely crowded together. It sometimes occurs in cultivated grounds and stubble fields. The under surface is occasionally plicate as in the long-stemmed puff-ball. In the var. separans the warts or spines are crowded at their thickened bases and slightly attached to each other, so that they come off at maturity in flakes or patches. When the denuded surface of the peridium is velvety, it is usually of a darker color than when smooth, being subcinnamon, reddish-brown or dark-brown. _Peck_, 32d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

Ground in grassy places. July to frost. _McIlvaine._

I have found var. separans in December, under snow.

Edible. _Peck_, Rep. 32.

The edible qualities of L. Wrightii and varieties are good.

=L. calves´cens= B. and C.—_calvesco_, to become bald. Subglobose, at first rough with warts which soon disappear, leaving the surface slightly velvety, 1¼ in. broad, bearing short rootlets at the base. =Spores= globose, smooth, having at first only a slight stalk (pedicel), dingy-ochraceous, 3–4µ.

Nearly related to L. Wrightii.

Connecticut, _Wright_, New York, ground in open woods. Bethlehem, _Peck_, 22d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

(Plate CLXXIII.)

=L. pusil´lum= (Batsch.) Fr.—small. =Peridium= ¼-1 in. broad, globose, scattered or cespitose, sessile, radicating, with but little cellular tissue at the base, white or whitish, brownish when old, rimose-squamulose or slightly roughened with minute floccose or furfuraceous persistent warts; capillitium and spores greenish-yellow, then dingy-olivaceous. =Spores= smooth, 4µ in diameter.

Ground in grassy places and pastures. Common. June to October. _Peck_, 32d Rep. N.Y. State Bot.

West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina. Common. Spring to autumn on ground in grassy places. _McIlvaine._

Grows where almost nothing else will, and where I have despaired of finding a meal of fungi, I could always find the ubiquitous L. pusillum.