Flowerless plants; ferns, mushrooms, mosses, lichens, and seaweeds

THE FAIRY-RING MUSHROOM
Another story is told of a fairy feast in which
" A little mushroom that was now grown thinner
By being at one time shaven for the dinner "
served for a table.
This is not the only fungus that appears in circles.
Several different kinds are said to grow in this way.
The reason that fungi grow in rings, is because of the
way that the mycelium grows. At first there is a
single mushroom. This uses up the soil so that the
plant will not come up in the same spot again. But
the spawn spreads, and the next year sends up plants
in a small ring outside the place where the one grew
the year before. Again the mycelium spreads and the
spores fall.
each year.
In this way the size of the circle increases
For a long time the "fairy-ring" mushroom has
been used for food. It is small, but in some places
bushels may be gathered in a day. It has an agreeable
nutty taste.
Mr. Hamilton Gibson said: "I remember, as a boy,
summer after summer, observing upon a certain spot
upon our lawn this dense, and at length scattering,
ring of tiny yellowish mushrooms, and the aroma, as
they simmered on the kitchen stove, is an appetizing
memorv."
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