View A43-1112-1979-eng.pdf

PHOLIOTA
Singly to cespitose on stumps or trunks or sometimes from buried wood.
June-Oct.
Because of the bitter taste this species is not recommended as an edible
fungus although it is not known to be poisonous. However, it is likely to
attract attention because of its size and bright colors. It is similar in color to
Phaeolepiota aurea but lacks the granulose covering of the pileus of the latter.
PHOLIOTA SQUARROSOIDES (Pk.) Saccardo Edible
Figure 275, page 175
PILEUS 1--3 in. broad, at first subglobose with inrolled margin, becoming
expanded-convex or broadly subumbonate, even on the margin, often appendi-
culate, densely squarrose-scaly with dry, coarse, tawny scales, between the
scales whitish to cinnamon-buff and viscid, flesh whitish, moderately thick on
the disk, odor and taste not distinctive, lamellae sinuate-adnate, moderately
broad, close, palHd, then brown from the spores, stipe stout, 1 1/^-4 in. long or
longer, about J4 iii- thick, equal, stuffed, pallid, brownish toward the base,
scaly up to the annulus with recurved tawny squamules, white at the apex.
ANNULUS paUid, fibrillose-torn, often disappearing, spores smooth, brown,
ellipsoid 4-6 X 3-4 ju.
In dense clusters on deciduous wood. Aug.-Sept.
P. squarrosoides is fairly common and frequently occurs in large clusters
providing plenty of material for a meal. It is not Hkely to be confused with any
poisonous species.
Pholiota squarrosa, a similar species, is a yellower fungus, with a dry
pileus and slightly larger spores. It is also edible but may have an unpleasant
taste when old.
PHOLIOTA VERMIFLUA Peck Edible
Figure 362, page 254
PILEUS Y^-lVi in. broad, occasionally larger, firm, fleshy, subhemispher-
ical, becoming expanded, even on the margin, at times appendiculate with veil
fragments, creamy whitish or tinged yellowish, smooth, glabrous, moist to sub-
viscid, almost shining when dry, becoming areolate-cracked on the disk, flesh
white, moderately thick on the disk, thin toward the margin, odor mild, taste
mild to slightly unpleasant, lamellae adnexed to sinuate-adnate or with a
sHght decurrent tooth, seceding, rather broad, close, pallid at first, then pale
grayish brown, finally dark brown with edges white, alternate lamellae short.
STIPE 1 14-4 in. long, usually swollen at the apex up to 54- ^/^ in. thick, tapering
downward, sometimes subequal, solid or with a narrow tubule, at the apex
whitish and minutely scurfy, below the annulus glabrous and concolorous with
the pileus. annulus disappearing or persistent, small, membranous, white,
staining brown from spore deposit, spores smooth, ovoid, thick-walled, sHghtly
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