You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
AMANITA<br />
pruinose, pellicle scarcely separable, margin even, flesh white, pinkish under<br />
the peUicle, taste mild, odor disagreeable, somewhat fishy in age or on drying.<br />
LAMELLAE adncxcd, close to subdistant, narrowed behind, some forked, whitish<br />
to cream colored, stipe 1 1/2-3 in. long, 1/2-1 in. thick, equal or nearly so,<br />
smooth or slightly wrinkled, white or reddish becoming dingy olivaceous<br />
yellow when handled or in age, solid or somewhat spongy, spores pale yellow,<br />
subglobose, (7) 8-10 (1 1) X (5.5) 6-8.5 (9) m, ornamented with rather promi-<br />
nent, separate warts and spines.<br />
Scattered on the ground in woods. Aug.-Oct.<br />
The principal distinguishing characters of this species are the unpleasant<br />
fishy odor and the pronounced graying of the lamellae on drying. The odor<br />
may not be detected in fresh specimens until they have begun to dry. The<br />
colors of the pileus are variable and the species is easier to identify from dried<br />
material than fresh because of the characteristic graying of the lamellae.<br />
R. squalida Peck has a similar odor and the spores are very similar. The<br />
lamellae also become gray on drying but the pileus dries to an olivaceous or<br />
greenish color rather than the vinaceous red of R. xerampelina. R. serissima<br />
Peck seems to be very similar to R. squalida, mainly differing in having larger<br />
spores.<br />
AMANITA<br />
For anyone interested in eating mushrooms, Amanita is the most impor-<br />
tant of all the genera because it is here that the deadly poisonous species belong.<br />
It is absolutely essential for the beginner to learn the diagnostic characters of<br />
this genus and avoid it. It is true that some Amanita species are edible, but until<br />
these species are known beyond any possibility of doubt, no Amanita should be<br />
eaten.<br />
Amanita is characterized by the combination of three principal characters:<br />
white spore deposit and presence of both annulus and volva. The lamellae are<br />
typically free from the stipe but in a few species they may be narrowly attached<br />
or attached by a line. The stipe separates readily from the pileus.<br />
The annulus is formed from a layer of tissue extending from the stipe to<br />
the margin of the pileus and enclosing the lamellae during the button stage.<br />
As the pileus expands, this layer of tissue tears apart around the margin of the<br />
pileus and remains adhering to the stipe as a more or less definite ring. If this<br />
layer of tissue is delicate, the ring may be poorly formed and easily rubbed off<br />
or evanescent, hence great care should be taken before deciding that an annulus<br />
is absent.<br />
The volva is, perhaps, the most important character and it is also the one<br />
most easily missed by careless collecting. It is a layer of tissue completely enclosing<br />
the young button, which at this stage may resemble a puffball. How-<br />
ever, if it is cut open the outline of the young mushroom can be seen (Figure<br />
77
Change language