Toadstools, mushrooms, fungi, edible and poisonous; one thousand American fungi
1. FISTULINA HEPATICA, 477 2. POLYPORUS SULPHUREUS, 485
654 words | Chapter 132
=FISTULI´NA= Bull.
_Fistula_, a pipe.
Hymenium formed on the under surface of a fleshy hymenophore, at first
warted, the warts developing into cylindrical tubes that remain distinct
and free from each other, producing in their interior cellular processes
each bearing four spores. Conidia are produced in cavities of the old
hymenophore.
With the outward appearance of a Polyporus, but separated by the tubes
being free from each other.
A small genus of which F. hepatica is the principal species. This is
known and valued in Europe and wherever found in this country.
Unfortunately it is rare or unknown in many localities. A new species
has recently been found in the United States—Fistulina firma, by Mrs. A.
M. Hadley, Manchester, N.H.—a white-flesh species whose edibility is not
reported. Torrey Bull., 1899. F. pallida B. and Rav.; F. radicata,
Schw.; F. spathulata B. and C., are reported from Alabama. Edible
qualities not stated. The writer has not seen them or he surely would
have tested them. The spread and cultivation of F. hepatica is possible.
Experiments in this line are desirable.
=F. hepat´ica= (Huds.) Fr. _Gr_—resembling the liver. (Plate CXXV, fig.
1, p. 476.) Juicy-fleshy, not rooting. =Pileus= entire, blood-red.
=Flesh= thick, soft, viscid above, transversed with tenacious fibers,
hence variegated-red. =Tubes= at first pallid.
Changeable in form, sessile or extended into a lateral stem. _Fries._
=Spores= salmon-color, nearly round with an oblique apiculus, 3µ
_W.G.S._; broadly elliptical, 5–6×3–4µ; conidia, 6–10×5µ _Massee_;
yellowish, elliptical, 5–6.5µ long _Peck_.
West Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania. August to frost. _McIlvaine._
Small specimens may be confounded with F. pallida, which follows.
Fistulina hepatica is celebrated in most countries, and known usually as
the Beefsteak fungus. It grows from decaying crevices in oak, chestnut
and other trees and stumps, but those named are its favorites. July,
August, September are its months, and after rains. In some localities
and years it is rare. At Mt. Gretna, in 1898, a hundred pounds of it
could be gathered almost any day.
August, 1899, at Mt. Gretna, Pa., I found several specimens in vicinity
which, though evidently F. hepatica, were remarkable for their
structure—2–4 in. across, irregularly cylindrical, with spore surface
covering the entire fungus. Stem curt, eccentric, almost central.
Specimens were sent Professor Peck, who writes:
“The sample of Fistulina which you send is a singular thing. Saccardo
has noted a somewhat similar form but without pore surface. Yours has
pore surface, but I do not find spores developed in it. I am inclined to
think it a monstrosity, as you do, but as you say you have found several
of them I think it would be well to put it on record and I will enter it
in my record as Fistulina hepatica monstrosa n. var. and indicate its
characters.” Letter from Professor Peck, August 28, 1899.
I have partially succeeded in transplanting the mycelium of F. hepatica.
Experiments in this direction, I feel confident, will introduce this
valuable fungus to localities where it is not now found, or is rare.
Experiments with the spores have not been as yet successful.
=F. hepatica monstrosa= n. var. Pk. Subglobose, supported on a short
stem or stem-like base, the external surface entirely covered with
tubules 2–4 mm. long.
Pennsylvania. _C. McIlvaine._ In color and texture resembling the common
form, but Mr. McIlvaine informs me that there is nothing in the position
or place of growth of the specimens to account for their peculiar
character. They are 2–4 in. in diameter. _Peck_, Bull. Torrey Bot. Club,
27, January, 1900.
Excellent.
=F. pal´lida= B. and Rav.—_pallidus_, pale. =Pileus= kidney-shaped,
pallid-red, pulverulent, 1–2 in. broad, about 1 in. long, margin
inflexed. =Tubes= more or less decurrent. =Stem= lateral, striate, when
dry, 1½ in. long, ⅓ in. thick.
Mountains of South Carolina on the ground. _Ravenel._ Alabama, base of
stumps of white oak. Peters. Grev., Vol. 1, No. 5. New Jersey, _Ellis_.
[Illustration: PLATE CXXVI.]
No. 1. POLYPORUS FUMOSUS. }
Reading Tips
Use arrow keys to navigate
Press 'N' for next chapter
Press 'P' for previous chapter