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472 LYCOPERDACEÆ Lycoperdon
apical stoma; the whole of the upper portion being sometimes
evanescent. Sterile base usually stem-like. (Fig. 13 1 .)
The species are remarkable for their variability in size, very
small mature examples of all the species being frequent. They are
popularly named “ Puff-balls ” and “ Devil’s snuff-boxes.”
n Lycofc rdon echtnatum Pers., young plant entire and mature plant in section.
One-ha f natural size, c, spores. X 7 S 0 . D , E , L . p y r if irm e Schæff., entire and in section.
One-half natural size, f, spores and threads o f capillitium. X 750. g , section through cortex
o f L . gemjncUum Ba tsch X 5 ; h, outer scurfy c o a t ; j , inner co a t; k, thin membrane over
gleba ; l, gleba.
Some of the species are dangerous if eaten in a raw state ; rapid
inflammation of the throat and a greatly swollen tongue have been
known to ensue. This is probably also true of species of Bovista.
Species 2063—2077
Spores rough. 2063—2068
Spores smooth. 2069 2077
2063. L. eehinatum Pers. (from the hedgehog-like spines of the
peridium ; echinus, a hedgehog) abc.
Pe. globose, usually passing into a stout stem, sometimes stemless,
at first covered with large pyramidal floccose spines,
vinous-brown varying buff, stoma small, irregularly torn, base
usually clad with white thread-like Myc. St. spongy-cellular
within. Cap. and Spores deep vinous-brown.
Usually ^ solitary. Amongst trees, beech. Mar.-Oct. Diam. z j in
Sometimes made a var. of 2 0 6 8 .
2064. L. Hoylei B. & Br. (after Mr. Hoyle, who first brought the
plant to the notice of the Rev. M. J. Berkeley) abc .
Pe. subglobose, passing into a short stem, at first covered with
pyramidal floccose spines, purple-brown, stoma small, irregularly
Lycoperdon LYCOPERDACEÆ 473
torn, base usually clad with white thread-like Myc. St. lacunose,
spongy-cellular and olivaceous within. Cap. and Spores
light in colour, pale purplish-brown, but described by Berkeley
as lilac.
W o o d s , am ong s t leaves. Oct.-Dec. Diam. i® in. Perhaps a form of 2 0 6 8 .
2064a. L. velatum Vitt. (from the external layer of the peridium
forming a universal v e il; velum, a covering) a b.
Pe. pyriform or subglobose, slightly umbonate, outer layer
tomentose, breaking up into evanescent star-shaped rosettes
and forming a false ring-like appearance at the apex of the
stem, at length almost completely disappearing, snow-white,
inner layer furfuraceous and furnished with very thm short
spines, white then delicate flesh-colour, finally greyish. St. with
white cord-like Myc., white. Cap. and Spores white, then
fulvous, finally ashy. <
Amongst leaves. Oct. 2\ x G
2065. L. atropurpureum Vitt. (from the blackish-purple capillitium
and spores ; ater, black) abc.
Pe. subglobose or pyriform, at first covered with slender spines,
warm yellowish-brown or rufous, stoma small, irregular. St.
plicate below, spongy’-cellular and pale dull purple within.
Cap. and Spores dull- to blackish-purple.
Downs, woods, under oaks. Sept.-Nov. Diam. i f in.
2066. L. exeipuliforme Pers. (from a fancied resemblance to a
basin, excipula) abc.
pe. subglobose, usually passing into a long, stout stem, rarely
almost stemless, at first covered with slender spinose warts,
white to ivory. St. even, somewhat plicate below, sometimes
lacunose, spongy-cellular and pale olive within. Cap. and
Spores dull olive or yellowish-brown.
Pastures, woods, under firs. May-Nov. Diam. 3® in. Sometimes 7® in.
high. Sometimes confused with or made a var. of 2068, 2070 or 2 0 7 1 , the
two latter have smooth spores.
2067. L. saeeatum Fr. (from a fancied resemblance to an inverted
sac or bag, saccus) abc.
Pe. subglobose, passing into a long stout stem, plicate below, at
first covered with spinulose warts, brownish-ivory, stoma small,
irregular. St. often more or less lacunose, spongy-cellular
and yellowish-olive within, brownish below. Cap. and Spores
yellowish-brown.
Often in rings of very large size, individuals a foot apart. Open places, near
pines, in and near thickets. Aug.-Oct. Diam. 4 in. Often 8 in. or more
high.
2068. L. gemmatum Batsch (from the peridium covered with pointed
warts ; gemma, a young bud) a b c.
Pe. subglobose, usually passing into a stem, rarely stemless, at
first covered with small pointed spines, pale brown. St.
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