| Coprinus comatus | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Agaricomycetes |
| Order: | Agaricales |
| Family: | Agaricaceae |
| Genus: | Coprinus |
| Species: | C. comatus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Coprinus comatus | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
Coprinus comatus | |
|---|---|
 | Gills on hymenium |
 | Cap is conical |
 | Hymenium is free |
 | Stipe has a ring |
 | Spore print is black |
 | Ecology is saprotrophic |
 | Edibility is choice |
Coprinus comatus, commonly known as the shaggy ink cap, lawyer's wig, or shaggy mane, is a common fungus often seen growing on lawns, along gravel roads and waste areas. The young fruit bodies first appear as white cylinders emerging from the ground, then the bell-shaped caps open out. The caps are white, and covered with scales—this is the origin of the common names of the fungus. The gills beneath the cap are white, then pink, then turn black and deliquesce ('melt') into a black liquid filled with spores (hence the "ink cap" name).[3] This mushroom is unusual because it will turn black and dissolve itself in a matter of hours after being picked or depositing spores.
When young it is an excellent edible mushroom provided that it is eaten soon after being collected (it keeps very badly because of the autodigestion of its gills and cap). If long-term storage is desired, microwaving, sauteing or simmering until limp will allow the mushrooms to be stored in a refrigerator for several days or frozen. Also, placing the mushrooms in a glass of ice water will delay the decomposition for a day or two so that one has time to incorporate them into a meal. Processing or icing must be done whether for eating or storage within four to six hours of harvest to prevent undesirable changes to the mushroom. The species is cultivated in China as food.
- ^ Dahlberg, A. (2022) [errata version of 2019 assessment]. "Coprinus comatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T122090475A222967238. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T122090475A222967238.en. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
- ^ "Coprinus comatus (O.F. Müll.) Pers. 1797". MycoBank. International Mycological Association. Retrieved 2012-03-03.
- ^ Sheldrake, Merlin (2020). Entangled life: how fungi make our worlds, change our minds & shape our futures. New York: Random House. ISBN 978-0-525-51031-4. OCLC 1127137515.