Shaggy ink cap facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shaggy ink cap |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Coprinus
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| Species: |
comatus
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| Synonyms | |
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| Coprinus comatus | |
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gills on hymenium |
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cap is conical |
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hymenium is free |
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stipe has a ring |
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spore print is black |
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ecology is saprotrophic |
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edibility: choice |
The Coprinus comatus, also known as the shaggy ink cap, lawyer's wig, or shaggy mane, is a common type of fungus. You can often spot it growing in grassy areas like lawns, along gravel roads, and in empty lots.
When they first appear, these mushrooms look like white cylinders popping out of the ground. As they grow, their bell-shaped tops, called caps, open up. The caps are white and covered with shaggy scales, which is how they got their common names.
Underneath the cap, the gills start out white, then turn pink, and finally become black. They then 'melt' into a black liquid filled with spores. This is why it's called an "ink cap." This mushroom is quite special because it can turn black and dissolve itself just hours after being picked or releasing its spores.
When it's young, the shaggy ink cap is a great edible mushroom. But you need to eat it very soon after picking it. This is because its gills and cap start to break down quickly. If you want to keep it longer, you can microwave, sauté, or simmer it until it's soft. Then you can store it in the fridge for a few days or even freeze it. You can also put the mushrooms in a glass of ice water to slow down this process for a day or two. It's important to prepare or chill the mushrooms within four to six hours of picking them to keep them fresh and tasty. This mushroom is even grown as food in China!
Contents
What is the Shaggy Ink Cap Mushroom?
The shaggy ink cap mushroom is a fascinating fungus known for its unique appearance and how quickly it changes. It's a popular edible mushroom, but only when it's young and fresh.
How the Shaggy Ink Cap Got Its Name
The shaggy ink cap was first described by a Danish scientist named Otto Friedrich Müller in 1780. He called it Agaricus comatus. Later, in 1797, Christiaan Hendrik Persoon gave it its current scientific name, Coprinus comatus. The word comatus comes from coma, which means "hair." So, comatus means "hairy" or "shaggy," describing its cap. People also call it the lawyer's wig or shaggy mane.
Coprinus comatus is the main species in its group, called Coprinus. This group used to be much larger, with over 100 species. But scientists used DNA to study them and found that many of these mushrooms actually belonged to different families. Coprinus comatus is the most well-known of the true Coprinus mushrooms.
What Does the Shaggy Ink Cap Look Like?
The shaggy ink cap is easy to spot because of its tall, almost cylinder-shaped cap. This cap usually covers most of its stem when it's young.
Cap, Gills, and Stem
The cap can be about 4 to 8 centimeters (1.5 to 3 inches) wide and 6 to 20 centimeters (2.5 to 8 inches) tall. It's mostly white with shaggy scales that are a bit brownish at the very top. The gills under the cap are not attached to the stem. They quickly change from white to pink, then to black, and finally they dissolve into an inky liquid.
The stem is white and quite thick. It can be 6 to 40 centimeters (2.5 to 15.5 inches) high and 1 to 2.5 centimeters (0.4 to 1 inch) across. It has a loose ring near the bottom. The mushroom's flesh is white and tastes mild.
Spores
The spores of the shaggy ink cap are dark brown to black. They are tiny, measuring about 10–13 by 6.5–8 µm.
Where Does the Shaggy Ink Cap Grow?
You can find the shaggy ink cap growing in groups in many unexpected places, like green areas right in the middle of towns. It's very common in grasslands and meadows in Europe and North America. In the UK, you can see it from June to November. It has also been found in Australia, New Zealand, and Iceland. In Australia, it was even featured on a postage stamp in 1981!
Interestingly, Coprinus comatus is a special kind of fungus that can actually catch and eat tiny worms called nematodes.
Is the Shaggy Ink Cap Edible?
Yes, young shaggy ink caps are a delicious edible mushroom. But remember, you must prepare them soon after picking, before their gills start to turn black. Once they turn black, they can taste bitter.
When you cook them, they release a lot of liquid. They can be used in mushroom soup or even in risotto instead of chicken stock.
Important Safety Tip
It's very important not to confuse the shaggy ink cap with another mushroom called Coprinopsis atramentaria, also known as the common ink cap. The common ink cap contains a substance that can make you sick, especially if you eat it with alcohol. Symptoms can include an upset stomach or a metallic taste in your mouth. Always be sure of the mushroom you are picking and eating! If you are not 100% sure, do not eat it.
Images for kids
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Young Coprinus comatus
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Cross section of young mushroom
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Old and young individuals
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Late stage deliquescence of Coprinus comatus mushrooms
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Coprinus comatus spores
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See also
In Spanish: Coprinus comatus para niños
