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Common Inkcap

Coprinus atramentarius

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Mushrooms

By Roger Phillips

Published 2006

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Common Inkcap Coprinus atramentarius (Bull.) Fr. (illustrated (a) 55% life size) Cap 3–7cm high, ovate then broadly conical, margin irregularly puckered at first then splitting; greyish with brownish apex; remnants of veil seen as minute sepia scales, especially near the centre. Stem 70–170Γ—9–15mm; whitish; smooth, with ring-like zone left by veil near base. Flesh smell faint and pleasant. Gills crowded, white at first then black and soon deliquescing. Spores 8–11Γ—5–6ΒΌ, elliptical or almond-shaped. Spore print date-brown. Habitat in tufts, terrestrial but associated with buried wood; spring to late autumn. Very common. Edible but causing alarming symptoms (palpitations, nausea) when taken in conjunction with alcohol; indeed it has been given to alcoholics to cause these symptoms and eventually cure them. Good black drawing ink used to be made from the deliquesced caps by boiling the β€˜ink’ with a little water and cloves.

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