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 70–170×9–15mm; 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 8–11×5–6¼, 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 ‘ink’ with a little water and cloves.
