Common inkcap

Description

The common ink cap has a grey-brown, grooved cap, egg-shaped or bell-shaped at first, and a smooth, white, hollow stem without a ring. The gills are crowded, white at first, then pink, and finally black. The mature fruiting body dissolves into a black, ink-like liquid, which gave it its name.

It grows in groups, in clumps, from spring to autumn, in gardens, meadows, lawns and wasteland, often near buried or cut wood. It is very common in Poland.

Combined with alcohol, even a small amount within a few days before or after a meal, it causes poisoning with flushing, palpitations and vomiting. It is regarded as poisonous and we do not recommend eating it.

Identification features

Cap

Height 3–8 cm (according to some descriptions the diameter is 3–10 cm); cylindrical or egg-shaped when young, then bell-shaped, finally almost flattened. Radially grooved, with a few flaky scales at the top. Colour ash-grey or greyish-brown, darker in the centre. The mature fruiting body, together with the gills, dissolves from the margin into a black liquid (autolysis).

Hymenophore (underside of the cap)

Gills very crowded, broad, free, with serrated edges; white in a young fruiting body, then grey or pink, finally black and dissolving.

Stem

Height 5–15 cm (according to some descriptions 5–17 cm), thickness 1–2 cm, cylindrical, hollow, breaking easily away from the cap. Surface smooth, white to greyish; no ring. Base distinctly pointed.

Flesh

White to pale grey, thin and brittle in the cap, soft and fibrous in the stem. Taste mild, smell pleasant but indistinct. Do not taste it.

Spore print and spores

Spore print black. Spores ellipsoid to almond-shaped, smooth; size approx. 8–11 × 5–6 µm (descriptions give different ranges).

Habitat and distribution

Ecology. Terrestrial saprotroph, often associated with buried wood; the mycelium can be visible on buried remains of dead wood. Fruiting bodies grow in clumps and often push up through asphalt.

Distribution. Northern Hemisphere (Eurasia, North America), also New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. Very common in Poland: in gardens, meadows, forests, wasteland and degraded areas, usually in groups at the base of cut stumps or on the ground. Not legally protected in Poland.

Fruiting. From spring to autumn, after rain, several times a year.

What can it be confused with?

• Coprinus comatus (shaggy ink cap) — Sometimes confused with it; it is the other of the best-known ink caps. Detailed differences — no data.
• Other species of the genus Coprinopsis — Similar to the rarer species of the genus; details — no data.

Never rely on a single feature. If you are not sure — do not pick it; show the mushroom to a qualified mushroom expert.

Interesting facts

• The black liquid into which the mature fruiting body dissolves was formerly used as ink.
• The interaction of coprine with alcohol has been known only since the early 20th century.
• The English name "tippler's bane" means "the drinker's bane".
• The fruiting bodies can push up through asphalt and tennis courts.