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Common inkcap

Coprinopsis atramentaria
Also known as: Common inkcap, Alcohol Inky Cap
Botanical Overview

Coprinopsis atramentaria, commonly known as the common ink cap or inky cap, is an edible (although poisonous when combined with alcohol) mushroom found in Europe and North America. Previously known as Coprinus atramentarius, it is the second best known ink cap and previous member of the genus Coprinus after C. comatus. It is a widespread and common fungus found throughout the northern hemisphere. Clumps of mushrooms arise after rain from spring to autumn, commonly in urban and disturbed habitats such as vacant lots and lawns, as well as grassy areas. The grey-brown cap is initially bell-shaped before opening, after which it flattens and disintegrates. The flesh is thin and the taste mild. It can be eaten, but due to the presence of coprine within the mushroom, it is poisonous when consumed with alcohol, as it heightens the body's sensitivity to ethanol in a similar manner to the anti-alcoholism drug disulfiram. For this reason, the ink cap has an additional common name, tippler's bane.

Foraging Safety · Hazard Watch

Similar & Confusing Lookalikes

Never harvest or eat wild mushrooms based on photos alone. Always cross-check against these similar lookalikes:

Coprinellus domesticus Lookalike
Coprinellus domesticus
Coprinellus domesticus
Read on Wikipedia
mica cap Edible
mica cap
Coprinellus micaceus
View Species Guide
Coprinopsis romagnesiana Lookalike
Coprinopsis romagnesiana
Coprinopsis romagnesiana
Read on Wikipedia
Classification

Scientific Taxonomy

Kingdom Fungi Phylum Basidiomycota Class Agaricomycetes Order Agaricales Family Psathyrellaceae Genus Coprinopsis
Safety Notice: Never consume any wild mushroom based exclusively on photographs or app identification. Many deadly poisonous species (such as Amanita phalloides) closely mimic edible varieties. Always verify your specimen in person with a certified expert mycologist.
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