Coprinopsis variegata (Scaly Ink Cap)

Scaly Ink Cap (Coprinopsis variegata) is one of the first mushrooms to show early in the season. It keeps coming up several times at the same spot through the whole Summer and Fall.

Name

It is commonly known as Scaly Ink Cap. The Latin name Coprinus quadrifidus was recently changed into Coprinopsis variaegata.

Characteristics

  • cap is medium-sized, initially bell-shaped flattened in maturity and with upturned margin when old, up to 7.5 cm (3.0 in) in diameter, covered with large, loose scales and patches that are whitish to yellowish tan
  • gills are initially white, then dark and dissolve into black “ink”
  • stem is hollow, up to 1cm thick
  • grows in thick clusters

It is quite easy to identify and I don’t know any lookalikes.

Edibility

This mushroom is not on my list of edible species (yet). There is a caution in literature pointing out that some gastric upset was reported connected with this species. It is known to cause allergic reactions in some people. Should not be consumed with alcohol.

 

It is one of the really beautiful species. Grows only on decaying hardwoods ( literature cites leaf litter too, but  in my experience that was never the case) and in my area is quite common find. Prefers well decayed hardwood logs. As all ink caps, it does not last long and quickly dissolves into inky puddles. Prime example of  importance of what I call “mushrooming window“. It is important to know where certain species show, but more important is to know approximate time and catch the “window”in which mushrooms are mature enough to be picked and not yet overly ruined by bugs, slugs and decay. This rule is quite applicable to all mushrooms, especially ink caps (Mica Cap, Shaggy Mane etc.).  Sometimes it can be extremely important when in the span of one day  mushrooms are picked and how long it takes to get them into the kitchen or dryer. Within two days the cluster of Scaly Ink Cap will change from:

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Advanced maturity; already not usable for kitchen

 to:

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Same spot 2 days later
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