Shaggy Inkcaps have been popping up in the garden over the last two weeks. At first the fruiting bodies are tall, white (ish), narrow ovoids, with slightly torn surfaces
As the caps open to a more bell-like shape the scales peel away giving them the appearance of cascading hair, hence the other common name: Lawyer’s Wig
Once ripe, the gills and rim of the cap start to turn black
The mushrooms begin to ooze and drip black, spore-laden ‘ink’
Within a matter of hours the cap will almost completely deliquesce (liquify) leaving just a stalk topped with a small disc.
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Fascinating (and I’ve learnt a new word – deliquesce – thank you!).
I couldn’t resist it once I’d read it elsewhere!
Lucky you having these in your garden. Have you been eating any?
No, I rarely catch them before they go black and I haven’t been brave enough. They are said to be very mild tasting, but you are advised not to drink if you are eating them because alcohol may react with the coprine in them (as is definitely the case with their cousins Coprinopsis atramentaria, nick-named Tipplers’ bane)
Interesting to see the cycle through.
Yes! It was seeing the dripping black ink that set me on the series.
I’ve learned a new word today: ‘deliquesce’ 🙂 Great series, Allison!
I didn’t know it either, before researching the ink caps, but it has a delicious rhythm doesn’t it?
Amazing, have never seen that before. Great set of pics and I too love the word deliquesce – now to get it in to as many sentences as I possibly can over the weekend.
Thanks and I’d definitely be interested in hearing how well you got on!!!!
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