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Inkcap

Coprinopsis sp.

Published on Project Noah
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38.8422, -106.131

Species ID Suggestions

Shaggy mane or lawyers wig

Coprinus comatus

Comments (1)

The shape of the cap and the closeness of the gills prevents this mushroom from depositing its spore like most gilled mushrooms. It uses a process called autolysis or autodigestion. Beginning at the tips, the cap slowly turns into a black inky goo (hence their common name inky caps) which open the gills wide enough for the spores to fall out. That ink was once used for writing ink.

Spotted for Missions

Photographed
PublishedSeptember 15, 2011

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