Redhead, Scott A.; Vilgalys, Rytas; Moncalvo, Jean-Marc; Johnson, Jacqui; Hopple Jr., John S (February 2001). " Coprinus Pers. and the disposition of Coprinus species sensu lato". Taxon. 50 (1): 203–41. doi: 10.2307/1224525. JSTOR 1224525. Coprinus comatus is not to be confused with Coprinopsis atramentaria, which can induce coprine poisoning, particularly when consumed with alcohol. [5] Symptoms of coprine poisoning include vomiting, diarrhoea, palpitations and a metallic taste in the mouth. [14] Gallery [ edit ] a b c d e f Davis, R. Michael; Sommer, Robert; Menge, John A. (2012). Field Guide to Mushrooms of Western North America. Berkeley: University of California Press. pp.31, 209–210. ISBN 978-0-520-95360-4. OCLC 797915861.

It grows in groups in places which are often unexpected, such as green areas in towns. It occurs widely in grasslands and meadows in Europe and North America, from June through to November in the UK. It appears to have been introduced to Australia, New Zealand and Iceland. In Australia the species is sufficiently common to have been featured on a postage stamp issued by Australia Post in 1981. [9]

Spore Print

When young it is an excellent edible mushroom provided that it is eaten soon after being collected (it keeps very badly because of the autodigestion of its gills and cap). If long-term storage is desired, microwaving, sauteing or simmering until limp will allow the mushrooms to be stored in a refrigerator for several days or frozen. Also, placing the mushrooms in a glass of ice water will delay the decomposition for a day or two so that one has time to incorporate them into a meal. Processing or icing must be done whether for eating or storage within four to six hours of harvest to prevent undesirable changes to the mushroom. The species is cultivated in China as food. Luo, Hong; Mo, Minghe; Huang, Xiaowei; Li, Xuan; Zhang, Keqin (Nov–Dec 2004). " Coprinus comatus: A basidiomycete fungus forms novel spiny structures and infects nematode". Mycologia. 96 (6): 1218–1224. doi: 10.2307/3762137. JSTOR 3762137. PMID 21148944. Coprinus comatus (O.F. Müll.) Pers. 1797". MycoBank. International Mycological Association . Retrieved 2012-03-03. Miller Jr., Orson K.; Miller, Hope H. (2006). North American Mushrooms: A Field Guide to Edible and Inedible Fungi. Guilford, CN: FalconGuide. p.228. ISBN 978-0-7627-3109-1. Sheldrake, Merlin (2020). Entangled life: how fungi make our worlds, change our minds & shape our futures (First USed.). New York. ISBN 978-0-525-51031-4. OCLC 1127137515. {{ cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher ( link)

The shaggy ink cap was first described by Danish naturalist Otto Friedrich Müller in 1780 as Agaricus comatus, before being given its current binomial name in 1797 by Christiaan Hendrik Persoon. Its specific name derives from coma, or "hair", hence comatus, "hairy" or "shaggy". [3] Other common names include lawyer's wig, [3] and shaggy mane. a b Trudell, Steve; Ammirati, Joe (2009). Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest. Timber Press Field Guides. Portland, OR: Timber Press. p.198. ISBN 978-0-88192-935-5.Régis Courtecuisse, Bernard Duhem: Guide des champignons de France et d'Europe (Delachaux & Niestlé, 1994–2000). ISBN 978-2-603-00953-6 Coprinus comatus is a nematophagous fungus capable of killing and digesting the nematode species Panagrellus redivivus and Meloidogyne arenaria. [10] [11] Edibility [ edit ]