Cap
|
As in the immature specimen illustrated
here, the cap is initially egg-shaped, like many of the Coprinus species. Later it expands to become bell shaped, sometimes opening out
like an umbrella and occasionally splitting at the margin.
A distinctive white, mealy covering of tiny veil fragments adheres to
the cap, which is 2 to 5 cm in diameter at maturity. |
Gills
|
The gills are initially white, becoming grey
and eventually black as they begin deliquescing (turning into a black
inky liquid). |
Stipe
|
4 to 7 mm diameter and up to 9 cm tall, the
stems are white with a slight thickening at the base, which is covered
in cottony fibres. |
Spore print |
Black. |
Odour/taste |
Not distinctive. |
Habitat |
On cow dung, horse dung and manured rotting
straw. |
Season |
May to November. |
Occurrence |
Fairly common. |
Similar species |
- Coprinus atramentarius is larger and lacks the white granular cap covering.
- Coprinus micaceus has
a granular cap but is reddish-brown and grows on buried wood and at
the base of tree stumps.
|
