Coprinopsis atramentaria - Навозник серый - Common Ink Cap - Gemeiner Glimmertintling 9/24/09—10/10/25
Coprinopsis atramentaria, also known as the Common Ink Cap or Inky Cap, is a medium-sized mushroom in the family Psathyrellaceae. The cap ranges from 3 to 8 cm in diameter, initially shaped like an egg before becoming bell-shaped to convex, with a light gray or gray-brown color and a striate margin when moist.
The gills are initially white, turning black as the spores mature. As they mature, the gills undergo deliquescence, autodigesting and releasing a black, inky liquid. The stipe is 5 to 12 cm tall and 0.5 to 1.5 cm thick, white to grayish in color, and hollow.
Coprinopsis atramentaria has a unique feature: it contains coprine, a compound that causes adverse reactions when consumed with alcohol. Symptoms of this reaction, known as Coprine syndrome, include facial flushing, nausea, vomiting, and rapid heartbeat.
The spores are ellipsoid, measuring 10 to 14 µm in length and 6 to 8 µm in width, with a dark brown to black spore print.
The habitat of Coprinopsis atramentaria is typically in grassy areas, woodlands, and gardens, often found on decaying wood, stumps, and buried wood debris.
This fungus is widely distributed across North America, Europe, and Asia.
Coprinopsis atramentaria is considered inedible due to its potential to cause Coprine syndrome when consumed with alcohol.
The chemistry of Coprinopsis atramentaria has been studied mainly for its coprine content, but other bioactive compounds may also be present in the mushroom.
The ecological role of Coprinopsis atramentaria is that of a decomposer, contributing to the breakdown of organic materials and recycling of nutrients within ecosystems.
Coprinopsis atramentaria can be found growing in clusters or scattered groups, sometimes forming fairy rings in grassy areas.
Coprinopsis atramentaria - Навозник серый - Common Ink Cap - Gemeiner Glimmertintling