Species details

Glistening inkcap

Coprinellus micaceus

Extra caution required
Glistening inkcap – Coprinellus micaceus

Photo: Dan Molter (shroomydan) · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo source · License

Description

A brownish inkcap with tiny glistening granules on young caps, often clustered around wood.

Identification features

The cap is radially grooved; gills blacken with maturity and may deliquesce.

Identification checklist

Check the entire fruitbody for identification. A brownish inkcap with tiny glistening granules on young caps, often clustered around wood. The cap is radially grooved; gills blacken with maturity and may deliquesce. Typical habitat: Around stumps, buried wood and hardwood roots in parks and woodland.

How to separate similar species

Compare especially with these similar species: Coprinellus disseminatus, Coprinopsis atramentaria. Check the combination of cap shape and colour, spore-bearing surface, stem, flesh changes and habitat. A single feature or photograph is not enough; if the key characters do not match the description, do not treat the identification as confirmed.

Habitat

Around stumps, buried wood and hardwood roots in parks and woodland.

Fruiting period

April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November

Similar species

Extended-description sources