Coprinus comatus

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".^[4] Other common names include lawyer's wig,^[4] and shaggy mane.

Coprinus comatus is the type species for the genus Coprinus. This genus was formerly considered to be a large one with well over 100 species. However, molecular analysis of DNA sequences showed that the former species belonged in two families, the Agaricaceae and the Psathyrellaceae.^[5] Coprinus comatus is the best known of the true Coprinus.

The shaggy ink cap is easily recognizable from its almost cylindrical cap which initially covers most of its stem. The cap ranges from 4–8 cm (1+5⁄8–3+1⁄8 in) in width and 6–20 cm (2+3⁄8–7+7⁄8 in) in height.^[6] It is mostly white with shaggy scales, which are more pale brown at the apex. The free gills change rapidly from white to pink, then to black.^[6] It is deliquescent. The white and fairly thick stipe^[7] measures 6–40 cm (2–16 in) high by 1–2.5 cm (1⁄2–1 in) in diameter and has a loose ring near the bottom.^[6][7] Microscopically, the mushroom lacks pleurocystidia. The spore print is black-brown and the spores measure 10–13 by 6.5–8 μm. The flesh is white and the taste mild.^[8]

It grows in groups in places which are often unexpected, such as green areas in towns. It occurs widely in grasslands and meadows in North America^[10] and Europe, from June through to November in the UK.^{[citation needed]} It appears to have been introduced to Australia, New Zealand and Iceland.

Coprinus comatus is a nematophagous fungus capable of killing and digesting the nematode species Panagrellus redivivus and Meloidogyne arenaria.^[11][12]

The young mushrooms, before the gills start to turn black, are a choice edible mushroom,^[13] but should be prepared soon after being collected as the black areas quickly turn bitter.^[14] The taste is mild; cooking produces a large quantity of liquid. It can sometimes be used in mushroom soup with parasol mushroom. Large quantities of microwaved-then-frozen shaggy manes can be used as the liquid component of risotto, replacing the usual chicken stock.^[15]

The similar Coprinopsis atramentaria can induce coprine poisoning, particularly when consumed with alcohol.^[6] Symptoms of coprine poisoning include vomiting, diarrhoea, palpitations and a metallic taste in the mouth.^[16]

In Australia the species is sufficiently common to have been featured on a postage stamp issued by Australia Post in 1981.^[17]

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  Young C. comatus
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  Cross section
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  Grouping
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  Late stage deliquescence
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  Spores