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Fluffy inkcap: How does this mysterious mushroom turn black and melt?
The hairy ink cap (Coprinus comatus), also known as the lawyer's cap or the hairy bristle mushroom, is a common fungus found on lawns, gravel roads, and abandoned areas. The young fruit of this mushroom initially takes on a white cylindrical shape, before its bell-shaped cap expands. These caps are white and covered in scales, which is where their common name comes from.
"This mushroom turns black and dissolves itself within a few hours of being picked, which is its unique property."
Under the cap, the gills change from white to pink, then turn to black and quickly melt into a black liquid filled with spores, which is where the mushroom gets its name "ink cap." This mushroom makes a delicious edible mushroom when young, as long as it is eaten soon after being picked, as it will spoil quickly due to self-digestion. If it needs to be stored for a long time, it can be heated in the microwave, stir-fried or boiled until softened to extend the shelf life. Placing mushrooms in ice water also delays the rate at which they spoil, giving you more time to incorporate them into meals.
Classification and history of mushrooms
The furry inkcap was first described as Agaricus comatus by Danish naturalist Otto Friedrich Müller in 1780, before being renamed to its present name by Christian Hendrik Persson in 1797 Scientific name. Its specific name comes from the Latin "coma" meaning "hair", so comatus means "hairy" or "bristle". This mushroom is a typical species of the genus Coprinus.
"The furry ink cap has a unique shape, almost cylindrical, with the original cap covering almost the entire stem."
Appearance features
Easily recognized by the furry ink cap, the upper part of the cap is cylindrical and initially covers almost the entire stem. The width of the hat ranges from 4 to 8 centimeters, and the height ranges from 6 to 20 centimeters. The cap is primarily white, covered with whisker-like scales, and is lighter brown on top. The free gills quickly change from white to pink and then to black. The rhizome of this mushroom is whiter in color and easier to identify in thickness, usually 6 to 40 centimeters high and 1 to 2.5 centimeters wide. Its flesh is white and has a light taste.
Similar species
The furry ink caps sometimes resemble certain poisonous mushrooms, such as the magpie mushroom. In the United States, the common 'vomiter' mushroom (Chlorophyllum molybdites) is responsible for many cases of poisoning due to its similarity to the hairy mane mushroom and other edible mushrooms. Additionally, Coprinopsis atramentaria (common ink cap) is similar but may cause intoxication after consumption, especially when consumed with alcohol.
Distribution, habitat and ecology
Groups of furry inkcaps grow in unexpected places, such as town greens. It is widely distributed in grasslands and grasslands in Europe and North America, usually appearing from June to November. The species appears to have been introduced into Australia, New Zealand and Iceland. In Australia, the mushroom is common enough to be featured on a postage stamp in 1981. Notably, the furry ink cap is an insect-catching fungus that captures and digests several species of nematodes.
Edibility
Young furry inkcaps make excellent edible mushrooms before their gills begin to darken, but must be cooked as soon as possible after picking as the black parts quickly become bitter. It has a mild flavor and releases a lot of liquid when cooked, so it can be paired with other ingredients, such as using it in mushroom soup or drizzled over Italian seasoned rice. Be careful during consumption not to confuse it with species that can cause poisoning.
"Once eaten, the furry ink caps provide a wonderful taste experience, but how to safely enjoy this mysterious mushroom is the greater challenge?"
