Fungus · GBIF taxon 7987658
Coprinus comatus
coprinus comatusAlso known as Shaggy Mane, Lawyer's Wig, Shaggy Ink Cap
Shaggy manes emerge from the soil as pristine white cylinders before their bell-shaped caps flare open, revealing a dense coat of shaggy, upturned scales. Within hours of maturity, the gills undergo deliquescence, a self-digesting process that liquefies the cap into a black, spore-bearing ink. Beneath the surface, this fascinating fungus acts as a subterranean predator, using specialized tiny structures to paralyze and consume soil-dwelling nematodes.
FungusEphemeralSoil-Dwelling
1 / 7- diet
- Saprophytic and Nematophagous
- family
- Agaricaceae
- threats
- Soil compaction, heavy chemical fungicide use, and habitat loss
- life Span
- Mycelium lives for years; fruiting bodies last only 24 to 48 hours
NE
Many edible mushrooms have toxic look-alikes; never eat wild fungi based on app identification alone.
- Observe the ink: Watch the lower edge of the cap dissolve into black fluid over a single day.
- Check the soil: Look for them in disturbed areas like gravel paths, lawns, and roadsides after autumn rains.