Fauna
Fungus

Shaggy Mane

Coprinus comatus

Also known as Shaggy Ink Cap, Lawyer's Wig

Shaggy manes emerge from rich soil and turf as tall, white cylindrical caps covered in shaggy, peeling scales that resemble a traditional wig. As the mushroom matures, its white gills turn pink and rapidly dissolve into a thick black liquid through self-digestion. This autodigestion process aids in spore dispersal as fluid drips onto surrounding ground or clings to passing insects.

DeliquescentSaprobicFungus
Shaggy Mane reference1 / 7
(c) Tom Norton, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tom Norton · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyDecaying Organic Matter, Soil Nematodes
Predators
  • Slugs
  • Fungus Gnats
  • Rodents
ThreatsLawn chemicals, heavy soil compaction
HabitatsLawns, meadows, roadsides, disturbed ground
Life span1–3 days (fruiting body)
Classification
  1. OrderAgaricales
  2. FamilyAgaricaceae
  3. GenusCoprinus
  4. SpeciesCoprinus comatus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Many edible mushrooms have toxic look-alikes; never eat wild fungi based on app identification alone.
Responsible observation
  • Observation Timing: Search early in the morning before self-digestion liquefies the caps into black fluid.
  • Habitat Spotting: Look for tall white columns popping up after rainfall on suburban lawns and woodchip beds.
  • Spore Examination: Collect mature caps early to see the dark black spore deposits before deliquescence sets in.
Related species
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