Coprinopsis atramentaria, formerly Coprinus atramentarius, is an inky cap in the family Psathyrellaceae. Its grey to grey-brown, bell-shaped caps grow in tufts, often from buried wood, and dissolve into black ink as the spores mature. It contains coprine, which causes a disulfiram-like reaction when alcohol is consumed after eating it.
Poisonous with alcohol. It contains coprine: alcohol taken within hours of eating it, and up to about three days later, causes flushing, nausea, vomiting, agitation, palpitations and tingling limbs, starting 5-10 minutes after drinking. Rare heart arrhythmias have been reported. Some people eat young caps and avoid alcohol entirely; it is not recommended.
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Habitat
In tufts, often associated with buried wood, in grassland, meadows, lawns, disturbed ground, vacant lots and other urban areas. Fruits from late spring to autumn, often after rain; fruit bodies have pushed up through asphalt.
Distribution
Widespread in the Northern Hemisphere, including Eurasia and North America; also reported from South Africa and Australia.
Characteristics
Cap: 3-10 cm across, grey to brownish-grey, furrowed; bell-shaped when young, becoming more convex; margin splits and dissolves from the edge inward. Gills: Free, very crowded; white, then grey or pinkish, then black and deliquescing. Stem: 5-17 cm tall, 1-2 cm thick, grey; no ring. Spore print: Black. Spores: Almond-shaped, 8-11 x 5-6 um. Key features: Tufted grey caps without shaggy scales, deliquescing gills, growth near buried wood. Coprinus comatus is taller, white and shaggy-scaled.
