Some similarities to : Magpie Inkcap , Common Inkcap and Snow-White Inkcap , but Shaggy Inkcap looks like it is covered in small short bird feathers.
Somewhat surprisingly the mushroom is edible and good to eat even when raw, but only before it starts to turn to a viscous black fluid. Alas, the mushroom soon starts to deteriorate when picked, and cannot be stored frozen. Once grown commercially for public consumption, they are no longer because of the very short shelf life. It has a salty flavour and a pleasant smell.
The crowded and shrouded gills beneath, white at first, turn first pink, then to black liquid as they liquefy. The black liquid also contains the spores, ready to propagate the species in the immediate vicinity.
The white stem or stipe has a narrow rim, which is mobile, consisting of no more than a 'stocking-like' sheath around the stem which slowly rolls downwards. The stipe is persistent, remaining when the mushroom has almost completely dissolved apart from the top-most part, which is left like a black-rimmed parasol.
There are two distinct populations of Inkcap, this one is in on its own in the Agaricaceae Family whereas all the others others are in the Brittlestem Family [Psathyrellaceae]. Both dissolve themselves into a black liquid.
Mainly grouped together on shortish grassland or waste ground.
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