MushieCommon ink cap (Coprinopsis atramentaria)
Poisonous
The common ink cap is a smooth, grey-brown bell-shaped mushroom. It is poisonous if alcohol is consumed within days of eating it.
| Scientific name | Coprinopsis atramentaria |
|---|---|
| Other names | Grauer Faltentintling · Coprin noir d'encre · Coprinus atramentarius |
| Family | Psathyrellaceae |
| Season | Apr – Nov |
| Habitat | Tufts on or near buried wood, lawns and disturbed ground |
| Range | Northern Hemisphere |
| Spore print | Black |
| Smell | Mild |
How to identify Common ink cap
| Cap | Grey to grey-brown, 3–7 cm, smooth, bell-shaped, becoming lined |
|---|---|
| Underside | Crowded white gills turning black and dissolving |
| Stem | White, smooth, hollow, with a faint ring zone near the base |
| Smell | Mild |
| Spore print | Black |
Is Common ink cap edible or poisonous?
Poisonous. Contains coprine, which causes a severe reaction (flushing, palpitations, vomiting) when alcohol is drunk, even up to a few days after eating it.
Common ink cap look-alikes
The shaggy ink cap has scaly, shaggy, white caps.
When does Common ink cap grow?
Common ink cap is typically found Apr – Nov in tufts on or near buried wood, lawns and disturbed ground. See other mushrooms in season:
Frequently asked questions
Is Common ink cap edible?
No. Common ink cap (Coprinopsis atramentaria) is poisonous. Contains coprine, which causes a severe reaction (flushing, palpitations, vomiting) when alcohol is drunk, even up to a few days after eating it. Do not eat it.
What does Common ink cap look like?
Grey to grey-brown, 3–7 cm, smooth, bell-shaped, becoming lined. Underside: crowded white gills turning black and dissolving. Stem: white, smooth, hollow, with a faint ring zone near the base.
What are the look-alikes of Common ink cap?
The main look-alike is Shaggy ink cap (Coprinus comatus). The shaggy ink cap has scaly, shaggy, white caps.
When and where does Common ink cap grow?
Common ink cap is usually found from Apr to Nov. Habitat: tufts on or near buried wood, lawns and disturbed ground. Range: Northern Hemisphere.
Found something like common ink cap?
Photograph it with Mushie for possible matches, look-alike warnings and an AI guide for follow-up questions. Results are suggestions, never a safe-to-eat verdict.
Related species
Sources and credits: written from standard field-guide references. Further reading: Wikipedia: Coprinopsis atramentaria. Last updated 2026-10-22. Editorial policy.