MushieShaggy ink cap (Coprinus comatus)
Edible with caution
The shaggy ink cap is a tall white mushroom with a shaggy cylindrical cap that dissolves into black ink. It is also known as the lawyer's wig.
| Scientific name | Coprinus comatus |
|---|---|
| Other names | Schopftintling · Coprin chevelu · Lawyer's wig |
| Family | Agaricaceae |
| Season | Aug – Nov |
| Habitat | Grass, roadsides, lawns and disturbed ground |
| Range | Northern Hemisphere, widely introduced |
| Spore print | Black |
| Smell | Mild |
How to identify Shaggy ink cap
| Cap | White with shaggy brownish scales, 5–15 cm tall, cylindrical to bell-shaped |
|---|---|
| Underside | Crowded white gills that turn pink and then black |
| Stem | White, hollow, with a thin ring that slides up and down |
| Smell | Mild |
| Spore print | Black |
Is Shaggy ink cap edible or poisonous?
Edible with caution. Edible only when young, white and freshly picked. Must be cooked within a few hours of picking because it dissolves into black ink.
Shaggy ink cap look-alikes
The common ink cap (Coprinopsis atramentaria) is smooth, grey-brown and toxic with alcohol. Do not drink alcohol around any ink caps.
When does Shaggy ink cap grow?
Shaggy ink cap is typically found Aug – Nov in grass, roadsides, lawns and disturbed ground. See other mushrooms in season:
Frequently asked questions
Is Shaggy ink cap edible?
Shaggy ink cap (Coprinus comatus) is regarded as edible only with caution. Edible only when young, white and freshly picked. Must be cooked within a few hours of picking because it dissolves into black ink. Never eat a wild mushroom based on an app or a website. Confirm identification and edibility in person with a qualified local expert.
What does Shaggy ink cap look like?
White with shaggy brownish scales, 5–15 cm tall, cylindrical to bell-shaped. Underside: crowded white gills that turn pink and then black. Stem: white, hollow, with a thin ring that slides up and down.
What are the look-alikes of Shaggy ink cap?
The main look-alike is Common ink cap (Coprinopsis atramentaria). The common ink cap (Coprinopsis atramentaria) is smooth, grey-brown and toxic with alcohol. Do not drink alcohol around any ink caps.
When and where does Shaggy ink cap grow?
Shaggy ink cap is usually found from Aug to Nov. Habitat: grass, roadsides, lawns and disturbed ground. Range: Northern Hemisphere, widely introduced.
Found something like shaggy ink cap?
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Related species
Sources and credits: written from standard field-guide references. Further reading: Wikipedia: Coprinus comatus. Last updated 2026-10-22. Editorial policy.