Shaggy Inkcap ( Coprinus comatus )

Last week while we were at the Lodge I spotted an emerging Inkcap, but it was too small to make an interesting blip.   When we arrived to day it was still there but grown considerably, it was now in the region of 30 -35 cm (12 - 14 inches) tall.

Shaggy Inkcap is one of the few fungi I can be reasonably certain of identifying.   I am told that when young they are good to eat, I have never been brave enough to try.  One problem from the eating point of view is they start to autolyse.  That is what is happening in this shot due to age rather than having been picked.

The enzymes in the fungus start to break down the cap into the black slime which contains the spores for a new generation.   As the name suggests they were once used to make an ink.   Doing this required a little water s few cloves and the mixture being heated.