Shaggy Mane Mushroom — Images by kenne
One of the followers of this blog has identified the mushroom I labeled “unknown” as Coprinus comatus, Shaggy Mane Mushroom. A Latvian artist now living in Canada made the following comment:
“Your mushroom might be a bit older specimen of shaggy mane, Coprinus comatus: see http://healing-mushrooms.net/archives/9.html or Cortinarius caperatus, commonly known as the gypsy mushroom: check out Wikipedia. Since it’s a photo, I can not be completely sure, but these mushrooms have similar shape and when get older get dark bluish color. Coprinus becomes completely black-blue.
It might look that way because of extensive rain. I’ve seen these mushrooms in the forests of Latvia where it is very common to pick wild mushrooms, and everybody knows them.”
You can see her blog at http://inesepogagallery.com/
With her response, I did some additional research and have concluded that she is correct. “This mushroom is unusual because it will turn black and dissolve itself in a matter of hours after being picked or depositing spores.” They are eatable at the young, white stage. Although they are beautiful at the black stage, they are not eatable. There’s a reason why you don’t see Shaggy Mane Mushrooms in stores, they only last 4-6 hours.
kenne
Related articles
- Capturing The Moment – Real Mushroom Or Artifact? (kenneturner.com)
- Capturing The Moment – Real Mushroom Or Artifact? – A Follow-up (kenneturner.com)
- Shaggy Mane (mostlymushrooms.wordpress.com)
- Do you know how nutritious mushrooms are? (goodnessdirect.co.uk)
