Ink cap mushrooms, also known as Coprinoid mushrooms, are a group of fungi that are characterized by their black spores and their tendency to deliquesce (melt) as they mature. There are over 100 species of ink cap mushrooms, and they are found all over the world.
General description:
- Cap: A variety of shapes, including bell-shaped, conical, and cylindrical. The cap color can also vary depending on the species, but it is often white, gray, or brown.
- Gills: The gills are free and white when young, but they turn black and deliquesce, turning into a black, inky liquid as they mature. This is the origin of the common name ink caps.
- Stem: The stem is typically white and smooth; sometimes fuzzy.
- Spores: The spores are black.
Habitat: Grow in a variety of habitats, including forests, meadows, lawns, and gardens. They are often found in disturbed areas, such as after a fire or flood. Often associated with rotting wood, seen or unseen.
