Shaggy Ink Cap, Coprinus comatus, Lawyer's wig, Shaggy mane.
This fragile little guy pops up that fast you have to be quick to get them when they're small or you'll be using them like squid ink to colour a risotto or dramatic sauce.
They are remarkable in the way that they can push their way up through rough asphalt, it's this urban habitat that can be their saviour from the forager as they frequent the parks and road verges, and one must consider our spew of pollutants before deciding whether or not to add them to the pot. Best picked when they are thumb size and the gills are still white or just turning pink. These don't keep long so eat as soon as possible after pickng or they will mature into a puddle of ink.
The other important thing to note is that they don't react well when consumed of alcohol. causes nausea,stomach cramps and palpitations. Use a 24hr period as a rule. This aplies to the ink cap family, Common Ink Cap, Coprinus atramentarius
Glistening Ink Cap Coprinus micaceus, and the Coprinus disseminatus (Non Inky Coprinus) whose gills don't dissolve with age.
What to look for.
Cap. Cylindrical becoming bell shaped, scaly.
Gills. White when young, turning pink through to black~at this stage they start to disolve.
Stem. White,free moving ring up to 20cm in hieght, 1-1.5cm diameter
Spores. Black
Habitat. Greens, lawns, roadside/path verges.
This fragile little guy pops up that fast you have to be quick to get them when they're small or you'll be using them like squid ink to colour a risotto or dramatic sauce.
They are remarkable in the way that they can push their way up through rough asphalt, it's this urban habitat that can be their saviour from the forager as they frequent the parks and road verges, and one must consider our spew of pollutants before deciding whether or not to add them to the pot. Best picked when they are thumb size and the gills are still white or just turning pink. These don't keep long so eat as soon as possible after pickng or they will mature into a puddle of ink.
The other important thing to note is that they don't react well when consumed of alcohol. causes nausea,stomach cramps and palpitations. Use a 24hr period as a rule. This aplies to the ink cap family, Common Ink Cap, Coprinus atramentarius
Glistening Ink Cap Coprinus micaceus, and the Coprinus disseminatus (Non Inky Coprinus) whose gills don't dissolve with age.
What to look for.
Cap. Cylindrical becoming bell shaped, scaly.
Gills. White when young, turning pink through to black~at this stage they start to disolve.
Stem. White,free moving ring up to 20cm in hieght, 1-1.5cm diameter
Spores. Black
Habitat. Greens, lawns, roadside/path verges.
These have a great flavour enjoy fried with breakfast, or made into a rich soup.
pod-cast of the the day I ran into Louis Smith up in Wicklow http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2012/pc/pod-v-30071214m57srecipes8mushrooms-pid0-897888_audio.mp3
