This Shaggy Ink Cap (coprinus comatus) is definitely past its prime. When these mushrooms are young, they have a grey shaggy appearance and they are edible, although I've never tried one. Once picked, it should be cooked and eaten fast, as it literally degrades into a black puddle very fast.
Because the gills under the mushroom cap are very close together, its hard for the spores to be released, so as the mushroom matures, the edges start to dissolve into a black inky liquid and curl upwards, enabling the spores to escape and make more Shaggy Ink Caps!
To actually make ink, the black ink cap liquid can be heated with a little water and some cloves, and voila! you have ink! I think the world of fungi is fascinating. I'm a closet mycologist.
Although I could understand that word by its context, I still looked it up. Spellcheck didn't know it, so I did a search.
ReplyDeleteI hope you found the answer!
DeleteIt is fascinating indeed. I always am amazed at our ancestors who discovered such things as ink from a mushroom.
ReplyDeleteThere are amazing things to be learned about the world of fungi.
DeleteTrying again and hoping that blogger allows me to comment this time. I have heard of shaggy ink caps but had never seen a photo before and didn't know about the dissolving into a black puddle. My partner would say that it is a fitting end for all funghi. He is wrong.
ReplyDeleteThis particular example of shaggy ink cap is starting to degrade, a young one is far prettier.
DeleteI never knew that before, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYou can learn something new every day!
DeleteYou were so right in your comment on my blog..I meant to say vertical and not horizontal..don't know what I was thinking..
ReplyDeleteFascinating about the fungi...thanks for the info.
Sue
Easy to get mixed up and say the wrong word, I do it all the time! Thanks for the comment, yes, fungi are so interesting.
DeleteI have never eaten shaggy ink caps either but would love to give it a try. I shop quite a bit at an Asian supermarket and I am always amazed at the many varieties of mushrooms there compared with a "regular" supermarket. Mushrooms add texture and flavour to any dish.
ReplyDeleteI'm not very adventurous where mushrooms are concerned.... I stick to the little round button mushrooms. But I have tried puffball!
DeleteRecently my wife and I were out walking and we discovered several perfect puffballs and took one home. We sliced it and dipped in an egg wash and then fried it in butter and garlic. it was delicious!
Deletethe second wave is starting and in a pandemic it is usually the 2nd wave that kills the majority of people. You baby boomers are all going to die of corona-virus and finally the world will be able to make progress when you boomers are all dead
ReplyDeleteI normally delete mean and hateful comments, but I'll make an exception in your case, and advise you to find a nicer kinder outlet for your energy. I can't see the point of being nasty.
DeleteIt's still photogenic.
ReplyDeleteI find it quite sad, this anonymous person having nothing to do with his worthless excuse for a life but troll blogs with his baby boomer hatred, even if the target of his bile isn't a boomer.
Obviously a coward as he or she doesn't leave any identification. A sad mean nasty person. Useless.
DeleteInteresting about that mushroom and being able to make ink from it. I never harvested mushrooms though other wild foods, mostly fruit.
ReplyDeleteAll mushrooms are interesting!
DeleteI agree Shammi, I'm not fond of eating mushrooms but they can absolutely be fascinating in size, shape and colour ✨
ReplyDeleteI refused to eat mushrooms for many years, then someone persuaded me to taste one, and I was hooked!
DeleteI've never eaten anything but meadow mushrooms or store bought ones because I am afraid of not recognizing poisonous ones. Making black ink sounds cool. Do you have a quill pen to write with?
ReplyDeleteFungi is so fascinating, but I am not very adventurous either when it comes to eating them.
ReplyDelete