2 November 2007 Essex. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. Synonymns Coprinus atramentarius Common Name Common Ink Cap, Tippler's Bane Cap Egg shaped, expanding with age, radially grooved, grey, often with a brown centre, to about 7 cm across Gills White at first, then black and deliquescing Stem Tapered upwards, smooth, white Flesh Brittle, white Smell Indistinct Taste Indistinct Season Spring to autumn Distribution Frequent Habitat On dead wood (often buried) from deciduous trees, often in clumps Spore Print Date brown Microscopic Features Spores ellipsoidal to almond shaped, smooth (8-11) x (5-6) µm2 Edibility Although edible, the fungus should not be consumed with alcohol as the two in combination cause distressing symptoms including anxiety, hot flushes and nausea. The effect is long lasting and alcohol should be avoided for up to 3 days after ingestion of the fungus. Notes The fungus contains coprine, which causes a form of poisoning known as the Antabuse syndrome, after the Antabuse medication given to alcoholics to dissuade them from consuming alcohol. The active ingredient in Antabuse is disulfiram, not coprine. |