Fairy Inkcap

Coprinellus disseminatus, commonly known as the fairy inkcap, fairy bonnet, or trooping crumble cap, is a species of agaric fungus in the family Psathyrellaceae. It can be found around dead wood in Europe and North America.

Taxonomy: The species was given its current name in 1939 by Jakob Emanuel Lange.

 Coprinellus disseminatus grows to 4 cm tall. The bell-shaped cap is tannish, becoming gray with age. The spore print is blackish-brown.

The species has about 143 sexes (mating types).

Similar species: It is difficult to distinguish from related species or lookalikes in Tulosesus.

C. disseminatus does not dissolve into black ink (deliquesce) in maturity, unlike most other coprinoid mushrooms.

Distribution and habitat: The species grows on dead wood such as rotting stumps and is widespread across Europe. It can be found in North America from May to November in the East and October to March near the West Coast.

Uses: The species is nonpoisonous. It can be eaten raw or cooked but does not preserve well. It is considered too small to be of economic value.