commonly known ink cap cap species fungus family distributed eastern north_america medium sized bell shaped flattened cap diameter felt like scales gills initially white turn black maturity eventually dissolve black ink fruit bodies grow clusters groups leaf litter hardwood wood buried giving appearance growing soil fungus found united_states areas east great plains names assigned believed species distinct later shown represent species synonyms mushroom recommended consumption shown cause reactions susceptible individuals history taxonomy american mycologist described similar species course year time period followed later finally initially considered variety european species bull currently known years later published complete description var raised species rank having found differ consistently smaller stature lack stem base smaller spores species described distinguished basis physical features later found somewhat overlapping terms microscopic characters spore sizes sufficiently different taxonomic characters subsequent investigators north american mushroom flora difficulties interpreting concepts taxa confirming presence regional investigations example hard reported variety species smith mentioned graham described graham included key descriptions species published comparative analysis taxa material collected concluding sufficiently distinct considered separate species reduced earliest specific epithet derives latin passive meaning different colors synonym refers segments cap frequently split mature means mushroom commonly known ink cap cap description cap thin initially oval shaped bell shaped flattened margin turned upward reaches young surface cap covered whitish yellowish veil breaks short lived scales process reveals gray grayish brown cap surface gills broad thin crowded closely free attachment stem initially white turn dark brown spores mature stem thick hollow whitish roughly width length stem cotton like ring present near base clusters fruit bodies mass base called deposit spores dark brown light microscope reveal features spores including smooth surfaces dark brown color ellipsoid shape face view egg shape view dimensions apex spore appears truncated presence basidia spore bearing cells hyaline translucent dimensions hyaline collapse readily pleurocystidia cystidia present gill face abundant roughly cylindrical hyaline measure cheilocystidia cystidia edge gill present young specimens roughly ellipsoid measuring clamp connections abundant hyphae tissues fruit body edibility clearly established opinions differ field guide north american species warns consumption calling recommended conclusion shared field guide mid-atlantic mushrooms describing best caps richer flavor better texture famous bitter mushroom considered poisonous fruit bodies suspected contain like chemical causes poisoning reaction consumed alcohol additionally cases reactions extracts mushroom tissues reported skin tests similar species cosmopolitan species roughly similar size color stature cap like ecology habitat distribution species saprobic nutrients organic matter grows clusters groups decaying leaf litter decayed wood typically fruits narrow window june july spring early summer fruiting distinguishes common produce fruit bodies late autumn found united_states areas east great plains attack soil bacteria species use nutrient sources fungus growing specialized hyphae direction bacteria sensing mechanism fully understood fungus compounds digest bacteria growing hyphae absorb nutrients process relatively rapid colonies hours
Coprinopsis variegata