Shaggy Mane – Inky Cap Mushroom
Coprinus comatus
Well what do you know. The most disgusting evil looking mushrooms I’ve found are supposed to be some of the best eating shrooms around. They’re supposed to be eaten when young and I can see why. The caps dissolve into a black inky slime with age. I guess the middle aged Shaggy Manes give the mushroom it’s name. And the young’ns are supposed to go good with eggs.
I didn’t know at the time I had found a feast. All I did know was that I would have at least some chance at identifying them because of their distinct look.
Shaggy Manes are mushrooms that grow in grassy areas on hard ground. These were growing along a gravel access road by the Sugar Island hydo dam on the Red Sandstone Trail that runs south from Hannawa Falls.
In a wooded section I found another prized edible. Coral Hedgehog – Hericium coralloides. I could be wrong but if i am it’s a Bearded Hedgehog – Hericium erinaceus which is also edible. It doesn’t look as bad as an old shaggy mane but it doesn’t look like any life form someone should be putting in their mouth either.
Here are a couple more pics of the Shaggy Manes. They are linked to larger images suitable for a closer look or to use as desktop wallpaper. Linked images are 1024 x 768.
YUCK Yuck Yuck and I don’t mean that in a Three Stooges way either.
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October 2nd, 2008 at 10:00 am
Well I hope you didn’t drool all over your keyboard, that could ruin it…but I am happy to know you will keep up with my blog! I will be doing a post about St. Lawrence Chocolates in the very near future!
I did take your cat background for my computer! If you read more of my blog you will find out we are lovers of cats in our household.
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Hi how are you today. Love the picture.They look like they belong in the land of the Leprechauns. I have had some brown mushrooms come up in my old garden. But never any this this fascinating. Thank for sharing them. .
May 16th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Shaggy Mane mushrooms are delicious. When I was growing up in State College, PA, we would find these growing on our backyards, on commercial properties, etc., however, it’s almost impossible to find them. A few years ago I happened to find them by chance, growing on the side of the road. It’s been 4 years and the mushrooms have not grown back.:(
Anyway, one needs to cook these mushrooms within a couple of hours otherwise the black in starts to appear. I would wash them thoroughly, dip them in egg, then roll them around in Italian bread crumbs. After that you lightly fry them until golden brown. It is absolutely delicious. I just wish I could encounter these mushrooms again but it’s been 4 years and still can’t find any growing in the area.:(
June 11th, 2009 at 4:05 am
hi , i am egyptian i am happy to contact with your, i found this mushroom in my grandfather land and i began to study it in my lab please i want some samples from it .
thanks
ahmed shiedeed