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north of the adirondacks – wildflowers & perennials that survive winters colder than my wife's feet


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Shaggy Mane – Inky Cap Mushroom

Posted by WiseAcre on Oct 1st, 2008
2008
Oct 1

Coprinus comatus

Shaggy Mane - Inky Cap Mushroom

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.

Coral Hedgehog Mushroom

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.

Shaggy Mane - Inky Cap Mushroom

Shaggy Mane - Inky Cap Mushroom

YUCK Yuck Yuck and I don’t mean that in a Three Stooges way either.

4 Responses

  1. HoneyB Says:

    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.

    HoneyB,
    A little slobber is nothing compared to the amount of coffee that’s been spilled on my keyboard because one of the cats needed a lap top. I’ll catch that post when you cook it up.

    Glad you liked Mavie enough to put him on your desktop. He’s a bit ‘disturbed’ and nothing makes him happier than being given a good squeeze. With Halloween coming up soon I need to get a good photo of our Black Jax.

  2. Grammy Says:

    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. .

    Grammy,
    I’m fine :) I didn’t eat the fungus. YA think I should go back and look for a pot of gold?

  3. Theresa Says:

    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.:(

    Theresa,
    Shaggy Manes are also the most disgusting looking things if you find them too late. I don’t find too many and when I do it’s always at the edge of an open waste place. Every find is a chance encounter.

  4. ahmed shiedeed Says:

    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

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