Coprinopsis variegata – Scaly Ink Cap

The scaly ink cap can be found growing on decaying hardwoods in eastern North America. It fruits summer-fall.

The cap is covered by a felty, whitish veil when young. The veil soon breaks into large, felty patches revealing a brownish yellow surface underneath.

Gills are white at first, becoming gray, and then eventually turning into a blackish ink. Spore print is black.

Scaly ink caps are non-poisonous, but edibility is debated. Some consider the mushroom the tastiest of the ink caps. Others describe the mushroom as “bitter”. The mushroom contains a chemical called coprine which causes a poisonous reaction when consumed with alcohol. If consumed, alcohol should be avoided a few days before and after.

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Written by Amy Demers, founder of the Connecticut Foraging Club. To learn more about foraging in Connecticut, check out our upcoming classes.