?Coprinopsis atramentaria
C. atramentaria Albin Schmalfuß, 1897
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Fungi Division: Basidiomycota Class: Homobasidiomycetes Order: Agaricales Family: Psathyrellaceae Genus: Coprinopsis Species: C. atramentaria
Binomial name
Coprinopsis atramentaria (Bull.) Redhead, Vilgalys & Moncalvo (2001)

The Common Inkcap (Coprinopsis atramentaria) or Inky Cap, previously known as Coprinus atramentarius, is the second best known member of the genus Coprinus after C. comatus. The specific name derives from atramentum, Latin for "ink". Image File history File linksMetadata Faltentintling-1. ... Scientific classification or biological classification is how biologists group and categorize extinct and living species of organisms (as opposed to folk taxonomy). ... Divisions Chytridiomycota Zygomycota Glomeromycota Ascomycota Basidiomycota Deuteromycota A fungus (plural fungi) is a eukaryotic organism that digests its food externally and absorbs the nutrient molecules into its cells. ... Classes Subdivision Teliomycotina    Urediniomycetes Subdivision Ustilaginomycotina    Ustilaginomycetes Subdivision Hymenomycotina    Homobasidiomycetes- mushrooms    Heterobasidiomycetes- jelly fungi The Division Basidiomycota is a large taxon within the Kingdom Fungi that includes those species that produce spores in a club-shaped structure called a basidium. ... former Orders Subclass Homobasidiomycetidae    Agaricales    Boletales    Cantharellales    Corticiales    Ganodermatales    Gomphales    Hericiales    Hydnales    Hymenochaetales    Polyporales (Aphyllophorales)    Poriales    Russulales    Schizophyllales    Stereales    Thelephorales Subclass Gasteromycetidae    Lycoperdales    Nidulariales    Phallales    Sclerodermatales    Tulostomatales The Class Homobasidiomycetes is a taxonomic division in the Subdivision Hymenomycotina of the Division Basidiomycota (in the Kingdom Fungi). ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Genera Coprinellus Coprinopsis Lacrymaria Psathyrella . ... Genera Coprinellus Coprinopsis Lacrymaria Parasola Psathyrella The Psathyrellaceae is a family of agarics formerly known as the Coprinaceae. ... In biology, binomial nomenclature is the formal method of naming species. ... Species atramentarius comatus micaceus picaceus The genus Coprinus (commonly known as Ink caps) is a group of basidiomycete fungi, having the principal characteristic that the gills deliquesce (turn to ink) at maturity. ... Coprinus comatus, the shaggy ink cap, lawyers wig, or shaggy mane, is a common fungus often seen growing on lawns. ... Latin is an ancient Indo-European language. ...

It is a widespread fungus and eaten, though it is poisonous when consumed with alcohol - hence another common name, Tippler's Bane.

In the past, actual drawing ink was made from these mushrooms.^{[citation needed]}

Description

The greyish or brownish grey cap is initially bell-shaped, is furrowed and later splits. It later flattens before melting. The very crowded gills are whitish at first but rapidly turn black and easily deliquesce. The short stem is grey.

Distribution and habitat

Like many ink caps Coprinopsis atramentaria grows in tufts. It is associated with buried wood and is found in grassland, meadows, disturbed ground, and open terrain in autumn. It occurs across the Northern Hemisphere. It has also been found in Australia.^[1]

Toxicity

Consumed with alcohol, Coprinopsis atramentaria is toxic. Symptoms include facial reddening, nausea, vomiting, malaise agitation and palpitations and arise 20 minutes to 2 hours after consumption. The fungus contains coprine, which blocks the action of acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, allowing the buildup of acetaldehyde in the body. Acetaldehyde is an intermediate metabolite of ethanol and is responsible for most symptoms of a hangover. Disulfiram is a drug used to support the treatment of chronic alcoholism by producing an acute sensitivity to alcohol. ... Acetaldehyde dehydrogenase Acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (EC 1. ... R-phrases , , S-phrases , , , Flash point −39 °C Autoignition temperature 185 °C RTECS number AB1925000 Supplementary data page Structure and properties n, εr, etc. ... A metabolite is the product of metabolism. ... A hangover (veisalgia) is the sum of unpleasant physical effects following heavy consumption of alcohol. ...

Although very unpleasant, the syndrome has not been associated with any fatalities. The symptoms can occur if even a small amount of alcohol is consumed up to 3 days after eating the mushrooms.

References