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Coprinellus disseminatus, commonly known as the Fairy Inkcap or Trooping Crumble Cap, is a very common, small, grey-brown mushroom. While technically edible, they are too small and insubstantial to be worthwhile. They grow in large groups on decaying wood, dung, or other organic matter. The caps are initially oval, then expand to a bell shape, with fine grooves radiating from the center. The gills are closely spaced and initially white, turning grey and eventually black as they mature and release spores. The stem is thin, fragile, and white.
How to Identify
- Cap
- 0.5 to 1.5 cm in diameter, initially oval, then bell-shaped, grey-brown with fine grooves.
- Gills
- Closely spaced, initially white, turning grey and then black.
- Stem
- Thin, fragile, white, and translucent.
- Flesh
- Thin and fragile.
- Fruiting body
- Small and delicate, growing in dense clusters.
- Habitat
- Decaying wood, dung, or other organic matter in grassy areas, gardens, and woodlands.
Key Facts
- Cap surfaces: Grooved
- Growth Form: Clustered
- Spore Print: Black
- Body color: Grey-brown
- Odor: Indistinct
- Flesh bruises: No bruising
- Height: 1-3 cm
- Cap Diameter: 0.5-1.5 cm
- Nutrient gathering: Saprophytic
Safe
SafeNon-toxic, but not typically consumed due to small size and lack of substance.
Quick Check
- Odor: Not distinctive.
- Fruiting: Grows in dense clusters.
- Substrate: Decaying wood, dung, or organic matter.
Where to Find
North America
Common throughout North America, especially after rain.
Europe
Widespread across Europe.
Finding Tips
Look for Clusters
Search for dense clusters of small, grey-brown mushrooms on decaying wood or grassy areas.
Check After Rain
These mushrooms often appear after periods of rain.
Similar Species
Parasola plicatilis
mushroom
Also known as: Pleated Inkcap
Scientific Classification
- Phylum
- Basidiomycota
- Class
- Agaricomycetes
- Order
- Agaricales
- Family
- Psathyrellaceae
- Genus
- Coprinellus
Storage Information
- Max Temperature: N/A
- Freezing duration: N/A
- Min Temperature: N/A
- Refrigeration: N/A
How to Clean
Not applicable due to small size and insubstantial nature.
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