So, inky caps are pretty cool mushrooms. They are called inky cap, because as the mushroom matures, the gills liquefy into kind of a black goo. This “ink” can actually be used as writing ink! However the purpose is actually to help the mushroom spread it’s spored more efficiently.
Alternate Names: Tippler's Bane Size: 5-12 cm tall, 3-7 cm diameter cap Family: Psathyrellaceae Habitat: Fruits on decaying hardwood, wood, dung, grassy debris, forest litter. Identification: There are many types of inky cap mushrooms, but typically the cap eventually curls up and the bottom peels away. It autodigests and turns into a black inky goo. The spore print is black.
