They were one of the “fool proof four” that University of Minnesota professor Clyde Christiansen talked about in his 1943 book Common Edible Mushrooms, the others being chicken of the woods, giant puffballs, and morels.. The lines appear just after a stanza about other fungi and are commonly believed to be a description of a shaggy mane mushroom undergoing autodigestion. “Make sure to place mushroom samples in a paper or wax-paper bag, and refrigerate until it can be given to you vet,” says Good. A mistake in identification can be deadly. The dye can be used to color wool, fabric, and paper.The common inky cap mushroom is bell shaped and has a striated surface on its cap. THE SHAGGY MANE MUSHROOM Scientific name: Coprinus comatus This Shaggy Mane mushroom's cap has begun melting into black goo.

Poisonous mushrooms that grow in the wild can be extremely difficult to identify, but they cause serious harm to your dog if you’re not careful. Shaggy Mane’s, however, are one of the easiest to identify and even their closest poisonous twin really looks nothing like them – and wouldn’t kill you if you suffered a case of mistaken identity.

I would love to be able to recognize and pick wild mushrooms. The reason I ask is two years ago I was plagued by some strange mushrooms. The spores aren't digested, however.

I collect them and we usually get enough to add to three or four meals. Most importantly,  they never ever  eat mushrooms unless they are 100% sure of what they are eating. Yes, the health effects of mushrooms are fascinating.

Deadly is an accurate description. Thanks for the comment.Thank you very much for the comment and votes, Pamela! Members of the group digest their own cap.

Observing and photographing them is an enjoyable part of my autumn walks. It's VERY bizarre looking, almost creepy how it's got the textured scales on not only the cap but the stem as well. Coprinus comatus is not to be confused with the common Ink Cap, which contains coprine and can induce coprine poisoning.

I learned something new, so that's great! Then, after two or three days, or after being picked, the mushroom self-destructs, melting down into a puddle of black goo.I just love the word for  this melt down. It is always better to get store mushrooms than eat poisonous mushrooms, great hub.

Thanks for the vote.Hi, DDE.

There has been at least one report of an esophageal rupture due to excessive vomiting after consuming common inky caps and alcohol.If symptoms are severe or last for a long time, medical aid should be sought.

As always, I appreciate your visit!The breadth of your knowledge never fails to amaze me Alicia. Many dangerous mushrooms can be mistaken for edible ones. "Lawyer's wig" redirects here.

For the head covering, see Collins, How to Identify Edible Mushrooms by Harding, Lyon & TomblinTime-lapse photography of inky cap growing and liquefying Since common names are so variable it’s best to refer to a mushroom by its scientific name in order to avoid confusion, though. Like you, I do photograph them however.

Thanks for the comment! Voted up and shared.Very interesting hub Alicia. Coprine stops acetaldehyde breakdown, thereby intensifying and prolonging the effects of alcohol ingestion.The video below shows an interesting time-lapse view of inky cap autodigestion.Disulfiram is a chemical given to alcoholics to deliberately increase the unpleasant symptoms of alcohol consumption.

am areful to only pick the type I know are fine.

Does it leave behind anything in the soil or on grass? I haven't received any notifications today, either, so I'm also going to have to visit hubs by using the long method!Hi Alicia, great hub! A very insight here.

Thanks for the comment.I am not a big fan of mushrooms. Ingestion of coprine without alcohol seems to be safe, however.In normal alcohol metabolism, the body converts the alcohol to acetaldehyde.