Coprinus micaceus (Bull.) Fr.
Epicr. Syst. Myc. 247. 1838.

Photo: Young sporocarps

Common Name: Mica Cap

Synonym: Coprinellus micaceus (Bull.:Fr.) Vilgalys, Hopple, & Johnson

• Pileus

  Cap 2-5 cm broad, cylindrical to oval, becoming conic, finally campanulate; yellow-brown, conspicuously striate to corrugate, covered with evanescent glistening granules; margin becoming torn, sometimes upturned in age, deliquescing towards the center; flesh thin, soft, white.

• Lamellae

  Gills notched, close, white turning pinkish, finally black.

• Stipe

  Stipe 1.5-5 cm long, 2-5 mm thick, white, hollow, equal; veil absent.

• Spores

  Spores 7.5-10 x 3-5 µm, elliptical, smooth with an apical germ pore. Spore print black.

• Habitat

  Typically fruiting in cespitose clusters near stumps or rotting wood, from fall through spring.

• Edibility

  Edible, of good flavor, but little texture.

• Comments

  Coprinus micaceus gets its common name from the glistening particles that cover the young, developing caps. These soon wash or wear off. However, it is still easily recognized by the yellow-brown caps, clustered fruiting habit, deliquescing gills, and tendency to fruit near rotting wood. Coprinus atramentarius is a larger mushroom, which also tends to fruit in clusters, but it has a silky grey-brown cap.

• Other Descriptions and Photos
  • Tom Duffy: Coprinus micaceus (CP) -- Deliquescing sporocarps
  • Taylor F. Lockwood: Coprinus micaceus (CP) -- Deliquescing sporocarps
  • Taylor F. Lockwood: Coprinus micaceus (CP)
  • Fred Stevens: Coprinus micaceus (CP)
  • Michael Wood: Coprinus micaceus (CP) -- rain often washes off the "mica"
  • Boleslaw Kuznik -- Hunting for Mushrooms: Coprinus micaceus (CP)
  • Nathan Wilson: Coprinus micaceus (D & CP)
  • Na Grzyby: Coprinus micaceus (D & CP)
  • R.A.Chilton: Coprinus micaceus (D & CP)
  • Pilze, Pilze, Pilze: Coprinus micaceus (CP)
  • Kinok-ya: Coprinus micaceus (CP)
  • Coprinus Site: Coprinus micaceus (D & CP)
  • Hidden Forest: Coprinus micaceus (CP)
  • Arora (1986): p. 348 (D & P)
  • Breitenbach & Kränzlin (vol. 4): sp. 294 (D, I, & CP)
  • Jordan: p. 233 (D & CP)
  • Lincoff: p. 600 (D), plate 42 (CP)
  • McKenny et al.: p. 156 (D), p. 157 (CP)
  • Miller: sp. 190 (D & CP)
  • Phillips: p. 205 (D & CP)
  • Smith: sp. 220 (D & CP)
  • Smith & Weber: sp. 177 (D & CP)

  (D=Description; I=Illustration; P=Photo; CP=Color Photo)