Plate XXXVIII. Figure 272.—Coprinus atramentarius.

Coprinus micaceus. Fr.

The Glistening Coprinus. Edible.

Figure 273.—Coprinus micaceus. Two-thirds natural size.

Micaceus is from micare, to glisten, and refers to the small scales on the pileus which resemble mica scales. The pileus is tawny-yellow, tan or light buff, ovate, bell-shaped; having striations radiating from near the center of the disk to the margin; glistening mica-like scales covering undisturbed young specimens; the margin somewhat revolute or wavy.

The gills are crowded, rather narrow, whitish, then tinged with pinkish or purplish-brown then black.

The stem is slender, fragile, hollow, silky, even, whitish, often twisted, one to three inches long. The spores are blackish, sometimes brown, elliptical, 10×5µ.