Inky Mushroom

Poisonous Poisonous
Autumn Autumn
Summer Summer

A fairly common mushroom that can often be found in large numbers. When first spotted it usually causes a bit of excitement as it can resemble the Prince, then when smelt, disappointment sets in.

Mushroom Type
Common Names Inky Mushroom (EN), Madarch Llwyd-Ddu (CY), Pieczarka Szarołuskowa (PL), Tintaszagú Csiperke (HU)
Scientific Name Agaricus moelleri
Season Start Jun
Season End Oct
Average Mushroom height (CM) 8-14
Average Cap width (CM) 7-10
Please note that each and every mushroom you come across may vary in appearance to these photos.

Cap

7-10 cm. White but covered with tiny smoky/grey or brown scales which are more dense towards the middle. Starting ovoid but becoming flat.

Gills

Crowded and free of the stem. The gills start pink and stay like that until finally becoming dark brown/black.

Stem

8-14 cm long, 1-1.2 cm diameter. White and slightly bulbous towards the base.

Skirt

Has a large, superior, membranous skirt.

Flesh

White discolouring slightly yellow and becoming brown.

Habitat

Mainly woodland in troops but can be found occasionally in grassland.

Spore Print

Brown. Ellipsoid.

Frequency

Fairly common.

COMMENTS

4 comments for Inky Mushroom

  1. Kieran says:

    You say:

    “When first spotted it usually causes a bit of excitement as it can resemble the Prince, then when smelt, disappointment sets in.”

    What does the Inky Mushroom smell like that makes it different from The Prince?

    1. Eric Biggane says:

      The Prince has an Amareto or bitter almond smell and a wonderful taste, the Inky mushroom smells of Indian ink or Phenol and is toxic.

  2. Brian says:

    This looks alot like the common garden mushroom but, does it peel like a common mushroom?

    1. Eric Biggane says:

      We don’t use peeling as an ID as I can peel the cap of many poisonous mushrooms. The main difference is that it will turn yellow if cooked and smell of phenol or ink.

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