Coprinus comatus



Click the picture for full size and notes.
Coprinus comatus is often referred to as the ink cap. As soon as the cap spreads, it starts autodigesting to help release the spores, and soon becomes an inky black mess. Indeed shaggy ink caps were sometimes used as a substitute for ink.

In Australia, they tend to grow in rich soil on well kept lawns. They can grow in great troops. Corprinus comatus is edible, so long as it hasn't started to autodigest. Coprinus comatus is easily distinguishable by very close set gills, floccose scales, stipe with central extractable cottony yarn-like string.