Magpie Ink Cap
Coprinopsis picacea
Potentially toxic Magpie Ink Cap identified
1 / 1
Key Features
- Bell-shaped dark brown to black cap
- Large white woolly veil patches
- Deliquescing (liquefying) black gills
- Smooth white hollow stem
- Association with deciduous leaf litter
Color:
Dark brown cap with white patches; white stem
Smell:
Unpleasant or bitumen-like in age
Growth Pattern:
Clustered
Environment:
Leaf litter
Habitat & Distribution
Habitat:
Deciduous forest, predominantly beech
Distribution:
Europe (including Hungary), North Africa
Seasonality:
Late Summer to Autumn
Economic Value
Market Demand:
None - toxic
Price Range:
N/A
Commercial Use:
None
Toxicity Information
Symptoms:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
Onset Time:
30 minutes to 2 hours
First Aid:
- Seek medical attention if ingested
- Do not induce vomiting unless instructed by a professional
- Save a specimen for identification
Emergency Contacts:
- 112 (EU)
- Poison Center (ETTSZ Hungary): +36 80 201 199
Similar Species
Shaggy Mane
Coprinus comatus
Key Differences:
- White cap base color
- Shaggy scales rather than broad patches
- Taller, more cylindrical shape
Common Ink Cap
Coprinopsis atramentaria
Key Differences:
- Smooth gray cap surface
- Lacks white veil patches
- Smaller overall stature
Recommended Action
Do not consume. Maintain distance to avoid accidental ingestion.