Glistening Inkcap

At the tail end of what’s so far been a mild winter, there are still a few fungi about.

This Glistening InkcapCoprinus micaceus, is growing near a large Ash in the woodland by the Lower Lake at Nostell Priory.

Its white gills turn brown, then black and finally dissolve into ink as the egg-shaped cap expands into a bell-shape, splitting and sometimes rolling up along the margins.

The top of the cap is sprinkled with powdery flakes, which are the remnants of the veil that covered the emerging fungus.