Admire the structural delicacy of this stately mushroom, balanced precariously atop its tall, slender white stem. The long white bell-shaped cylindrical cap is covered with large shaggy buff, tan or brown scales, giving it the appearance of a British lawyer's wig. This is why one of its common names is "lawyer's wig." The spores are black. When young, a dainty annular ring is found around the stem; this ring drops down the stem as the mushroom matures. Within twenty-four to forty-eight hours, the borders of the cap begin to liquefy, and the entire cap is converted into a pool of inky black fluid, the origin of the common name "inky cap." Liquefied Coprinus comatus was used as writing ink in George Washington's day.
Despite its seemingly frail appearance, this mushroom can generate enough power to perform one of nature's most astonishing weight-lifting acts. Emerging shaggy mane caps may lift asphalt pavement into the air in segments, fragmenting it in the process. They do this by gradually absorbing water and slowly expanding, exerting upward pressure far out of proportion to their fragile substance.
This mushroom contributes its unique robust flavor to some of the tastiest wild-mushroom dishes, such as chicken Tetrazzini and shaggy mane cream soup. For the finest flavor it must be consumed before it begins to liquefy. Eating the dissolving mushroom is not harmful, but the cooked remnants will be slimy and less flavorful than those with solid flesh. Vietnamese villagers invert them in the hollows of empty egg cartons to prevent liquefaction in order to transport them. This allows them to survive for a few days longer. Fortunately, Coprinus comatus often fruits in large numbers, affording the collector the opportunity to gather mainly young and unliquefied specimens.
The Shaggy Mane is frequently found along roadsides and in meadows, lawns, park grounds, sports fields, old composting locations and newly planted grass. It favors nutrient rich soil. It can enliven a lawn, the bare rows between shrubs or vegetables, or may fruit gregariously in and around your compost heap.
Commercially obtained or home-grown spawn is mixed into the top layer of compost, wood chips or straw, and covered with a thin layer of peat moss. This mushroom may become a permanent resident of your lawn if you place spawn under patches of turf.
Shaggy Manes can be grown in a wide variety of composted materials, and favor rich soils, especially those of newly created lawns. Simply mix the mushroom spawn provided into a soil bed or compost pile, follow the watering instructions, and wait. Fruitings occur primarily in the Fall
