Coprinopsis atramentaria
| Coprinopsis atramentaria | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Agaricomycetes |
| Order: | Agaricales |
| Family: | Psathyrellaceae |
| Genus: | Coprinopsis |
| Species: | C. atramentaria
|
| Binomial name | |
| Coprinopsis atramentaria (Bull.) Redhead, Vilgalys & Moncalvo (2001)
| |
| Synonyms | |
|
Coprinus atramentarius | |
| Coprinopsis atramentaria saprotrophic | |
|---|---|
 | Edibility is edible or poisonous |
Coprinopsis atramentaria, commonly known as the common ink cap, tippler's bane, or inky cap, is an edible (although poisonous when combined with alcohol) mushroom found in Europe and North America. Previously known as Coprinus atramentarius, it is the second best known ink cap and previous member of the genus Coprinus after C. comatus. It is a widespread and common fungus found throughout the northern hemisphere. Clumps of mushrooms arise after rain from spring to autumn, commonly in urban and disturbed habitats such as vacant lots and lawns, as well as grassy areas. The grey-brown cap is initially bell-shaped before opening, after which it flattens and disintegrates. The flesh is thin and the taste mild. It can be eaten, but due to the presence of coprine within the mushroom, it is poisonous when consumed with alcohol, as it heightens the body's sensitivity to ethanol in a similar manner to the anti-alcoholism drug disulfiram.
Taxonomy
The common ink cap was first described by French naturalist
The genus was formerly considered to be a large one with well over 100 species. However, molecular analysis of DNA sequences showed that most species belonged in the family Psathyrellaceae, distinct from the type species that belonged to the Agaricaceae. It was given its current binomial name in 2001 as a result, as this and other species were moved to the new genus Coprinopsis.[2]
The term "tippler's bane" is derived from its ability to create acute sensitivity to alcohol, similar to disulfiram (Antabuse).[3] Other common names include common ink cap and inky cap. The black liquid that this mushroom releases after being picked was once used as ink.[4]
Description
Measuring 3–10 cm (1+1⁄8–3+7⁄8 in) in diameter, the greyish or brownish-grey cap[5] is initially bell-shaped, is furrowed, and later splits. The colour is more brownish in the centre of the cap, which later flattens before melting. The very crowded gills are free; they are whitish at first but rapidly turn black and easily deliquesce. The short stipe measures 5–17 cm (2–6+3⁄4 in) high by 1–2 cm in diameter,[5] is grey in colour, and lacks a ring. In young groups, the stems may be obscured by the caps.[6] The spore print is black,[7][8] and the almond-shaped spores measure 8–11 by 5–6 μm.[9] The flesh is thin and pale grey in colour.[3]
Distribution and habitat
Coprinopsis atramentaria occurs across the
Like many ink caps, it grows in tufts. It is commonly associated with buried wood and is found in grassland, meadows, disturbed ground, and open terrain from late spring to autumn. Fruiting bodies have been known to push their way up through asphalt[11] and even tennis courts.[15] It is also common in urban areas and appears in vacant lots, and tufts of fungi can be quite large and fruit several times a year. If dug up, the mycelium can often be found originating on buried dead wood.[16]
Toxicity and uses
Consuming Coprinopsis atramentaria within a few hours of alcohol results in a "disulfiram syndrome".
The fungus contains a cyclopropylglutamine compound called coprine.[23] Its active metabolite, 1-aminocyclopropanol, blocks the action of an enzyme, acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, which breaks down acetaldehyde in the body.[24] Acetaldehyde is an intermediate metabolite of ethanol and is responsible for most symptoms of a hangover; its effect on autonomic β receptors is responsible for the vasomotor symptoms.[23]
Treatment involves reassuring the patient that the often frightening symptoms will pass, rehydration (fluid replacement) for fluid loss from vomiting, and monitoring for
Large and prolonged doses of coprine were found to have
See also
Notes
- ISBN 0-14-063005-8.
- JSTOR 1224525.
- ^ ISBN 0-89815-169-4.
- ISBN 978-0-88192-586-9. p. 198.
- ^ OCLC 797915861.
- ISBN 978-0-88192-935-5.
- ISBN 978-1-4863-1174-3.
- ISBN 978-1-60469-634-9.
- ISBN 0-330-44237-6.
- ^ Uljé, Kees. "Coprinus atramentarius (Bull.: Fr.) Fr. - Epicrisis: 243. 1838". Coprinus (studies in coprinus). Retrieved 2009-07-31.
- ^ ISBN 1-876473-51-7.
- ^ Cleland JB (1976). Toadstools and mushrooms and other larger fungi of South Australia. South Australian Government Printer. p. 159.
- ^ Reid, Derek A.; Eicker, Albert (1999). "South African fungi 10: New species, new records and some new observations". Mycotaxon. 73: 169–97.
- ^ Hall, Ian; et al. (August 1, 2003). Edible and Poisonous Mushrooms of the World. Timber Press. Portland, Oregon. ISBN 978-0-88192-586-9. p. 198
- ^ Ramsbottom 1953, p. 128.
- ^ Ramsbottom 1953, p. 196.
- ^ Benjamin 1995, p. 284.
- PMID 1344910.
- ^ Benjamin 1995, p. 288.
- ^ Disulfiramlike Mushroom Toxicity at eMedicine
- ^ a b Benjamin 1995, p. 289.
- ISBN 978-1-55407-651-2.
- ^ a b Benjamin 1995, p. 286.
- PMID 707135.
- ^ Benjamin 1995, p. 290.
- PMID 473235.
References
- Benjamin, Denis R. (1995). Mushrooms: poisons and panaceas—a handbook for naturalists, mycologists and physicians. New York: WH Freeman and Company. ISBN 0-7167-2600-9.
- Ramsbottom, J (1953). Mushrooms & Toadstools. Collins. ISBN 1-870630-09-2.
Further reading
- North, Pamela (1967). Poisonous Plants and Fungi in colour. Blandford Press & Pharmacological Society of Great Britain.