Magpie Inkcap - Coprinopsis picacea

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Alternative names
Magpie Fungus
Description

A large inkcap with greyish brown ovoid caps covered in a whitish veil when young, expanding to a narrow bell-shape.  Mature caps are almost black and covered in discrete patches of the white or pale grey veil.  The gills are whitish, soon blackening and deliquescing.  The stipe is white and floccose.

Designation

Indicator Species - Leicestershire, Leicester & Rutland Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

Photograph mature caps in side view; note habitat and substrate.

Habitat

Deciduous woodland, usually under Beech

When to see it

May to November in Britain and Ireland.

UK Status

Widespread and fairly frequent (Kibby Vol.3, 20221)

VC55 Status

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.

Further Information

https://www.first-nature.com/fungi/coprinopsis-picacea.php

  • Mark Skevington
    Bradgate Park
    22 October 2024
  • Melinda Bell
    Worthington,Cloud Wood
    05 October 2025
  • Snowy
    Launde Park Wood
    19 September 2018
  • Melinda Bell
    Worthington,Cloud Wood
    05 October 2025
  • Melinda Bell
    Calke,Southwood
    14 October 2022
  • Melinda Bell
    Worthington,Cloud Wood
    23 October 2023
  • Steve Mathers
    Grantham Canal (Harby to Plungar)
    20 March 2019
    squares 2mm
  • Steve Mathers
    Grantham Canal (Harby to Plungar)
    20 March 2019

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species data profile ?

Species profile

Common names
Magpie Inkcap
Species group:
fungus
Kingdom:
Fungi
Order:
Agaricales
Family:
Psathyrellaceae
Records on NatureSpot:
12
First record:
19/09/2018 (Snowden, Roger)
Last record:
11/10/2025 (Carly Butler)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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Latest images

Latest records

  • Steve Mathers
    Grantham Canal (Harby to Plungar)
    20 March 2019
  • Steve Mathers
    Grantham Canal (Harby to Plungar)
    20 March 2019