Last image from me today... my matress calls...

G'night all

No, not the potato crisps... Trees

Here's another

Shaggy Ink Cap Mushroom

(Scientific Name: Coprinus comatus) A mushroom variety that was named for the early era process of producing ink by boiling the blackened mushrooms in water with cloves. As a cousin of the Common Ink Cap mushroom, the Shaggy Ink Cap mushroom has a white skin with tan coloring across its shaggy appearing outer flesh. During the early growth of this mushroom, the cap appears compressed into an oval shape like a closed umbrella. As the oval grows and spreads out, the mushroom begins to form an umbrella-shaped cap. It is during the early growth stages while still oval or egg-shaped that the gills beneath the cap of the young mushooms are very white and are best for eating. As the mushroom ages, the gills darken and become blackened with an inky coloring that actually begins to drip dark fluid as it deteriorates. Thus, the closed cap stage of growth is the time to consume this mushroom and not when it begins to open. Also known as the Shaggy Inky Cap, Shaggy Mane, Inky Top, and Lawyer's Wig mushroom, the Shaggy Ink Cap can be kept only a few hours before beginning to deteriorate, so it is best not to attempt to air dry this mushroom.

When prepared fresh, this mushroom is typically served with fish, eggs, or added to sauces, however use caution when eating if unsure of the variety of Ink Cap being prepared. As a cousin to the Shaggy Ink Cap, the Common Ink Cap, Inky Cap or Alcohol Ink Cap as it is also referred, is a variety that is not poisonous unless eaten with alcohol. The Common Ink Cap has a smooth appearance without the noticable shaggy looking outer covering. Knowing the concerns about the Common variety of the Ink Cap mushroom make it questionable as to whether it should be consumed and is generally not recommended as an edible mushroom, especially one to be served to guests.

Since it is important to note that alcoholic beverages or medicines with alcohol must not be consumed while eating the Common Ink Cap mushrooms, it is also advised to not consume any item with alcohol several days before or after eating the Common Ink Cap mushrooms, due to the potential for causing severe illness. The combination of alcohol with Inky Cap mushrooms may cause heart palipatations and vomiting, so extreme caution must be taken when preparing any type of food with the Common Inky Cap mushrooms.