The Ink cap (Coprinus comatus), is a common fungus often seen growing on lawns, along gravel roads and waste areas. The Ink cap is recognizable from its cap which initially covers almost the whole of its stem (left picture)



Then the bell-shaped caps open out. The caps are white, and covered with scales. The gills beneath the cap are white, then pink, then turn black and secrete a black liquid filled with spores (hence the "ink cap" name) (right picture).

When young it is an excellent edible mushroom provided that, after being collected, it is eaten soon. Never tried it ourselves though. It is said that when you use alcohol with this mushroom it gets poisoned. So…… be careful.