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Pleated inkcap

Parasola plicatilis

A species of Parasola, Also known as Little japanese umbrella

This extremely delicate little mushroom appears during the night after rains, in areas of short grass or detritus. The entire pleated inkcap fruitbody rises, expands, sheds its spores, and decays within 24 hours. Its scientific name Parasola plicatilis refers to the pleated umbrella shape of the mushroom cap.

Cap Diameter:

1 - 3.5 cm

Odor:

Mildly mushroomy but not distinctive.

General Info About Pleated inkcap

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Attributes of Pleated inkcap

Cap Diameter

1 - 3.5 cm

Height

4 - 12 cm

Cap

Cap 1 - 3.5 cm across; ovoid, convex or bell-shaped, then flat; yellowish to orangish brown, becoming gray; bald, deeply grooved from the margin nearly to the center, smooth

Cap Shape

Convex, Bell-shaped, Flat

Cap Surfaces

Smooth, Visible lines or stripes

Gills

Free; close or nearly distant; whitish at first, becoming dark gray and eventually black

Gill Attachment

Free

Stem

Stem 3.5 - 10 cm long, up to 2 mm thick; equal above a slightly swollen basey; white; fragile, hollow, bald or very finely silk, smooth

Stem Shapes

Cylindrical

Stem Surfaces

Fibrillose

Stem Cross Sections

Hollow or cottony hollow

Flesh

Insubstantial; whitish

Ring

Ringless

Spore Print Color

Black

Odor

Mildly mushroomy but not distinctive.

Body Color

Brown

Yellow

Gray

White

Orange

Flesh Bruises

The flesh or milk does not discolor when bruised or cut.

Growth Form

Solitary, Scattered, Gregarious

Nutrient Gathering

Saprophytic

Substrate

On soil, Leaf or Needle Litter, Wood Chips or Mulch

You can find Pleated inkcap by these plants:

Oaks, Downy birch

Occurence Habitats

Meadows

Species Status

Widely distributed in North America

Endangered Species

How to Identify Pleated inkcap

Fruiting Body Cap Gills

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Habitat of Pleated inkcap

The pleated inkcap mushroom can most commonly be found in open areas that receive direct sunlight, including meadows, lawns, or other spaces with short grass or wood chips. It feeds on detritus like decomposing plant matter and dung.

Distribution Area of Pleated inkcap

North America,Europe,North Africa,Central and South America Australia,New Zealand

Scientific Classification of Pleated inkcap

Phylum

Club fungi

Class

Mushroom-forming fungi

Order

Gilled fungi

Family

Coprinaceae

Genus

Parasola

Similar Species to Pleated inkcap

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Tips for Finding Pleated inkcap

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What are the Ideal Soil Conditions for Pleated inkcap

Favors well-drained, rich in organic matter.

What are Some Tips for Finding Pleated inkcap

Check open grassy areas, such as lawns and meadows, particularly where the sun hits directly.
Look for solitary or scattered occurrences of pleated inkcap, keeping an eye out for potential group formations.
Inspect soil covered in leaf litter or woodchips, as these substrates can host pleated inkcap.
Examine grassy patches after rainfall, when pleated inkcap may be more visible.
Use a soft brush or your hands to gently move aside grass and debris that could be concealing pleated inkcap.