Sprouting Surprise ...

 

This past weekend ...

while staying at the Ramada Inn ...

in Penticton ...

I spotted this mushroom ...

growing outside my room ...

just off the patio ...

THE SHAGGY MANE, is also a very common and easily identified mushroom, and its scientific name is Coprinus comatus. 

This excellent edible mushroom frequents areas of what we regard as 'poor soil', and will be found often near roadways, and where soil has been disturbed earlier in the year. 

They are relatively easy to identify, but could be confused with early stages of Amanita mushrooms - which are deadly poison. Be sure of identification before eating.  Pick only the very young shaggy mane mushrooms, and leave the ones which have the caps open, and turning black. These mushrooms are sometimes called inky caps; but be aware that there is a shaggy mane cousin, which is called the inky cap. Both are very edible, and delicious, so in this regard - no matter - as long as not confused as mentioned earlier with the poisonous amanita mushrooms. 

These mushrooms, when cooked, render down into a mushy gruel texture. 

 The shaggy mane, as it gets older, will have a filamentish looking scale, which is on the cap of the mushroom. The underside of the cap, in the gill area will be dark coloured gills, almost black and if touched, you'll find yourself covered with a slimy- inky - mess - and will appreciate why they are called inky caps.