Mica Cap
ExploreFungi
Mica Cap
coprinellus micaceus
The Mica Cap mushroom looks like a little umbrella with a shiny, glittery top! Kids will love discovering this fun fungus in damp, shady spots in the forest.
Habitat: Mica Caps typically grow in forests, especially in damp, shady areas on decaying wood.
Appearance
The Mica Cap has a fragile, bell-shaped cap, often yellowish-brown, that is covered in tiny, glistening mica-like scales. Its distinctive sparkling surface and pale, grooved cap make it visually different from many other small urban mushrooms. As it matures, the cap edges often turn upward.
KingdomFungiPhylumBasidiomycotaClassAgaricomycetesOrderAgaricalesFamilyPsathyrellaceaeGenusCoprinellus
Category
FungiRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Their caps sparkle like they are covered in tiny sugar crystals when fresh!
These mushrooms melt into black ink to release their spores, disappearing almost overnight!
They grow incredibly fast after a rain, often appearing in just a few hours!
You can often spot Mica Caps growing in surprising places, even cracking through city sidewalks!
Special abilities
Ability
Melting Magic
Mica Cap can dissolve its own cap into an inky liquid because of special enzymes that help release spores efficiently.
Ability
Wood Recycler
Mica Cap can break down dead wood and plant material because of powerful enzymes that help return nutrients to the soil.
Ability
Crowd Grower
Mica Cap can grow in huge clusters because of its ability to thrive on abundant resources, helping it spread spores widely.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 2-10 cm
- Edibility
- edible
- Cap Diameter
- 0.5-3.5 cm
- Growth Substrate
- wood
- Season
- Spring to Fall
- Spore Color
- Dark brown to black
Ecological connections
Traits
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Decomposer
Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Also known as
Glitter CapShiny CapSparkling Mushroom
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Mica Cap?
2-10 cm
Is Mica Cap edible?
edible
How big is Mica Cap?
0.5-3.5 cm
Where is Mica Cap usually found?
Mica Caps typically grow in forests, especially in damp, shady areas on decaying wood.
What does Mica Cap grow on?
wood
When is Mica Cap in season?
Spring to Fall
What color are Mica Cap spores?
Dark brown to black
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
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