Pleated Inkcap
ExploreFungi
Pleated Inkcap
parasola plicatilis
The Pleated Inkcap is a fun mushroom that looks like a little umbrella! It often pops up in gardens and parks, making it a delightful surprise for little explorers.
Habitat: You can find them in grassy areas, gardens, and forests.
Appearance
The Pleated Inkcap has a delicate, bell-shaped cap that flattens out, developing distinct pleats like a tiny fan. Its cap is pale greyish-brown to whitish, often with a tiny, darker central disc. The slender, translucent stem makes it appear very fragile and ephemeral.
KingdomFungiPhylumBasidiomycotaClassAgaricomycetesOrderAgaricalesFamilyPsathyrellaceaeGenusParasola
Category
FungiRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Despite its fragile look, it helps recycle nutrients in your lawn and garden.
Its entire cap can deliquesce into a dark, inky liquid within mere hours!
Pleated Inkcaps often appear after rain, seemingly overnight like magic!
You might confuse its tiny pleated cap with a mini umbrella left by fairies!
Special abilities
Ability
Deliquescing Dissolver
Pleated Inkcap can dissolve into black ink because of unique enzymes that help them efficiently release spores.
Ability
Rapid Resurrector
Pleated Inkcap has a very short lifespan that helps them quickly reproduce and spread spores widely after rain.
Ability
Pleated Power
Pleated Inkcap has a deeply grooved cap that helps increase its surface area for effective spore dispersal.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 3-6 cm
- Edibility
- inedible
- Cap Diameter
- 1-3 cm
- Growth Substrate
- soil
- Season
- Late spring to fall
- Spore Color
- Black
Ecological connections
depends on
Red Fescue
Festuca rubra
Decomposes dead grass blades, recycling vital nutrients back into the soil.
eats
Red Slug
Arion rufus
Slugs and snails sometimes graze on its delicate cap, making it a food source.
symbiotic with
Common Earthworm
Lumbricus terrestris
Earthworms aerate soil, aiding fungal growth and decomposition processes.
Traits
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.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Also known as
Ink CapPleated MushroomUmbrella Mushroom
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Do not touch or eat wild mushrooms without adult supervision.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Pleated Inkcap?
3-6 cm
Is Pleated Inkcap edible?
inedible
How big is Pleated Inkcap?
1-3 cm
Where is Pleated Inkcap usually found?
You can find them in grassy areas, gardens, and forests.
What does Pleated Inkcap grow on?
soil
When is Pleated Inkcap in season?
Late spring to fall
What color are Pleated Inkcap spores?
Black
Snap Map
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