# 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.

- **Category:** [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fungi)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Snaps:** 2
- **Habitat:** You can find them in grassy areas, gardens, and forests.
- **Also known as:** Ink Cap, Pleated Mushroom, Umbrella Mushroom

![Pleated Inkcap](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Parasola_spec._-_Lindsey_2a.jpg&width=800)

Photo: James Lindsey, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Parasola_spec._-_Lindsey_2a.jpg)

## 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.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Fungi
- **Phylum:** Basidiomycota
- **Class:** Agaricomycetes
- **Order:** Agaricales
- **Family:** Psathyrellaceae
- **Genus:** Parasola

## 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

- **Deliquescing Dissolver:** Pleated Inkcap can dissolve into black ink because of unique enzymes that help them efficiently release spores.
- **Rapid Resurrector:** Pleated Inkcap has a very short lifespan that helps them quickly reproduce and spread spores widely after rain.
- **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
- **Edible:** inedible
- **Size:** 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
- [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.

## Collections

- [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fungi)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Do not touch or eat wild mushrooms without adult supervision.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Pleated Inkcap?

Compare the cap shape, the underside, the stem and base, and whether the fungus grows on wood or soil. Some fungi have gills, others pores or teeth. A cap seen only from above often hides the most useful features. Mushroom Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### 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

## Where to spot

- [Georgia Institute of Technology Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/georgia-institute-of-technology-historic-district) — Georgia, US · Historic District
- [Inman Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/inman-park) — Georgia, US · Neighborhood
- [Techwood Homes](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/techwood-homes) — Georgia, US · Historic District
- [Battles Wharf Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/battles-wharf-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District
- [Cherry Tree Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cherry-tree-park) — Florida, US · Park

[View all places to see Pleated Inkcap](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/pleated-inkcap)

## More Fungi

- [Field Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Button Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/button-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Portobello Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/portobello-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Shiitake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/shiitake) (*Lentinula*)

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Source: [Pleated Inkcap: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pleated-inkcap)