Shaggy Mane in the Gabriola woodscluster of Shaggy Mane mushroomsShaggy mane mushroom in the Gabriola forest. This is an older specimen.

This is the Shaggy Mane (Coprinus comatus) mushroom. It’s edible and choice, and all over the place on Gabriola. When it’s young it looks like the left and centre specimens. When it opens up like an umbrella, this mushroom is past it’s prime, and you wouldn’t want to have it for dinner. When it gets even older, the cap turns inky black from the bottom upwards.

We cooked and ate some Shaggy Mane mushrooms a while ago, after following all the usual precautions. Yum.

Here’s more on the Shaggy Mane from mushroomexpert.com. (Oh, and do see the caveat about eating wild mushrooms, ok?)