Page 238 - The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods

Shaggy Mane, Coprinus

comatus (AGARICACEAE)

SHAGGY MANE is a fast-fruiting mushroom that is is often movable.
common and widespread in North America. It grows SPORES: 10-16 x 7-9 µ, elliptical, smooth, with an api-
on the ground during summer and fall, preferring cal pore; Spore print: black
disturbed areas such as roadsides, lawns, trails, and
EDIBLE PARTS: stem, cap
pastures. Most mushrooms appear after rainfalls, in
KEY MEDICINAL USES: This species has shown evi-
scattered to densely clumped groups.
dence of anti-tumor, anti-nematode, and hypoglyce-
CAP: The cap is 1.6-8 inches (4-20cm) tall and 1-6
mic activity.
inches (2.5-15cm) broad. Starting cylindrically round-
HOW TO EAT: This delicious mushroom is well-loved
ed, it expands to bell-shaped with upturned margins.
for its subtle flavor and firm, succulent texture. It is
The dry surface is whitish with shaggy scales. At the
one of the best mushrooms for frying and it also goes
cap’s center, these are colored light reddish-brown.
excellently in stews. Harvest young caps and prepare
The soft flesh is white. Mature caps will begin dissolv-
them as quickly as possible.
ing into black ink.
SHAGGY FRITTERS: Ingredients: mushrooms, flour,
GILLS: The tightly crowded gills are free from the
eggs beaten with milk, grated Parmesan, fresh pars-
stem. They begin white and with time blush pink be-
ley (chopped), salt, pepper, oil. Add salt, pepper, and
fore darkening to black and finally deliquescing into
parsley to the egg mixture. Dip mushrooms in flour,
ink.
then in eggs, and lastly in Parmesan. Fry on both sides
STEM: The stem is 2-8 inches (5-20cm) tall, 0.4-0.8 until golden. Set on a paper towel-covered plate. Serve
inches (1-2cm) thick, and thinner near the cap. Its ex- immediately.
terior is white and smooth, while its hollow interior POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: Chlorophyllum molyb-
contains a white string-like cord that stretches from
dites - young white cap with brown scales; expands
bottom to top. The stem separates cleanly from the cap.
to a parasol-shape; white gills turn greenish-grey by
VEIL: The partial veil leaves a white, inferior ring that maturity; they do not turn inky.

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