National Museum of Natural Science

The shaggy ink cap is edible when immature. Its common name in Chinese was once “drumstick mushroom,” as it resembles a chicken drumstick. When mature, the cap is covered with coarse hairs and looks like an old-fashioned judge’s wig. Thus, its other common names are shaggy mane and judge’s wig. From the margins of the cap, this mushroom deliquesces (dissolves), leaving behind a black ink-like fluid.

Coprinus comatus