Urban Environments

Habitat: On soil amongst grass in unimproved grassland, parkland, on lawns and along woodland edges (but not in woodland). Notes: Common and widespread but undoubtedly over-recorded. This is a grassland taxon and therefore any 'plicatilis' in other habitats should be examined microscopically. Ref; BC     Based on recent molecular studies published by Hopple & Vilgalys in 1999 (Molecular Phylogenetics & Evolution 13: 1-19), Redhead, Vilgalys, Moncalvo, Johnson & Hopple (2001. Taxon 50: 203-241) recently split the large and well-known agaric genus Coprinus Pers. taxonomically into four genera and two families. Coprinus comatus , the universally recognized lectotype for Coprinus , and two other species are now recognized as belonging with Lepiota and Agaricus in the Agaricaceae. This transfer renders the younger name (Coprinaceae) synonymous and superfluous. Over 95% of the remaining former Coprinus species are now treated with Psathyrella in a separate family, for which the name Psathyrellaceae has been proposed. Except for C. comatus and close allies, all former Coprinus species have now been distributed into Coprinopsis, Coprinellus, and Parasola within the Psathyrellaceae. Lorelei Norvell (2001)

The best known toadstool, often illustrated in children's books. Only fatal if ingested in massive amounts but the presence of muscimol causes psychotropic poisoning similar to alcoholic intoxication, and can lead to coma in extreme circumstances. Subject of much ancient mythology and said to be used by the 'Soma' of Hinduism. It was once used in Scandinavia for religious purposes but is now used for herding reindeer, the Vikings were reputed to consume large quantities of fly agarics so as to send them into a state of madness, they were known as the berserkers. The Siberian tribes of northeast Siberia still to this date use the fly agaric mushroom in their shamanic rituals, as do a few Native American tribes. The modern day Santa with all the red and white, flying reindeers, etc., etc. have strong similiarities with the fly agaric... even the coming down a chimney part.