Stages in the life of the Common Ink Cap

As I cycled through Elie Estate I spotted some Common Ink Cap mushrooms growing in one of the fields. No way was I trespassing by climbing over the fence so I cycled a bit further to an open area where there a fair few white torpedo-shaped mushrooms. A bit of further exploration and I found all stages of the mushroom.

These mushrooms grow with such strength that they have been known to lift pavements or break through road surfaces. As they age their gills turn black and liquify, creating the ‘inky’ substance for which they are named.