EDIBLE but poor: Considered edible when young but the flavor is bland and texture poor. The small size and delicate nature make it impractical. No toxic properties known but not commonly collected. No alcohol interaction. Must be used immediately as gills deliquesce quickly. Only young specimens before gills turn black are edible. The woolly-hairy appearance is charming but doesn't translate to culinary quality. Safe but not worthwhile. No toxic lookalikes. The cottony white hairs give it an attractive furry appearance. More interesting as a specimen than food.
Hare's Foot Inky Cap is a small delicate mushroom 4-10 cm tall with a cap 2-5 cm across. The cap is oval to bell-shaped, white to pale gray-brown, covered with dense white cottony or woolly hairs especially when young, giving a furry appearance (like a hare's foot, hence the name). The surface has long silky fibers. The gills are free, white becoming gray then black and deliquescing. The stem is 4-10 cm tall, slender, white, covered with similar woolly hairs, hollow. The entire mushroom has a shaggy hairy appearance.
| Family | Unknown |
|---|---|
| Genus | Coprinopsis |
| Edibility | Edible* |
| Toxicity | unknown |
| Season | May-Nov |
| Habitat | Found in grassy areas, lawns, pastures, parks, roadside verges, and disturbed ground. Prefers nutrient-rich soil, often where livestock graze or near dung. Grows terrestrially in grass, fruits scattered to gregarious. Common in maintained grasslands and grazed areas. |
| Region | Europe (widespread), North America (less common), Temperate grasslands worldwide, Grazed pastures, Cosmopolitan in suitable habitats |
Habitat: Found in grassy areas, lawns, pastures, parks, roadside verges, and disturbed ground. Prefers nutrient-rich soil, often where livestock graze or near dung. Grows terrestrially in grass, fruits scattered to gregarious. Common in maintained grasslands and grazed areas.
Region: Europe (widespread), North America (less common), Temperate grasslands worldwide, Grazed pastures, Cosmopolitan in suitable habitats
Spring through fall (May-November) in temperate regions. Peak fruiting in late spring and summer. In warm climates may fruit into winter. Most common during warm humid weather.
Typical months: May-Nov
Always verify identification to avoid these similar species. The differentiator is the point — learn the one or two tells that separate them:
much larger, shaggy scales not cottony hairs
nearly identical, distinction requires microscopy
but lack the cottony surface and black deliquescing gills
smaller, less hairy
Pin the patch before you leave it. Coordinates, photos, and field notes stay on your device — and the offline lookalike guide travels with you into the deep woods.
Download Mushroom TrackerDisclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only. Never consume a wild mushroom unless you are 100% certain of its identification.