Coprinus Persoon
Acta Soc. Fauna Flora fenn. 2(1): 27. 1881.

Recent molecular evidence (2001) has shown that Coprinus, as traditionally defined, is polyphyletic. The species traditionally placed in Coprinus are now placed in Coprinellus, Coprinopsis, Coprinus (s.s.), and Parasola. Coprinus (s.s.) belongs in the family Agaricaceae and the other three genera belong in the family Psathyrellaceae.

Principle characteristics of the genus Coprinus:

• Caps whitish/tan with floccose scales
• Gills are white and turn pink before liquefying black
• Stipe hollow with central "string"

Keys and descriptions of the genus Coprinus:

• Orton, P.D. & Watling, R. (1979). British Fungus Flora: Agarics and Boleti. Vol 2. Coprinaceae: Coprinus. Royal Botanic Garden: Edinburgh, Scotland. 149 p.
• Noordeloos, M.E., Kuyper, T.W. & Vellinga, E.C. (2005). Flora Agaricina Neerlandica — Critical monographs on the families of agarics and boleti occurring in the Netherlands. Volume 6. Coprinaceae & Bolbitiaceae. Taylor & Francis: Boca Raton, FL. 227 p.
• Redhead S.A., Vilgalys R., Moncalvo J.-M.,Johnson J. & Hopple, J.S. Jr. ( 2001). Coprinus Pers. and the disposition of Coprinus species sensu lato. Taxon 50(1): 203-241.
• Coprinus s.l. Keys and Descriptions: Kees Uljé Coprinus site
• Pacific Northwest Key Council: Trial Field Key to Coprinus in the wide sense
• MushroomExpert.com: The Genus Coprinus: The Inky Caps

Coprinus species known to occur in California:

1. Coprinus calyptratus Peck
2. Coprinus comatus (O.F. Müll.) Pers.
3. Coprinus sterquilinus (Fr.) Fr.

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