Panaeolus sphinctrinus., Bernard Spragg Photo

FAMILY: Coprinaceae.GENUS: Panaeolus.SPECIES: Sphinctrinus.COMMON NAMES: Ink Caps, Hoop-Petticoat, Petticoat Mottlegill, Warai-take (Japanese, ‘laughing mushroom’), Hsiao Ch’un (Chinese, ‘laughing mushroom’)..Panaeolus sphinctrinus features a cap of 1-5 cm across that is conical or bell shaped. It is dark grey to nearly black when moist, and pale grey with a dark ochre center when dry. The stem is 60-120 mm x 2-3 mm and is gray, growing paler at the top. White partial veil fragments may be seen below the margin when the plant is young. The flesh is very thin. The spore print is black and the spores are elliptical and smooth