Mica Cap Mushroom

Mica cap mushrooms often appear in small, crowded clusters around buried wood, old roots, or woody debris. Young fruiting bodies are honey-tan to pale buff, with delicate pleats running down the cap and darker gray tones developing near the margin as the caps mature. The common name comes from tiny mica-like granules that can sparkle on fresh caps, though rain and age may wash them away before a photograph is taken.

These photographs show a compact cluster at several viewing angles, emphasizing the tall pale stems, bell-shaped caps, ribbed margins, and soft woodland setting. For identification details and comparison with similar inky caps, see Coprinellus micaceus in the Field Notes section.

Close view of Mica Cap mushrooms showing honey-tan caps with dark pleated margins

Pleated Bells
A close look at the clustered caps, with pale honey centers fading into gray, ribbed margins.
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Lens: EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Settings: ISO 200 * Aperture f/13.0 * Shutter 0.8 s
D79A0676-82 • Size: 5088x3392

Mica Cap Cluster
A small group rises from mossy soil and leaf litter, their slender stems supporting fragile, pleated caps.
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Lens: EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
Settings: ISO 6400 * Aperture f/6.3 * Shutter 1/500 s
E22A3732 • Size: 6720x4480

Mica Cap mushrooms clustered among grasses and spring leaves

Sheltered in Spring Growth
Grasses and new leaves frame the cluster, giving a sense of scale and habitat on the woodland floor.
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Lens: EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
Settings: ISO 6400 * Aperture f/6.3 * Shutter 1/500 s
E22A3729 • Size: 6720x4480

The caps in this group are still relatively fresh, with their bell-like shape intact and the pleated edges clearly visible. Several show the darker lower band typical of maturing inky-cap relatives, while the younger caps retain warmer buff and caramel tones. The tight grouping suggests growth from buried woody material rather than open soil.