Pileus 50-200 x 25-70 mm when still closed, ellipsoid to oblong or subcylindric, length divided by width often 2 or more, expanding to conical and than up to 100 mm wide, first white with adpressed, persistent scales, veil than breaking up into upturned scales except centre, that stays smooth and becomes pale to medium grey- or ochre-brown. Lamellae, L = > 50, l = 3-7, first white, than grey to black. Stipe 100-250 x 10-20 mm with movable ring on lower part; base up to 30 mm and subbulbous.
  Spores 8.8-12.8 x 6.9-9.3 µm, Q = 1.20-1.70, av. Q = 1.35-1.55, av. L = 10.6-11.9 µm, av. B = 7.7-7.9 µm, ovoid with rounded (sometimes slightly conical) base and apex, dark red-brown; germ pore central to slightly eccentric, 1.8-2.0 µm wide. Basidia 28-43 x 10-13 µm, 4-spored, surrounded by 5-8 pseudoparaphyses. Pleurocystidia absent. Cheilocystidia 40-110 x 15-40 µm, ellipsoid, ovoid, oblong, utriform or subcylindric. Elements of veil 40-250 x 7-27 µm, in chains. Only pseudo clamps present.

Habitat & distribution

  On recently disturbed ground, grassy places and road-sides. Solitary, in groups. Very common, probably all over the world.

Remarks

  Coprinus comatus differs from Coprinus sterquilinus in having much smaller spores and growing terrestrial.