On the type of Coprinus triplex
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Original description

Coprinus triplex P. D. Orton, sp. nov.
C. triplex P.D. Orton in Notes R. Bot. Gdn Edinb. 35: 147. l976.

A basidiis trisporigeris, stipite marginato-bulboso et odore distinguitur. C. trisporus proxime accedit sed a sporis latioribus (6-7 µm) et a velo albo differt. C. narcoticus (Batsch ex Fr.) Fr. sensu Buller non al. ab icone et descriptione idem est.
Pileus 6-12 x 5-9 mm, subglobosus vel ovoideus, dein expansus 7-15 mm latus et ad marginem revolutus vel laceratus, griseus, subtiliter griseo flocculoso-farinoso squamulosus vulgo ad discum crassiore verrucoso-granulatus, senectute circa discum plicato-striatus. Lamellae liberae ex albidis umbrinae dein nigrescentes, subconfertae, primo ad aciem albo atomato-floccosae. Stipes 30-35 x 1-2 mm, aequalis vel sursum attenuatus, ad basim marginato-bulbosus, primo totus minute albo flocculoso-farinosus ad bulbum radialiter griseo flocculoso-farinosus, interdum ad basim tenuiter radicatus. Odor aliquantum fortis, naueosus vel stercorosus.
Sporae ellipsoideae vel leviter ovoideae, 8.5-11 x 5-6.2 µm, a perisporio non vel vix manifeste tunicatae. Basidia trisporigera, rarissime 4-sporigera. Cystidia aciei lamellarum vesiculosa vel pyriformia vulgo pedunculata, 30-70 x 16-34 µm. Cystidia faciei lamellarum non vidi. Cellulae veli pilei globosae minute verruculosae, 34-84 µm latae.

- English description from British Fungus Flora, Coprinaceae: Coprinus: 75. 1979, no. 55.

C. triplex P.D. Orton in Notes R. Bot. Gdn Edinb. 35: 147. l976.
Misident.: C. narcoticus (Batsch ex Fr.) Fr., sensu Buller non al.
Icon.: none. Figs. L. Buller, Researches on Fungi III: 294, fig. 125.

Cap at first 6-12/5-9 mm, subglobose or ovoid, then expanded 7-15 mm broad with ± revolute or split margin, grey, at first often with veil coarse grey or buff-tipped lumps of meal at centre, elsewhere minutely finely floccose-mealy, becoming grooved striate from margin in. Gills whitish then umber or purplish date, finally blackish. Stem 30-35/l-2 mm, equal or slightly attenuated upwards from the ± marginately bulbous base, entirely minutely white mealy floccose when fresh, bulb with radially arranged grey mealy flocci, base sometimes continued into a thin mycelial cord. Smell fairly strong, especially when opening out, nauseous, of human faeces or like acetylene. Sporeprint fuscous black.
Spores dark date-brown, 8.5-11/5-6.2 µm, (without perispore), ellipsoid or slightly ovoid in both views, germ-pore central, perisporial sac not or barely visible in places only (in water). Basidia 3- or very rarely 4-spored. Marginal cystidia vesiculose or pyriform often pedunculate 3O-7O/16-34 µm. Facial cystidia not seen. Veil on cap of ± globose verruculose cells, 34-84 µm broad.
Genetics unknown.
Habitat on cow dung. Recorded only from Mull as yet, but probably widespread though uncommon.

Recognized by the small, 3-spored basidia and marginately bulbous stem base. The other 3-spored member of this stirps C. trisporus lacks the latter and is whiter and has broader spores. This is one of the C. narcoticus complex and is C. narcoticus sensu Buller judging by the photographs he gives which show an exactly similar stem shape and habit.
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