Coprinus comatus is a kind of fungus, which reveal the degradation of lignocellulose. In the present study, the strain was optimum cultivated and lignin degradation in corn stalk was investigated. The changes of corn stalk were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), specific surface area measurement (BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results showed that the strain got its degradation of lignin up to 38.66 %. The strain eroded structure of corn stalk and formed pores, which accelerated the degradation of lignin. Treated by Coprinus comatus increased the specific surface area and reduced the crystallinity of corn stalk. Meanwhile, small molecular substances found in the treated corn stalk matrix. These demonstrated the effectives of Coprinus comatus for corn stalk degradation. The potentials of Coprinus comatus in this field need further investigation. Display omitted •Coprinus comatus was identified.•Culture conditions for Coprinus comatus to degrade corn stalk were optimized by orthogonal experiments.•Enzyme activities of Coprinus comatus for lignocellulosic were assessed.•Degradation activities of Coprinus comatus for lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose of were determined.