John Miller
The Mycena mushroom, also known as the Blue Ghost Mushroom, is a rare fungus native to the Pacific Northwest region of North America. With a distinctive blue-grey colour, these mushrooms are often sought after for their hallucinogenic properties. While some species are prized for their unique flavour and texture, others are poisonous and can be deadly if ingested. The Mycena genus encompasses around 500 species worldwide, with complex taxonomy and microscopic features that make identification challenging. Some varieties, like the Mycena cyanorrhiza, contain the hallucinogen psilocybin, while the edibility of others, such as the Mycena leptocephala, remains unknown.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Genus | Mycena |
| Type | Small saprotrophic mushrooms |
| Width | Rarely more than a few centimeters |
| Cap | Small, conical or bell-shaped |
| Stem | Thin and fragile |
| Color | Mostly gray or brown, some species have brighter colors |
| Cap | Translucent and striate, rarely with an incurved margin |
| Gills | Attached and usually have cystidia |
| Species | Mycena cyanorrhiza, Mycena haematopus, Mycena leptocephala, Mycena pura, Mycena Subcyanocephala |
| Toxicity | Some species are edible, some contain toxins, and some are hallucinogenic |
| Habitat | Found in forests on wood, especially on the rotting wood of conifer trees |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Mycena cyanorrhiza contains hallucinogens
Mycena cyanorrhiza is a small white mushroom with blue colors. It grows in forests on wood and has a white spore print. Although it has blue colors, unlike other hallucinogenic mushrooms, the blue color is not related to psilocin polymerization. Instead, the blue color is due to the mushroom staining blue.
Mycena cyanorrhiza contains the hallucinogen psilocybin. Psilocybin is a psychoactive compound that can induce hallucinations and altered states of consciousness. It is found in certain mushrooms, including Mycena cyanorrhiza.
The effects of ingesting psilocybin-containing mushrooms like Mycena cyanorrhiza can vary but typically include visual and auditory hallucinations, distorted perception of time and space, and altered thoughts and emotions. These effects can last for several hours, and the experience can be intensely profound and life-changing for some individuals.
It is important to note that consuming hallucinogenic mushrooms, including Mycena cyanorrhiza, comes with risks. The effects of psilocybin are unpredictable and depend on various factors, such as the amount consumed, the individual's physiology and mental state, and the environment in which the mushrooms are ingested. Negative experiences, often referred to as "bad trips," can occur and may involve anxiety, paranoia, and loss of control. Therefore, it is essential to approach these substances with caution and to be well-informed about their potential effects and risks before considering their consumption.
Irish Stew: Does It Include Mushrooms?
You may want to see also
Mycena pura contains mycotoxins
Mycena is a large genus of small saprotrophic mushrooms that are rarely more than a few centimetres in width. They are characterised by a white spore print, a small conical or bell-shaped cap, and a thin, fragile stem. Most Mycenas are grey or brown, but some species have brighter colours. Mycena pura, commonly known as the lilac mycena or lilac bonnet, is a species of mushroom in the family Mycenaceae. It was first called Agaricus prunus in 1794 by Christian Hendrik Persoon, but German mycologist Paul Kummer gave it its current name in 1871.
Mycena pura is a tiny to medium-sized mushroom that can grow in a variety of hues, often with purple undertones. The cap ranges from 2 to 6 centimetres (3⁄4 to 2+1⁄4 inches) in size. It is violet to purple when young but can change colour with age. The gills are pale or pinkish in colour and develop cross-veins as they age. The stem is 2 to 6 millimetres (1⁄8 to 1⁄4 inches) thick, hollow, and the same colour as the cap. The mushroom has a radish-like scent and taste, but it should not be eaten as it contains a small amount of the mycotoxin muscarine.
Mycena pura is known to bioaccumulate the element boron and associate with the ectomycorrhizal birch (Betula pendula), transferring macronutrients (phosphorous) back to the plant. This behaviour resembles a mycorrhiza- or mycorrhizoial life style. The mushroom also has an antifungal substance called strobilurin D, which was previously found in Cyphellopsis anomala.
While Mycena pura contains the mycotoxin muscarine, there is no evidence to suggest that it has hallucinogenic properties.
The Perfect Dryness for Mushrooms
You may want to see also
Blue Mycena mushrooms are poisonous
The Blue Mycena Mushroom, also known as the Blue Ghost Mushroom, is a rare fungus native to the Pacific Northwest region of North America. It is identified by its glowing blue-grey colour and delicate, translucent appearance. These mushrooms typically grow on the rotting wood of conifer trees in damp, shaded areas.
Despite their attractive appearance, some species of Blue Mycena are poisonous and can be deadly if ingested. However, it is important to note that not all species are poisonous, and some are considered edible and even prized for their unique flavour and texture.
The blue colour of the mushroom is caused by a pigment called omphalina and is not related to psilocin polymerization, which is typically associated with hallucinogenic mushrooms. While the Blue Mycena Mushroom is not hallucinogenic, some species within the Mycena genus, such as Mycena cyanorrhiza and Mycena haematopus, do contain hallucinogenic compounds like psilocybin.
Mycena mushrooms are small, usually only a few centimetres in width, and have a white spore print. They are characterized by a small conical or bell-shaped cap and a thin, fragile stem. The gills are attached and typically have cystidia. Some species exude a latex when the stem is broken, and many have an odour of bleach.
Due to the presence of poisonous species within the Blue Mycena Mushroom group, it is essential to exercise caution when handling or consuming any mushrooms from this genus. Proper identification and knowledge of the species are crucial to avoid potential health risks.
Scallops and Mushrooms: A Match Made in Heaven?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Mycena leptocephala is a saprobic species
The Mycena genus is a large group of small saprotrophic mushrooms, rarely exceeding a few centimetres in width. Some species of Mycena are hallucinogenic, such as Mycena cyanorrhiza, which stains blue and contains the hallucinogen psilocybin. However, the Mycena leptocephala, or nitrous bonnet, is not known to be hallucinogenic.
The species was first identified in 1800 by Christian Hendrik Persoon, who named it Agaricus leptocephalus. It was later reclassified under the genus Mycena by French mycologist Claude-Casimir Gillet in 1876. M. leptocephala is found across the world, including in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia.
The mushroom is characterised by its distinctive bleach-like odour and the presence of spindle-shaped cystidia on the gill edges. The edibility of M. leptocephala is unknown, and it is distinguished by its microscopic features, such as the shape of the cystidia. Similar species include Mycena alcalina, M. austera, and M. brevipes, which differ in characteristics such as odour, stem length, and the presence or absence of cystidia.
Mushroom Gardening: How to Grow Your Own Mushrooms
You may want to see also
Mycena mushrooms are rarely more than a few centimetres in width
The Mycena genus encompasses around 500 species of small saprotrophic mushrooms, rarely exceeding a few centimetres in width. They are characterised by their small, conical or bell-shaped caps and thin, fragile stems. The caps often have a whitish sheen due to their pruinose coating, which eventually wears off, leaving a smooth and moist surface. The gills are typically narrow and ascending-adnate, with a distinctive odour of bleach.
Mycena mushrooms are known for their striking colour variations, ranging from grey and brown to vibrant blues. This diversity in colour is due to pigments like omphalina, which gives the Blue Mycena Mushroom its glowing blue-grey hue. Despite their attractive appearance, caution is advised when handling these mushrooms as some species are poisonous and can be deadly if ingested. However, certain species within the Mycena genus are considered edible and are prized for their unique flavour and texture.
One notable species within the Mycena genus is the Mycena cyanorrhiza, a small white mushroom with blue hues. Unlike hallucinogenic mushrooms, the blue colour of the Mycena cyanorrhiza is not due to psilocin polymerization. Instead, it grows in forests on wood and leaves a white spore print. Another species, Mycena haematopus, exudes latex when its stem is broken.
The Mycena leptocephala, commonly known as the nitrous bonnet, has conical grey caps that reach up to 3 cm in diameter. Its thin, fragile stems can grow up to 5 cm long. This species is found in North America, Asia, and Europe, typically growing on conifer needles, cones, and sticks on the forest floor. While its distinctive odour of bleach is notable, its edibility remains unknown.
Mushrooms: Low Potassium Superfood?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
No, not all Mycena mushrooms are hallucinogenic. Mycena cyanorrhiza, for example, is not hallucinogenic despite its blue colour. However, it should still be treated with caution as some species of Mycena mushrooms are poisonous and can be deadly if ingested.
The hallucinogenic Mycena Subcyanocephala, also known as the Blue Ghost Mushroom, is a rare fungus native to the Pacific Northwest region of North America. It has a glowing blue-grey colour and a delicate, translucent appearance.
The non-hallucinogenic Mycena mushrooms, such as Mycena cyanorrhiza, are small white mushrooms with blue colours. They grow in forests on wood and have a white spore print.
