Sarah Brown
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. Psilocybin has been isolated from several genera of mushrooms, including Pluteus. Pluteus is a large genus of fungi with over 300 species, often found growing on wood or wood remains. They are known to have a radish flavor and aroma when raw, which can be cooked off. Some species of Pluteus mushrooms, such as Pluteus salicinus, have been found to contain psilocybin.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Genus | Pluteus |
| Species | Pluteus cervinus, Pluteus pestatus, Pluteus salicinus, Pluteus mammillatus, Pluteus Americanus, Pluteus saupei, Pluteus salicinus |
| Appearance | Thick, bushy, and brittle with gills that are free from the stem |
| Spore print colour | Light pink or salmon, deep pink |
| Habitat | Grows on wood or wood remains, usually in subtropical humid forests |
| Contains psilocybin | Yes |
| Other names | Deer mushrooms, magic mushrooms, shrooms |
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What You'll Learn
- Pluteus cervinus and pestatus mushrooms are commonly known as deer mushrooms
- Pluteus mushrooms have an interesting radish flavour and aroma
- Pluteus is a large genus of fungi with over 300 species
- Pluteus mushrooms are hallucinogenic and have therapeutic potential for mental health disorders
- Pluteus mushrooms are saprobes, growing on rotting logs and wood remains
Pluteus cervinus and pestatus mushrooms are commonly known as deer mushrooms
Pluteus cervinus and pestatus mushrooms, commonly known as deer mushrooms, are part of the large Pluteus genus of fungi, which contains over 300 species. Deer mushrooms are delicate and brittle and are often found growing directly from wood, especially in yards, open spaces, and woods. They have a distinct aroma of radishes, which can be cooked out. Deer mushrooms have a thick, bushy, and brittle cap, composed mostly of gills that are packed tightly together. The spore print of deer mushrooms is pinkish, and the gills are free from the stem.
Some mushrooms in the Pluteus genus contain notable amounts of psilocybin, including Pluteus americanus, Pluteus saupei, and Pluteus salicinus. Psilocybin is a serotonergic hallucinogen and is the main psychoactive substance found in psychedelic mushrooms. It alters perception and mood and produces hallucinations in individuals who ingest them. However, it is non-addictive and has been shown to have short- and long-term benefits in mood disorders, abuse disorders, and chronic pain.
While Pluteus cervinus mushrooms can be confused with other mushrooms in the genus that contain psilocybin, it is not clear whether they themselves contain the substance. It is important to properly identify mushrooms before consuming them, as some mushrooms that resemble deer mushrooms are lethally toxic. If the stems of deer mushrooms bruise blue, they should be discarded.
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Pluteus mushrooms have an interesting radish flavour and aroma
Pluteus mushrooms, also known as deer mushrooms, have a unique radish flavour and aroma. This interesting flavour profile is more noticeable in some species than others. For instance, the odour and taste of Pluteus cervinus are rather mild and reminiscent of radishes. The radish aroma is faint, and the mushroom has a light brown cap, a white stipe with brown streaks, and white, soft flesh.
Pluteus cervinus is one of the first gilled mushrooms to appear in the spring, although it can also be found in summer and autumn. It is a common edible mushroom that can be found around the world, particularly in the woods and in yards. They are delicate and brittle, so it is recommended to collect them in a basket to avoid ending up with mushroom crumbs.
The radish flavour is more noticeable when the mushrooms are stewed without caramelizing. However, if they are caramelized and browned in a pan, the radish flavour disappears, giving way to a more mushroomy and earthy taste. One recommended way to cook them is to sauté the caps whole and toss them with garlic and parsley.
Pluteus mushrooms are part of a large genus of fungi with over 300 species. They are wood-rotting saprobes with pink spore prints and gills that are free from the stem. Some Pluteus mushrooms are edible, while others are psychoactive, and some are too small to forage. The name "deer mushroom" is quite accurate, as deer and squirrels are known to eat these mushrooms.
It is important to note that while Pluteus mushrooms do have a radish flavour and aroma, they also contain psilocybin, a serotonergic hallucinogen that can alter perception and mood and produce hallucinations. Therefore, it is essential to exercise caution and properly identify the mushrooms before consuming them.
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Pluteus is a large genus of fungi with over 300 species
Pluteus fungi are saprobes, meaning they obtain nutrients by breaking down decaying organic matter. Specifically, they are wood-rotting saprobes, growing on wood or wood remains. They are delicate and brittle, with a radish flavour and aroma that can be cooked away. The most well-known species in Europe and North America is Pluteus cervinus, also known as the Deer Shield or Deer Mushroom.
Pluteus mushrooms can be distinguished from other genera by certain characteristics. Unlike Volvariella, they lack a volva, and unlike Entoloma, they grow on wood and have distinct microscopic features, such as angular spores. Additionally, Pluteus mushrooms have smooth, egg-shaped spores and often possess abundant, distinctive cystidia.
While most Pluteus mushrooms are edible, some species should be avoided if their stems bruise blue, as this indicates the presence of psilocybin, a hallucinogenic substance. Several species within the Pluteus genus are known to contain psilocybin, including Pluteus brunneidiscus, Pluteus salicinus, Pluteus cyanopus, Pluteus glaucus, Pluteus nigroviridis, Pluteus phaeocyanopus, and Pluteus villosus.
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Pluteus mushrooms are hallucinogenic and have therapeutic potential for mental health disorders
Pluteus is a large genus of fungi with over 300 species, commonly known as deer or fawn mushrooms. They are wood-rotting saprobes with distinctive pink spore prints and gills that are free from the stem. They grow on wood or wood remains, including dead logs and buried wood. Some species fruit from the ground.
Pluteus mushrooms are hallucinogenic and contain psilocybin, the main psychoactive substance found in psychedelic mushrooms. Psilocybin produces hallucinations and alters perception and mood in individuals who ingest it. It is non-addictive and has shown short- and long-term benefits in treating mood disorders, abuse disorders, and chronic pain. The presence of psilocybin in Pluteus mushrooms offers therapeutic potential for various mental health disorders.
Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are a polyphyletic informal group of fungi. The most potent species belong to the genus Psilocybe, but psilocybin has also been found in other genera, including Pluteus. The magic mushroom composition varies across genera and species, and the effects may differ as well. The principal component is psilocybin, which converts into psilocin upon ingestion, producing psychoactive effects. Other substances like norpsilocin, baeocystin, norbaeocystin, and aeruginascin may be present and contribute to the overall effects.
Pluteus mushrooms have a radish flavor and aroma, which can be minimized by caramelizing and browning them in a pan. They are delicate and brittle, so they require careful handling and storage. Pluteus mushrooms are widely distributed globally and are commonly found in North America, particularly west of the Cascade Mountains. They are also present in other regions, including South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.
The identification of Pluteus mushrooms can be challenging, and some species require microscopic analysis or DNA testing for accurate identification. The shape of the cystidia and the cells that make up the pileus' top layer are important characteristics for species identification within the genus. Pluteus mushrooms can be distinguished from similar-looking fungi, such as Volvariella, by the absence of a volva or a sac-like membrane at the base of the stipe.
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Pluteus mushrooms are saprobes, growing on rotting logs and wood remains
Pluteus is a large genus of fungi with over 300 species. They are saprobes, which means they feed on dead and decaying organic matter, specifically wood and wood remains like rotting logs. Pluteus mushrooms have pink spore prints and gills that are free from the stem. The spore powder is deep pink, eventually giving a pink tint to the initially pale gills. The gills are free from the stipe, and there is no volva or ring, except in the rare North American species P. mammillatus.
Pluteus mushrooms are often referred to as deer mushrooms or fawn mushrooms. They are graceful mushrooms that can be found in yards, open spaces, and in the woods on logs, depending on the exact species. The name "deer mushroom" is accurate, as deer have been observed eating these mushrooms, along with squirrels. Pluteus cervinus, for example, typically grows in woods on dead logs, while Pluteus pestatus is usually found in yards.
Some Pluteus mushrooms are edible, including P. petasatus and P. cervinus, although their taste and consistency are considered average. Pluteus cervinus is the best-known species in Europe and North America. Pluteus mushrooms have a radish flavor and aroma, which can be more noticeable in some species. When cooked, this flavor can be diminished, taking on a more mushroomy and earthy taste.
It is important to note that some species of Pluteus mushrooms should not be consumed. If the stems bruise blue, they should be discarded. Several species of Pluteus contain psilocybin, a hallucinogenic substance found in "magic mushrooms." These species include Pluteus brunneidiscus, Pluteus salicinus, Pluteus cyanopus, Pluteus glaucus, Pluteus nigroviridis, Pluteus phaeocyanopus, and Pluteus villosus.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, some species of the Pluteus genus of mushrooms contain psilocybin.
Psilocybin is a prodrug that turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. It is the main psychoactive substance found in "magic mushrooms" or "shrooms".
Psilocybin is a serotonergic hallucinogen that alters perception and mood and produces hallucinations. Studies have shown that it is non-addictive and has short- and long-term benefits in mood disorders, abuse disorders, and chronic pain.
Pluteus is a large genus of fungi with over 300 species. They are wood-rotting saprobes with pink spore prints and gills that are free from the stem. They are also known as deer mushrooms or fawn mushrooms.
