Emily Johnson
Liberty Cap mushrooms, also known as Psilocybe semilanceata, are common in the autumn and are illegal to pick, prepare, eat or sell in the UK. They are considered a class A drug due to the active ingredients psilocybin and psilocin, which can cause hallucinations, nausea and vomiting. Liberty Caps are often brown with a nipple-like structure on the cap, but their appearance can vary. They are distinguished from similar-looking species by their pronounced umbo and bent, curving stem.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Liberty Cap, Magic Mushroom |
| Scientific Name | Psilocybe semilanceata |
| Active Ingredients | Psilocybin, Psilocin |
| Appearance | Cap: sharply conical to bell-shaped, often peaked, with a pronounced nipple-like structure (papilla); Cap colour: translucent brown to buff/white/grey/silver with a darker edge; Gills: light grey/black, becoming very dark purple/black; Stalk: very thin, whitish |
| Habitat | Tall grass, grassy hummocks in cow pastures |
| Seasonality | Late August to November |
| Edibility | Hallucinogenic, potentially toxic if misidentified |
| Legal Status | Class A drug in the UK, Schedule I in the US |
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What You'll Learn
- Cap colour: brown to dark chestnut brown when moist, fading to tan or white when dry
- Cap shape: conical to bell-shaped, with a nipple-like structure
- Gills: light grey/black with a darker edge, turning purple-brown when spores are released
- Stalk: very thin and whitish
- Active compounds: psilocybin and psilocin, which cause hallucinations and can induce nausea or vomiting
Cap colour: brown to dark chestnut brown when moist, fading to tan or white when dry
The cap of the liberty cap mushroom, or Psilocybe semilanceata, is hygrophanous, meaning its colour depends on its state of hydration. When moist, the cap is a dark chestnut brown, sometimes with a greenish-blue tinge, and often darker in the centre. The cap can also appear translucent brown when young and if the weather is wet. When dry, the cap fades to a much paler colour, ranging from light yellow-brown to tan, buff, or white. The cap's colour can, therefore, vary significantly, and it may also bruise blue on its margin.
The cap is also characterised by its sharply conical shape, which sometimes peaks, and its small size, with a diameter of 5–25 mm and a height of 6–22 mm. It often has a prominent papilla, or 'nipple', which can be quite pronounced or barely present, and it does not change shape significantly as it ages. When fresh, the cap has a sticky, smooth texture due to a thin, gelatinous film called a pellicle, which can be peeled away. As the mushroom dries, this film turns whitish and can no longer be peeled.
It is important to note that liberty caps are hallucinogenic and considered a Class A drug in some countries, so they should be treated with caution. Misidentification with toxic mushroom species is also a serious risk, and consuming wild mushrooms is not recommended for novice mushroom hunters.
To identify a liberty cap mushroom accurately, it is essential to consider various features beyond just cap colour, as several other mushroom species may have similar physical appearances.
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Cap shape: conical to bell-shaped, with a nipple-like structure
The cap of the Liberty Cap mushroom, or Psilocybe semilanceata, is a key identifying feature of this species. The cap shape varies from sharply conical to bell-shaped, with a pronounced papilla, or nipple-like structure, at the centre. This characteristic feature is also known as a ""prominent umbo". The cap does not change shape significantly as the mushroom ages, and it typically measures 5–25 mm (0.20–0.98 in) in diameter and 6–22 mm (0.24–0.87 in) in height.
The colour of the cap is hygrophanous, meaning it changes depending on its moisture content. When moist, the cap is typically ochraceous to pale brown to dark chestnut brown, often with a greenish-blue tinge, and it darkens towards the centre. Radial grooves, or striations, corresponding to the positions of the gills underneath, can be seen on the cap when it is in this moist state. When dry, the cap becomes much paler, taking on a light yellow-brown colour.
The cap of the Liberty Cap mushroom can be differentiated from similar species by the presence or absence of this pronounced papilla. For example, P. strictipes, a slender grassland species, lacks this feature, and can thus be distinguished from P. semilanceata. Additionally, grassland bonnets (Mycena sp.) may appear similar with age, but their striated caps, lacking the smooth surface of the Liberty Cap, can be a distinguishing feature.
It is important to note that attempting to consume wild mushrooms, especially those with hallucinogenic properties like the Liberty Cap, carries risks. Misidentification with toxic species can have severe consequences, including end-stage kidney failure, as reported in one case of mistaken identity involving Cortinarius rubellus. Therefore, novice mushroom hunters should exercise caution and seek expert guidance when identifying and consuming wild mushrooms.
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Gills: light grey/black with a darker edge, turning purple-brown when spores are released
The gills of the Liberty Cap mushroom (Psilocybe semilanceata) are a key feature to examine when identifying this species. When young, the gills are light grey/black with a darker edge. As the mushroom matures and releases its spores, the gills turn purple-brown. This colour change is an important indicator of the mushroom's life stage and potential potency.
The gills of Psilocybe semilanceata are described as attached, close, and broad. They typically range in colour from grey to dark purple/black. The purple-brown spores are elliptical in shape, measuring 11-14 x 7-9 microns in size. These spores are produced on the gills and are responsible for the mushroom's reproductive process.
It is worth noting that the colour and appearance of the gills can vary slightly depending on environmental conditions and the age of the mushroom. For example, the gills may appear lighter or darker depending on the lighting conditions and the moisture level of the mushroom. Additionally, as the mushroom ages, the gills may become darker and more pronounced as the spores mature.
When identifying Liberty Cap mushrooms, it is crucial to examine multiple features, including the cap, gills, stalk, and spore colour. The gills play a significant role in species identification, especially when combined with other characteristics. It is always advisable to exercise caution and consult expert sources or field guides when attempting to identify mushrooms in the wild.
In conclusion, the gills of Liberty Cap mushrooms exhibit a distinctive colour transformation from light grey/black with a darker edge to purple-brown as the spores are released. This feature, along with other morphological traits, helps distinguish Psilocybe semilanceata from similar-looking species and underscores the importance of careful observation in mushroom identification.
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Stalk: very thin and whitish
The stalk of the Psilocybe semilanceata, commonly known as the Liberty Cap or Magic Mushroom, is very thin and whitish. The species was first described in 1838 by Swedish mycologist Elias Magnus Fries, who named it Agaricus semilanceatus.
The stalks of these mushrooms are typically very slender and whitish in colour. The stalks are also known as stipes, and in the 18th century, Phrygian caps, or liberty caps, were placed on Liberty poles, which resembled the stipe of the mushroom.
The stalks of the Liberty Cap mushroom are not the only identifying feature. The cap is sharply conical, often peaked, and not expanding, with a diameter of 5-25mm and a height of 6-22mm. The cap is also sticky and smooth, with colours ranging from brownish to tan and sometimes bruising blue on the margin. The gills are attached, close, and broad, ranging in colour from greyish to dark brown.
Liberty Caps are considered a Class A drug in the UK due to their hallucinogenic properties, and they should be treated with caution as they may cause vomiting, stomach pains, and anxiety attacks.
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Active compounds: psilocybin and psilocin, which cause hallucinations and can induce nausea or vomiting
Liberty cap mushrooms (Psilocybe semilanceata) contain the active compounds psilocybin and psilocin, which are hallucinogens. These compounds are controlled internationally under the United Nations Drug Control Conventions. In the UK, Canada, and some other countries, activities involving psilocybin and psilocin—such as sale, possession, and production—are illegal.
Psilocybin and psilocin produce effects similar to LSD. They cause hallucinations and an altered state of consciousness. Other effects of psilocybin and psilocin include increased heart rate and blood pressure, anxiety, fear, nausea, muscle twitches, and synesthesia. The effects of psilocybin mushrooms can vary from person to person and depend on the dose and type of mushroom used. Low doses of psilocybin are considered to be 5 to 10 mg, while high or ego-dissolution doses are 30 to 40 mg. The effects of psilocybin mushrooms typically appear within 15 to 50 minutes and last for four to six hours.
Psilocybin is rapidly dephosphorylated in the body to psilocin, which acts as a serotonin 5-HT2A, 5-HT2C, and 5-HT1A receptor agonist or partial agonist. Psilocin is about 1.4 times more potent than psilocybin due to their difference in molecular weight. The human dosage of psilocin is typically 10 to 20 mg.
There is increasing interest in the therapeutic uses of psilocybin and psilocin. Clinical trials have shown promising results in treating certain illnesses, including chronic depression and PTSD. However, there are risks associated with consuming psilocybin mushrooms, and they may cause alarming symptoms such as vomiting, stomach pains, and anxiety attacks.
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