Michael Davis
Hallucinogenic mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, have been used by humans for thousands of years. They contain psilocybin, a natural psychoactive compound that induces mind-altering effects. With hundreds of varieties worldwide, accurate identification is critical to avoid poisoning. Traditional methods of identification include examining macroscopic features, such as the colour and shape of the cap and gills, the presence of blue bruising, and the growth pattern. Modern scientific methods, including DNA barcoding and high-resolution melting analysis, are also employed to differentiate between species accurately and facilitate forensic investigations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Genus | Psilocybe, Gymnopilus, Paneolus, Amanita, Conocybe, Inocybe, Stropharia, Pluteus, Hypholoma, Panaeolina, Kwoniella, Panaeolus |
| Species | Psilocybe semilanceata, Psilocybe cubensis, Conocybe blatteria, Amanita muscaria, Amanita pantherina |
| Cap colour | Brown, sometimes with a blue or greenish tinge |
| Cap texture | Smooth, moist, and scaleless |
| Shape | Conical or bell-shaped |
| Gills | Brown, with 15-27 gills on the underside of the cap |
| Spore print colour | Black or brown |
| Mycelium colour | White |
| Bruising | Turns blue when injured |
| Habitat | Grasslands, pastures, and parkland that have not been enriched with artificial fertilizer |
| Geographic distribution | Europe, North America, southeastern United States, Central America, northern parts of South America, and Southeast Asia |
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What You'll Learn
- Look for Psilocybe mushrooms, which have brown caps, stems and gills
- Identify the cortina, or partial veil, which peels off as the mushroom grows
- Check the colour of the gills—most Psilocybe mushrooms have black spore prints
- Look out for blue bruising, a telltale sign of hallucinogenic mushrooms
- Examine the growth pattern and habitat of the mushroom
Look for Psilocybe mushrooms, which have brown caps, stems and gills
If you're interested in foraging for magic mushrooms, it's essential to learn how to identify them. While hallucinogenic mushrooms differ in appearance, they do share some key traits. These shared traits can help you identify them and avoid poisonous species.
Look for Psilocybe mushrooms, which have brown caps, stems, and gills. The cap, also known as the pileus, supports the gills, which bear the spores. The gills are usually a bright purple-brown to black colour. The cap is smooth and has a moist outer layer. Psilocybe mushrooms are also known as shrooms, golden halo, golden teacher, cube, or gold cap.
Psilocybe cubensis, in particular, is commonly known as the magic mushroom. It was first described in 1906 as Stropharia cubensis by American mycologist Franklin Sumner Earle in Cuba. It is widely distributed and easy to cultivate, making it the best-known psilocybin mushroom. Terence and Dennis McKenna made P. cubensis famous when they published the Psilocybin: Magic Mushroom Grower's Guide in the 1970s.
It's important to note that the physical traits of Psilocybe mushrooms can vary between species. For example, Singer divided P. cubensis into three varieties, each with distinct cap colours: brownish, pale, and yellowish. Additionally, the potency of cultivated specimens can vary widely per harvest. The levels of psilocybin and psilocin, the principal active compounds, can differ by over a factor of four even in controlled conditions.
To confirm whether the mushrooms you've found are psychoactive, you can use spore prints. Most Psilocybe mushrooms have black spore prints, while a few have brown spore prints. The mycelium of a psilocybin mushroom is white with thick strands that cling to the substrate. As the mushroom grows, the cortina, or partial veil, peels off until it disintegrates, leaving a structure called an annulus that offers protection to the gills.
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Identify the cortina, or partial veil, which peels off as the mushroom grows
The cortina, or partial veil, is a temporary structure of tissue found on the fruiting bodies of some mushrooms, typically agarics. It originates partly from the fundamental tissue and partly from the growth of the cap's margin. The partial veil's primary role is to protect the developing spore-producing surface, represented by gills or tubes, found on the lower surface of the cap.
As the mushroom grows, the cortina peels off and eventually disintegrates completely, leaving a structure known as an annulus, which offers protection to the gills. The annulus is a ring-like mark on the stipe that is a remnant of the partial veil. In some mushrooms, the overhanging tissue of the annulus may become a cortina. The annulus is a crucial characteristic for the identification of mushrooms. It might be a permanent feature, or it may be more ephemeral, disappearing over time or due to environmental conditions.
The cortina is typically more delicate than the universal veil, being a finer membrane that shields the developing spore-producing surfaces without hindering the mushroom's growth. The universal veil, in contrast, forms a thicker and more robust protective barrier around the entire immature fruiting body. The presence, absence, or structure of the partial veil is an important aid to the identification of mushrooms.
The texture of the veil remnants also offers valuable identification clues. Cortina-type veils, for example, are fragile and may only leave subtle traces or coloured fibres along the stem. Some partial veils become slimy and dissolve into a protective gelatinous layer as the mushroom grows.
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Check the colour of the gills—most Psilocybe mushrooms have black spore prints
When identifying mushrooms, it is important to look at the colour of the gills. The gills are the part of the mushroom that bears the spores. Most Psilocybe mushrooms have black spore prints, while some have brown spore prints. Spore prints can be used to confirm whether the mushrooms you have found are psychoactive fungi or not.
To make a spore print, remove the stipe (stem) and place the cap, gill side down, on a piece of paper. If the gills are light-coloured, use a dark-coloured piece of paper. If the gills are dark, use a light-coloured piece of paper. If the colour is uncertain, place half of the cap on dark paper and half on light paper. Cover the cap and paper with a bowl or container to prevent air currents from disturbing the print. Check back after a few hours to see if enough spores have deposited on the paper to make a visible print. If not, leave it for longer.
In some cases, you may be able to spot a natural spore deposit on the mushroom or its surroundings. For example, the brown spores of a Cortinarius mushroom may colour the wispy shreds of the partial veil that cling to the edge of its cap and corresponding places on the stem. Similarly, the orange spores of a Gymnopilus mushroom may cover its host log and the surrounding leaf litter.
However, it is important to note that relying solely on spore colour for identification can be risky. For example, mushrooms from the genus Galerina can be mistaken for hallucinogenic mushrooms from the genus Psilocybe, and mushrooms from the genus Conocybe can be confused with Psilocybe semilanceata. Therefore, it is essential to consider other characteristics as well when identifying hallucinogenic mushrooms.
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Look out for blue bruising, a telltale sign of hallucinogenic mushrooms
When identifying hallucinogenic mushrooms, it is important to look out for blue bruising, a telltale sign of their presence. This phenomenon, known as "bluing", is a natural process unique to psilocybin mushrooms, where the mushrooms instantly develop a dark blue colour when cut or bruised. While the purpose of this blue pigmentation is still not fully understood, one theory suggests that it may serve as a protective mechanism against potential predators.
The blue colour is a result of the oxidation of psilocin, a psychotropic compound found in hallucinogenic mushrooms. Specifically, the oxidation of psilocin leads to the formation of quinoid psilocyl oligomers, compounds structurally similar to indigo, a deep blue pigment. This reaction is catalysed by enzymes PsiP and PsiL, which degrade psilocybin and initiate the blueing process.
It is important to note that not all psilocybin mushrooms exhibit blue bruising. Some species of psilocybin mushrooms do not bruise at all, and the presence of blue bruising may also depend on the potency of the mushroom, with more potent varieties believed to bruise more easily. Additionally, some non-psychoactive strains of mushrooms have been known to develop blue bruising, although the reaction is thought to be different, resulting in slightly different shades of blue.
When identifying mushrooms, it is crucial to exercise caution as consuming the wrong variety can have lethal consequences. In addition to looking for blue bruising, other key traits to consider include the colour of the gills, the presence of a cortina or partial veil, and the growth pattern and habitat of the mushrooms. Combining knowledge of these macroscopic features with information about the climate and habitat of magic mushrooms can help ensure safe and accurate identification.
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Examine the growth pattern and habitat of the mushroom
When identifying hallucinogenic mushrooms, it is crucial to examine their growth pattern and habitat. Magic mushrooms can be found in three types of habitats: those that grow on wood or other plant materials, those that grow on animal feces, and those that thrive on decaying plant matter. They are often found near human habitation, close to damp wood chips, and are rarely found on freshly fallen wood. Instead, they tend to let other fungi colonize the area first.
Magic mushrooms are most commonly found in temperate areas of the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in Europe, and have also been reported in temperate regions of the Southern Hemisphere. They typically grow in grassland habitats, favoring wetter areas. The peak growing season for psilocybe mushrooms is October through November, as the mycelium networks have had all summer to grow their roots, and they fruit quickly with the arrival of wet autumn rains.
In terms of growth pattern, magic mushrooms generally grow alone or in groups, with some species growing in clusters from the same mycelium, such as subaeruginosa, which grows on wood. They often propagate in clusters or circular patterns known as "fairy rings", which can range from a few centimeters to several meters in diameter. Some species form symbiotic relationships with the roots of certain trees and plants, engaging in a mutualistic exchange of nutrients.
When examining the growth pattern and habitat of hallucinogenic mushrooms, it is important to remember that they can vary among different species. Additionally, it is crucial to exercise caution when attempting to identify and forage for magic mushrooms, as misidentification can lead to adverse health consequences. Consulting expert guides and seeking the opinion of a mycologist are recommended before ingesting any wild mushrooms.
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Frequently asked questions
Psilocybin mushrooms, the most popular kind of magic mushroom, generally have brown caps, stems, and gills. The caps are smooth and moist, and the gills are narrow—between 15 and 27 of them on the underside of the cap. The stems can be curved and brown or pale.
The most common method for mushroom identification is Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) sequencing, a form of DNA barcoding. Another method is high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis, which evaluates sequence variation within PCR amplicons.
One telltale sign is blue bruising, which results from the oxidation of psilocin. Another sign is the presence of black or brown spore prints.
Psilocybe semilanceata, also known as "liberty caps," are believed to be one of the most potent kinds of psilocybin mushrooms. They are characterized by their large, leathery-brown caps and pale, curved stems. Cubensis, also known as the "golden teacher" mushroom, is another popular type of magic mushroom.
It is important to study the different varieties of magic mushrooms closely and never consume a mushroom without being sure it is 100% safe. Hallucinogenic mushrooms can be mistaken for poisonous mushrooms, so it is essential to learn their key traits and combine this knowledge with information about their climate and habitat.
