John Miller
Syllaxiabi mushrooms, also known as Psilocybe, are a genus of gilled mushrooms that grow worldwide. They are the most popular magic mushrooms, meaning they have psychoactive properties. Syllaxiabi mushrooms have been used for thousands of years by indigenous people for religious and spiritual ceremonies. They are considered sacred medicine and have been shown to have beneficial effects for individuals with various psychiatric disorders. However, it is important to exercise caution when identifying and consuming these mushrooms, as there is a risk of poisoning and even death. To identify syllaxiabi mushrooms, it is crucial to look at their distinct characteristics, such as cap shape and size, gill attachment and colour, and stem length and texture. They typically have small to medium-sized caps that are brown to yellow-brown in colour, with gills that range in colour from off-white to deep brown. The stems are usually fibrous and can vary in length from 4-15 cm. Another key feature is blue bruising, which occurs when the mushroom is damaged and turns bluish due to oxidation. Knowing where they grow can also aid in identification, as they tend to thrive in moist climates with ample shade, such as in meadows and woods in the subtropics and tropics.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Magic Mushrooms |
| Scientific Name | Psilocybe |
| Active Compounds | Psilocybin, Psilocin, Norpsilocin, Baeocystin, Norbaeocystin, Aeruginascin |
| Effects | Psychedelic, Psychoactive, Euphoria |
| Cap Shape | Bell, Cone, Rounded, Convex, Funnel-shaped |
| Cap Size | 1-10 cm in diameter |
| Cap Colour | Brown, Beige, Yellow-brown, Reddish, Cinnamon |
| Gill Colour | Off-white to Deep Brown |
| Gill Attachment | Tightly packed, Radial pattern |
| Stem Length | 4-15 cm tall |
| Stem Texture | Smooth or fibrous |
| Bruising | Turns bluish when damaged |
| Spore Print Colour | Dark purple to black |
| Habitat | Moist climates, Ample shade, Prairie fields, Mossy forests, Overgrown grass, Compost, Dead trees |
| Distribution | Worldwide, especially in Mexico, Canada, US, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia |
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What You'll Learn
- Cap shape and size: Look for bell or cone shapes, ranging from 1-10 cm in diameter
- Gill attachment and colour: Thin, delicate gills, often tightly packed, ranging from off-white to deep brown
- Stem length and texture: Can vary from 4-15 cm tall, with a fibrous or smooth texture
- Blue bruising: Damaged mushrooms may turn bluish due to oxidation, but this is not unique to magic mushrooms
- Habitat: Grow in moist climates with shade, like forests, grasslands, and near dead trees
Cap shape and size: Look for bell or cone shapes, ranging from 1-10 cm in diameter
When identifying mushrooms, one of the most important things to observe is the shape and size of the cap. The cap shape can often help deduce the species or at least narrow down the possibilities.
The caps of mushrooms can come in a variety of shapes, including bell-shaped, conical, convex, cylindrical, flat, depressed, or funnel-shaped. Some mushroom caps may also have specific characteristics like a central bump, known as an umbo, or a central umbilicate dimple. The edges of the cap may be tucked under or inrolled, scalloped, or decorated with hairs, veil fragments, or spoke-like ridal lines, known as striate.
Bell-shaped caps are seen in the Galerina and Psilocybe semilanceata species. The Galerina genus typically has brown caps that can be smooth, striated, or scaly, while the Psilocybe semilanceata species has a cap diameter of 5-25mm and a height of 6-22mm.
Cone-shaped caps are also observed in the Galerina genus, which typically has slender stalks and gills attached to the stem.
When identifying mushrooms by their cap shape and size, it is also important to consider other characteristics such as the colour and bruising of the cap, the presence of gills, pores, or teeth underneath the cap, and the texture of the cap (brittle, soft, smooth, or covered in hairs).
By examining these various characteristics, one can more accurately identify the species of mushroom.
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Gill attachment and colour: Thin, delicate gills, often tightly packed, ranging from off-white to deep brown
When identifying mushrooms, it's important to exercise caution and restraint. While only 3% of known mushrooms are poisonous, ingesting a wild mushroom without a mycologist's opinion could be deadly. Some mushrooms that resemble magic mushrooms are poisonous, so it's crucial to know the difference.
One of the key characteristics of magic mushrooms is their gills. The gills of magic mushrooms are often thin and delicate, with tightly packed spores. They are located on the underside of the cap, pointing towards the stem, and form a radial pattern. The gills of magic mushrooms can vary in colour from off-white to deep brown.
The colour of the gills can change as the mushroom matures. For example, the gills of young Golden Teacher mushrooms start out grey and darken with age, sometimes turning almost black in mature mushrooms. Similarly, the gills of Agrocybe mushrooms, which are typically small to medium-sized, quickly turn into a black liquid.
The spacing between the gills is also important for successful spore release. Buller (1909) found that the formation of gills increased the surface area for spore production by a factor of 7.0 in Russula citrina (Russulales) and 20.0 in Agaricus campestris (Agaricales). Spores are propelled horizontally from the gill surface by a mechanism called the surface tension catapult. This mechanism was discovered in the 1990s and explained how spores are launched over distances ranging from 0.1 to 0.6 mm.
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Stem length and texture: Can vary from 4-15 cm tall, with a fibrous or smooth texture
When identifying psilocybin or "magic" mushrooms, it is important to exercise caution as ingesting a wild mushroom without a mycologist's opinion could be deadly. One key feature to look out for is the stem length and texture. The stems of magic mushrooms can vary in length from 4 to 15 cm tall. They may have a fibrous or smooth texture and are usually equal in width throughout.
Fibrous stems are characteristic of mushrooms in the Melanoleuca genus, which are medium to large-sized fungi commonly found in grasslands, meadows, and wooded areas. The caps of these mushrooms often appear in shades of white, beige, or brown, and they lack both a ring and a volva. On the other hand, some magic mushrooms have smooth stems that are typically long, thin, and tough. These mushrooms usually do not have a ring or partial veil.
It is important to note that stem length and texture are not the only characteristics to consider when identifying magic mushrooms. Other features to look out for include cap shape and size, gill attachment and colour, habitat clues, and blue bruising. Additionally, spore prints can be a reliable method of identification. By studying and becoming proficient in identifying the visual differences between mushrooms, foragers can reduce the risk of consuming toxic substances.
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Blue bruising: Damaged mushrooms may turn bluish due to oxidation, but this is not unique to magic mushrooms
It is important to exercise caution when identifying and consuming psilocybin or "
One key feature of magic mushrooms is their blue bruising. When a mushroom is damaged, exposing psilocybin to oxygen, it may turn bluish due to oxidation. However, this is not unique to magic mushrooms, and poisonous mushrooms may also display this characteristic. Therefore, while it can be a good indicator, foragers should use multiple means of identification to avoid consuming toxic substances.
The blue colour in magic mushrooms is caused by a complex mixture of linked psilocybin oxidation products, most of which are quinoid psilocyl oligomers. These compounds are similar to indigo, a deep blue pigment used to dye jeans. The oxidation of psilocybin is catalysed by the enzymes PsiP and PsiL, which convert psilocybin into psilocin. The oxidation of psilocin then creates psilocyl radicals, which combine to form C-5 coupled subunits that further polymerise via C-7.
The exact function of the blue pigments in magic mushrooms is still unknown. However, one hypothesis suggests that they may serve a protective role, acting as a repellent against predators. The compounds may produce reactive oxygen species, which could be toxic to insects that nibble on the mushrooms.
It is important to note that not all hallucinogenic mushrooms bruise blue. For example, the Saffron Milky Cap bruises green when handled, while the Russula Rubescens bruises reddish and then slowly turns black. Bolete mushrooms, which are not closely related to any known psilocybin-containing mushroom species, also stain blue when bruised, and many of them are toxic. Therefore, it is crucial to use multiple identification methods and exercise caution when foraging for and consuming mushrooms.
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Habitat: Grow in moist climates with shade, like forests, grasslands, and near dead trees
Mushrooms are found in a variety of habitats, almost everywhere in the world. However, not all mushrooms are found in all habitats. Some mushrooms are very particular about where they grow. For example, some prefer bogs, forests, or open lawns, while others may be found in grasslands, forests, or disturbed areas.
The Psilocybe genus of gilled mushrooms, which includes the species Psilocybe semilanceata (commonly known as the liberty cap), grows in grassland habitats, especially wetter areas. This species is widely distributed in the temperate areas of the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in Europe, and has also been found in some temperate areas of the Southern Hemisphere. It is known to grow on coastal dune grasses and along creeks in relatively humid areas of North America, such as Washington, Oregon, and Northern California.
Psilocybe semilanceata is a psychoactive mushroom species that produces the compounds psilocybin, psilocin, and baeocystin. It has a distinctive conical to bell-shaped cap, about 2.5 cm in diameter, with a small nipple-like protrusion on top. The cap is yellow to brown when moist and fades to a lighter color as it matures. The gills are cream-colored at first, then tint purple to black as the spores mature. The spores are dark purplish-brown and can be identified through a spore print.
Psilocybe mushrooms, in general, tend to thrive in moist climates with ample shade. They can be found in prairie fields, mossy forests, and places with overgrown grass. They may also grow in compost, near dead trees, or on other plants, sometimes forming circular patterns known as fairy rings. These mushrooms are relatively rare and are known to grow near human habitation, especially in urban-proximate areas of the Pacific Northwest.
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Frequently asked questions
Syllaxiabi mushrooms are more commonly known as psilocybin mushrooms. They are the most popular "magic mushrooms", meaning they have psychoactive properties. They are considered sacred medicine among indigenous tribes and have been used extensively in religious and spiritual ceremonies, especially in Central and South America.
Syllaxiabi mushrooms are relatively rare, urban-proximate mushrooms that have psychedelic properties when ingested. They may have caps shaped like bells or cones, with a diameter ranging from 1 to 10 cm. The gills of these mushrooms are often thin and delicate, with colours ranging from off-white to deep brown. The length of their stems can vary from 4 to 15 cm tall.
One key feature of syllaxiabi mushrooms is blue bruising. When the mushroom is damaged, it turns bluish due to oxidation. However, it's important to note that other types of mushrooms, including poisonous ones, can also display this characteristic. Spore prints can be a more reliable method of identification. Mature syllaxiabi mushrooms will have purplish spores, ranging from dark purple to almost black.
Syllaxiabi mushrooms tend to thrive in moist climates with ample shade. You may find them in prairie fields, mossy forests, overgrown grass, compost, or on dead trees and other plants. They sometimes grow in circular patterns, which foragers call "fairy rings". Syllaxiabi mushrooms can be found worldwide, but the majority of species are discovered in subtropical humid forests.
