Laura Smith
Psilocybe semilanceata, commonly known as the magic mushroom or liberty cap, is a species of fungi that contains the psychoactive compound psilocybin. Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic that can induce hallucinations and other psychological effects. Liberty caps are frequently associated with the magic mushroom label due to their hallucinogenic properties, and they are considered illegal in many jurisdictions. However, recent research has explored the potential therapeutic benefits of psilocybin in treating psychological disorders such as depression, addiction, and PTSD. The liberty cap mushroom derives its name from its resemblance to the Phrygian cap, also known as the liberty cap, which symbolises freedom and revolution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Psilocybe semilanceata |
| Common Names | Liberty Cap, Magic Mushroom |
| Active Ingredients | Psilocybin, Psilocin |
| Effects | Hallucinations, Nausea, Vomiting, Euphoria, Increased Sweating, Irregular Heartbeat, Anxiety Attacks, etc. |
| Legality | Class A Drug in the UK and US, but the state of Oregon has voted to legalise for therapeutic use |
| Habitat | Grasslands, found in Europe and North America |
| Season | Autumn |
| Appearance | Translucent brown when young, turns buff/white/grey/silver when dry, with a darker bottom edge. Cap has a "nipple" and gills that start light grey/black and become very dark purple/black as spores are released. |
| Similar Species | P. strictipes, P. mexicana, P. samuiensis, P. pelliculosa |
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What You'll Learn
Psilocybe semilanceata is the scientific name for liberty caps
Psilocybe semilanceata is a hallucinogenic species of fungi in the family Hymenogastraceae. It is one of nearly 200 species of psychedelic mushrooms that have been identified worldwide. It is the only species that grows in abundance in northern Europe. It is also found in North America. Psilocybe semilanceata grows in grassland habitats, especially wetter areas. It is a saprobic species that feeds off decaying grass roots. It is widely distributed in the temperate areas of the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in Europe.
The generic name Psilocybe is derived from the Ancient Greek psilos, meaning "smooth, bare", and the Byzantine Greek kubê, meaning "head". The specific epithet semilanceata comes from the Latin semi, meaning "half", and lanceata, from lanceolatus, meaning "spear-shaped". The cap of P. semilanceata is 5–25 mm (0.20–0.98 in) in diameter and 6–22 mm (0.24–0.87 in) tall. It varies in shape from sharply conical to bell-shaped, often with a prominent papilla (a nipple-shaped structure), and does not change shape considerably as it ages.
There are several other Psilocybe species that may be confused with P. semilanceata due to similarities in physical appearance. These include P. strictipes, P. mexicana (commonly known as the "Mexican liberty cap"), P. samuiensis, and P. pelliculosa. The possibility of misidentification with toxic species is a danger of attempting to consume hallucinogenic or other wild mushrooms, especially for novice mushroom hunters.
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Liberty caps are hallucinogenic
Liberty caps, or Psilocybe semilanceata, are a species of fungus that produces the psychoactive compounds psilocybin, psilocin, and baeocystin. They are one of the most widely distributed psilocybin mushrooms in nature and one of the most potent. The mushrooms have a distinctive conical to bell-shaped cap, up to 2.5 cm (1 inch) in diameter, with a small nipple-like protrusion on top. They are yellow to brown, covered with radial grooves when moist, and fade to a lighter color as they mature.
The name "liberty cap" comes from the Phrygian cap, also known as the "liberty cap," which it resembles. The Phrygian cap was placed on Liberty poles during the 18th century revolutions in France and America, symbolizing freedom and republicanism. The first connection between the physical cap of liberty and the distinctive pixie cap of the mushroom was made by the young poet James Woodhouse in his 1803 poem, "Autumn and the Redbreast, an Ode." By the 20th century, the name "liberty cap" was firmly established for Psilocybe semilanceata.
It is important to note that liberty caps are illegal in many countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, where they are listed as Class A drugs. The effects of liberty caps can be very unpredictable, and there is a risk of misidentifying them with toxic mushroom species, which can lead to serious health issues or even death. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use or experiencing any negative side effects from liberty caps, it is important to seek professional help.
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Liberty caps are illegal in the UK
Liberty caps, or libs, are a type of psychedelic mushroom. Scientifically known as Psilocybe semilanceata, they are the most well-known and common magic mushroom found in the UK and many other countries. They are small, growing in pastures, fields, and parks all over the country from late summer until the weather turns frosty in November. Liberty caps are distinguished by their dark purple-black gills, which are a result of the spores they produce. They have a cap that varies in shape, size, and colour, ranging from translucent brown when young to white, grey, or silver when dry, with a darker bottom edge.
Liberty caps have a long history, with the earliest known connection of the physical cap of liberty and the distinctive pixie cap of the mushroom made by the young poet James Woodhouse in his 1803 poem "Autumn and the Redbreast, an Ode". By the 19th century, the name was clearly and universally associated with Psilocybe semilanceata, and by the 20th century, the name was firmly established.
The active ingredients psilocybin and psilocin can cause hallucinations, as well as nausea, vomiting, stomach pains, and anxiety attacks in some cases. It is important to be able to identify liberty caps to avoid accidental consumption, as they can be found in many public spaces in the UK, including London's Hyde Park, Primrose Hill, and Richmond Park.
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Liberty caps are sometimes confused with poisonous species
Liberty caps, or Psilocybe semilanceata, are often confused with other toxic mushroom species due to their similarities in appearance. Mushroom hunters, especially novices, should exercise extreme caution when foraging for wild mushrooms to avoid accidental poisoning.
One of the most well-known toxic species that can be mistaken for liberty caps is the Cortinarius rubellus, which has caused cases of end-stage kidney failure in those who have consumed it. Other poisonous species that resemble liberty caps include the Psathyrella species and the Death Cap (Amanita phalloides). The Death Cap belongs to the genus Amanita, which includes several highly toxic mushroom species.
Even within the Psilocybe genus, there are several species that may be confused with P. semilanceata due to their similar physical characteristics. For example, P. strictipes is a slender grassland species that lacks a prominent papilla, differentiating it from P. semilanceata. P. mexicana, or the "Mexican liberty cap," has smaller spores and is found in manure-rich soil in subtropical grasslands in Mexico. P. samuiensis, native to Thailand, can also be mistaken for P. semilanceata, but it has a smaller cap and rhomboid-shaped spores.
Additionally, some grassland bonnets (Mycena sp.) may appear similar to liberty caps as they age, but their striated caps can be a distinguishing factor. Mottlegills from the genus Panaeolus can also look similar, but they lack both a pronounced umbo and a bent, curving stem. P. pelliculosa is another species that is physically similar to P. semilanceata, and in some cases, it may be challenging to distinguish between the two in the field.
To avoid confusion and potential toxicity, it is essential to develop expertise in mushroom identification, especially when dealing with species that have toxic look-alikes. Proper identification of liberty caps includes understanding their distinctive features, such as their conical to bell-shaped cap, slender stipe, and dark purple-brown gills that turn black as the spores mature.
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Liberty caps are named after the Phrygian cap
Liberty caps, or Psilocybe semilanceata, are named after the Phrygian cap, which they resemble. The Phrygian cap is a soft felt or wool conical headdress that originated in the ancient country of Phrygia in Anatolia. It is characterized by a pointed crown that curls forward. The cap is also known as the "liberty cap", a symbol of freedom and republicanism.
The use of the Phrygian cap as a symbol of liberty dates back to ancient Rome, where it was known as the pileus, a cap worn by emancipated slaves. The Greek Phrygian cap was also originally a symbol of the foreigner or foreign captive. The symbol was revived in the 16th century, and it began to be used widely in English and French political prints in the 18th century. It was often used as an attribute of Liberty, and it became a symbol of the struggle for liberation and independence in countries such as Argentina, Cuba, and Nicaragua.
In the context of the mushrooms, the connection between the physical cap of liberty and the distinctive pixie cap of the mushroom was first made by the young poet James Woodhouse in his 1803 poem, "Autumn and the Redbreast, an Ode". Woodhouse paid tribute to the varied beauty of mushrooms, including those that resembled the cap of liberty. As common names for mushrooms began to be included in mycological handbooks, Psilocybe semilanceata was routinely identified as the liberty cap. By the 20th century, the name was firmly established.
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Frequently asked questions
LIBs mushrooms, short for Liberty Caps, are a type of psychedelic mushroom that contains the psychoactive substances psilocybin and psilocin.
LIBs mushrooms are generally small and brown, with a "nipple" in the centre of the cap, which can be quite pronounced or barely present. The cap can vary in shape, size and colour, and the gills are light grey/black with a lighter edge, becoming very dark purple/black as the spores are released.
LIBs mushrooms grow in grassland, often on pasture and parkland that has not been enriched with artificial fertiliser. They typically appear in the autumn and are fairly frequent in Britain, Ireland and North America.
LIBs mushrooms are illegal to possess or sell in many places, including the UK, where they are classified as a Class A drug alongside heroin, LSD and cocaine. They can cause hallucinations, as well as nausea, vomiting, stomach pains and anxiety attacks. There is also a risk of mistaking them for a poisonous mushroom species. However, there is a growing body of research suggesting that psilocybin, the main psychoactive compound in LIBs mushrooms, may have potential in treating psychological disorders such as depression, addiction and PTSD.
The effects of consuming LIBs mushrooms can vary depending on a person's mood and environment. Positive effects may include euphoria, feelings of wellbeing and hallucinations, while negative effects may include nausea, vomiting, anxiety, headaches and increased sweating.
