
Psilocybe subaeruginosa, also known as P. subaeruginosa and subs, is a species of psychedelic mushroom native to Australia and New Zealand. It is known for its distinctive appearance, particularly its caramel brown cap with a slight golden hue, and its blueing reaction when the fruit bodies are damaged or handled. With a high psilocybin content, it is a popular choice among psychedelic enthusiasts, but it is important to distinguish it from similar-looking but toxic or deadly species.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Sub mushroom, subs, gold tops |
| Scientific Name | Psilocybe subaeruginosa |
| Species | Agaric fungus |
| Family | Hymenogastraceae |
| Origin | Australia, New Zealand |
| Cap Diameter | 12-50 mm |
| Cap Colour | Yellow-brown to orange-brown, caramel brown, light caramel |
| Cap Appearance | Conical to conic-convex with slightly inrolled edges, becomes convex with age, sometimes slightly upturned |
| Stem (Stipe) Length | Up to 10 cm |
| Stem Colour | Pale whitish streaked with dark greyish brown |
| Stem Appearance | Tall and slender, may be swollen at the base, with blue and green specks that turn brown with age |
| Spore Print Colour | Purple brown |
| Taste and Odour | Farinaceous (like flour) |
| Active Compounds | Psilocybin, psilocin |
| Legal Status | Illegal in most countries, including the US and the UK |
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What You'll Learn
- Psilocybe subaeruginosa is a species of psychedelic mushroom native to Australia and New Zealand
- It is also known as P. subaeruginosa, gold tops, and subs
- It is distinguished by its convex, brown cap, which is between 1 to 6 cm in diameter
- The stem is long and slender, often with blue and green specks that turn brown as the mushroom ages
- It is illegal in most countries due to its high psilocybin content, which can cause hallucinogenic effects

Psilocybe subaeruginosa is a species of psychedelic mushroom native to Australia and New Zealand
Psilocybe subaeruginosa, also known as P. subaeruginosa and "subs," is a species of psychedelic mushroom native to Australia and New Zealand. It was first described in 1927 by Australian mycologist John Burton Cleland, who also collected samples from Belair National Park in Australia. The species name refers to the colour of the blueing reaction when the fruitbodies are damaged or handled—the feminine Latin adjective "aeruginosa" describes copper rust, which is verdigris or blue-green.
Psilocybe subaeruginosa is one of the most potent psychedelic mushrooms found in Australia and New Zealand, containing the psychoactive compounds psilocybin and psilocin. It is known for its distinctive appearance, particularly its caramel brown cap with a slight golden hue. The cap is between 12 and 50 mm in diameter, and it is conical to conic-convex with slightly inrolled edges when young. As the mushroom matures, the cap becomes convex and is often slightly upturned, with the edges pointing upward later in its life. The cap stains greenish-blue with age or handling and fades to a pale biscuit brown or pale orange-yellow when dry.
The stem (stipe) of Psilocybe subaeruginosa is rather long, often growing up to 10 centimetres (3.9 inches) and slender, although it can be swollen at the base. Many specimens have blue and green specks on the stem, which turn brown as the mushroom ages. The gills are moderately close, pale smoky brown when young, and violet-brown or brownish fuscous in maturity. The spores are purple-brown, and the mushroom has a farinaceous taste and odour.
Psilocybe subaeruginosa usually fruits during autumn and is commonly found in the southern parts of Australia from April to August. It grows solitarily or gregariously from wood debris in Australian native forests, pine plantations, and occasionally on dung. It is also known to grow in New Zealand on wood chips. While it is native to Australia and New Zealand, Psilocybe subaeruginosa is illegal in most countries due to its high psilocybin content, which can make it dangerous for those who are unprepared or unaware of its effects.
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It is also known as P. subaeruginosa, gold tops, and subs
Psilocybe subaeruginosa, also known as P. subaeruginosa, "gold tops", and "subs", is a species of psychedelic mushroom native to Australia and parts of New Zealand. It is one of the most potent psychedelic mushrooms, containing the psychoactive compounds psilocin and psilocybin. The species was first described in 1927 by Australian mycologist John Burton Cleland. The species name refers to the colour of the blueing reaction when the fruit bodies are damaged or handled—the feminine Latin adjective aeruginosa describes copper rust, which is verdigris or blue-green.
P. subaeruginosa is known for its distinctive appearance, particularly its caramel brown cap covered in a slight golden hue. The cap is between 12–50 mm in diameter and is conical to conic-convex with slightly inrolled edges when young, becoming convex and slightly upturned with age. The cap stains greenish-blue with age or handling and the flesh inside is whitish. The gills are moderately close, pale smoky brown when young, and violet-brown or brownish fuscous in age, with narrow pale edges. The stipe is 25–70 mm long and 2–3.5 mm wide, tall and slender, equal or slightly wider towards the cap, with a swollen base. The stem is rather long, often growing up to 10 centimeters, and slender, although it can get swollen at the base. Many specimens of P. subaeruginosa have blue and green specks on the stem, which become brown as the mushroom ages.
P. subaeruginosa grows from wood debris in Australian native forests, pine plantations, and is occasionally observed growing on dung. It is commonly found in the southern parts of Australia from April to August. The species is also known from Australian native and Eucalyptus forests and is famously found in New Zealand on wood chips.
P. subaeruginosa is illegal in most countries, including all states of Australia, due to its high psilocybin content. However, some jurisdictions have decriminalized the possession of psilocybin for personal consumption. It is important to correctly identify P. subaeruginosa as there are several similar-looking species, some of which are toxic or even deadly.
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It is distinguished by its convex, brown cap, which is between 1 to 6 cm in diameter
Psilocybe subaeruginosa, also known as P. subaeruginosa or "subs", is a species of psychedelic mushroom native to Australia and New Zealand. It is distinguished by its convex, brown cap, which is between 1 to 6 cm in diameter. The cap is often covered in a slight golden hue, giving it a caramel brown appearance. As the mushroom dries, the colour lightens to a pale caramel or biscuit brown. The cap's diameter can range from 12 to 50 mm, and it may have slightly inrolled edges when young, becoming convex and sometimes slightly upturned as it matures.
The brown shade of the cap is typically dark, but it can vary depending on the mushroom's age and hydration level. Over time, the cap may start to point upward, and it often stains greenish-blue with age or handling. The gills underneath the cap are pale smoky brown when young, maturing to violet-brown or brownish-fuscous with age. The edges of the gills are narrow and pale, and they are slightly ventricose, with the middle gills reaching halfway down the stem.
The stem (stipe) of P. subaeruginosa is tall and slender, typically growing up to 10 cm in length. It is often equal in width throughout but may be slightly wider towards the cap. The base of the stem can become swollen or form a mass of mycelium. The stem is hollow inside and is cartilaginous, with a whitish colour streaked with dark greyish-brown. Like the cap, the stem may also stain greenish-blue and turn brown as the mushroom ages.
P. subaeruginosa is known for its high psilocybin content, making it a popular choice among psychedelic enthusiasts. However, it is important to correctly identify this mushroom species, as there are other species that look similar, some of which can be deadly. Learning about mushroom identification and seeking expert help can help avoid the risks associated with consuming the wrong type of mushroom.
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The stem is long and slender, often with blue and green specks that turn brown as the mushroom ages
Psilocybe subaeruginosa, commonly known as "subs", is a species of psychedelic mushroom native to Australia and parts of New Zealand. It is known for its distinctive appearance, particularly its convex cap, which is brown, often turning to a light caramel colour when dry. The cap's edges start pointing upward later in the mushroom's life. The stem (stipe) is rather long and slender, often growing up to 10 centimetres (3.9 inches) in height. While the stem is usually slender, it can get swollen at the base.
The stems of these mushrooms often feature blue and green specks, which turn brown as the mushroom ages. This colour change is due to the mushroom's blueing nature, which causes it to turn bluish-green when damaged, handled, or bruised. This characteristic is reflected in its name, with the species name "subaeruginosa" referring to the colour of the blueing reaction. Specifically, the Latin adjective "aeruginosa" describes copper rust, which is verdigris or blue-green.
The Psilocybe subaeruginosa mushroom is highly variable in appearance, with colours and dimensions differing greatly between individual mushrooms. The cap, for example, can range in diameter from 12 to 50 millimetres, or between one to six centimetres (0.39 to 2.36 inches). The mushroom's taste and odour are farinaceous (like flour), and its spore print is purple-brown.
Psilocybe subaeruginosa is one of the most potent psychedelic mushrooms found in Australia and New Zealand due to its high psilocybin content, which can reach up to 1.93% once dried. This makes it a popular choice among psychedelic enthusiasts. However, it is important to note that harvesting and consuming wild mushrooms can be dangerous, and incorrect identification can lead to serious health risks.
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It is illegal in most countries due to its high psilocybin content, which can cause hallucinogenic effects
Psilocybe subaeruginosa, commonly known as "subs", is a species of psychedelic mushroom native to Australia and New Zealand. It is known for its distinctive appearance, particularly its caramel brown cap with a slight golden hue. The cap is between 1 to 6 centimetres (0.39 to 2.36 inches) in diameter and often turns light caramel when dry. The edges of the cap start pointing upward later in the mushroom's life. The stem (stipe) is rather long, growing up to 10 centimetres (3.9 inches) in length, and slender, although it can be swollen at the base. The different parts of the mushroom turn blue when bruised, and it has purple-brown spore prints.
Psilocybe subaeruginosa contains psilocybin, a psychedelic compound responsible for the hallucinogenic effects associated with "magic mushrooms". It is considered one of the most potent species, with a psilocybin content of up to 1.93% when dried. While this makes it a popular choice among psychedelic enthusiasts, it is important to note that harvesting and consuming these mushrooms can be dangerous. The legal status of psilocybin mushrooms varies worldwide, and they are illegal in most countries due to their high potential for abuse and unknown effects on the human body.
In the United States, for example, psilocybin mushrooms are illegal at the federal level and are classified as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act. However, some states and cities have decriminalised the possession of psilocybin for personal consumption. Similarly, in the United Kingdom, psilocybin is listed as a Class A drug, making it illegal to possess and use. Despite this, there may be ambiguity in some national and local drug laws regarding the legal status of psilocybin mushrooms and their spores.
The potential risks associated with the consumption of Psilocybe subaeruginosa mushrooms are not limited to legal consequences. Incorrectly identifying mushrooms can have severe health implications, as some similar-looking species can be deadly or cause serious illness. Additionally, the effects of psilocybin mushrooms on the human body are still being studied, and there may be unknown short-term and long-term impacts. Therefore, it is essential to be well-informed about the local laws and potential risks before considering the consumption of Psilocybe subaeruginosa mushrooms.
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Frequently asked questions
Psilocybe subaeruginosa, also known as P. subaeruginosa, is a species of psychedelic mushroom native to Australia and parts of New Zealand. It is known for its distinctive appearance, particularly its caramel brown cap with a slight golden hue.
The most recognisable aspect of the sub mushroom is its convex cap, which is between 1 to 6 centimetres in diameter. Its brown shade is usually dark, often turning to a light caramel when dry. The edges of the cap often start pointing upward later in the mushroom's life. The stem (stipe) is rather long, often growing up to 10 centimetres, and slender, although it can get swollen at the base. Many specimens have blue and green specks on the stem, which become brown as the mushroom ages. However, it is important to note that the appearance of sub mushrooms can vary greatly.
Sub mushrooms are illegal in most countries. While they are known for their high psilocybin content, which makes them a top choice among psychedelic enthusiasts, harvesting them from the wild is not safe. There are several species that look similar to sub mushrooms, some of which can be deadly. It is important to correctly identify mushrooms before consuming them to avoid serious health risks.
























