Identification of Psilocybin Cubensis
Common Large Psilocybe Psilocybe cubensis (Ear.) Sing. Strophariaceae, Agaricales
The best and probably safest way to identify Psilocybin Mushrooms in the wild is through the use of an identification guide. There are many good ones available. Please see the links section for more information on some of these books.
Large, fleshy, cap and a persistent ring on stalk; bruising blue;
on cow manure. Color varies depending of the age of the mushroom. When they are
babies they can be a deep golden brown. As they mature the caps lighten turning
a rich golden color right before their veils break loose. (This is also said to
be the best time to pick them as it is their most potent period of growth).
The Psilocybe Cubensis has a darker brownish spot in the dead
center of the top of the cap and this "stain" turns lighter going out towards
the edges, the stems are fleshy, which means they are not hollow or flimsy, and
if broken they will turn blue on the edges in a minute or two. The caps if not
dried, have a sticky film on them and they smell kind of sweet. The veil if
broken away from the underside forms a "skirt" around the stem which gets
stained purple by the falling spores. The gills are grey if fresh, purple if
the veil has been open for some time.
One of the most distinctive features of the Cubensis is that its stem bruises blue. Cubensis staining blue is thought to be a chemical reaction between oxygen and psilocybin. The oxidation of the psilocybin gives the mushroom picker a definitive way of determining if a true psilocybin mushroom has been found. It doesn't take a lot of pressure for the staining to occur. You should be able to see the reaction from just picking the stem. Sometimes you may even find them with blue stems from damage done by insects or even a blade of grass rubbing against the mushroom can cause this.
Another feature that the cubensis displays is a dark purple colored "veil". The veil is found wrapped around the stem. It is a skin-like ornament that protects the gills of the mushroom until it is ready to mature. As the mushroom grows bigger, its cap spreads out and expands. The veil then snaps off from the edges of the cap and is left hanging around the stem like a ring.
These Mushrooms can be found in the Gulf Coast Region, Florida, South Georgia, Southern Alabama, Louisiana, Southern Mississippi, and Eastern Texas. They Grow directly on Manure or around manure, or in soil where there once was manure of multi chambered mammals (Cattle, Horses, etc).
Best chance of occurrence is in piles in the shade of trees, or with tall grass surrounding the piles.
Best Chance of finding them is 12-36 hours after a heavy rainfall event.
For information regarding the identification of other strains of
psilocybin mushroom please refer to
John W. Allen's Safe-Pik: Mushroom Identification Guide
Species Specific Information
| click on thumbnail to see larger image |
genus specific name | location |
 |
Psilocybe cubensis | U.S. Gulf States Mexico, Central America, South America, West Indies, Thailand, Cambodia, India and Australia. |
 |
Psilocybe Subcubensis | Australia India Thailand. |
 |
Psilocybe Hoogshagenii | Mexico Argentina Columbia |
 |
Psilocybe Mexicana | Mexico primarily the limestone regions between 4,000-5,000 ft. Guatemala |
 |
Psilocybe Zapotecorum | Mexico Central America South America |
 |
Psilocybe Muliercula | can only be located 10 kilometers from Tenango del Valle in an Abies forest on the slopes of the Nevado de Toluca |
Mushroom Field Guides
- Safe-Pik Mushroom Identification Guide
John W. Allen's Guide.
The most linked to field guide on the internet.
Mycological Terms
Do you want to learn and use Mycological Terms when describing a mushroom? Do you want to sound like you know what you are talking about when you are talking "Mushrooms?" This special document gives all terms explained with pictures! A wealth of mycological information to any mushroom student. This FREE Download is provided by "COLLEGE OF BASIDIOMYCETES," The Gilled Mushrooms.
Go to www.mushroomsfmrc.com and then scroll down and click
"Mushroom Terms.""The Physical Characteristics Of Mushrooms And Their Proper
Mycological Terms"
Will come up for free download.
pinkfloyd_fan44@hotmail.com