Psilocybe semilanceata

L-tryptophan-derived Agaricacea Psilocybe semilanceata Psilocin... 

These Psilocybe semilanceata mushrooms are native to Britain and contain hallucinogenic compounds. Photo by... 

Spore Prints and Preparation, 248 Stropharia (Psilocybe) cubensis (San Isidro), 250 Psilocybe semilanceata (Liberty Caps), 253 Panaeolus subbalteatus (benanosis), 256 Psilocybe cyanescens (Wavy Caps, Blue Halos), 257 Psilocybe baeocystis, 258 Pilocybe stuntzii, 260... 

Psilocybe semilanceata (Liberty Caps), a favorite in coastal temperate zones, are potent in psilocybin-—averaging around 11 mg./gm. dry weight—which is stable. 

Psilocybin (4-phosphoryloxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine) is a psychedelic indole, as is its active metabolite, psilocin. It is found in about 200 species of fungi, including those of the genus Psilocybe, such as Psilocybe semilanceata (the liberty cap) and Psilocybe cubensis (golden top or golden cap), also called magic mushrooms or simply shrooms (1). 

One means of definitively identifying which species of fungus is present is to make use of morphological characteristics. This is possible provided that each species has one or more unique identifying features. Each identification is based upon a suite of characteristics that leads to a single species. Some examples of the characteristics used for the identification of Psilocybe semilanceata, P. cubensis and P. mexicana are presented in Table 8.1. 

Psilocybe semilanceata is known as the "liberty cap mushroom. It is the most common species sought after by psilophorian enthusiasts for its tranquil effects. 

Cortinarius orellanus, C. orellanoides, C. speciosissimus, C. splendens Psilocybe semilanceata ("Magic mushrooms") Orellanine Late onset of acute renal failure (3-17 days), dialysis may be required Chronic renal failure in 30-45% of cases [87]... 

Figure 1 - Water Color Painting of Psilocybe semilanceata (Germany, 1927)... 

Psilocybe semilanceata The Classic Species Among European Psychotropic Mushrooms 3.2Psilocybe cyanescens Potent Mushrooms Growing on Wood Debris... 

When R.G. Wasson, R. Heim and A. Hofmann began their interdisciplinary research program to study the Mexican species of mushrooms and their usage in Mexican mushroom cults, their efforts culminated in a 1958 landmark report that described the isolation, molecular structure and synthesis of the mushrooms active ingredients psilocybin and psilocin. Several years later, these substances were also identified in a species of mushroom in Europe, Psilocybe semilanceata, which became the first in a series of newly discovered species. Since then, psychoactive mushrooms from other genera have been reported with increasing frequency. 

Historic source materials such as these are scarce and widely scattered. Undoubtedly, they refer to psychotropic mushrooms, but lack sufficient information to permit clear identification of a specific species. However, considering the habitats and occurrence of Psilocybe semilanceata and Psilocybe bohemica, these two species are among the most likely candidates (see page 16 ff). It is remarkable that these historic portrayals revolve around just one aspect of the mushrooms overall effects the occasional semi-schizophrenic reaction which can at times be quite dramatic. None of these accounts reflect a distinct appreciation of mushrooms in the tradition of the Mexican Indians ("teonanacatl" = flesh of the Gods). 

PSILOCYBE SEMILANCEATA THE CLASSIC SPECIES AMONG EUROPEAN PSYCHOTROPIC MUSHROOMS... 

A close relative of Mexico s psychoactive species, Psilocybe semilanceata is a mushroom whose physical appearance resembles Psilocybe semperviva Heim Cailleux and Psilocybe... 

Figure 10 - Two descriptions of Psilocybe semilanceata from the German-language literature. The first description (top) was written over a hundred years ago, while the second one (bottom) dates to 1962. Significantly, the more recent entry classifies the species as "essentially worthless". Also see Figure 11.

In 1967 and 969 Psilocybe semilanceata samples from Scotland and England were found to contain psilocybin as well. Later on (1977), Michaelis reported discovering the alkaloid in samples collected in Germany (see Figure 14). 

In Europe, however, discoveries of Psilocybe semilanceata have been reported from the following countries Finland, Norway, Sweden, Demnark, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, The Netherlands, Belgium, France, Russia, Poland, the former Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Scotland, England, Wales, Italy and Spain. 

Unfortunately, there are no comprehensive maps detailing the species s distribution pattern. Traditionally, mycologists have often neglected relatively tiny species, such as Psilocybe semilanceata, that tend to share their habitats with other, more prominent species. The sarcastic phrase "The mushrooms occur in abundance wherever mycologists abound" is particularly pertinent in reference to the Psilocybe species. Prior to the discovery of psilocybin, the Psilocybe genus languished in the literature, shrouded in obscurity. To this day, few... 

Figure 12 - A. Ricken s description of Psilocybe semilanceata from 1915.

BcKlueibuiigr Psilocybe semilanceata (Fr.) Quii. ( Geophila semilanceata Qu l.)... 

Figure 14 - Excerpt from the first article reporting the discovery of psilocybin in Psilocybe semilanceata samples from Germany (Michaelis, 1977).

Mycologists specialize in the study of Psilocybes, despite the fact that Psilocybe semilanceata is the most common and conspicuous species among the Psilocybes. Also, mushroom lovers whose interests are not purely scientific (see Chapter 7.4) do not usually preserve their knowledge for posterity in the form of distribution maps. However, there is one map from 1986, which shows the distribution pattern of Psilocybe semilanceata across Germany (see Figure 20, p. 28). 

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