![]() ![]() They turn a bluish color when handled or bruised, due to the oxidization of psilocin. Like all mushrooms of the Psilocybe genus, they have a hygrophanous nature, meaning their coloration shifts depending on hydration levels. Psilocybe Semilanceata is on average the smallest of the 4 prominent Psilocybe species, and one of the most potent. Results from testing done by Stamets and Gartz in 1997 place it as the third most potent Psilocybe species. Semilanceata grows in a much more diverse range of environments than most of its relatives in the Psilocybe genus, allowing it to spread prolifically from its speculated original habitat in Europe to nearly every continent. In the early 1950's it was the first European species confirmed to contain psilocybin. In current times, it is more commonly known as "Liberty Cap". Semilanceata intoxication dates back to 1799 in London, when a family prepared a meal with mushrooms they found growing in London's Thames park. The name is derived from the latin “semi-lanceata” meaning “spear-shaped”. It has a conical or bell-shaped cap throughout its life cycle, dissimilar to most other Psilocybe's whose caps broaden with age. It was first cataloged by Elias Magnus Fries as a garicus semilanceatus in his 1838 publication Epicrisis Systematis Mycologici. It was subsequently transferred to Psilocybe in 1871 when many sub-groupings of a garicus were raised to the level of genus. If possible, save the mushrooms or some of the leftover food containing the mushrooms to help confirm identification.The P silocybe Semilanceata species is one of the oldest and most commonly recognized Psilocybe mushrooms. Poison centres provide free, expert medical advice 24 hours a day, seven days a week. ![]() Treatment: contact your regional Poison Control Centre if you realize you or someone you know may be having a bad reaction to wavy caps. Children (and dogs) may be more likely to experience severe reactions. Severe reactions can include elevated levels of methaemoglobin, fever and seizures 9. Symptoms include visual and auditory hallucinations, dilation of pupils, confusion, loss of control of body movements, psychosis, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms: Time of onset, 20–30 min after ingestion, usually lasting 6–8 (15) hours. Toxins: Psilocybin, which is metabolized to psilocin, a serotonin imitator. Whether adulteration is an ongoing problem is unclear. On the minus side, purchased mushrooms have in the past been adulterated with other hallucinogens such as LSD or phencyclidine (PCP) 10. On the plus side, cultured mushrooms are unlikely to be misidentified and confused with other highly toxic small brown mushrooms. Psilocybe mushrooms are commonly cultured and sold. If Galerina mushrooms are mistaken for wavy caps and eaten, serious liver and kidney damage may result. Note that in many parts of the world, possession and sales of mushrooms containing psilocybin is illegal 12. Reassuring an individual and encouraging him or her to sit in a dark, quiet room may help reduce anxiety 11. Psilocin is a mood enhancer and can enhance pre-existing feelings of relaxation and happiness or increase anxiety in a person who is already anxious. Individual reactions to hallucinogens vary. In coastal western North America from southern BC to southern California, rarely reported from eastern parts of the USA, widespread in Europe.īad reactions to ' Psilocybe' can have multiple causes. Geographical range: In BC, mainly in the Vancouver area. Habitat: In troops and flushes, often on wood chips, on woody debris, rarely in lawns, common especially in urban environments. Spores: 10–14 x 5.5–7 µm, smooth, with a germ pore. Ring or veil: Threads from the veil are visible on the cap margin and the stem when the cap is opening up. The stem turns blue-green when touched and damaged. Stems: 4–9 cm long x 0.25–0.8 cm wide, cylindrical or slightly wider at top than in the middle, covered by silvery fibres. Readily turning blue when touched and damaged. Starting out pale tan, they soon develop dark spots and in the end turn completely dark purple brown. Gills: Moderately crowded, broadly attached to the stem or notched. The margin is thick and hangs over the gills. The gills show through as lines on the outer part of the cap. The whole cap can become a dark blue-brown with age. It readily bruises a greenish blue at the margin and centre of the cap. The colour is orange-brown at first, but when drying out it becomes tan-brown or ochre-brown. That waviness is the hallmark for this species. When opening first convex with a distinct central bump (an umbo) that remains as the cap opens out and the cap margin becomes wavy. Odour: Like the smell of freshly cut green beans and of flour.Ĭap: 1.5–6 cm in diameter, starting out rounded and closed around the stem. ![]()
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