Got a photo? Identify mushrooms instantly with the Mushby app
Open the appDescription
Psilocybe cyanescens is a potent psilocybin mushroom, known for its strong psychoactive properties. It typically grows in wood chips and mulch, especially in urban areas of the Pacific Northwest and Western Europe. The mushroom is characterized by its wavy cap and the blue bruising reaction when handled.
How to Identify
- Cap
- 1.5-5 cm broad, wavy or undulating, smooth, hygrophanous, caramel to chestnut brown when moist, fading to pale buff when dry. Often bruising blue-green where damaged.
- Gills
- Adnate to slightly decurrent, close, and initially cream-colored, turning purple-brown with age.
- Stem
- 3-8 cm long, 0.2-0.5 cm thick, whitish to yellowish-brown, bruising blue where handled, smooth, and hollow.
- Flesh
- Whitish to light brown, bruising blue when injured.
- Fruiting body
- Small to medium size, with a distinctive wavy cap and blue bruising.
- Habitat
- Wood chips, mulch, and woody debris in urban and suburban areas.
Key Facts
- Cap surfaces: Smooth, hygrophanous
- Growth Form: Gregarious to cespitose
- Spore Print: Dark purple-brown
- Body color: Whitish to yellowish-brown
- Odor: Farinaceous (like flour)
- Flesh bruises: Blue-green
- Height: 3-8 cm
- Cap Diameter: 1.5-5 cm
- Nutrient gathering: Saprophytic
Toxic
Severe ToxicityPsilocybe cyanescens contains psilocybin and psilocin, which are psychoactive compounds. Ingestion can cause altered perception, hallucinations, and anxiety. While not lethal, misuse can lead to psychological distress or dangerous behavior.
Quick Check
- Odor: Farinaceous
- Fruiting: Fall to early winter
- Substrate: Wood chips and mulch
Where to Find
Urban and suburban areas
Common in wood chips, mulch, and woody debris in disturbed areas.
Pacific Northwest and Western Europe
Prefers areas with high humidity and moderate temperatures.
Finding Tips
Seasonal Timing
Look for them in the fall and early winter after the first frost.
Habitat Preference
Check wood chip beds, especially those made of alder or beech.
Caution
Be aware of look-alikes and ensure proper identification before consumption.
Similar Species
Galerina marginata
Mushroom
Also known as: Funeral Bell
Scientific Classification
- Phylum
- Basidiomycota
- Class
- Agaricomycetes
- Order
- Agaricales
- Family
- Hymenogastraceae
- Genus
- Psilocybe
Explore Wavy Caps
Identify mushrooms anywhere
Free on iOS, Android, and Web. Photo identification, full database, and your personal collection.