The notorious Magic Mushroom
Well I suppose at some stage I would had to do a feature on this mushroom. A select few people I meet often presume that as a mushroom hunter, I only go looking for this particular species. Well that’s just not so – I was in the right place at the right time as I stumbled across these bad boys. Simply observed for identification reasons – honestly officer!
The Magic Mushroom or Liberty Cap (Psilocybe semilanceata) is the most notorious of all the hallucinogenic mushrooms (of which there are many), this being one of the most common and potent!
It contains a chemical cocktail of psychoactive ingredients, most notably ‘psilocybin’ (hence Psilocybe) which is a naturally produced psychedelic compound, and is the main active substance. Ingestion of several mushrooms, whether eaten fresh, dried or powdered and added to food etc, can produce a variety of ‘psychedelic’ experiences similar to those produced by LSD. Since 2005 it has been made illegal to be in possession of this mushroom (in whatever form) and is labelled as a Class A drug – so there you go.
The mycelium (the vegetative part of the fungus) feeds on the decaying matter of grass roots, so they are very at home scattered in pastures, lawns (sometimes parks), grassy roadsides and paths.
The first thing to note is that the cap of the mushroom is hygrophanous, meaning it will change colour depending on how much moisture it retains. In wet conditions the colour will be yellowish-brown / brown with a slight olive tinge. It has a glutinous viscid layer which can be delicately removed. As it drys out the colour fades to pale buff or whitish with a dark spore stained edge.
But the small conical cap remains a similar shape throughout these changes. It is elongate with striate markings (more noticeable when moist) with a distinctive small bump at the very top (umbo).
The thin white/creamy coloured stem (sometimes with darker yellowish hues) is relatively long compared to the cap size, and can grow up to 7 or 8cm high. Sometimes you may notice a blueish tinge at the very base. The gills are pale creamy-grey at first, but as the mushroom matures they become a dark purple-brown.
I’m not at liberty to say where I found these (or where to find others for that matter) as I was on a private reserve where I had permission to study. So please no questions about that on the blog or via email, thanks.
There are plenty around at the moment, but be aware that they’re just for looking at …right folks?
Before I sign off, I’ve selected a few good links on the amazingly enormous subject of Magic Mushrooms, covering their history in culture and beneficial medicinal research:
- Eight things you didn’t know about magic mushrooms
- Magic mushrooms & the roots of witchcraft
- Magic mushrooms ‘reboot’ brain in depressed people – study
- What your brain looks like on Magic Mushrooms
- Psilocybe mushroom history
Psilocybe semilanceata or Magic Mushroom is hygrophanous and drys to a pale buff colour.
QUICK ID TABLE: MAGIC MUSHROOM / LIBERTY CAP Psilocybe semilanceata |
CAP / FLESH 0.5-1.5cm across. Elongated conical shape with pointed bump (umbo). Yellow-Brown / Brown with olive hue. Drying to pale buff. STEM 3-8cm x 0.1-0.2cm. Pale whitish/cream often with yellowish hues. Sometimes with purple tinge at base. GILLS / SPORE PRINT Pale clay/creamy-grey maturing to dark purple-brown. HABITAT / SEASON Pasture, garden, grassy roadsides and paths. Common in late summer to autumn. EDIBILITY Hallucinogenic. Illegal to be in possession of. |
Is it possible to find these in June in the uk?
They’re usually later in the summer season, but sometimes appear throughout all the summer months (although in smaller numbers) after good rain fall.
Is it defo too late just turned December? With almost beginning to frost in the Cotswolds, Cheltenham. I’m suspecting yes!?
You always get them between September to November. I can smell them sometimes I did last week I the smell takes me back to when I first took them. The only acid that comes near their intensity is the microdots that were about in the 90’s. You get outstanding colours and mad visuals. I once saw rainbows shooting off a full moon.
Where can you find these in England/Cumbria? I hunt for mushrooms and want to know what they look like and where to find them, just in case I pick one by accident. Please send some pics and info. Thanks.
They’re widespread all over the UK in pasture land and grassy areas. November being a good time especially after rain. It’s best to do an image search of the mushroom to see more pictures, as I don’t have many examples. All the information on it’s looks are in the post or visit wikipedia for more detail.
Thanks
John
Hi,
Are there any poisonous look a like mushrooms in the U.K.?
To the best of my knowledge, I don’t think there are any dangerously poisonous look-a-likes. I had read in a mycology magazine that there were American species (accidentally brought across) that looked similar and were poisonous, but for the life of me I can’t find the info again! I doubt very much they are in abundance or widespread. Just be careful in identifying all elements of the Liberty Cap to be 100% sure.
Problem with waiting till November down south UK, is Frost can arrive by early November!
And that kills em off.
Are all psylocibin mushrooms that bruise blue OK to take?
Good question. There a many other species and some have different effects beyond psychedelic experience. I have not looked into this, so I can’t offer an knowledgeable opinion. My rule is that I treat each new find (on all species) with the same thorough identification check list, until I’m 100% happy. Some Psilocybes could make you very unwell.
Johnthinnesen@mail.com
Lots of amateurs have their theories as to what conditions are important: altitude, SW facing, length of grass, animal pasture etc. etc. It is fundamentally just about luck.
Yes, there are many theories. One report was that someone always found them on one side of this grassy hill (west side). I’m thinking that the fungus was simply staying moist (out of direct sunlight) for as long as possible. That implies some clever thinking from the mycelium! Weird? or just coincidence?
The Mycelium do favour certain conditions, but with the change of the climate I think it really will be a mixture of knowledge and luck {-_-}
I’m going to have a look soon.
If I fail, at least it was good exercise! :D
Hi Raymond (and all who may want to know)
I do not have any information regarding the locations or whereabouts of where Liberty Cap’s will be. I’ve had an overload of requests, and although I appreciate you’re interest, I must have to stop replying and ask others not to request via a comment. I can not assist in this matter.
Thanks for understanding.
John
There is now considerable interest in this mushroom, or synthetic derivatives for treatment of non-responsive clinical depression and post traumatic stress disorder. It has been found to work in significant numbers of cases where some of the antidepressants have failed, without significant ongoing side effects, unlike many antidepressants.
Almost every cow field and there’s plenty of them in Cumbria as I’m from Kendal and that’s where I picked in my youth lots of great memories recent research suggests that the magic mushroom can help with depression and anxiety they should be more studies into this because I believe my mental health is excellent having had mushrooms
The depression study is very interesting: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/oct/13/magic-mushrooms-reboot-brain-in-depressed-people-study
Hey mate is there a certain time of year to come to pick in Cumbria? 😁👏🏼
Hi Adam
Pretty much the same time as the rest of England/UK. Liberty Caps will be be in most abundance from late summer (sometimes a little earlier) until the end of autumn.
Thanks
John
Where in Cumbria are you? I’ve found in quite a few places…
I’m near brough, do you know of any round here?
Frenchfield, Carleton, Penrith…. Not far from Cumbria Police HQ! Seriously…. so don’t get caught….
27 Oct – will I find any Psilocybe specials in this month? I read before first frost, please help. I don’t wish to walk for note
There should be, even through November, unless frosts hit hard.
With this years season almost upon us, I can tell you that the Wye Valley along the England/Wales border is where an abundance of these beauties can be found. There is also the added bonus of the area being one of the most beautiful locations in the UK.
Hey I’ve found some mushrooms that look a bit like liberty caps and I’m not too sure if they are or aren’t, would I be able to send someone the pictures and they confirm for me?
Liberty Cap ID I can help with. Send to john@mushroomdiary.co.uk
Get out and have a walk!
Some fresh air and a nice wander around several fields and parks will do you good, whether or not you find what you’re looking for.
Good point Ajmal.
I always waited for the first frost and then went out picking – had areas of glorious abundance near me in Hertfordshire back in the 80s and 90s but those sites no longer produce, would love to find some more as just a few on a Friday night was such fun. I agree with the depression study – our brains can confine us in the mundane, mushrooms taken well can help us to be more free and laugh….a lot.
U should go before the first frost if the first frost is cold enough it will kill them all but i know from experience they can survive small frosts and it sometimes kickstarts them. Ive even found them a couple days after a field was under a foot of snow lol
Interesting to know. I didn’t know they could survive so well. You definitely found some robust Liberty Caps there!
Hi I think I may have some magic mushrooms in my back field
Right time of year and prime location for them.
Pendle hills a good Lancashire spot. I saw sporadic clusters up there 2nd week in August. They will be in full swing now. The peaty soil and sheep crap works wonders a natural nitrate fertilizer. I used to pick in Skelmersdale on the Golf course there but the owners stopped using nitrate based fertilizers and added fungicides to the sprinklers. Wiped em all out.
Yes sheep crap and peaty soil works well,used to pick them at fox house in sheffield on the moors in the ninetys! Three of us picked 1000 there once!🤪
Will they grow in very long grass, as in approximately 20 inches long?
Hi Bobby.
Not that I have found. They prefer less competition and like to grow in shorter grass in lawns and pasture land (or short grassy roadside edges).
great stuff
Havant Thicket from the Rowlands Castle end, Hampshire.
Hello. Can they grow in a forest? I found some that look very much alike, but i found them in a forest. I can send some photos
Hi Codrina
No, they are always associated with grass – lawns, pasture etc. It may be a Panaeolus or Psathyrella species. Visit my contact page if you wish to send some images. Thanks
John
I found this site trying to find the best time to go, it’s something that’s bugged me for years. There’s the classic old wives tale of “Needs a Full Moon”, which doesn’t sit right with me. I think they need more darkness.
It’s been warm this year, through and summer and still it is now.
I go every year and I don’t have many left from last years haulage, so I need to top up badly before the first heavy frost comes (which kills them).
I went out around 8pm to the shop a couple of days ago and had a good torch with me (I never go in the dark) just to check if I could see some. I actually found 3 in the pitch black :)
I went out the following morning 7am after I found the 3 the night before but it was too cold. It was a very very mild frost and my trainers got filled with ice water and I couldn’t take it no more. I did find a couple but it was like picking half thawed.
From what I can gather it was pretty chilly that night around 12am, maybe it’s too cold for them to appear. Tonight however is going to be milder and will take a good look around tomorow morning.
I collected around a 100 on Saturday and a similar amount today off Pendle. Weve not had any real frost recently. Had a few frosty nights early in the month though. It was more abundant in September but they are still growing now.
Can they still grow this time of month. When do they stop?
Mid to late November…
When in season I can tell you from experience that after a full moon I went picking just by chance and have never seen so many mushrooms ever-growing, it was as if the moon drew them out of the ground
In my younger days we use to gather lots from sewerby golf course just outside of bridlington on the east coast. Good times
Can you find them in italy?
I believe so Omar.
They are regarded as the world’s most widespread psilocybin mushroom; very common throughout Europe – including Italy, but I would say, in the more northern regions. Wait until autumn to venture out for them.
John
Say you were to come across some of these. How many would you typically take in one dose for a medium/strong trip?
Well, I’m not supposed to say! But if they were legal here, it would be 15-20 mushrooms for mild effect, and because everyone’s reactions and experiences differ, I would use this as a base counter and increase gradually for the preferred effect – But obviously this isn’t allowed here – is it!?
Thank you for sharing and spreading awareness! I hope that this magical plant would not be abused and misused. Everything, if used properly and moderately proves to be beneficial. I hope this could be the future treatment of a lot of diseases. It has endless capabilities!
Yes. The medicinal nature and healing power in research is very interesting. I will be following it closely.
Wheres best places in Pendle (Lancashire to pick)
I found some under a log at the edge of a stream looks very like the liberties but doesn’t have the little nipple on the top so they all need to have the bump at the top I have pictures
Sorry for delayed reply. I’m guessing these wouldn’t be Psilocybe but most probably Mycenas.
Hi guys, I’m just curious about the colour variation of these.
From what I gather they can range from a greyish white to darker brown as they age, however me and a friend have found what appear to be some but in redish brown.
The other check points are there, thin slightly wavey stem, inverted fringe on the cap with the occasional nipple here and there.
Some of the colour does depend on age, but mostly the colouring is reactive to how dry/wet they are.
Great website I’m always walking the dog and interesting to try and identify some of the mushrooms I see along the way. Thanks for sharing.
My pleasure John. Enjoy
I think I’ve found some but I’m in sure because the nipple on the top isn’t very prominent , is their a way I can show a pic here so I can find out ?
I can help with mushroom ID. Send to john@mushroomdiary.co.uk
Thank you for the article and your helpfulness in replying to everyone with queries!
My pleasure Rish