Psilocybe angulospora

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Psilocybe angulospora
Psilocybe angulospora nz 2020.jpg
Psilocybe angulospora in council bark in Auckland, New Zealand
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Agaricales
Family: Hymenogastraceae
Genus: Psilocybe
Species:
P. angulospora
Binomial name
Psilocybe angulospora
Yen W.Wang & S.S.Tzean (2015)

Psilocybe angulospora is a species of agaric fungus in the family Hymenogastraceae. The species was described from Taiwan in 2015 [1] and is also present in New Zealand, where it is considered introduced. [2] As a blueing member of the genus Psilocybe it contains the psychoactive compounds psilocin and psilocybin.

Contents

The fruitbodies have a small, extremely hygrophanous pale gold conical to bell-shaped cap, often with a prominent pointed central papilla, a slender whitish stipe, and fine narrowly spaced gills.

In Taiwan the mushrooms grow wild amongst grasses on heavily manured soil and on cow dung. [1] In New Zealand they are most often found in the potting mix of nursery plants, in potted plants in garden centres, and outdoors in gardens and council landscaping where those plants have been planted. [2]

Taxonomy and naming

Psilocybe angulospora was described from Taiwan in 2015 by Yen-Wen Wang and Shean-Shong Tzean, after reports of hallucinogenic mushroom poisonings in Taipei sparked a biodiversity survey and scientific investigation. The mushrooms responsible were said to grow on dung in native grasslands in Yangmingshang National Park. Various corprophilous fruitbodies were collected from the area and studied, leading to the discovery of the species in Taiwan, and to official publication. [1]

Etymology

The name or species epithet refers to the slightly angular shape of the spores. [1]

Description

Psilocybe angulospora
Information icon.svg
Gills icon.pnggills on hymenium
Umbonate cap icon.svgCampanulate cap icon.svg cap is umbonate or campanulate
Adnate gills icon2.svg hymenium is adnate
Bare stipe icon.svg stipe is bare
Transparent spore print icon.svg
spore print is purple-brown
Saprotrophic fungus.svgecology is saprotrophic
Mycomorphbox Psychoactive.pngedibility: psychoactive

The cap is 10–40 mm in diameter, light brown to medium grey blue, conic to subcampanulate (cone-like to bell-shaped) with an inrolled margin and often an acute central papilla. It is translucent-striate to the margin (fine radial lines are visible around the edge of the cap when moist), extremely hygrophanous, glabrous (smooth or free of ornamentation) and slightly fibrous. The flesh inside is firm and brownish orange to yellowish. The gills are pale, thin and fairly close together, narrowly adnate (the gills meet the stipe by most of their width; they are broadly attached), with one or three short intermediate gills between two intermediate gills, and have a smooth edge. The stipe is 40–70 mm x 1–2 mm, pale greyish white, cylindrical, centered, fibrous, with brownish orange to yellowish flesh. It can be hollow or otherwise stuffed with fibres. The partial veil sometimes leaves a fragile line of raised threadlike tissue around the stipe close to halfway down. This can resemble a faint, thin raised ring, often stained blue. [1]

Hygrophanous bell-shaped caps with typical central points. Psilocybe angulospora features 02.jpg
Hygrophanous bell-shaped caps with typical central points.
Pale gills, incurved cap margins, subtle blueing where damaged. Psilocybe angulospora features 01.jpg
Pale gills, incurved cap margins, subtle blueing where damaged.

Microscopic features

Spores measure 7.6–10.2(–11.5) × 5.8–8.1 × 4.7–7.1 μm. They are reddish grey, greyish orange to cinnamon brown in Meltzer's reagent, and appear subrhomboid in face view and ellipsoid to oval in side view. They are smooth with thick walls, and have a large eccentric germ pore which appears central in face view. This species has a very low spore production, often failing to produce a visible spore print. Basidia measure 20.9–27.2(–32.2) ×6.1–10.4 μm, are 4-spored, shaped broadly fusiform (like a spindle, rounded in the middle and tapering to the ends) to broadly clavate (shaped like a club). Pleurocystidia (the cystidia on the gill face) are absent or not well observed. Cheilocystidia (cystidia on the gill edge) measure 16.4–26.3(–29.2) μm long, (1.6–)1.8–3.0(–3.6) μm wide at the apex, (3.6–)4.5–7.1 μm wide at base. They are fusiform (spindle-shaped) to lageniform (having a large base tapering to a narrow neck; flask-shaped), sometimes bifurcate (branching), hyaline (transparent), clustered, and abundant. The hypodermium (the second layer of tissue of the cuticle) is composed of inflated threadlike hyphae, measuring 6.3–17.0 μm. The outer tissue of the stipe consists of short-segmented, inflated, threadlike parallel hyphae with thick walls, measuring 9.3–22.3 μm. Clamp connections are present. [1]

Published description

"Dung-associated, Potentially Hallucinogenic Mushrooms from Taiwan" Yen-Wen Wang and Shean-Shong Tzean, 2015.

Habitat and distribution

Scattered on heavily manured soil in grassland, and directly on cow dung, at Qingtiangang in Yangmingshan National Park in Taiwan. [1]

In potted plants and woodchip landscaping in New Zealand. [2]

Psilocybe angulospora in a potted plant in New Zealand Psilocybe angulospora growing in potting mix in New Zealand 01.jpg
Psilocybe angulospora in a potted plant in New Zealand
Psilocybe angulospora in potting mix Psilocybe angulospora growing in potting mix in New Zealand 02.jpg
Psilocybe angulospora in potting mix

Similar species

Psilocybe hoogshagenii has a comparible shape and exaggerated central papilla. 2017-12-10 Psilocybe hoogshagenii R. Heim 824796.jpg
Psilocybe hoogshagenii has a comparible shape and exaggerated central papilla.

Psilocybe angulospora can appear similar to Psilocybe hoogshagenii but the two are not closely related. DNA analysis suggests a closer relationship to Psilocybe stuntzii and Psilocybe semilanceata . [1]

In New Zealand it can be confused with other species of Psilocybe that appear in potted plants.

See also

List of psilocybin mushrooms

Psilocybe tasmaniana

Related Research Articles

<i>Psilocybe semilanceata</i> Species of fungus in the family Hymenogastraceae, native to Europe

Psilocybe semilanceata, commonly known as the liberty cap, is a species of fungus which produces the psychoactive compounds psilocybin, psilocin and baeocystin. It is both one of the most widely distributed psilocybin mushrooms in nature, and one of the most potent. The mushrooms have a distinctive conical to bell-shaped cap, up to 2.5 cm (1 in) in diameter, with a small nipple-like protrusion on the top. They are yellow to brown, covered with radial grooves when moist, and fade to a lighter color as they mature. Their stipes tend to be slender and long, and the same color or slightly lighter than the cap. The gill attachment to the stipe is adnexed, and they are initially cream-colored before tinting purple to black as the spores mature. The spores are dark purplish-brown in mass, ellipsoid in shape, and measure 10.5–15 by 6.5–8.5 micrometres.

<i>Psilocybe tampanensis</i> Psychedelic mushroom in the family Hymenogastraceae

Psilocybe tampanensis is a very rare psychedelic mushroom in the family Hymenogastraceae. Originally collected in the wild in a sandy meadow near Tampa, Florida, in 1977, the fungus would not be found in Florida again until 44 years later. The original Florida specimen was cloned, and descendants remain in wide circulation. The fruit bodies (mushrooms) produced by the fungus are yellowish-brown in color with convex to conic caps up to 2.4 cm (0.9 in) in diameter atop a thin stem up to 6 cm (2.4 in) long. Psilocybe tampanensis forms psychoactive truffle-like sclerotia that are known and sold under the nickname "philosopher's stones". The fruit bodies and sclerotia are consumed by some for recreational or entheogenic purposes. In nature, sclerotia are produced by the fungus as a rare form of protection from wildfires and other natural disasters.

<i>Psilocybe subaeruginosa</i> Species of agaric fungus in the family Hymenogastraceae

Psilocybe subaeruginosa is a species of agaric fungus in the family Hymenogastraceae described in 1927 and known from Australia and New Zealand. As a blueing member of the genus Psilocybe it contains the psychoactive compounds psilocin and psilocybin.

Psilocybe subaeruginascens is a psychedelic mushroom which has psilocybin and psilocin as main active compounds. This mushroom is closely related to Psilocybe subfimetaria and Psilocybe stuntzii.

Psilocybe strictipes is a mushroom that grows on grassy meadows and lawns; It is found throughout the cool temperate and subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere and it is most common in Europe, and the Pacific Northwest region of North America. It contains the psychoactive compound psilocybin is closely related to Psilocybe semilanceata and Psilocybe pelliculosa. Psilocybe strictipes is commonly confused with Psilocybe semilanceata and can be differentiated by its lack of a papilla and a convex to subumbonate cap. "Strictipes" comes from the Latin words stricti (narrow) and pes (foot).

Psilocybe galindoi is a psychedelic mushroom in the section Mexicana, having psilocybin and psilocin as its main active compounds. It is also known as Psilocybe galindii. The species was named in honor of Mr. Carlos Galindo Arias and his family by Dr. Gastón Guzmán.

Psilocybe plutonia is a small psilocybin mushroom of the family Hymenogastraceae, believed to contain psilocybin and psilocin. It was first documented from Cuba. An older synonym is Agaricus plutonia.

Psilocybe naematoliformis, is a species of fungus in the mushroom family Hymenogastraceae. It is a psilocybin mushroom, having psilocybin and psilocin as the main active hallucinogenic compounds.

<i>Psilocybe aztecorum</i> Species of fungus

Psilocybe aztecorum is a species of psilocybin mushroom in the family Hymenogastraceae. Known from Arizona, Colorado, central Mexico, India and Costa Rica, the fungus grows on decomposing woody debris and is found in mountainous areas at elevations of 2,000 to 4,000 m, typically in meadows or open, grassy conifer forests. The mushrooms have convex to bell-shaped caps 1.5–2 cm (0.6–0.8 in) in diameter, atop slender cylindrical stems that are up to 7.5 cm (3.0 in) long. The color of the caps changes with variations in hydration, ranging from dark chestnut brown to straw yellow or whitish when dry. The base of the stem is densely covered with conspicuous white rhizomorphs, a characteristic uncommon amongst Psilocybe species.

<i>Psilocybe hoogshagenii</i> Species of fungus

Psilocybe hoogshagenii is a species of psilocybin mushroom in the family Hymenogastraceae. The mushroom has a brownish conical or bell-shaped cap up to 3 cm (1.2 in) wide that has an extended papilla up to 4 mm long. The stem is slender and 5 to 9 cm long. The variety P. hoogshagenii var. convexa lacks the long papilla.

<i>Psilocybe makarorae</i> Species of fungus

Psilocybe makarorae is a species of psilocybin mushroom in the family Hymenogastraceae. Officially described as new to science in 1995, it is known only from New Zealand, where it grows on rotting wood and twigs of southern beeches. The fruit body (mushroom) has a brownish cap with lighter coloured margins, measuring up to 3.5 cm (1.4 in) wide. The cap shape is either conical, bell-shaped, or flat depending on the age of the mushroom, and it features a prominent umbo. Although the whitish stem does not form a true ring, it retains remnants of the partial veil that covers and protects the gills of young fruit bodies. P. makarorae mushrooms can be distinguished from the similar North American species Psilocybe caerulipes by microscopic characteristics such as the presence of cystidia on the gill faces (pleurocystidia), and cheilocystidia with more elongated necks. Based on the bluing reaction to injury, P. makarorae is presumed to contain the psychedelic compounds psilocybin and psilocin.

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<i>Psilocybe tasmaniana</i> Species of fungus

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<i>Psilocybe yungensis</i> Psychedelic mushroom in the family Strophariaceae

Psilocybe yungensis is a species of psychedelic mushroom in the family Hymenogastraceae. In North America, it is found in northeast, central and southeastern Mexico. In South America, it has been recorded from Bolivia, Colombia, and Ecuador. It is also known from the Caribbean island Martinique, and China. The mushroom grows in clusters or groups on rotting wood. The fruit bodies have conical to bell-shaped reddish- to orangish-brown caps that are up to 2.5 cm (1.0 in) in diameter, set atop slender stems 3 to 5 cm long. The mushrooms stain blue when bruised, indicative of the presence of the compound psilocybin. Psilocybe yungensis is used by Mazatec Indians in the Mexican State of Oaxaca for entheogenic purposes.

<i>Psilocybe neoxalapensis</i> Species of mushroom

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Psilocybe washingtonensis is a species of psilocybin mushroom in the family Hymenogastraceae. It is similar in appearance to Psilocybe pelliculosa and P. silvatica, and a microscope is needed to reliably distinguish between them.

<i>Psilocybe allenii</i> Species of fungus in the family Hymenogastraceae

Psilocybe allenii is a species of agaric fungus in the family Hymenogastraceae. Described as new to science in 2012, it is named after John W. Allen, who provided the type collection. It is found in the northwestern North America from British Columbia, Canada to Los Angeles, California, most commonly within 10 miles (16 km) of the Pacific coast.

Psilocybe cinnamomea is a species of psilocybin mushroom that was described as new to science in 2014 from collections made in southern China. The specific epithet cinnamomea refers to the cinnamon-like coloration of young fruitbodies.

Psilocybe germanica is an invalidly described species of psychedelic mushroom in the family Hymenogastraceae. It was described as a new species in 2015 by Jochen Gartz and Georg Wiedemann. DNA sequencing of the balls of P. germanica has found that it is a synonym of P. serbica.

<i>Psilocybe alutacea</i> Species of agaric fungus in the family Hymenogastraceae

Psilocybe alutacea is a species of agaric fungus in the family Hymenogastraceae. It was described in 2006 and is known from Australia and New Zealand. It is corprophilous, growing on animal dung. The fruitbodies have a small conical or convex cap, subdistant gills with an adnate attachment, a slender brown stipe and a faint blueing reaction to damage. As a blueing member of the genus Psilocybe it contains the psychoactive compounds psilocin and psilocybin.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Wang, Yen-Wen; Tzean, Shean-Shong (1 December 2015). "Dung-associated, Potentially Hallucinogenic Mushrooms from Taiwan" (PDF). Taiwana. 60 (4): 160–168. doi:10.6165/tai.2015.60.160.
  2. 1 2 3 Cooper, J. (2016). "New Zealand Fungi". Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research - NZ Fungi. Retrieved 28 September 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)