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Magic mushrooms, or mushrooms that contain the psychoactive compound psilocybin, can look deceptively similar to poisonous mushrooms. In Western Australia, the Psilocybe subaeruginosa species is an introduced species, first found growing near the town of Balingup. P. subaeruginosa has a hygrophanous cap, which changes colour as the cap loses moisture. The caps vary in colour from dark to light caramel brown, and as the cap dries, they become light brown, golden brown, pale yellow or cream. The cap is initially conical and becomes convex, and with age, upturned. The caps can range from 1 to 6 cm in diameter but can grow larger in the right conditions. P. subaeruginosa can be distinguished from other similar-looking poisonous mushrooms by the fact that all Psilocybe mushrooms bruise blue.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Species Name | Psilocybe subaeruginosa |
| Cap Diameter | 1-6 cm, can grow larger |
| Cap Shape | Conical to convex, becomes upturned with age |
| Cap Color | Dark to light caramel brown, dries to light/golden brown, pale yellow or cream |
| Cap Texture | Sticky |
| Cap Veil | Cobweb-like white partial veil when young |
| Cap Undulation | Yes, can resemble P. cyanescens |
| Cap Umbo | Yes, sometimes pronounced |
| Habitat | Various, often Eucalyptus debris |
| Location | Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia |
| Bruising | All Psilocybe bruise blue |
| Confusion with Other Species | Yes, similar to poisonous species from genus Galerina and Hypholoma fasciculare |
| Common Names | Golden tops, blue meanies, liberty caps |
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What You'll Learn
Common types: golden tops, blue meanies, liberty caps
Golden tops, blue meanies, and liberty caps are common types of magic mushrooms found in Australia. Magic mushrooms are psychedelic drugs that can alter a person's thinking, emotions, and sense of time. They can cause hallucinations, making people see or hear things that are not real or are distorted.
Golden tops, or Psilocybe cubensis, have caps that are brown and become paler to almost white at the margin. As they age, the caps fade to a golden-brown or yellowish colour. The cap surface is smooth and sticky, and the gills are narrow and grey. The white stipe, or stem, becomes yellowish with age. All parts of the mushroom stain blue when bruised. Golden tops are also known as gold caps, golden halo, or golden teacher.
Blue meanies get their name from the fact that the mushrooms bruise blue when crushed. The species Psilocybe weraroa, native to New Zealand, is a pale blue variety of blue meanies.
Liberty caps, or Psilocybe semilanceata, have a distinctive conical to bell-shaped cap, with a small nipple-like protrusion on top. The caps are yellow to brown when moist and fade to a lighter colour as they mature. The gills are cream-coloured at first, then tint purple to black as the spores mature. The stipe, or stem, is slender and long, and the same colour or slightly lighter than the cap. Liberty caps are widely distributed and highly potent.
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P. subaeruginosa: brown, sticky caps that become light brown or golden brown
Western Australia is home to a diverse range of mushrooms, including those with psychoactive properties, commonly known as "magic mushrooms." One of the most prominent species of magic mushrooms found in this region is *Psilocybe subaeruginosa*, which is known for its distinctive features and potent effects.
Psilocybe subaeruginosa, often found in grass and wood chip gardens, road verges, and pastures across Western Australia, is characterised by its brown, sticky caps that gradually turn lighter in colour over time. These caps often start as a deep, earthy brown but can become light brown or golden brown as the mushroom matures. This colour transformation is one of the key identifying features of P. subaeruginosa. The caps are usually between 1 and 3 centimetres in diameter and are often convex or bell-shaped with a slight umbo, giving them a distinctive appearance.
The stickiness of the caps is another notable trait of *P. subaeruginosa*. When fresh, the caps feel tacky to the touch, which is caused by a viscous fluid that covers the surface. This sticky substance can make the mushrooms challenging to pick, as they may adhere to the collector's fingers. However, the stickiness also serves an important ecological purpose, as it helps the mushroom trap and retain moisture, which is crucial for its survival in the warm, dry climate of Western Australia.
As the mushrooms age, the caps may begin to crack and take on a scaly appearance, especially towards the centre. The gills of *P. subaeruginosa* start off pale brown but gradually darken as the spores mature, eventually turning a deep purplish-brown. The spores are another distinctive feature, appearing as a dark purplish-black mass when viewed en masse. Under a microscope, they exhibit a distinct ellipsoid shape with a small pore at one end, further aiding in the identification of this species.
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P. subaeruginosa: grows on Eucalyptus debris
Psilocybe subaeruginosa, commonly known as "P. subs", is a species of agaric fungus in the Hymenogastraceae family. It was first described in 1927 by Australian mycologist John Burton Cleland. P. subaeruginosa is native to Australia and New Zealand and is known to grow in the southern parts of Australia from April to August.
P. subaeruginosa grows on Eucalyptus debris in Australian native forests, pine plantations, and occasionally on dung. It is also found on the forest margins, disturbed areas, or the edge of trails, either singly or in groups. Its primary habitat is wet or dry sclerophyll forest, but it can also be found in parks, playgrounds, universities, and the inner-city business district.
The fungus is highly variable in appearance, with caps that can be various shades of brown, yellow, or cream, and a stem that can vary in thickness and length, sometimes growing straight and sometimes twisting. The cap stains greenish-blue with age or handling, and the flesh inside is whitish. The gills are pale smoky brown when young and become violet-brown or brownish fuscous with age. The stipe is tall and slender, staining greenish-blue, with a brownish flesh.
P. subaeruginosa is known for containing the psychoactive compounds psilocin and psilocybin, which have led to its popularity as a mind-bending mushroom. However, growing this fungus is illegal in most countries.
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Similarities to poisonous mushrooms
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, are fungi that contain the psychoactive compounds psilocybin and psilocin. These compounds are hallucinogens that produce effects similar to LSD. Psilocybin and psilocin are controlled internationally under the United Nations Drug Control Conventions.
The main risk of consuming magic mushrooms is that they can be easily confused with poisonous mushrooms, which can lead to serious health hazards. Since many species look alike, it can be challenging to distinguish between different types of mushrooms. This similarity in appearance has led to cases of accidental consumption of poisonous mushrooms, mistaking them for magic mushrooms. Mushroom poisoning can cause neurotoxic effects such as hallucinations, agitation, CNS depression, obtundation, ataxia, and hyperkinetic behaviour. In rare severe cases, mushroom poisoning can result in myocardial infarction, severe rhabdomyolysis, acute renal failure, posterior encephalopathy, and protracted paranoid psychosis. Therefore, it is crucial to accurately identify mushrooms before consumption to avoid potential health risks associated with poisonous varieties.
In Western Australia, one of the commonly found magic mushrooms is Psilocybe cubensis, also known as the golden top. It is characterised by its bluish coloration on the stems or stalk-like structures supporting the caps. The Psilocybe subaeruginosa, found in Tasmania and Belair National Park in Australia, is another variety of magic mushroom. It has a brown cap that is conical to conic-convex when young and becomes convex or slightly upturned as it matures, with a diameter ranging from 12 to 50 mm.
While the short-term effects of magic mushrooms are well-known, there have been no studies evaluating the long-term impacts of repetitive use. However, frequent or high-dose consumption can lead to "bad trips," characterised by paranoia, loss of boundaries, distorted sense of self, and heightened emotions and senses. Mixing magic mushrooms with other substances, such as cannabis or alcohol, can elevate the risks of serious side effects and adverse events. Therefore, it is essential to exercise caution and refrain from consuming mushrooms if there is any doubt about their identity.
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Clinical trials: St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne
Magic mushrooms, or mushrooms that produce psilocybin, are known to induce hallucinations and are hypothesised to have influenced art, culture, and religion. There are an estimated 20-30 species of magic mushrooms in Australia, some native and some introduced.
One of the native species is Psilocybe subaeruginosa, a species of agaric fungus first described in 1927 by Australian mycologist John Burton Cleland. The name refers to the blue-green colour that appears when the fruitbodies are damaged or handled. Psilocybe subaeruginosa has a brown cap that averages 12-50mm in diameter. It is conical to conic-convex with slightly inrolled edges when young, becoming slightly upturned as it ages.
Clinical trials are currently underway at St Vincent's Hospital in Melbourne, where terminally ill patients are being treated with psilocybin. The aim of the trial is to ease the anxiety felt by palliative care patients and reduce fear and depression. The treatment is being administered alongside psychotherapy and guidance.
Dr Alistair McTaggart, who works at St Vincent's Hospital, believes that the global magic mushroom industry is similar to the medical cannabis industry 15 years ago. He states that there is a lot of interest in the therapeutic properties of magic mushrooms and that selection of genetic traits will be necessary to upscale production and tailor different strains for different experiences. Dr McTaggart's research aims to safeguard the genetic diversity of magic mushrooms in Australia.
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Frequently asked questions
Magic mushrooms are fungi that produce psilocybin, a psychoactive compound with effects similar to LSD.
Psilocybe subaeruginosa, also known as magic mushrooms, are most often found growing on Eucalyptus debris. They have caps that measure between one to six centimeters in diameter but can grow larger in the right conditions. The caps vary markedly in colour, from dark to light caramel brown, with a sticky texture. As the cap dries, they become light brown or golden brown, sometimes pale yellow or cream.
Magic mushrooms look much like ordinary mushrooms, but they can be identified by their blue bruising. All Psilocybe mushrooms bruise blue, although this can take some time with certain specimens. However, it is important to note that they look very similar to poisonous mushrooms, so proper identification is vital before consuming any wild mushrooms.
The most common types of magic mushrooms in Australia are golden tops, blue meanies, and liberty caps.
