The species was first described by Elias Magnus Fries as Agaricus semilanceatus in his 1838 work Epicrisis Systematis Mycologici. Paul Kummer transferred it to Psilocybe in 1871 when he raised many of Fries’s sub-groupings of Agaricus to the level of genus.

The stem also has a slight curve, giving the mushroom a unique, graceful appearance. You can find them across Europe, North America, and New Zealand. In Mexico, there’s a related variety called the Mexican liberty cap, though it differs liberty cap id slightly in appearance and habitat. However, it’s best to double check what you’ve foraged before you consume it.

Wavy Caps can appear in massive quantities, like when 100,000 of the wavy fellas were found growing alongside a English racetrack. The mushroom can be found on mulch or wood chips from October to February. They can cause extreme stomach pain and diarrhea, they raise your blood pressure and heart rate and can potentially cause seizures in individuals. I’m confident it’s the best possible guide to timing your outings. But nature is complex and – much like a weather forecast – it cannot be perfectly accurate.

Types Of Psilocybin Mushroom That Grow Wild In The UK

• Therefore, magic mushrooms are prohibited to be cultivated, possessed or sold under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
• This page may contain sensitive or adult content that’s not for everyone.
• Instead, they recommend searching for them in their natural habitat as it is easier.
• It’s usually pale or off-white, with a somewhat slippery texture when fresh.

However, Panaeolous species typically have darker, more mottled gills and caps that are smoother than the pointed, bell-like caps of liberty caps. Some Panaeolous species are mildly psychoactive, but they generally contain lower concentrations of psilocybin and do not produce the same intensity of effects as liberty caps. You shouldn’t have to go far to find some magic mushrooms in the UK. Local parks, common recreational areas, race tracks, woodland and country paths are all potential growing spots. Which is why I thought it would be useful to put together this handy little guide to identifying a few wild magic mushrooms in the UK. I’m confident it’s the best possible starting point if you don’t already know of any spots.

How To Find Liberty Caps (An Evidence-Based Approach)

In fact, by percentage of dry weight, they are more potent than psilocybe cubensis, which is one of the most commonly cultivated magic mushrooms. There are a few different types of magic mushrooms growing wild in the UK, but the one you’re most likely to see are liberty caps. Scientifically known as psilocybe semilanceata, liberty caps, or simply ‘libs’, are the most well-known and common magic mushroom found in the UK – and many other countries.

How strong are liberty caps?

There are a number of Subreddits where you can post photos of your shrooms for a quick ID by experienced foragers. If it’s uncharacteristically hot or there’s frost on the ground, don’t bother. Some can be slightly wider than they are tall, but will still have some height to them. If a cap is more like an umbrella than a cone, it’s not a liberty cap. Learn to identify mushrooms on the move using our step-by-step guide.

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I was delighted to find a dataset with thousands of crowdsourced liberty cap records – each with a date and coordinates. You want to be looking for fields that have been undisturbed for a long time. Intensive agriculture with ploughing, slurry, fertiliser and herbicides will harm the mycelium (the hidden body of the fungus). Usually this is old grass that is no longer growing once the autumn arrives and the temperature drops. Drinking tea allows for a smoother onset of effects, and many people prefer it for the calming experience. Another popular option is mushroom tea, which many find more accessible on the stomach.

With their unique shape and size, they are relatively easy to distinguish compared to other mushrooms. Arrange local community meet-ups and share identification tips. Magic mushrooms are classed as Class A drugs in the UK, meaning the most severe punishment for possession is up to seven years and an unlimited fine. However, sentencing this harsh a sentence is extremely unlikely. Growing mushrooms is fun, rewarding and relatively straightforward to do. However, there are a few steps you need to take so read through this guide.

The subreddit focusing on the correct identification and information surrounding 𝘗𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘺𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘢 and its cousins. 𝘴𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘢, commonly known as the ‘Liberty Cap’; is a fungus which produces the psychoactive compounds Psilocybin, Psilocin and Baeocystin. The liberty cap season runs from around August to November in the northern hemisphere. Within that broad window, the weather affects how likely they are to grow in a particular area.

• Studies have shown that psilocybin, the active compound in liberty cap mushrooms, may help alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
• These species grow in grassy areas, often alongside liberty caps, and have a similar bell-shaped cap.
• Intentionally providing false information, or advising users to consume unknown fungi is not tolerated.
• If the non-bluing, non-hallucinogenic species in the study were to be segregated, it would have left the hallucinogenic clade without a valid name.

Psychedelic mushrooms, also known as psilocybin mushrooms are a collection of mushrooms that contain the naturally occuring compound psilocybin found all over the world. Psilocybin mushrooms are known to induce an extremely profound and mystical experience when consumed. Imagery found on prehistoric murals and rock paintings suggest that human usage of psilocybin mushrooms to induce mystical experiences predates recorded history. Psilocybe mexicana looks a lot like there other species form the genus of Psilocybe, such as P. cubensis, P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, P. cyanescens, and P. baeocystis. For example, manure deposits in grasslands are loved both by Psilocybe mexicana and Psilocybe cubensis.

Psilocybe cyanescens (Wavy Cap)

You can eat dried mushrooms directly, but many people prefer to grind them into a powder and add them to smoothies, yogurt, or food. Liberty caps can be tricky to identify because they share similarities with other mushroom species, some of which are non-psychoactive or toxic. The stem of a liberty cap is long, thin, and slightly thicker at the base. It’s usually pale or off-white, with a somewhat slippery texture when fresh.

Always be mindful of your setting and mental state before taking them, and consider having a trusted person nearby for support, especially if it’s your first time. However, due to their natural taste, often described as earthy or slightly bitter, some people prefer to mix them with food to mask the flavor. Popular options include eating them with peanut butter, cheese, or in a sandwich. They are less like straight sticks and more like wiggle strings. Although they are wiggly, they do not easily collapse and feel solid. While quite potent, as they are quite small – and shrink even further when dried – you need to pick a lot if you want to have a full dose (2-3.5g dried).

This is because, while some can open the doors of perception, others can close the doors of life (as in kill you). The mushroom itself is the reproductive body of an underground network of threadlike mycelium. Every autumn millions of liberty caps spring up across Europe and parts of North America. Take a spore print by placing a cap on a piece of white paper for 2 to 6 hours. They generally appear alone or in small clusters on rich soil in pastures, meadows and parkland.