Psilocybe mexicana

Psilocybe mexicana is a psychedelic mushroom, which has psilocybin and psilocin as main active compounds.

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Description

The mushroom's hygrophanous or glabrescent cap ranges from 0.5 to 2 cm in diameter, rarely up to 3 cm. Its form is conic-campanulate and often has a central papilla. The disk is ocherous or brown in color. The whole fungus is approximatively 0.4-1.9 cm high. The spore size is about 8-12 x 5-8 x 5-6.7µm. They are obovoid and smooth. Spore deposits are sepia to dark purple-brown in color.

Psilocybe mexicana is known to form sclerotia, which are masses of mycelium harder than normal. Indeed, the fungus has an exceptional ability for forming sclerotia.

Distribution and habitat

Psilocybe mexicana is found about 4000 to 5000 feet above sea level from the South of Mexico to Guatemala, especially in limestone regions. The species grows either isolated or sparsely in moss along roadsides and trails, humid meadows or cornfields, as well as in the margin of deciduous forests. Fruiting takes place from May to October.

Consumption and cultivation

Like several other psychedelic mushrooms in the same genus, P. mexicana has been consumed by indigenous Central American peoples for its entheogenic effects. In the Nahuatl language, the fungus is known as Teonanácatl—agglutinative form of the words teó(ti) ("god") and nanácatl ("mushroom")—"god-mushroom."

In the western world p. mexicana is traded under pseudonym truffles.