Kingdom Fungi Class Agaricomycetes Scientific name Conocybe smithii | Division Basidiomycota Order Agaricales Rank Species | |
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Similar Conocybe cyanopus, Psilocybe liniformans var ameri, Gymnopilus validipes, Gymnopilus viridans, Gymnopilus braendlei | ||
Pholiotina smithii is a rare member of the genus Pholiotina which contains the hallucinogenic alkaloid psilocybin. It was formerly known as Galera cyanopes.
Contents
Description
Distribution and habitat
Pholiotina smithii is found in North America and often grows in bogs, ditches and swampy areas, commonly in sphagnum moss. Also found along river banks and in lawns.
It is known to occur in Canada, Oregon, Wisconsin, Washington, and Northern Michigan, (on ancient man-made earthen mounds), but is probably more widely distributed.
On the west coast of America, Pholiotina smithii is an early summer mushroom, almost never appearing after the first week of June.
Edibility
Mildly hallucinogenic, containing psilocin, psilocybin, and baeocystin. Most mycologists recommend against eating this mushroom because it is difficult to distinguish from poisonous species.