Content
Psilocybe blue - a representative of the Stropharia family, the genus Psilocybe. A synonym for this name is the Latin term - Psilocybe cyanescens. Belongs to the category of inedible and hallucinogenic mushrooms. Consumption and collection is officially prohibited not only in Russia, but also in some other countries.
Description of psilocybe blue
This variety needs acidic soil rich in organic matter.
The fruiting body is a small cap and a thin stem. The pulp is white; on the cut it changes its color to blue. Has a light mealy aroma.
Description of the hat
Psilocybe cyanescens cap turns blue when dry or damaged
At a young age, the cap is rounded, after a while it becomes prostrate, reaches 2-4 cm in diameter. It has uneven and wavy edges. The color ranges from yellow to brown. As a rule, the color of the cap is directly related to the weather conditions. For example, in dry and hot seasons, the cap is painted in a yellow tone, and during heavy rains, it darkens and acquires a certain oiliness. When pressed on the pulp, a blue-green tint appears, in some cases you can find bluish specks located along the edges of the cap.
On the underside there are rare plates adhered to the surface of the fruiting body. At a young age, they are painted in ocher color, over time they acquire a dark brown tint. Spore powder, purple-brown color.
Leg description
This species prefers to grow in large groups.
At the initial stage of ripening, the leg is white, with age it acquires a bluish tint. In length it reaches about 5 cm, and the thickness is 5-8 mm in diameter. Turns bluish when pressed. On its surface, weakly expressed remnants of a private bedspread can be traced.
Where and how does the blue psilocybe grow
Active fruiting occurs in the autumn. As a rule, blue psilocybe prefers places with high humidity and rich soil. This specimen can be found on wastelands, roadsides, forest edges and pastures. Mushrooms grow exclusively in groups, growing together with their legs.
Doubles and their differences
Related species of blue psilocybe are the following:
- Psilocybe czech is a hallucinogenic mushroom that grows in coniferous, mixed or deciduous forests. The surface of the cap is colored brownish, covered with mucus, and turns blue on the cut. The leg is thin, fibrous, becomes tubular with age, wavy with a bluish tinge. The difference from the blue psilocybe is the bell-shaped cap.
- Semi-lanceolate psilocybe is a poisonous species, which has a lot of other names: "Cap of freedom", "Sharp conical bald head", "Umbrella of freedom", "Veselushka". It is a small lamellar mushroom. The diameter of the cap of such a specimen is no more than 2.5 cm. The shape of the cap varies from semicircular to conical with a small central tubercle.In dry weather, it is colored beige, and during heavy rain it takes on darker brown tones. Turns bluish when dry or damaged.
Effect of psilocybe turning blue on the body
The blue psilocybe pulp contains psychoactive substances called psilocybin and psilocin. Literally half an hour after use, you can see the first signs of poisoning: the victim begins to chills, hallucinations appear. After 2 hours, the peak occurs, and the total duration is from 4 to 7 hours. In some cases, the use of a poisonous product leads to impaired perception and clouding of mind. In such cases, the help of a psychotherapist will be required to remove a person from a serious condition.
Substances such as psilocin and psilocybin are non-narcotic and therefore non-addictive. However, long-term use of blue psilocybe can form mental dependence, as well as cause neuroses and schizophrenia. Lethal outcome is not excluded.
Responsibility for collection and distribution
In Russia, the collection and cultivation of blue psilocyba is prohibited. This is regulated by the following documents: Article 231 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, 10.5 and 10.5.1 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation, Government Decree No. 934 of November 27, 2010.
Conclusion
Despite the small size of the fruit bodies, blue psilocybe is a dangerous fungus. Eating this poisonous specimen in food can cause auditory and visual hallucinations. In some cases, it can contribute to death.
