Introduction & Morphology
P. azurescens, a basidiomycete, is an extremely potent[17][24] psychedelic mushroom. It is relatively small, with a convex to conic pileus only 3-10cm in diameter. Normally caramel in color, it bruises easily to a dark blue-black, and often has azure-colored aerial hyphae protruding from the base of the stalk. Spores are purplish brown to purplish black. It is saprotrophic, living in soils enriched with fallen wood debris, and causes wood to whiten. It's native only to a small strip along the coasts of Oregon and Washington. They begin fruiting late in September and continue until subdued by frost[17].
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Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Basidiomycota Class: Agaricomycetes Order: Agaricales Family: Strophariaceae Genus: Psilocybe Species: P. azurescens |
Consumption
P. azurescens contains unusually high concentrations of psychedelic molecules (psilocybin, psilocin, and baeocystin), which rack in at over 2% of the dry weight of the fruiting body[17], which is about twice the concentration of the more commonly cultivated Psilocybe cubensis. In addition to the hallucinogenic potential of P. azurescens, it has also been known to cause temporary paralysis[16]. To taste it is extremely bitter[17].
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References
[16]https://www.dmt-nexus.me/forum/default.aspx?g=posts&t=38626
[17]http://www.shroomery.org/8700/Psilocybe-azurescens-taxonomy-paper
[24]http://eol.org/pages/200083/overview
[17]http://www.shroomery.org/8700/Psilocybe-azurescens-taxonomy-paper
[24]http://eol.org/pages/200083/overview