Everything about Psilocybe Semilanceata totally explained
Psilocybe semilanceata (
liberty cap) is a
psychedelic mushroom that contains the psychoactive compound
psilocybin. It grows on grassy meadows and similar; particularly in wet, south-facing fields and other habitats well fertilized by sheep and other cattle feces, although unlike
Psilocybe cubensis it doesn't grow directly on the dung itself. It is found throughout the cool temperate and subarctic regions of the
Northern Hemisphere and it's most common in "
Europe,
Russia,
India,
Peru and the
Pacific Northwest United States and Northeastern North America."
Etymology
The mushroom takes its name from an actual cap, the
Phrygian cap, also known as the
liberty cap, which it resembles. The Latin word for Phrygian cap is
pileus, nowadays the technical name for what is commonly known as the "cap" of a fungal fruiting body. In the 18th century AD Phrygian caps were stuck on
Liberty poles, which resemble the
stem of the mushroom. The
binomial name can be broken down into the Greek "psilo" (bald) and "cybe" (head), and the Latin "semi" (half) and "lanceata" (lanced or pierced).
Identification
Liberty caps have a distinctive conical head with a small point or nipple on the tip. They are yellow to brown in colour and the caps are slimy when moist. Their stems tend to be long, slightly wavy and the same colour or slightly lighter than the cap. The gills are darker than the outer cap. There are several species of lookalikes; domed heads and translucent stalks are some of the main giveaways when identifying impostors. As with all fungus, if in doubt don't consume before ascertaining the exact species. Anecdotal evidence suggests that accidental consumption of lookalike mushrooms in reasonable doses is unlikely to lead to anything worse than an upset stomach, but it's still an unnecessary risk.
Contemporary use in the UK
In Britain, a 'loophole' in UK law allowed the selling and possession of fresh, unprepared psychoactive mushrooms. After much indecision (or unwillingness to legislate) governmental forces closed the loop hole. As from July 18, 2005 all retail transactions involving psychoactive mushrooms became illegal (with the exception of
fly agaric), and possession of practically all psychoactive mushrooms was made illegal under the Drugs Act of 2005. Any transgression is treatable as a criminal offense involving a Class A substance.
Somewhat unsurprisingly, the comprehensive curtailing of 'shroom culture' so suddenly has resulted in a tremendous increase in the use of the liberty cap by people who can no longer obtain their substance of choice by retail.
Gallery
Image:Semilanceata.JPG
Image:Libertycap.jpg
Further Information
Get more info on 'Psilocybe Semilanceata'.
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