Wild Species Bluing ✓ Potency: ★★☆☆☆

Gymnopilus purpuratus

Common name: Purple Gymnopilus

Field Identification

Cap3-10cm, convex, dry, fibrous, rusty-brown to reddish with purple tinges
GillsAdnate to slightly decurrent, pale yellow becoming rusty-brown, crowded
Stem4-10cm x 5-12mm, solid, fibrous, with persistent fibrous ring
Spore PrintRust-brown, ellipsoid, rough, 7-9 x 4-5 µm
HabitatDecaying conifer stumps and logs in temperate forests; also found on hardwood in some regions
DistributionChile, Argentina, Falkland Islands; Pacific Northwest (Oregon, Washington) records
SeasonAutumn through early winter

Key Identification Feature

Purple tinges on cap and stem; persistent ring; South American distribution; rust-brown spores

⚠ Dangerous Lookalikes

Gymnopilus spectabilis (similar size and habitat, less purple; both can be psychoactive); Pholiota species (non-psychoactive, slimy cap)

Notes

One of the more potent Gymnopilus species. Documented psychoactive effects from Chilean specimens. The distinctive purple coloration on cap and stem is unusual for the genus. Used experimentally in South American ethnomycology contexts.

Legal Status Warning Psilocybin-containing mushrooms are controlled substances in most jurisdictions. This guide is for educational purposes only. Wild foraging for psilocybin mushrooms may be illegal in your location. Never consume wild mushrooms without positive identification from an expert mycologist — misidentification can be fatal.

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