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Psilocybe angustipleurocystidiata

Common name: Narrow-Cystidiate Psilocybe

Field Identification

Cap1.5–4 cm, convex to broadly umbonate, hygrophanous, brown to caramel
GillsAdnate to adnexed, pale gray becoming purple-brown
Stem3–7 cm × 3–5 mm, pale tan to whitish, fibrous
Spore PrintEllipsoid, 9–12 × 5.5–7.5 µm, dark purple-brown spore print
HabitatWood chips and woody debris in urban and suburban settings
DistributionWestern North America — California, Oregon, Washington
SeasonOctober–March

Key Identification Feature

Distinguished microscopically by narrow pleurocystidia; wood chip urban habitat; California to PNW

⚠ Dangerous Lookalikes

Psilocybe allenii (very similar macroscopically; microscopy needed for definitive ID); Psilocybe cyanofibrillosa

Notes

Described relatively recently; often confused with P. allenii in the field. The two species share habitat and appearance — reliable differentiation requires microscopy. Part of a complex of wood-chip species in urban California.

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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