Psilocybe ovoideocystidiata
Common name: Ovoid cystidiate psilocybe
Field Identification
| Cap | 1-5cm, convex to broadly umbonate, brown to ochraceous, viscid when moist |
| Gills | Adnate, pale brown becoming darker, moderately crowded |
| Stem | 2-8cm x 3-7mm, whitish-brown, fibrous, persistent skirt-like annulus |
| Spore Print | Dark purplish-brown, subrhomboid, 8-11 x 6-7.5 µm |
| Habitat | Riparian zones along stream banks and river edges; decaying wood and wood chips in moist, shaded environments |
| Distribution | Eastern North America (primarily Mid-Atlantic: Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey); some Pacific Northwest records |
| Season | March through June (spring fruiting unusual for Psilocybe) |
Key Identification Feature
Spring fruiting season (unusual for genus); persistent annulus on stem; riparian hardwood habitat; eastern US
⚠ Dangerous Lookalikes
Galerina marginata (deadly — also has ring, no blue-green staining); Hypholoma species (yellow gills, no bluing)
Notes
One of the few Psilocybe species that fruits primarily in spring rather than autumn. The persistent annulus (ring) distinguishes it from most other Psilocybe species. Potency variable. Documented primarily in Mid-Atlantic states along creek and river margins.
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.
All Wild Species
- Psilocybe semilanceata (Liberty Cap)
- Psilocybe azurescens (Flying Saucers, Azzies)
- Psilocybe cyanescens (Wavy Caps, Blue Halos)
- Psilocybe mexicana (Teonanácatl (historical Mazatec name))
- Panaeolus cyanescens (Blue Meanies, Pan Cyan)
- Psilocybe tampanensis (Magic Truffles, Philosopher's Stones)
- Psilocybe subaeruginosa (Subs (Australia/NZ))
- Psilocybe stuntzii (Stuntz's Blue Legs, Blue Ringers)
- Psilocybe bohemica (Bohemian Psilocybe)
- Psilocybe pelliculosa (Conifer Psilocybe)
- Psilocybe weilii (Weil's Psilocybe)
- Psilocybe hoogshagenii (Derrumbe)
- Gymnopilus spectabilis (Big Laughing Gym, Spectacular Rustgill)
- Psilocybe strictipes (Rigid-Stemmed Psilocybe)
- Psilocybe cyanofibrillosa (Blue-Haired Psilocybe, Rhododendron Psilocybe)
- Psilocybe samuiensis (Ko Samui Psilocybe)
- Psilocybe aucklandii (Auckland Psilocybe)
- Psilocybe galindoi (ATLantis truffle, Philosopher's Stone (cultivated form))
- Psilocybe natalensis (Natal Super Strength)
- Psilocybe liniformans (European liberty cap lookalike)
- Psilocybe fimetaria (Dung loving psilocybe)
- Psilocybe makarorae (New Zealand native psilocybe)
- Psilocybe caerulipes (Blue-foot psilocybe)
- Psilocybe ovoideocystidiata (Ovoid cystidiate psilocybe)
- Psilocybe zapotecorum (Zapotec sacred mushroom)
- Psilocybe serbica (Bohemian psilocybe (var. serbica))
- Gymnopilus purpuratus (Purple Gymnopilus)