Wild Species Bluing ✓ Potency: ★★★★☆

Psilocybe subaeruginosa

Common name: Subs (Australia/NZ)

Field Identification

Cap1.5-5cm; convex to broadly umbonate; reddish-brown fading to buff; strongly hygrophanous
GillsAdnate; grayish initially, darkening to purple-brown at maturity
Stem4-12cm; whitish to pale brown; bruises strongly blue throughout when handled
Spore PrintDark purple-brown; ellipsoid, 12-15 x 7-9 um
HabitatWood chips, decaying wood, mulched garden beds in urban areas
DistributionAustralia, New Zealand
SeasonAutumn to winter (April-August)

Key Identification Feature

Strong rapid blue bruising on all parts. Reddish-brown cap fading to buff-straw when dry. Commonly found in urban wood chip garden beds throughout Australia.

⚠ Dangerous Lookalikes

Psilocybe australiana (also psychoactive, similar habitat); Hypholoma species (toxic, no bluing); Galerina marginata (DEADLY, grows on wood)

Notes

Most potent and widespread Psilocybe in Australia, psilocybin content 0.8-1.8% by dry weight. Commonly found in urban gardens using wood chip mulch. Often called 'subs' locally, the same nickname used for P. cyanescens in North America.

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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