Psilocybe zapotecorum
Common name: Zapotec sacred mushroom
Field Identification
| Cap | 3-10cm, convex to plane, reddish-brown to chestnut, viscid, umbo sometimes present |
| Gills | Adnate, pale clay to violaceous-brown, broad |
| Stem | 5-12cm x 5-12mm, whitish to pale brown, solid, stout |
| Spore Print | Dark violaceous-brown, subellipsoid, 8-11 x 5.5-7 µm |
| Habitat | Subtropical forests on rich humous soils and rotting wood; often found near streams in cloud forest |
| Distribution | Mexico (Oaxaca, Chiapas, Guerrero), Guatemala, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina |
| Season | May through October (rainy season) |
Key Identification Feature
Large size for the genus; Oaxacan forest habitat; traditional ceremonial use by Zapotec people
⚠ Dangerous Lookalikes
Psilocybe cubensis (similar habitat in some regions; cubensis has thicker veil remnants); Stropharia coronilla (no bluing)
Notes
Used ceremonially by Zapotec people of Oaxaca, Mexico. One of the larger Psilocybe species. Less well-studied than P. mexicana or P. cubensis. Found at higher elevations (1000-2500m) in cloud forest habitats. Potency moderate to high.
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)