Top Magic Mushroom Species (other than p. Cubensis)
P. Cubensis is the most well-known and easily sourced magic mushroom species. But it’s not the only one. Psilocybe azurescens, Psilocybe semilanceata, Psilocybe cyanescens, and Psilocybe tampanensis mushrooms grow worldwide, offering various psilocybin potency levels and psychedelic experiences.
Psilocybe azurescens Species
Otherwise known as “flying saucer” mushrooms due to their broad, UFO-shaped caps, P. azurescens is a species native to North America.
These mushrooms grow specifically in the Pacific Northwest region of America, including Oregon, Washington, California, and British Columbia, where they can best be found growing along coastal dunes close to rivers.
Stamets describes P. azurescens as having “caramel-colored” caps and stems, which are “composed of twisted, cartilaginous, silky white fibrous tissue.”
With the highest psilocybin content out of all known Psilocybe species, at 1.78%, P. azurescens are incredibly potent. The experience is characterized by intense visuals, a heavy body load, and, at moderate to high doses, profound journeys into different realms of reality.
Psilocybe semilanceata (Liberty Caps) Species
P. semilanceata is the most widespread magic mushroom species. These mushrooms grow most abundantly in Europe but can also be found in North America, Canada, South Africa, Chile, Northern India, Australia, and New Zealand.
Regarding their appearance, P. semilanceata has long thin stems and notable, convex, bell-shaped caps–hence their nickname “liberty caps.”
Relatively potent, P. semilanceata contains 0.98% psilocybin, 0.2% psilocin, and 0.36% baeocystin.
Users have described P. semilanceata as a more “head” than body high, with intense visual hallucinations.
Since these mushrooms are tough to grow, most people get hold of P. semilanceata by foraging in the wild. However, foraging needs to be done with extreme caution since misidentifying P. semilanceata with the poisonous look-alike species, Galerina marginata, can have fatal consequences.
You can learn more about foraging and identifying magic mushrooms in our “How To Find Mushrooms Guide.”
