Gymnopilus luteofolius
Encyclopedia
Gymnopilus luteofolius, also known as Yellow-Gilled Gymnopilus is a large and widely distributed mushroom which grows in dense clusters on dead hardwoods and conifers. It has a rusty orange spore print and a bitter taste. It contains the hallucinogen psilocybin
Psilocybin
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic prodrug, with mind-altering effects similar to those of LSD and mescaline, after it is converted to psilocin. The effects can include altered thinking processes, perceptual distortions, an altered sense of time, and spiritual experiences, as well as...

. It was given its current name by mycologist Rolf Singer
Rolf Singer
Rolf Singer was a German-born mycologist and one of the most important taxonomists of gilled mushrooms in the 20th century....

 in 1951.

In Japan this mushroom is called waraitake, which translates to "laughing mushroom". This mushroom is often mistaken for Gymnopilus ventricosus
Gymnopilus ventricosus
Gymnopilus ventricosus is a species of mushroom in the Cortinariaceae family....

, which contains no psilocybin.

Description

The cap ranges from 3 to 8 cm across, is convex, and is reddish orange or reddish brown with a dry scaly surface. The cap margin is inrolled well into maturity. The flesh is yellow and the gills are crowded, yellow to orange, and adnate to subdecurrent. The stem is dusted with rusty orange spores and has a cottony partial veil, and often narrows near the base. Most people find this mushroom to have a bitter taste.

External links

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