Panaeolus
Encyclopedia
Panaeolus is a genus of small, black-spored, saprotrophic agarics. The word Panaeolus is Greek for "all variegated", alluding to the spotted gills of the mushrooms produced.
Coprinus
. Members of Panaeolus can also be mistaken for Psathyrella
, however the latter genus are usually found growing on wood.
The gills of these mushrooms are black or grey and have a spotty, speckled or cloudy appearance, caused by the way that the dark spores ripen together in tiny patches on the gill surface; different patches darken at different times. Another character of the genus is that the spores are smooth.
The closely related genus Panaeolina
shares the spotted gills but they are dark brown (not black) and the spores are ornamented. This genus is sometimes treated as part of Panaeolus.
including Panaeolus cyanescens
and Panaeolus cinctulus. The bluing hallucinogenic members of this genus are sometimes segregated into a separate genus, Copelandia
.
Several members of this genus are known to contain psilocin
and psilocybin
and it is suspected that a number of other members of this genus contain unidentified psychoactive compounds. http://www.svims.ca/council/Panaeo.htm All members of this genus
contain serotonin
, urea
, and tryptophan
.
Characteristics
These fungi are mostly dung and grassland species, some of which are quite common in Europe and North America. The gills of Panaeolus do not deliquesce as do the members of the related genusGenus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
Coprinus
Coprinus
Coprinus is a small genus of mushrooms consisting of Coprinus comatus and several of its close relatives. Until 2001, Coprinus was a large genus consisting of all agaric species in which the lamellae autodigested to release their spores...
. Members of Panaeolus can also be mistaken for Psathyrella
Psathyrella
Psathyrella is a large genus of about 400 fungi, and is similar to the genera Coprinellus, Coprinopsis, Coprinus and Panaeolus, usually with a thin cap and white or yellowish white hollow stem. But the caps do not self digest as do those of Coprinellus and Coprinopsis. Some also have brown spores...
, however the latter genus are usually found growing on wood.
The gills of these mushrooms are black or grey and have a spotty, speckled or cloudy appearance, caused by the way that the dark spores ripen together in tiny patches on the gill surface; different patches darken at different times. Another character of the genus is that the spores are smooth.
The closely related genus Panaeolina
Panaeolina
Panaeolina is a small genus of small mushrooms, containing only about four species. They are a subgroup of Panaeolus which have dark brown spores. The type species is Panaeolina foenisecii, a common lawn mushroom...
shares the spotted gills but they are dark brown (not black) and the spores are ornamented. This genus is sometimes treated as part of Panaeolus.
Edibility
No members of Panaeolus are used for food, though some are used as a recreational drug. Thirteen http://www.magic-mushrooms.net/World_Wide_Distribution_of_Magic_Mushrooms.pdf species of Panaeolus contain the hallucinogen psilocybinPsilocybin
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...
including Panaeolus cyanescens
Panaeolus cyanescens
Panaeolus cyanescens, also known as Copelandia cyanescens, is a mushroom in the Bolbitiaceae family. Panaeolus cyanescens contains psilocin, psilocybin and is similar to Panaeolus tropicalis.- Description :...
and Panaeolus cinctulus. The bluing hallucinogenic members of this genus are sometimes segregated into a separate genus, Copelandia
Copelandia
Copelandia is a genus of mushrooms consisting of at least 12 species. Most Copelandia species have a long, thin fragile stem and are delicate, growing in grasslands on dead moss, dead grass, sand dunes, decayed wood, and dung. They are found in the tropics and neotropics of both hemispheres...
.
Several members of this genus are known to contain psilocin
Psilocin
Psilocin , an aromatic compound, sometimes also spelled psilocine, psilocyn, or psilotsin, is a psychedelic mushroom alkaloid. It is found in most psychedelic mushrooms together with its phosphorylated counterpart psilocybin...
and 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...
and it is suspected that a number of other members of this genus contain unidentified psychoactive compounds. http://www.svims.ca/council/Panaeo.htm All members of this genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
contain serotonin
Serotonin
Serotonin or 5-hydroxytryptamine is a monoamine neurotransmitter. Biochemically derived from tryptophan, serotonin is primarily found in the gastrointestinal tract, platelets, and in the central nervous system of animals including humans...
, urea
Urea
Urea or carbamide is an organic compound with the chemical formula CO2. The molecule has two —NH2 groups joined by a carbonyl functional group....
, and tryptophan
Tryptophan
Tryptophan is one of the 20 standard amino acids, as well as an essential amino acid in the human diet. It is encoded in the standard genetic code as the codon UGG...
.
Notable species
- Panaeolus acuminatusPanaeolus acuminatusPanaeolus acuminatus, also known as Panaeolus rickenii is a common little brown mushroom.This species contains small amounts of serotonin, 5-HTP, and tryptophan.- Description :...
- Panaeolus africanusPanaeolus africanusPanaeolus africanus is a little brown mushroom which contains small amounts of the hallucinogen psilocybin. It has been found in central Africa and southern Sudan.- Description :...
- Panaeolus antillarumPanaeolus antillarumPanaeolus antillarum is a common and widely distributed small to medium sized grey mushroom which grows on dung. It is edible but not commonly eaten.Panaeolus antillarum is often mistaken for Panaeolus semiovatus var...
- Panaeolus bispora
- Panaeolus cambodginiensisPanaeolus cambodginiensisPanaeolus cambodginiensis is a potent hallucinogenic mushroom which contains psilocybin. It was described in 1979 as Copelandia cambodginiensis.- Description :...
- Panaeolus cyanescensPanaeolus cyanescensPanaeolus cyanescens, also known as Copelandia cyanescens, is a mushroom in the Bolbitiaceae family. Panaeolus cyanescens contains psilocin, psilocybin and is similar to Panaeolus tropicalis.- Description :...
- Panaeolus fimicolaPanaeolus fimicolaPanaeolus fimicola, also known as Panaeolus ater is a widespread but seldom identified "little brown mushroom" which sometimes contains small amounts of the hallucinogen psilocybin.- Description :...
- Panaeolus foenisecii (= Panaeolina foeniseciiPanaeolina foeniseciiPanaeolina foenisecii, commonly called the mower's mushroom, haymaker or brown hay mushroom, is a very common and widely distributed little brown mushroom often found on lawns. It fruits in warm weather and contains the hallucinogen psilocybin...
) - Panaeolus olivaceus
- Panaeolus papilionaceus var. papilionaceusPanaeolus papilionaceus var. papilionaceusPanaeolus papilionaceus var. papilionaceus, also known as Agaricus calosus, Panaeolus papilionaceus, Panaeolus campanulatus, Panaeolus retirugis, and Panaeolus sphinctrinus, and commonly known as Petticoat mottlegill, is a common and widely distributed little brown mushroom that feeds on dung.This...
- Panaeolus papilionaceus var. parvisporusPanaeolus papilionaceus var. parvisporusPanaeolus papilionaceus var parvisporus is a little brown mushroom that grows in horse or cow dung and has black spores. The cap is up to 5 cm across, grayish brown, not hygrophanous, conic to campanulate in age. The cap margin is not adorned with remnants of the partial veil. The stem is...
- Panaeolus semiovatus var. phalaenarumPanaeolus semiovatus var. phalaenarumPanaeolus semiovatus var. phalaenarum is a common and widely distributed medium sized grey mushroom which grows on dung.Panaeolus semiovatus var. phalaenarum is often mistaken for Panaeolus semiovatus.-Taxonomy:...
- Panaeolus semiovatus var. semiovatusPanaeolus semiovatus var. semiovatusPanaeolus semiovatus var. semiovatus, also known as Panaeolus semiovatus and Anellaria separata, is a medium sized buff colored mushroom/toadstool that grows on horse dung, and has black spores. While some guides list this species as edible, a few people experience gastric upset after consumption...
- Panaeolus cinctulus
- Panaeolus tropicalisPanaeolus tropicalisPanaeolus tropicalis is a potent hallucinogenic mushroom which contains psilocybin.It is also known as Copelandia tropicalis.- Description :The cap is 1.5 — 2 cm and hemispheric to convex to companulate...