Observations on the Psilocybe Cyanescens Complex of Europe and North America

JOCHEN GARTZ Observations on the Psilocybe cyanescens complex of Europe and North America. Several specimens of the Psilocybe cyanescens complex form Europe and North America were recently collected for scientific study and herbarium deposit. This paper presents an investigation of the indole derivatives of mushrooms from the Czech Republic (Psilocybe bohemica) and some collections from Germany and Austria as well as Psilocybe cyanescens from the Pacific Northwest, U.S.A. The content of psilocybin was highest in cultivated and naturally grown mushrooms from the U.S.A. Psilocybin was also found to be contained in the cultured mycelia of this species. The analysis of all collections revealed only very small amounts of baeocystin. It seems that the collections from Austria and Germany, Psilocybe bohemica and Psilocybe cyanescens from the U.S.A. are 3 different species with very similar microscopic features. Psilocybe bohemica was also cultivated on wet rice and on mulch in a shady outdoor bed. The alkaloid content in cultured basidiocarps was in the same order of magnitude as that found in naturally grown mushrooms.