Psilocybin-containingBolbitiaceaeAfrica
Panaeolus africanus
African mottlegill
African dung species of elephant and hippo dung in savanna and wetland margins.
Regional status: Native to tropical Africa
- Cap
- Hemispherical, 15–35 mm, pale clay to greyish, cracking when dry.
- Gills
- Adnate, mottled grey then black.
- Stem
- 60–110 mm, slender, pale, weakly blueing.
- Flesh
- Thin, pale.
- Spore print
- Jet black
- Habitat
- Elephant, hippo and cattle dung in tropical savanna.
- Distribution
- Sudan, Kenya, Uganda and neighbouring Africa.
- Season
- Rainy season
- Bruising
- Weak blue at the stem base.
- Odour
- Farinaceous
- Potency
- Moderate
Key features
- ▪Large-mammal dung habitat
- ▪Mottled black gills
- ▪Tall slender stem
Field tests
- Jet black spore print
- Check the stem base for weak blueing
Edibility
Psilocybin-containing; not a food species.
Warning
Dung habitats hold many toxic small brown mushrooms.
Photo and feature-based identification is probabilistic. Never consume a wild mushroom on the basis of an app result — confirm with an experienced mycologist.