Psilocybin-containingHymenogastraceaeAfrica
Psilocybe natalensis
Natal super strength
Southern African grassland species of manured veld, resembling a pale cubensis.
Regional status: Native to southern Africa
- Cap
- Convex to flattened, 20–80 mm, whitish to pale tan, smooth.
- Gills
- Adnate, pale grey then purple-brown.
- Stem
- 40–100 mm, white, with a ring zone, blueing.
- Flesh
- White, blueing.
- Spore print
- Dark purple-brown
- Habitat
- Manured grassland and cattle pasture, on soil rather than directly on dung.
- Distribution
- South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal and neighbouring provinces).
- Season
- Summer rains
- Bruising
- Blue-green where bruised.
- Odour
- Farinaceous
- Potency
- Strong
Key features
- ▪Pale whitish cap
- ▪Manured grassland habitat
- ▪Ring zone and blue bruising
Field tests
- Purple-brown spore print
- Bruise the stem for a blue reaction
Edibility
Psilocybin-containing; not a food species.
Warning
Pale grassland mushrooms include deadly Amanita and Lepiota species. Never rely on colour alone.
Photo and feature-based identification is probabilistic. Never consume a wild mushroom on the basis of an app result — confirm with an experienced mycologist.