Paneolus blue (Panaeolus cyanescens)
Systematics:- Department: Basidiomycota (Basidiomycetes)
- Subdivision: Agaricomycotina (Agaricomycetes)
- Class: Agaricomycetes (Agaricomycetes)
- Subclass: Agaricomycetidae (Agaricomycetes)
- Order: Agaricales (Agaric or Lamellar)
- Family: Psathyrellaceae (Psatirellaceae)
- Genus: Panaeolus (Paneolus)
- Species: Panaeolus cyanescens (Blue Paneolus)
Other names:
- Copelandia cyanescens
Blue Paneolus (Panaeolus cyanescens) is a mushroom of the Agaricaceae class, of the Bolbitiev family. Belongs to the paneolus genus.
External description
The fruiting body of the fungus is cap-pectoral. The cap is 1.5-4 cm in diameter, in young mushrooms it has a hemispherical shape and edges curled up. In mature mushrooms, it becomes bell-shaped, wide, convex, dry to the touch. The caps of young mushrooms are more often light brown, but they can also be completely white. In mature mushrooms, the cap becomes almost completely faded, becoming just white or slightly grayish. Sometimes the caps of a matured blue paneolus mushroom may retain a brownish or yellowish tint. If the mushroom grows in drought conditions, then the surface of its cap is densely covered with cracks. And if cracks and damage appear on its surface, then in these areas the surface acquires a bluish or greenish tint.
The hymenophore of the described fungus is lamellar. Its constituent components - plates, are often located, in young mushrooms they are characterized by a grayish color, and in ripe fruit bodies they darken, becoming black, covered with spots, but retain light edges. The pulp of this mushroom is characterized by a slight powdery aroma and whitish color, it is very thin and light.
Season and habitat of the fungus
On the territory of Russia, blue paneolus is common in the Far East, in Primorye, as well as in central European regions. Its active fruiting begins in June and continues until the end of September. The fungus prefers to grow on meadow pastures, on animal dung, areas with a grassy landscape.
Edibility
Blue paneolus belongs to the category of conditionally edible mushrooms, but it can be eaten without harm to health only after good heat treatment (boiling).
Similar types and differences from them
The specific external features of the fungus and the belonging of the blue paneolus to the poisonous, toxic hallucinogenic fruiting bodies do not allow this species to be confused with any other.
Other information about the mushroom
Paneolus blue belongs to the category of so-called coprophilous fungi, for the growth of which the presence of organic matter (manure) is necessary. This type of mushroom can be found in temperate, equatorial and tropical zones in both earthly hemispheres. Depending on the geographic location, the described mushroom can contain psychedelics in different concentrations. As a whole, the described type of mushroom contains such psychotropic components as beocystin, psilocin, serotonin, psilocybin, tryptamine. Blue Paneolus is known as one of the most powerful psychedelics.