PSILOCYBE MAMMILLATA

syn. Artylospora cinshonensis, syn. Psathyra cinchonensis

The Psilocybe mammillata magic mushroom is a very rare species easily recognizable by its acute nipple-like cap top.

The epithet “mammillata” derives from “mammillate” which refers to its distinctive mammelle-like protuberance. This eye-catching characteristic has often gotten Psilocybe mammillata confused with Psilocybe cordispora.

Psilocybe cordispora is a naturally occurring ceremonial magic mushroom known as “Atka” meaning “the Judge”. It is consumed as part of rituals by the Mixe and Mazatec people in the Northern part of Oaxaca and South-Central part of Veracruz.

Despite extensive research conducted in the area, the vulnerability of its habitat and the extra pressures from human activities (consumption included), experts believe Psilocybe cordispora R. Heimshould be listed as “endangered”.

Other magic mushrooms with the particular Psilocybe mammillata feature include Psilocybe yungensis, Psilocybe semilanceata, and one of the strongest psilocybin-producing mushrooms Psilocybe azurescens “Flying Saucer”. 

Described from Jamaica in 1918 by Murrill, the Psilocybe mammillata magic mushroom was placed it in the genus Astylospora, and in 1948, was relocated by Smith into the genus Psilocybe.
It was the obvious bluish bruising flesh (sign of psilocybin presence) of Psilocybe mamillata that matched it to the hallucinogenic Psilocybe clade. The Psilocybe clade contains most psilocybin-producing mushrooms.

Of the seven subpopulations known of the Psilocybe mammilata species, six are located in mountain cloud forests of Mexico, Bolivia and Jamaica, and one in Florida, making the Floridian subtropical forest its northernmost distribution limit to have been reported.

Unfortunately, many of the mountain cloud forests have no conservation programs, making the Psilocybe mammillata magic mushroom not only a rare hallucinogenic mushroom but also an endangered one.

Because it is a hallucinogenic species consumed as part of rituals Psilocybe mammillata represents an important biocultural resource in its region of origin. Alongside Psilocybe cordispora R.Heim, Psilocybe mammillata is a sacred strain and should be protected as such.

Fortunately, the universal medical interest for the psilocybin-containing mushrooms, alongside the perseverance of mushroom hunters, and the ingenuity of cultivators may be helping factors in the conservation of this unique inconspicuous strain.

As no data on psilocybin levels exist for Psilocybe mammillata, we can only speculate it has similar psychotronic effects as other psilocybin species.

Since Psilocybe mammillata has been collected only eight times since 1908, we hope “this needle in a haystack” of a strain will survive urbanization. We truly hope this rare strain has already made its way into the lab of a passionate mycologist and that its healing powers live on.

There is very little literature around this rare strain; even the web has little data on it. It may be because a lot of people misspell Psilocybe mammillata and write Psilocybe mamillata or Psilocybe mammilata.

After all, it is not the first that passionate mycologists helped save rare psychoactive fungi.

Let’s hope that the rareness of Psilocybe mammillata’s will place it one at the top of the list of motivated magic mushroom cultivators. Please clone Psilocybe mammillata, and let its healing powers live on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visual Description

• Cap: 0.5-3 cm broad. Conic, soon broadening to campanulate at maturity, often with an umbo. Surface smooth when moist, slightly striated at margin, often with delicate residue of partial veil. Coloration reddish brown to brownish green, cap hygrophanous, dimming beige or dirty golden orange, occasionally blackish tones. Flesh pale brown and bruising bluish. • Gills: Attachment adnexed. Color pale brown to darkish purplish brown. Narrow, with whitish edges. • Stem: 15-30mm long by 1-2 mm thick. Equal, slightly thicker at base. Mycelium at base. Coloration yellowish when young, soon reddish brown, often maintaining white marks at base. Fesh reddish brown, bruising bluish. Partiel veil ring, fragile, soon disappearing in age. • Spore print: dark purplish brown. • Microscopic features: 5-6.5 by 3.5-5.5 µ. • Taste and odor: believed to be farinaceous.

PSILOCYBE MAMMILLATA Potency

MILD < 0.25% No data exists but believed to be active for its bluish bruising and said to be active by Guzman et al. (1993). * Please note, dosage with organic matter is always in relation to a series of complex variables. *

Habitat Origin

Originally found in Florida (Highland Hammock State Park). Also reported from Jamaica, Mexico, Bolivia. Growing alone or in group, in woody debris grounds, humus, and sometimes clay soils. Found along trails, shady banks, and in coffee plantations. Probably more widely distributed throughout Florida than currently reported because he is shadowed by his more popular relative P. cubensis, a preferred choice for mushroom hunters. Detailed locations: Mexico, Oaxaca: Road Oaxaca City to Pochutla, La Calera. Veracruz: West of Minatitlan North of Cosolacaque; Huayacocotla, La Selva; Road Jalapa-Perote, Plan de Serdeño. USA, Florida: Hammock State Park. Bolivia, La Paz: Nor-Yungas, Coroico. Jamaica, Cinchona State Park.

PSILOCYBE MAMMILLATA Effects

As no data on psilocybin levels exist for P. mammillata, we can only speculate it has similar psychotronic effects as other psilocybin species. Thus, effects would include: euphoria, visual stimulation with slight tracing effects, dilated pupils, enhanced heartbeat, occasional nausea. Nota bene: despite the literature that says that the mushroom has only been collected eight times since 1908, and the research in the genus that says that only seven subpopulations, and nine specimens are known, let’s keep in mind that there scholar literature is very different from popular literature. Perhaps magic mushroom hunters are on the case.