PSILOBYES
a genus of small mushrooms grown over the world. known for their psychedelic properties, many species in the genus can get u higher than the empire state
Unifying Characteristics- small to medium sized brown to yellow mushrooms
- spore print colors ranging from lilac- brown to dark purple-brown - hallucinogenic species typically have blue bruising- all grow on varying sorts of organic matter {1} Image by Patrick Ullrich |
Diversity- over 100 members of the genus have been identified all over the world (over 10 other genera contain the psilocybin hallucinogenic substance, however the Psilocybes contain the most abundant variety) {1}
- Psilocybe caerulipes and Psilocybe silvatica are the only species of the genera which grow in Ontario {4} - varying in tints and shades of brown to yellow - found in a variety of habitats (many in temperate regions) - some have an affinity to mulched areas, woodchips, mossy areas, grassy areas, forest humus soils, and grow directly on feces {1} |
Life Cycle (asexual reproduction)
[1] Basidia (filament type structures) in the lamellae (gills) of an adult mushroom grow four appendages, each holding a haploid cell. This forms a Basidiospore (see arrows). 1 billion of these can be produced by a single mushroom. These are the spores that will be spread to produce new mushrooms.
[2] Spores with different mating types (+), (--) are released and dispersed by weather or animals.
[3] Plasmogeny occurs when opposite mating types (now called Hypha) fuse to form one cell (share cytoplasm), without fusing the nucleus. In the next step, Karyogeny, a tube is formed between the cell and the nuclei meet to exchange genetic information and fuse together (see image).
[4] Compatible hyphae fuse together to form networks of filaments called Mycelium.
[5]The Hyphal Knot is where the mycelium grows densely together. It appears as a button emerging from the ground.
[6] Pinhead, small head seen above ground.
[7] Primordium, classified by its protective cover which keep the gills (reproductive organs) safe as it grows. *However not all mushrooms reproduce with gills.
[8] Adult mushroom continues the reproductive cycle. It will reproduce asexually if the conditions are capital (plentiful water, food and prime temperature). In asexual reproduction, individual fungi cells give rise to a spore producing structure which produces asexual and genetically identical spores which will be dispersed and grow, being identical to the parent mushroom.
{2} {3}
[2] Spores with different mating types (+), (--) are released and dispersed by weather or animals.
[3] Plasmogeny occurs when opposite mating types (now called Hypha) fuse to form one cell (share cytoplasm), without fusing the nucleus. In the next step, Karyogeny, a tube is formed between the cell and the nuclei meet to exchange genetic information and fuse together (see image).
[4] Compatible hyphae fuse together to form networks of filaments called Mycelium.
[5]The Hyphal Knot is where the mycelium grows densely together. It appears as a button emerging from the ground.
[6] Pinhead, small head seen above ground.
[7] Primordium, classified by its protective cover which keep the gills (reproductive organs) safe as it grows. *However not all mushrooms reproduce with gills.
[8] Adult mushroom continues the reproductive cycle. It will reproduce asexually if the conditions are capital (plentiful water, food and prime temperature). In asexual reproduction, individual fungi cells give rise to a spore producing structure which produces asexual and genetically identical spores which will be dispersed and grow, being identical to the parent mushroom.
{2} {3}
Taxonomic RankKingdom: Fungi
Phylum: Basidiomycota Class: Agaricomycetes Order: Agaricales Family: Strophariaceae Genus: Psilocybe The phylogeny (right) shows members of the Psilocybe genus. It has been constructed using nucleotide sequences. It is divided into three clusters: non-psilocybin containing, hallucinogenic, and panaeolus (specially colored).
Psilocybes are classified by the pileipellis (outermost cap membrane) with branching filaments that run parallel to the pileus surface, forming a cutis, by their lack of chrysocystidia (a large cell often found on fungi), and by spores that are smooth, ellipsoid to rhomboid to subhexagonal in shape. {1} |
Phylogeny |
REFERENCES
{1} Psilocybe. (2014, May 21). Wikipedia. Retrieved May 14, 2014, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psilocybe
{2} Biologybyme. (Director). (2012). Fungi Reproduction, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDBeuXhz4nA
{3} Monks, M. (2011, June 22). Growth Stages of a Mushroom. eHow. Retrieved May 20, 2014, from http://www.ehow.com/info_8630084_growth-stages-mushroom.html
{4} Which psilocybin mushrooms grow wild in my area?. (n.d.). Shroomery. Retrieved May 22, 2014, from http://www.shroomery.org/8461/Which-psilocybin-mushrooms-grow-wild-in-my-area
{1} Psilocybe. (2014, May 21). Wikipedia. Retrieved May 14, 2014, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psilocybe
{2} Biologybyme. (Director). (2012). Fungi Reproduction, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDBeuXhz4nA
{3} Monks, M. (2011, June 22). Growth Stages of a Mushroom. eHow. Retrieved May 20, 2014, from http://www.ehow.com/info_8630084_growth-stages-mushroom.html
{4} Which psilocybin mushrooms grow wild in my area?. (n.d.). Shroomery. Retrieved May 22, 2014, from http://www.shroomery.org/8461/Which-psilocybin-mushrooms-grow-wild-in-my-area