In 1799 a man went foraging in London’s Green Park for mushrooms to feed his family. The mushrooms in question happened to be, of course, Psilocybe semilanceata. The distinctive Liberty Cap is the first sign that you’re looking at Psilocybe semilanceata. This conical cap has a small nipple-shaped tip and is around an inch in diameter. Of course, we know that magic mushrooms were in use long before this time, and there are reports of them being used for spiritual purposes throughout the ancient world. But for whatever reason, no one thought to try the Liberty Cap (or rather, to record their experiences with it) until this time.

As the cap dries out, it changes colour starting from the top down (second row) to ivory or cream (third row). It also turns opaque such that the gills can only be seen towards the bottom (if at all). When wet, it is a chestnut or caramel brown and translucent such that the gills can be seen running vertically down the underside (first row).

Preferred Habitats

A thin, sticky membrane (pellicle) covers the cap when the mushroom is fresh. This gelatinous layer is particularly noticeable in damp conditions, giving the cap a slightly slimy texture. Foragers often use this feature as a quick identification test by gently peeling the pellicle away from the cap— a characteristic unique to certain Psilocybe species. As the mushroom dries, this membrane becomes less visible, and the cap takes on a more wrinkled appearance. Experienced fungi cultivators often say that it is impossible to do. Instead, they recommend searching for them in their natural habitat as it is easier.

It is found in Tasmania and New Zealand, where it can be found growing from high-altitude grasslands to sea level. In the first two examples below, the caps are dry but still dark in colour. You shouldn’t rely on any single characteristic to identify them. For example, the liberty cap is famous for its nipple but this is not a unique feature. Every autumn millions of liberty caps spring up across Europe and parts of North America.

Liberty caps (Psilocybe semilanceata) identification and effects

It is commonly found growing under conifers in the Pacific Northwest in the United States (with a single collection also having been reported from Finland, and also in Norway). In addition to the differing habitat preference, it is not quite as conical and has a more pronounced tendency to bruise or age blue-green. It can also be distinguished by its smaller spores (measuring 9-13 by 5-7 μm).

Mushrooms themselves, including liberty caps, are the fruiting body, or reproductive organ, of a fungal organism that is mostly underground. Mushrooms grow from mycelium, which is a network-like fungal mass that lives in soil. As they contain the psychedelic compound psilocybin, liberty caps are illegal to possess in the UK. On the other hand, foraging can often lead to harmful practices where individuals take more than required without considering its impact on local ecosystems.

• Magic mushrooms are not known to cause an overdose, but there is a thing called a bad trip.
• People who live in regions where they grow abundant can find luck in picking some of them.
• In the fields and meadows, they grow in the lower sections, cold and damp.
• Examination of spore print coloration should never be relied on as a standalone feature of identification, but rather to supplement other features of identification.

What are the effects of consuming Liberty Caps mushrooms?

When young it is translucent brown and will stay brown if the weather is wet, if the cap dries it becomes buff/white/grey/silver but almost always has a darker to black bottom edge. The cap has a ‘nipple’ which can be quite pronounced or barely present and the bottom edge always tucks under. When fresh, the cap has a translucent covering that, if you are very careful, can be peeled away. Guide to Magic Mushroom StrainsAre there different types of psilocybin? Read our guide to learn about the different magic mushroom strains and their individual effects. Growing your own Liberty Cap mushrooms can be a fun and rewarding experience.

Liberty Caps Identification – Psilocybe Semilanceata

Any fungus that contains psilocin or psilocybin is controlled in the UK. Therefore, liberty caps are illegal in the UK and their cultivation, possession or sale is controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Often, the nipple on liberty caps can be a different colour to the rest of the cap. Liberty cap mushrooms, particularly those classified as Psilocybe semilanceata, are a captivating group of fungi known for their psychoactive properties. We’re confident the locations on our map are the best place to start if you don’t already know of any spots in your area (we use them ourselves!). However, there is a degree of uncertainty involved and we cannot guarantee that liberty caps are present at every single location.

• P. fimetaria also tends to have a shorter and thicker stem, broader caps and a color that leans more towards an orangey-brown, chestnut tone.
• And if you’re interested in growing your own Liberty Cap mushrooms, consider a grow kit – we’ve done the research to find the best mushroom grow kits on the market.
• You should understand the legal implications of picking liberty cap mushrooms, as such an activity is illegal in much of the world.
• This is because liberty caps don’t have a direct relationship with animals like dung-loving mushrooms.
• These psilocybin mushrooms thrive in grasslands and feed on decaying grass roots.

B+ mushrooms: Psilocybe Cubensis strain

I like to imagine Nature is reminding us of our fundamental right to explore consciousness. The gills of both these species start off pale brown and turn to rust or cinnamon brown as in the third example. Some looked a bit like liberty caps at first glance but didn’t stand up to closer scrutiny (more on those below). Hallucinogenic mushrooms have been used in religious ceremonies and for medicinal purposes for more than 7,000 years. Mayan and Aztec cultures in Mesoamerica used the psilocybin mushrooms until Spanish conquerors forbade the use of them around the 15th century as a way to control the society’s culture. I was delighted to find a dataset with thousands of crowdsourced liberty cap records – each with a date and coordinates.

The cap margin is initially rolled inward but unrolls to become straight or even curled upwards in maturity. The top of the cap very often has a distinct “nipple” (or papilla) which can either be quite pronounced or barely present. When young and moist, the cap has a translucent jelly skin covering (a “separable gelatinous pellicle”)  that can be peeled away with care. However, around 2% of fungi species are considered truly poisonous globally, and might make you sick to varying degrees—anything from mild nausea to more serious, but non-fatal gastric disturbance. Psilocybe, the genus name, means ‘smooth head’ – a reference to the silkily mooth, scaleless surface of caps of these grassland mushrooms.

Liberty Cap Look-Alike species

The dainty, ribbed and pointed cap on slender stems belie a potentially poisonous little edible growing in grasslands around the world. The Liberty Cap mushroom, also known as a magic mushroom for its psychedelic effects, has long been used as a hallucinogenic in many cultures around the world for thousands of years. While some say it is safer to ingest than processed drugs for a fast feeling of euphoria that can last for hours, the Liberty Cap mushroom can also be dangerous to ingest. Today, Liberty Caps remain one of the most well-known wild psychedelic mushrooms.

The first step to identifying liberty cap mushrooms is knowing where and when to look for them. Liberty cap mushrooms grow in the fall and spring in grassy areas like lawns, meadows, and fields. It can vary in color depending on moisture, but is usually a cream or brown color with a pronounced bump on the top that looks pimple-like. The cap also has striations that are more obvious as the mushroom gets older and in dry conditions.

Like any organism, Psilocybe semilanceata has evolved to thrive in a particular ecological niche. Although grassland can look very similar on the surface, the soil that our beloved fungi calls home can differ wildly in terms of its physical, chemical and biological properties. Regardless of your chosen method, starting with a low dose is essential, especially if you’re new to liberty caps.

This knowledge can enhance the experience for people interested in their psychoactive effects. Psilocybe semilanceata typically grows in grasslands and meadows. Furthermore they are often in areas that have not been heavily disturbed or fertilized.

Small in size, its colour can alter depending on its hydration level. Like many psychedelic mushrooms they can turn a bluish hue when bruised or handled, as this causes the psilocin within them to oxidize. They are also coated in a slimy, what do liberty cap mushrooms look like gelatinous film called a pellicle.