As you may have guessed from its prefix Psilocybe, this mushroom belongs to the genus of hallucinogenic psilocybin containing fungi, better known as magic mushrooms.

A crop of Psilocybe ovoideocystidiata (via Wikimedia Commons)

As well as containing psilocybin, like all magic mushrooms and truffles, the ovoideocystidiata (or ‘ovoid’ as they are referred to for short) also contains the compounds psilocin and baeocystin, all of which contribute to the psychedelic properties of this shroom. They are also responsible for the blackish-blue bruises which appear when the mushroom is damaged or has reached maturity. 

Where and When?

The wild Ovoid originates from the eastern region of the United States, reaching from Kentucky to Rhode Island. It thrives in the Ohio river valley, growing on woody detritus where the waters overflow. It also enjoys man-made mulch and can also be found growing alongside Japanese knotweed.  Since its identification it has turned up in the western United States, probably due to its spores being spread by fungi fans. From Washington to Southern California, P. ovoideocystidiata can now be found growing happily in the wild. And, some unofficial reports state that the ovoid has also shown up in parts of Europe, specifically southern Germany and Switzerland.

via Wikimedia Commons

As a rule, this shroom fruits from April to mid-June, but a few with stamina can be found from March until late November.  

Look-Alikes

Perhaps one of the reasons that it took so long for the Ovoid to be identified is that it has a few look-alike shrooms that it may have previously been mistaken for. 

Firstly the Psilocybe caerulipes comes the closest in the ovoid look-alike contest. They are the same shape and harbour the same level of psychedelic potency. Due to their similar looks, the ovoid now shares P. caerulipes nickname ‘blue-foot.’ A way to tell them apart however, is that the ovoid has a spicy aroma, whereas P. caerulipes does not. Another difference is that the ovoid, has the unusual characteristic of a ring (the annulus) halfway up the stem, whereas usually the Psilocybe species mushroom has its ring near the top of the stem. 

The other species that cause confusion include Psilocybe subaeruginascens, Psilocybe spetentrionalis and Psilocybe wayanadensis. However, they are found in Java, Japan and India respectively. 

Vital Stats: How To Spot This Shroom!

To identify a Psilocybe ovoideocystidiata, check out the following:

Cap: The cap can range from 1.5 to 5cm and is convex in shape but can flatten with age. When the mushroom is hydrated its cap is a chestnut or orange-brown colour. When dried it is paler, even becoming a cream colour. It is thick and fleshy, bruises blue-ish green and becomes wavy with maturity. 

Gills: Ranging from white-ish to purple to brown. 

Spores: Diamond shaped with thick walls. Black or dark purple. 

Ovoid spores via Wikimdia Commons

Stem: Ranging from 1.5cm to 9.5cm tall and 1mm to 7mm thick. Part of the stem may be beneath the ground. The stem is slim, hollow and has a ring halfway up. Cream or yellowish in colour with blue or brown tones. Mainly smooth, occasionally with scales near the bottom. 

Smell: Fresh and earthy; mildly spicy. .

Taste: Starchy and earthy, but mild. 

Can I eat it? : It is edible, but hallucinogenic. Proceed with caution

Find it in: Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and other coastal regions of the United States, as well as some areas of Europe. Likes a mild climate but can tolerate colder weather. 

When: Generally April to June.

Family: Hymenogastraceae

Genus: Psilocybe

Species: ovoideocystidiata