Description
The cap has a conical to convex form with a diameter of between 0.2 and 0.4 inches. The surface is fairly smooth and the coloration is yellowish-brown. Psilocybe hispanica’s gills are ornate, brown, and have white edges. The white or golden stem is 0.6 – 1.0 inches long and 0.02 to 0.04 inches thick. The flesh is pale and bruises blue when sliced or squeezed.
Gastón Guzmán, a Mexican mycologist, was the first to identify the species in a study published in 2000. According to some, evidence that P. hispanica was used in religious rituals 6,000 years ago may be found in Selva Pascuala, a region adjacent to the Spanish town of Villar del Humo. Later research revealed that what had previously been thought to be “mushrooms” in one of Selva Pascuala’s murals actually matched P. hispanica’s general morphology. Thirteen mushrooms-like things with convex to conical heads and straight to curved, ringless stems are depicted in the painting. Early in the 20th century, the rock shelter in Selva Pascuala was first identified. The picture also features a bull, suggesting a connection to the dung-loving Psilocybe hispanica.
Habitat
It can only be found in the hilly Pyrenees area of northern Spain and southern France, where it flourishes on horse dung on grass fields at elevations between 1,700 and 2,300 meters.
Uses/Importance
Psilocybe hispanica is a recreational drug used by Spanish youth. The mushroom contains the psychedelic chemical psilocybin. This species’ potency has been reported to be equivalent to or greater than that of Psilocybe cubensis. Auditory and visual hallucinations, alterations in awareness, feelings of pleasure, and spiritual experiences are all examples of psychedelic effects. Depending on the individual’s frame of mind, the experience might be joyful or challenging.
