Psilocybe subaeruginosa, sometimes referred to as "P. subs," is member of the Hymenogastraceae family of agaric fungi found in Australia and New Zealand.

The eucalyptus-loving shroom has a wide distribution through a dynamic variety of habitats and substrates. They are a highly widespread to the point of being weedy, found in woodlands, parks, playgrounds, and a few institutions.

Genetically similar members of the genus Psilocybe include the Northern Hemisphere agarics P. allennii , P. azuresecens, and P. cyanescens , and from New Zealand P. makarorae. They have a similar look to P. cyanescens and P. azurescens.

With 1.93% psilocybin by dry weight VS 1.78% in Psilocybe azurescens. , it may in fact be the most potent Psilocybe there is - it's certainly the most naturally powerful.

Unfortunately, not much is known about this species of magic mushrooms, since its legal status makes research difficult (it's illegal in both Australia and New Zealand).

Psilocybe subaeruginosa mushrooms History

Psilocybe subaeruginosa was first identified in Australia (New South Wales) In June 1915.

Sir John Burton Cleland CBE, one of the founders of Australian mycology, first described the fungus in 1927.

He was a renowned Australian mycologist, naturalist, microbiologist and ornithologist. In 1935 he published 'Toadstools and Mushrooms and Other Larger Fungi of South Australia', regarded as one of the most thorough examinations of Australian fungi ever written.

It took another 30 years for P. subs to become well known in popular consciousness, and It's surfers we can thank for arousing interest in the psychotropic fungus.

As the counter culture swept the west in the 60s, interest in psychedelic substances and magic mushrooms rose.

Australia's east coast rose to fame as a global surfing hotspot in the 60s, and the Gold Coast attracted a large number of American tourists. These tourists brought along psychedelic culture (and knowledge) with them, and P. subs quickly became Australia's most famous magic mushroom, then spread around the world thereafter.

Psilocybe subaeruginosa Potency

These Australian native Psilocybe mushrooms are known to be more potent than typical Psilocybe cubensis, with some patches being described as "breathtakingly" potent.

When foraging, keep in mind the mushroom's growth medium, since the growth medium can have a big impact on their potency - many people say they're strongest when foraged from wood beds - and wood lovers are generally the most potent shrooms.

Along with significant concentrations of psilocybin, this wood-loving Psilocybe also contains additional indole alkaloids. This is true of other species like P. azuresecens too. These alkaloids found in psilocybin mushrooms aren't fully understood, but are thought to contribute to the overall entourage effect.

Psilocybe subaeruginosa Effects

In general, the effects are similar to eating any other Psilocybe type mushrooms, except that because these are so potent, it’s MUCH easier to get a surprisingly high dose.

This should obviously be taken into account when dosing - even a few dried mushrooms or one dry gram might be a significant dosage.

Psilocybe subaeruginosa Experiences

You can read about peoples personal experiences online. Here are a couple of extracts from Erowid:  

"During the peak, I wrote this on a word document whilst crying my head off:

Endless rolling tears of contentment.

Total oneness that I cannot even begin to describe.

I feel completely and utterly emotionally torn apart in the best way possible.

Like the fibre of my being is getting a deep warm hug and massage.

It feels truly, wonderful."

"I experienced a profound few minutes of depersonalisation, as though the image of myself in the mirror was actually not me, but another being observing and looking deep within my ego and soul. Whilst it was a bit overwhelming, this experience did not scare me and was actually quite enjoyable, as though the “other being” in the mirror was pleased with that it saw within me."

"All anxiety melted away, euphoria took over, rhythm and touch became forms of expression and communication and I indulged in these simple pleasures. Hours went by before she tells me the next part of my journey begins. I left the site knowing that spirits live there and had supported and accepted me"

Dosage

You will need considerably less than usual due to P. subaeruginosa's high potency.

Because unpleasant side effects are more likely with higher dosages—especially at levels higher than the user is accustomed to—it is advisable to err on the side of taking too little rather than too much.

If you're planning a trip and want some guidance on what the ideal dose is, check out our shroom dosage calculator and this handy guide. 

Habitat - where do Psilocybe subaeruginosa grow?

Psilocybe subaeruginosa mushrooms are native to Australia and New Zealand.

These magic mushrooms are known to flourish in a variety of environments and substrates, but the fungus are most frequently seen growing on Eucalyptus debris.

It thrives on woody substrates and is frequently found in garden beds with woodchips or in fallen tree remains.

They grow individually or in clusters on the edges of disturbed areas, forests, and pathways. Their natural environment is a wet or dry sclerophyll forest, where they may be seen growing between grassy patches and eucalyptus detritus.

They might develop on the remains of fallen tea tree, man fern, bracken fern, mulch or even pine cones.

You can find them in southern regions of the continent, particularly New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia and southeast Queensland. They've also been spotted and foraged in Western Australia and across the Tasman sea in neighbouring New Zealands North Island and the northern two-thirds of the South Island.

Some areas of North America have experienced an artificial spread of P. subaeruginosa.

What time of year can you find Psilocybe subaeruginosa?

In southeast Australia, "P. subs" begins to bear fruit in late March or early April after a sustained decrease in temperature below 8°C (46°F) and a lot of dew / moisture.

A decrease in temperature, an increase in moisture content, and a shortening of the day/night light cycle are all necessary for fruiting.

The season begins in late April or early May and lasts until the end of July or the beginning of September.

Extreme weather conditions, like summer snowfalls or cold snaps in mountainous places, might cause them to bear fruit at different times of the year.

How to Identify Psilocybe subaeruginosa

Due to its variability in appearance, identifying Psilocybe subaeruginosa can be a challenge.

• The stem is hollow and occasionally fibrous stem. It's Typically, white while young and turns dark greyish brown with age. When wet, it darkens even more.
• All sections of P. subaeruginosa will bruise blue if injured, much like many other psilocybin-containing mushrooms do. The bruising can appear quickly of gradually.
• The cobwebby veil that initially covers the gills is white at first, but as the spores develop, it darkens.
• The hats can come in a range of sizes, shapes, and brown, yellow, and even cream hues.
• The stem can grow straight sometimes and twist other times, varying in thickness and length.
• The cap (pileus) has a diameter of one to six centimetres
• They frequently feature a pronounced umbo, which is the cap's centrally located pointy tip.
• The crown will change colour as it dries out.
• The caps have a sticky feel and come in a wide range of colours, from dark caramel to light. They turn light brown or golden brown as the cap dries up, occasionally light yellow or cream.

• The cap's detachable pellicle, a gelatinous covering that covers the outside of the cap and can be peeled off, is a helpful differentiating characteristic.

Growing Psilocybe subaeruginosa

Unfortunately, persuading the fungus to fruit in artificial conditions is nearly impossible. Most growers use outdoor growing beds and rely on natural conditions to trigger fruiting once per year.

In mulched garden beds, Psilocybe subaeruginosa grows pretty easily.

You might inoculate cardboard or wood chips indoors, then use the colonised material to innoculate outside beds, or you could simply as spray liquid spore solution over a mound of wood chips.

Growing will provide you with a significant, high-quality supply once a year.

Although an outside bed requires considerably less work, it is obviously less inconspicuous and poses the risk of becoming inhabited by a toxic lookalikes.

Note that you shouldn't plant Psilocybe subaeruginosa outdoors if you don't reside in a native location since it could stray and disrupt the environment.

Here's a great reddit thread on cultivating Psilocybe subaeruginosa.

Look-alike Species of P. Subs

Several other mushroom species resemble the P.subs in appearance and live in the same habitat, some of which are quite dangerous.

For example - Young Psilocybe subaeruginosa specimens resemble the Deadly Galerina species. These can be extremely dangerous because they contain amatoxins, the same poisons found in Death Caps.

People that consume amatoxins become unwell within a few hours, followed by a brief 'false' recovery. The amatoxins then start to harm the liver and kidneys. If left untreated, people begin to feel weak two days after the poisoning, get very unwell, and eventually have organ failure.

Similar to Subaeruginosa, Galerina have a caramel-brown crown, but the former also has a brown stem with an annulus. The rust-brown spore print makes species from these genera easier to recognise.

Subaeruginosa can also look like Cortinarius, which have fading blue pigmentation that resembles blue bruises. Some have crowns that are brown and resemble Psilocybe species. Cortinarius are extremely toxic mushrooms and can harm the liver and kidneys.

Before eating any wild mushrooms, proper identification is essential. Always learn about the species you are looking for as well as any potential lookalikes.

Remember: If in doubt, toss it out.

Wood Lover Paralysis

P. subaeruginosa is one of the species known to produce "wood-lovers paralysis," - a momentary loss of muscular control caused by a chemical other than psilocybin.

Close to nothing is known about this condition - it does appear to be transitory but if it occurs while the individual is alone, it might be quite scary.

A trip-sitter is highly recommended when taking this mushroom.

Final Thoughts

Be aware of the potency of P. Subs, and respect these magic mushrooms if you ever decide to use them for an experience.

As always, the recommendation is to start with a low dose and make sure you have a proper set and setting.

If you're interested in reading more about other types of magic mushroom, we built this strain library in partnership with some of the top grey market suppliers and mycologists in the country. It’s the result of hundreds of hours of labor, years of experience and the generosity of many many experts in the field. Continuously evolving and 100% free to use.