Wild Species Bluing ✓ Potency: ★☆☆☆☆

Psilocybe pelliculosa

Common name: Conifer Psilocybe

Field Identification

Cap0.5-2cm; conical to campanulate; brown to cinnamon; strongly hygrophanous; fades to straw
GillsAdnate; initially pale, darkening to purple-brown; fairly close
Stem4-8cm; slender and sinuous; pale whitish; mild bluing at base
Spore PrintDark purple-brown; ellipsoid, 8-12 x 4.5-6 um
HabitatConifer forests; on needle duff, decaying wood, and disturbed soil
DistributionPacific Northwest US (Washington, Oregon) and British Columbia
SeasonOctober through January

Key Identification Feature

Grows in dense clusters under conifers. Small conical cap. Longer stem relative to cap size. Same habitat as the deadly Galerina marginata — always confirm spore print.

⚠ Dangerous Lookalikes

Galerina marginata (DEADLY TOXIC — nearly identical morphology, rusty-brown spore print, grows in same conifer habitat). This is a critical ID challenge.

Notes

Despite wide Pacific Northwest distribution, rarely used for psychoactive effects due to very low psilocybin content (0.1-0.3%). The dangerous Galerina marginata grows in the same habitat and can look nearly identical. Spore print color (dark purple vs. rusty) is the key distinction.

Legal Status Warning Psilocybin-containing mushrooms are controlled substances in most jurisdictions. This guide is for educational purposes only. Wild foraging for psilocybin mushrooms may be illegal in your location. Never consume wild mushrooms without positive identification from an expert mycologist — misidentification can be fatal.

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