Psilocybe makarorae

P.R. Johnst. & P.K. Buchanan

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Psilocybe makarorae ***

P.R. Johnst. & P.K. Buchanan

Pronunciation
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Inski

Inski Inski R33GZ R33GZ

Pileus (Cap):
15mmThe cap is initially conical to bell shaped, but as the mushroom grows, it expands to become convex with a prominent umbo, and attains a diameter of 15-55 mm ). The cap surface is dry to slightly tacky. Its colour is yellow-brown to orange-brown, often paler towards the margin, which has fine striations corresponding to the gills on the underside. The flesh is white. "

Lamellae (Gills):
Cream/gold gills with what looks like small dark spore buildup, attached, also noted "Gills have an adnexed attachment to the stem, and are pale greyish-brown. "

Stipe (Stem):
50mm long, Transparent-ish gold, with the top 1/4 going a lot more distinct white with light blue staining on the uppermost of the stem. Very very delicate. A slight partial veil often showing the blue bruising.

Microscopic features:
Purple brown spores, Mango shaped basidiospores.

"The spore print is dark purplish-brown. Spores typically measure 7.5-9.5 by 5.5-6.5 by 4.5-5.5 um, averaging 8.7 by 6.0 by 5.3 um. Its shape in face view is ovate (egg-shaped) to roughly rhomboid, while viewed from the side it appears elliptical. The spore wall is brown, smooth, about 0.8-1 um thick, and has a germ pore. The basidia (spore-bearing cells) are four-spored and somewhat club-shaped, tapering slightly to the base; they are clamped, and measure 25-31 by 7-8.5 um." - wiki

Habitat and Distribution:
Same woodchip area where Psilocybe subaeruginosa and Psilocybe weraroa are fruiting. Initially mistaken for a really small P. subaeruginosa until closer inspection.

Repoted on "rotten Nothofagus wood" in New Zealand. Also habiting potted plants high in lignin.

Other Notes:

"Psilocybe makarorae closely resembles the North American species P. caerulipes, but the former can be distinguished microscopically from the latter by the presence of pleurocystidia, and cheilocystidia with longer necks"

"The type material was collected in 1990, near the Haast Pass crossing the Makarora River. The specific epithet makarorae refers to the type locality. "