flowstone said:

Interesting.
I agree, right now is just perfect for the Whales. Seemingly so, that is. With the hard freeze this winter and lots of cold weather we will need to see steady temps for weeks before the weilii come. But that should be soon, very soon I hope. As far as abundances, I don't have high hopes for spring, but I know one or two will be out.

L_M: thanks for the info on Chanterelles. Do you remember when the mushrooms hit peak point and were out in full force? Also good to know about freezing them.

Let's keep the information rolling. I would really like to hear some from the long time experts, but anyone and everyone can help!

---

Quote:

The gold chanty was in a more open area on [or near] a log (i dont remember exactly), but it was fairly marshy, acidic soil.

---

Quote:

i find P. subbalteatus quite frequently in cow manure, i dont know if this is typical

---

flowstone said:

- Weilii-
The key feature is the signature weilii smell that separates it from the rest.

-cubensis-

Any tips, advice, or stories about this wonderful species are welcomed!

-Panaeolus subbalteatus-

I wonder about its uses and how people in GA find them and if it is worth targeting. From what I hear rarely do they bruise blue and even if you find a bunch, you have to eat a bunch to feel effects.
I am curious if anyone sees any physical or spiritual advantages of taking a weaker mushroom verses a strong one. I've heard they even cause more nausea than cubes or weilii.
I really would like to understand this species more, so if you have first hand trip comparison to other species with this mushroom, or other knowledge let us know.

---

first off...
NEW SHROOM!
Found a shaggy mane (Coprinus comata) while hunting cubes. about the last thing i expected. I thought id seen these a few times on the side of the road but never checked. Now it is confirmed (although it prolly isnt any new info, just new to me).
I took the one specimen home and sauted it because ive never tried shaggy mane before. It smelled unpleasant raw (like poisonous, corrosive chemicals) but i was sure in my ID so i fryed it up. Almost as soon as it hit the pan the smell changed from nasty to absolutely delicious! It smells [and tastes] like buttered chicken with a hint of garlic (but not exactly, just the closest thing i can compare to). One thing that I firmly believe is that the taste and smell of fungi is KEY in IDing, more important than visual ID infact. The sole purpose of taste buds and olfactory senses is to identify what it is that your eating, and i use that to my advantage. Hopefully others will follow.

Ps. WEILII: plese explain the smell, its very imoportant to me (as my philosophy states above).

Ps. CUBENSIS: I have observed this mushroom in Texas, and found that only one general strain of the mushroom grows. But in Georgia, I have found in excess of 10 different strains and variants in one season! Some very exotic looking. they arent similar strains either, no. They are all VERY different in their appearance, habitat, and potentcy. I plan to get some pics of most of them this season but I observed one extremely unusaly strain. It grew only in a forest clearing on cow manure that was scattered and mixed up (like someone had kicked it seeral times).
Its extremely small in stature, no more than 1.3in high and .5-2cm across the cap, and ~3-8mm across the stipe. the cap is strongly convex and cosistently light golden brown in young specimens, and expands to obtusely umbonate with a broad, low umbo, light golden brown in color and translucent white around the edge. The stipe bruises a very deep, indigo blue. a thin ring develops around the stipe and ofcourse, stains purple upon maturing. the gills are very light brown (almost cream) when young, and change to greyish tan with maturity (with a purple hue). it smells and tastes like a P. cubensis (like potent chemicals that will make you wince). Im not sure it actually is a P. cubensis, but i am 100% sure it is a Psilocybe and it is active. Possibly a new species? I sure hope so. Ive never had my name in a book before 

Pa. SUBBALTEATUS: These shrooms are not as week as you think, that is a common misconception. they are about as strong as cubes by weight, and are a little smaller, so are technically less potent, but not very much so. It is true however that they present some nausea (mostly getting the runs the next day), but no vommiting (not in my experience). The trip is significantly different from others in that it contains chemicals mostly local to the species that relax the muscles and create a dreamy, euphoric trip. Most people that use Pan subbs prefer them over cubes (and other species). Also, Pan subbs taste faintly like coconut.

Side Notes: Amanita muscaria (the orange yellow version that grows in N GA) tastes exactly like chicken, and smells kinda like potatoes (the stipe of Amanita citrina smells strongly of raw potatoes).
Just thought id add that little piece of info 

flowstone said:

- Weilii-
How can anyone in N GA overlook this mushroom! One of the most potent and diversely unique species, this mushroom never ceases to amaze me. Almost stalking ME, I have been lucky in several finds of this mushroom god. This mushroom ranges from yard to yard and takes many shapes and colors( from almost white light brown to deep metallic silverish blue!!!) The key feature is the signature weilii smell that separates it from the rest. I am looking foreword to a good fall season( and maybe spring) and would like anyone and every-ones advice and input on this species.


-Copelandia cyanescens-
Never have I found one of these illusive mushrooms! although I have found many of the closely similar( to someone who has never seen one) Panaeolus Artillum, never have I found a real copelandia.
I am very interested in the SPECIFICS of this mushroom, as in: what else is happening in nature in GA when this mushroom reaches the prime of it's season. Any help or information about this is welcome. This is the mushroom I hear very little about in GA.

---