Panaeolus cinctulus

Panaeolus cinctulus, known as the "banded mottlegill" or "weed Panaeolus," is a small, widespread mushroom species that belongs to the family Bolbitiaceae. 

Cap:

Diameter: 2-5(6) cm

Shape: Initially hemispherical, then conical-campanulate, becoming convex-nippled to subextended, sometimes irregular

Texture: Non-viscous, smooth, occasionally rough, wrinkled, or cracked with age

Hygrophanous: Changes color with moisture, beige, often with brownish zoning from the margin when wet, may turn bluish when handled, reddish with an ochraceous orange center when dry

Margin: Initially curved, becoming straight, translucent-striated when wet, sometimes toothed

Gills:

Attachment: Adnate to adnexate, often seceding

Width: Broad, with lamellae, moderately spaced

Color: Cream, initially brownish to reddish-gray, later turning black with marbling and flaky edges, whitish

Stem:

Dimensions: 2-10 cm in length, 0.2-0.6(1) cm in width

Shape: Equal or slightly attenuated at both ends, straight to flexuous

Texture: Cartilaginous, elastic, firm, occasionally brittle, non-fistulous

Surface: Smooth to longitudinally striated, entirely covered in whitish pruina on a brownish background, reddish-brown at the base, sometimes slightly bluish near the base when handled

Partial Veil: Absent

Flesh (Context): Thin, ranging from cream to brownish to red-brown

Smell and Flavor: Indistinct odor and flavor, with a mild to fungal character

Spore Print: Black

Spores:

Shape: (Sub)ellipsoids when viewed from the front, citriform from the side

Surface: Smooth, with a thickened wall and a truncated germ pore

Color: Red-brown

Dimensions: (10)12-14(16) μm x 7-9.5 µm

Cheilocystides:

Variable in shape, often pyriform, lageniform, or cylindrical-rostrate

Slightly sinuous, sometimes slightly enlarged at the apex

Dimensions: 14-21 x 3-7 µm

Pleurocystides: Absent

Caulocystides: Present toward the apex of the stem, similar to cheilocystides

Pileipellis: Formed of subglobose cells, not curly, 8-28 µm in diameter, with pileocystids

Pileocystids: Pyriform, clavate to cylindrical

Growth Mode: Solitary, gregarious, or often clumped together

Ecology: Saprotrophic and coprophilous, found on excrement, soils with excrement, freshly manured open areas, composts, and fertilized lawns

Fruiting Period: Spring to autumn

Frequency: Rare

Edibility: Inedible, toxic, hallucinogenic; contains psilocybin, psilocin, and baeocystin.Panaeolus cinctulus, contains psychoactive compounds, specifically psilocybin and psilocin, which are responsible for its psychedelic effects. However, it's crucial to note that while it does contain these psychoactive substances, the potency can vary, and consuming wild mushrooms for their psychoactive properties carries significant risks, including toxicity and misidentification.

Remarks:

• Characterized by robust basidiomes, a hygrophanous cap often displaying red-brown zoning, the absence of chrysocystids, and a tendency to grow in clusters.
• Distinguished by the dark band around the cap margin in wet conditions.
• Often found alongside P. papilionaceus, P. retirugis, and other coprophilous species in ruminant enclosures.
• Synonymous with P. subbalteatus, referring to the same species with larger spores.
• Similar in appearance to P. atrobalteatus but with smaller spores (8-11 µm).
• Panaeolina foesinecii is another species found on lawns, sometimes with a dark marginal stripe.
• Always measure spores when identifying such species, at the very least.

Similar-Looking Non-Psychedelic Mushrooms:

Several non-psychedelic mushrooms look similar to Panaeolus cinctulus, making accurate identification challenging. Some of these include:

1. Panaeolina foenisecii: This mushroom is often mistaken for Panaeolus cinctulus. It is similar in appearance but does not contain psychoactive compounds.

2. Inky Caps (Coprinopsis spp.): Some inky cap mushrooms have slender stems and caps that can resemble Panaeolus cinctulus. These mushrooms are not psychedelic and are known for their ink-like liquid that they release as they mature.

References

1. MycoMatch (MatchMaker) Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest Version 2.4.1. 2023.
2. A thousand and one mushrooms from Quebec, Cercle des mycologues de Montréal inc., Montréal, 2002.