Psilocybe cubensis

Kingdom: Fungi

Phylum: Basidiomycota

Class: Agaricomycetes

Order: Agaricales

Family: Strophariaceae

Genus: Psilocybe

Species: P. cubensis

Geographic Range: The southern United States, Central America, and most of South America; India; Eastern Australia

Habitat: Mostly found in temperate regions, tend to grow in landscaped areas mulched with woodchips, and are actually rather rare in natural settings removed from human habitation. They can also be found in habitats such as mossy, grassy, or forest humus soils.

Physical Description: Small, non-descript, brownish-yellow mushrooms that turn blue when they are bruised.

Reproduction: Mainly sexual reproduction through spores that are carried on the wind or by animals.

Cool Fact: It is possible that these mushrooms could be used in psychedelic therapy; one study found that they could induce a “positive mystical experience” in participants. However, due to its reputation as an illegal substance, its status as a medicine has not yet reached mainstream acceptance.