Psilocybe weraroa: The Hallucinogenic Pouch Fungus of Aotearoa
Published on the DoubleBlind website: https://doubleblindmag.com/psilocybe-weraroa/
“Psilocybe is a diverse genus, and many species have evolved to fill numerous environmental niches, but none are quite as weird and unique as the hallucinogenic pouch fungus of Aotearoa (New Zealand), Psilocybe weraroa.
Psilocybe weraroa is referred to as a “secotioid” fungus — these types of fungi exist in an intermediate form between mushroom and puffball or truffle-like fungi. Despite having gills, the cap doesn’t open to release the spores. Most fungi typically resemble the other species in their particular genus—the stem, cap, and gills sharing similar features that can be used taxonomically. But every now and then, a mushroom will do something a little quirky (many of us are familiar with albino strains, as is the case with Psilocybe cubensis) and, in response to selection pressures in its environment, a species may adopt an alternative lifecycle.“