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Blue Paneolus is a mushroom that belongs to the hallucinogenic species. In order not to confuse it with edible representatives, it is necessary to carefully study the description and habitat.
What does Paneolus look like blue
The blue paneolus has many names that in one way or another reflect the appearance of the mushroom - Blue Dream, Hawaiian, Blue Amanita, Blue Copelandia, Abnormal Copelandia.
Description of the hat
Distinctive features of the fruiting body are the shape and color of its upper part. In young specimens, it is hemispherical, the edges are turned up. As it grows up, it acquires a bell-shaped-prostrate appearance, becomes wide with the presence of a bulge. Small in diameter - from 1.5 to 4 cm. The surface is dry, not rough. The color changes as it grows. At first, the hat has a light brown tint, and maybe even white. But over time, it fades, becomes grayish, or turns yellow. If you break the mushroom, then the pulp will quickly acquire a greenish or bluish color.
Leg description
Blue Paneolus is distinguished by a rather long leg, which is made in a cylindrical shape. The slender bottom of the mushroom can grow up to 12 cm in height and 4 cm in diameter. Moreover, it can be both straight and slightly curved, which depends on the level of humidity in the region and the age of the fruit body.
The surface of the leg is smooth. The color is usually pale gray or whitish, but there are also specimens with a pinkish or yellow bottom. If damaged, the stem also acquires a green or blue tint.
Where and how it grows
Paneolus blue grows, as a rule, in those places where the soil is fertilized with fresh manure. These are meadows and places for walking, where not only livestock graze, but also wild ungulates live. Geographically, it is found in almost all regions of Russia, including the Primorsky Territory, the Far East. The species also grows in Bolivia, USA, Hawaii, India, Australia, Thailand, Mexico, Philippines, Brazil and France.
The first harvest of blue paneolus appears in June, and the last mushrooms can be seen in early October. It is important to take into account that fruiting bodies can grow both in clusters and one by one.
Is the mushroom edible or not
Blue Paneolus is a hallucinogenic mushroom that contains serotonin, urea, psilocin and psilocybin. There are disputes about the edibility of the fruiting body to this day. Some experts say that the mushroom belongs to the category of conditionally edible. Other scientists, classifying it as inedible, are sure that blue paneolus is dangerous to human health and life, so it should not be consumed in any form.
If the blue paneolus is accidentally or deliberately eaten, then the person may experience bouts of hallucinations, the victim's condition often bordering on delusional. As a rule, he begins to perceive the situation in brighter colors, and heightens his hearing. There may be aggression or depression, a quick change in mood (crying abruptly turns into violent laughter and vice versa).
Doubles and their differences
Blue Paneolus has many similar counterparts. All of them also grow on dung sites, have hallucinogenic properties. The main difference between the fly agaric under consideration is the pulp that changes its shade during damage. Other dung mushrooms also have a bell-shaped cap.
- Psilocybe semi-lanceolate - a poisonous specimen. The upper part of the fruiting body reaches 3 cm in diameter, the surface is smooth, the color is light beige. The leg is flexible and strong, has no border.
- Psilocybe papillary... The hat resembles a bell or a cone, which reaches a diameter of 5-15 cm. The color is gray or olive, the surface is slippery. The lower part of the mushroom is curved, hollow. It is a poisonous species.
Conclusion
Blue Paneolus is an inedible mushroom that can cause psychological disturbances. Moreover, it has a special appearance, which helps not to confuse it with other edible fruit bodies.
