Psilocybe montana (=Deconica montana)

Psilocybe montana (=Deconica montana) is a small, dark gilled, non-psilocybin species that is intimately associated with moss (Polytrichum bryophytes). When wet, the cap is dark and translucent striate, meaning the edges of the gill plates are visible from above. It has a separable gelatinous pellicle (see photo) - a thin skin - that is very water absorbent - making it slightly sticky to the touch. It is strongly hygrophanous, changing color from dark brown to a lighter, opaque tan brown color as it dries. This species was chosen by Alexander Smith in 1949 as the type species in the genus Psilocybe. A type species is one that classically has the features representative of the species in the genus. Recent DNA analysis clearly separates P. montana and resurrects its old genus Deconica to now host many of these small, classically hemispheric capped shaped mushrooms. Species in the genus Deconica are not psilocybin active. Species in the newly defined genus Psilocybe (now approaching 300 species are.) Stay tuned for more info on these species. Deconica montana is a remarkable species also for its widespread occurrence throughout regions of the world where mosses adorn the forest floors. I am alway delighted to find it, and know it from afar. Its aspect is one that is burned into my array of memory receptors.