9 November 2008 West Sussex. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. Common Name Liberty Cap, Magic Mushroom Cap Conical with a sharply pointed tip and an inturned margin, sticky and dark brown when damp, smooth and pale brown when dry, to about 1.5 cm across Gills Adnate, somewhat distant, pale brown then dark purple brown with a white edge Stem Equal, whitish, sometimes bluish at the base, to about 8 cm high Flesh Whitish Smell Indistinct Taste Indistinct Season Autumn Distribution Common Habitat Grassland, and lawns including cricket pitches and school playgrounds Spore Print Purple brown Microscopic Features Spores ellipsoidal, smooth (11.5-14.5) x (7-9) µm2 Edibility Poisonous, causing disorientation, and auditory and visual hallucinations which last for eight hours or more Notes In the UK this fungus is categorised as a class A drug alongside Heroine and Cocaine. Possession is a criminal offence with a maximum penalty of 7 years in prison. Dealing carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. |