MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

Three New Fungi from China: A Potentially Psychoactive Psilocybe and Two Deconica Species

Summary

This research describes three new mushroom species from China: Psilocybe striata and two Deconica species. Psilocybe striata is notable for its blue bruising and potential psychoactive properties, expanding where we know psilocybin mushrooms grow. The study used both physical characteristics and genetic analysis to identify and classify these fungi, discovering that China has much greater fungal diversity than previously documented.

Background

The saprotrophic genera Deconica and Psilocybe exhibit broad geographic distributions across temperate and subtropical biomes globally. Despite China’s rich fungal diversity, taxonomic studies of these genera remain limited, with few species previously documented. This study addresses a significant gap in understanding the diversity and distribution of these important fungal genera in China.

Objective

To conduct an integrative taxonomic study of Deconica and Psilocybe from China by combining detailed morphological characterization with multilocus phylogenetic analyses. The study aimed to identify known species and describe new taxa to science from 64 specimens collected across China.

Results

The study identified six known Psilocybe species, three known Deconica species, and three species new to science: Deconica lignicola, D. shannanensis, and Psilocybe striata. Psilocybe striata was discovered in Chongqing with distinctive striate veils and a bluing reaction. D. lignicola is characterized by chrysocystidia and grows on decaying wood, while D. shannanensis is a coprophilous species inhabiting high-altitude meadows.

Conclusion

This study significantly enriches the recorded species diversity of Deconica and Psilocybe in China and deepens understanding of their ecological adaptations and geographical distribution. The findings underscore the need for continued taxonomic exploration of these genera in China’s montane and alpine ecosystems.
  • Published in:Journal of Fungi (Basel),
  • Study Type:Taxonomic Study,
  • Source: 10.3390/jof11120887, PMID: 41440712
Scroll to Top