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Wavy cap (Psilocybe cyanescens)
Sporulator · CC BY-SA 3.0
Inedible · legally controlled

Wavy cap

Psilocybe cyanescens · Hymenogastraceae

The wavy cap has a wavy-edged, caramel to chestnut cap and grows in clusters, mostly in wood-chip mulch in parks and gardens.

FamilyHymenogastraceae
SeasonOct–Dec
Spore printDark purple-brown
Cap width1.5–5 cm
Records in TurkeyNone yet
CultivationWild only
StatusInedible · legally controlled

The wavy cap has a wavy-edged, caramel to chestnut cap and grows in clusters, mostly in wood-chip mulch in parks and gardens. It contains psilocybin and psilocin. Confusion with the deadly Galerina marginata has had fatal results. This page is for identification and warning only.

Turkish: Psilocybe cyanescens

Wavy cap

How to recognise it

Wavy cap, part by part

No ring or volva Spore print: Dark purple-brown Never taste it.

Cap — Wavy cap
Cap1.5–5 cm; caramel to chestnut when moist, pale when dry; distinctly wavy when mature.
Gills — Wavy cap
GillsGills may bruise bluish when crushed.
Stem — Wavy cap
StemWhite; bruises blue-green where damaged.

When and where

Oct–Dec

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Octin season
  11. Novin season
  12. Decin season

The wavy cap fruits in autumn and into early winter; there are no GBIF records of it in Turkey.

Where do wavy caps grow?

The wavy cap grows on lignin-rich material such as wood chips and mulch in urban plant beds. It is found in western and central Europe, North America and western Asia (Iran).

In Turkey

There are no GBIF records of the wavy cap in Turkey, but it has been reported from neighbouring Iran.

Our map has no observations of wavy caps from Turkey yet.

See on the map

In its habitat — Wavy cap
In its habitat
In its habitat — Wavy cap
In its habitat

Look-alikes

What is it mistaken for?

Wavy cap
Wavy cap
Deadly galerina
Deadly galerina
Deadly

Deadly galerina Galerina marginata

The two can grow side by side, and confusions with fatal results have been reported. Galerina has a rusty brown spore print and a membranous ring.

Related species

All species → · Identify by photo →

Sources (6)
Photo credits (10)