Liberty Cap

Habitat

This species is found on soil in grassy environments, including pastures, lawns, playing fields, meadows, and along roadsides or path edges. It frequently inhabits acidic sites and montane grasslands. While often associated with sheep or cow pastures and well-manured fields, it typically grows among clumps of taller grass near dung rather than directly on it. It may grow solitary, in groups, or in trooping formations.

Photos

Appearance

Cap

0.5–2.5 cm across; conical or bell-shaped with a notably sharp, nipple-like point (umbo). The surface is smooth and covered with a thin, sticky, gelatinous skin that can be peeled. Highly hygrophanous, it is dark chestnut-brown to olive-brown when wet and fades to a pale yellowish-tan or buff when dry. The margin is often puckered, translucent-striate when moist, and sometimes stained blue or purple-brown from spores.

Stem

3–10 cm long and 1–3 mm thick; slender, often wavy or distorted, and equal in width. Color ranges from white to pale cream or clay, darkening toward the base in age. It is dry, smooth, or slightly silky, and typically bruises blue when handled or damaged. A faint, cobwebby veil is sometimes present but does not form a persistent ring.

Gills

Closely spaced and narrowly attached (adnexed to adnate); initially pale clay, buff, or grayish, eventually becoming dark purple-brown as spores mature. The edges often remain conspicuously whitish.

Flesh

Very thin and fragile in the cap, more fibrous in the stem. Color is whitish, cream, or concolorous with the outer surfaces, staining blue when damaged.

Spore print

Dark purplish-brown.

Odor and Taste

Smell and taste are faint, ranging from indistinct to slightly mealy (farinaceous) or muddy.

Edibility

Contains psychoactive compounds. Possession is illegal in some jurisdictions. Follow all local laws.

Nutrient Source

It obtains nutrients by breaking down dead organic matter, such as decaying grass roots.

Common Names

Basque

sorgin zorrotz

Danish

Spids nøgenhat

Dutch

Puntig kaalkopje

English

Liberty Cap, Magic Mushroom

Finnish

suippumadonlakki

German

Spitzkegeliger Kahlkopf

Norwegian Bokmål

spiss fleinsopp

Norwegian Nynorsk

spiss fleinsopp

Swedish

toppslätskivling

Welsh

Cap Hud

Synonyms

• Agaricus semilanceatus
• Coprinarius semilanceatus
• Geophila semilanceata
• Panaeolus semilanceatus
• Panaeolus semilanceatus
• Stropharia semilanceata