Some magic mushrooms, (noteably Psilocybe caerulescens (the landslide mushroom) can find suitable habitat caused by the disturbance, or upheaval of land, which creates new habitats which they can thrive in. Psilocybe cyanescens can also be found along forest paths lined with wood chips.
These habitats are created from flooding rivers. Swollen rivers erode away soils, trees, and just about anything else in their path. The alluvial plains they create are characteristically high in sandy silt. An abundance of scattered, broken wood fragments characterizes this habitat. Tangled root balls of trees collect debris as the high waters recede. Deciduous trees such as cottonwoods (Populus), alders (Alnus), and/or willows (Salix) predominate, with assorted understories of grasses and brushes. These areas are fairly open, so are often sunny. Many of the species found in riparian zones will also grow in disturbed habitats. Psilocybe azurescens and Psilocybe quebecensis are examples of psilocybin mushrooms found in riparian zones.
Examples include roads punched into a forest, the grounds around a construction site, and landslides. Each of these habitats will evolve, and support fewer saprophytic mushrooms as the resources are consumed. Hence, the first two years tend to be the most prolific, with the third year declining. After four to five years, the habitats virtually expire. If new debris is introduced, however, or if the soils are upturned, these habitats can rebound with additional populations of Psilocybes. Psilocybe caerulescens is a classic example, and is even called derrumbes (landslide mushroom) by Mexicans because of its strong association with disturbed grounds.
By accident or design, gardens are rich environments for producing psilocybin mushrooms. Because of tilling practices, gardens clearly fall into the disturbed-habitat category. Gardeners unwittingly cultivate mushrooms by importing exotic plants, amending soils, composting refuse, and faithfully watering. Furthermore, the inclination for gardeners to introduce the manure of cows, horses, or even “zoo-doo” also makes gardens hospitable for psilocybin mushrooms. Gardens rich in manure often sprout Panaeolus subbalteatus in temperate climates, and Panaeolus cyanescens in subtropical zones.
Vegetable gardens tend to support the terricolous Psilocybes, while ornamental gardens, richer in wood debris, support more lignicolous species. Rhododendron and rose gardens are often annually renewed by the activities of those caring for them. Psilocybe cyanescens does particularly well in this environment as do Psilocybe baeocystis, Psilocybe caerulescens, Psilocybe stuntzii, and Psilocybe subaeruginosa
Grassland habitats are perhaps the very best places to seek out magical mushrooms. Click here or the image above to learn more about these fascinatin environments and the shrooms that grow there.