Those don't look like libs to me. No nipple as stated and too rounded. Also, this should be for EVERYONE when posting possible identification..... POST A SPORE PRINT!! its very simple and it saves inexperienced hunter's lives. To me they look like a Panaeolus species.... most likely foenisecii (which isn't active) or cinctulus which is active (doesn't look like it from the picture though).... I dont see any blueing on the base of the stems, which is a tell tale sign for cinctulus. cinctulus and foenisecii look identical other than the blueing on the base of the stem, but the SPORE PRINT for foenisecii is a walnut brown / brown and the cinctulus is jet black. Thus the importance of the spore print

Did you happen to take one by chance??

Hey DeMenTed, take a look at this Mushroom Identification Key from Paul Stamets' book "Psilocybin Mushrooms of the World" (I highly recommend this book for any shroom hunter btw). From pages 62-64 is an excellent key to narrow down the mushroom genre you have. Once you know the mushroom genre, it will be much much easier to narrow it down. The next 2 chapters "Major Psilocybin Genre" and "Minor Psilocybin Genre" can help you identify the exact species of the mushroom. All the best, and happy hunting!

A better on-site test of libs than a nipple (as previously said lots of mushrooms have them) or blueing (libs often don’t) is whether or not the have gelatinous pellicle. If it doesn’t have a jelly-like transparent skin over the cap then they aren’t.

Totally forgot about that, but excellent point d*l*b .
SWIM normally doesn't find many Liberty Caps where SWIM is...


btw, happy hunting this year everyone.... the time is soon

Post your pictures in the shroomery. They are very professional and trustworthy.

I've picked a million Libs, or more, over the past 32 years. I regret to inform you, I concure with the rest here. Nope, absolutely not, no how, no way.

If you would like to see some good lib pictures go to Ice House Shamans Pics at the Shroomery There are lots of pics of many varietys of Psilocybes and other fungus.

No elusive i didn't make a spore print It's been a few years since ive picked mushrooms and it seems i jumped the gun with identification. At least this thread alerts people to the oimportance of id'ing shrooms

I looked today at another liberty cap growing site but with no luck. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks the real ones will be out. Thanks all.

Nah man those are not liberty caps. But they are about... a little bird told me.

These are NOT Liberty caps, quite sure about that. Like everyone else here Sorry about that.

There are many species that look very similar to the Lib cap and can grow around them.

But just keep hunting and if you don't give up you will find some

Good luck.

<a href="http://s985.photobucket.com/albums/ae336/camakazi/?action=view&current=20100822_002.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae336/camakazi/20100822_002.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Been out a couple of times this year so far. Got a place up EK found about20 libs so far. Will be back up at the weekend...fingers crossed.

I have to agree with most of the posters here: those are not psilocybe semilanceata. Be very careful!

A very good way to determine this further: take a look at the stem: does it look like looking at the surface of a good piece of wood, e.g. birch, which has been lacquered (with transparent lacquer) and polished? Is there this "gloss" you know from that wood that looks different depending on the angle you look at it? Then it could be p. semilanceata, if not: it cannot be it.

Also: I have never seen semilanceatas when temperatures have not dropped at least below 10 deg C at daytime. Is it already that cold in scottland?

I have consecutively for several years. This year I found the first P. semilanceata 4th of august, when the daytime temperature never dropped below 15 C (most days not below ~18 C). Most years I find the first P. semilanceata 10th to 15th of august, where similar to slightly lower temperatures are common.

Yes Ive also had them early august and the temperature hadnt dropped that much, a few times actually, some years ive had them from early august right up until late november. Went hunting three times and got nothing so far this year

Spotted two lovely little shrooms today while out a small walk in the hills near glasgow. a friend picked 50 yesterday up some other local hills in a short while.

The mercury is just hitting 17 deg c. they are definetly out.

I had a look at them last night man... they were tiny wee ones, but perfectly formed libertys.

We're goin up again soon. you game?

Wheres this hill? ill steal them all na only kidding going to try get my mate to get his motorbike out and go get some, ive had no joy so far and im surrounded by greenery

The tiny ones are great, I had one experience with 100 tiny ones, id been taking a lot that season, think I had a tea of 200 odds a few days before and didnt think id get anything off them was one of the strongest happiest trips ever, was ahard head then right enough bit of a pussy as I grow old

To all hunters around: please respect this practice, taking care of the next lot is very important!


Kind regards,

The Traveler

I guess this year, everything is different... rhododendron blossoms.. AGAIN! (2nd time this year!) and people found boletus in june (!)

So maybe I should have a look at my famous meadow a few months earlier this year ...hmm..