Psilocybe semilanceata
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{{Taxobox | color = lightblue | name = Liberty cap | image = libertycap.jpg | image_width = 200px | regnum = Fungi | divisio = Basidiomycota | classis = Hymenomycetes | ordo = Agaricales | familia = Strophariaceae | genus = Psilocybe | species = P. semilanceata | binomial = Psilocybe semilanceata | binomial_authority = (Fr.) P.Kumm. }} The liberty cap (Psilocybe semilanceata) is a psychedelic mushroom, a so-called magic mushroom, that contains the psychoactive compound psilocybin. It grows on grassy meadows and similar; particularly in wet, south-facing fields and other habitats well fertilised by sheep and other cattle dung (although unlike Psilocybe cubensis it does not grow directly on dung). It is found throughout the cool temperate and subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
The mushroom takes its name from an actual cap, the Phrygian cap, also known as the liberty cap, which it resembles.
Contemporary use in the UK
In England, a 'loophole' in UK law allowed the consumption of fresh, unprepared psychoactive mushrooms. Consequently, the early 21st century has seen a movement away from the 'club drugs' (such as ecstasy, ketamine and amphetamines) of the 1990s and a return to the 'psychedelica' of the drug culture's forefathers in the 1960s.
After much indecision (or unwillingness to legislate) governmental forces closed the loop hole. As from July 18, 2005 all retail transactions involving psychoactive mushrooms became illegal, and possession of the mushroom was fully illegalised under the Drugs Act of 2005. Any transgression was treatable as a criminal offence involving a Class A substance.
Somewhat unsurprisingly, the comprehensive curtailing of 'shroom culture' so suddenly has resulted in a tremendous increase in the use of the liberty cap by people who can no longer obtain their substance of choice by retail. Consequently many ancient sites of liberty cap 'nexuses' across the UK have been destroyed due to inexpert harvesting. Removal of the root of a sufficient number of individual organisms results in the death of the mycelium and the loss of mushroom growth over a widespread area. This is averted by the severance of the mushroom at the base of the stem as oppossed to simple 'plucking'.
It is now illegal in the UK to pick or prepare any strain of psilocybe mushrooms in any form. The disturbance of psilocybe semilanceata from their natural state, the drying or preparation thereof or the possession of any psilocybin containing mushroom in any state is prohibited under that country's law and can lead to prosecution, a fine and/or imprisonment. A certain amount of ambiguity remains around the cultivation of psilocybe mushrooms for scientific/mycological purposes, but it is not recommended without the previous consultation of appropriate authorities.
Template:Hallucinogenic mushroomsde:Spitzkegeliger Kahlkopf
fr:Psilocybe semilanceata
nl:Puntig kaalkopje
no:Spiss fleinsopp
pl:Łysiczka lancetowata
fi:Suippumadonlakki
sv:Toppslätskivling
tr:Psilocybe semilanceata