Tamu (Conocybe Smithii)
Conocybe Smithii
Visual Identification
What is Conocybe smithii? A Complete Overview
Conocybe smithii is a rare, psychoactive mushroom species that belongs to the genus Conocybe. Found primarily in rich, damp soils mixed with decaying organic matter or dung, this species tends to be delicate and can often go unnoticed due to its small size and unassuming appearance. The cap typically ranges from conical to bell-shaped, with a cinnamon-brown to ochre tone that transitions into a paler margin. The stipe is slim, fragile, and slightly lighter than the cap. Spores are ellipsoid and cinnamon-brown in spore print. Advanced growers recommend mushroom grow kits paired with monotub cultivation methods successfully.
This species is differentiated by both its habitat preference and microscopic characteristics, including finely granular spores and a smooth cap surface. While it does possess psychoactive properties due to the presence of psilocybin, Conocybe smithii carries a relatively mild potency and is less commonly reported compared to more popular species like Psilocybe cubensis. Its discovery and description were greatly influenced by American mycologist Alexander H. Smith, from whom it gets its specific epithet.
The identification of Conocybe smithii often requires microscopic verification, as it closely resembles several non-hallucinogenic and potentially toxic species. Thus, caution is strongly advised when attempting to identify or handle this mushroom, especially in natural environments.
Taxonomic Classification
Origin and Traditional Use of Conocybe smithii
Conocybe smithii does not carry the deep-rooted history of spiritual or shamanic use seen in more prominent psychedelic species such as Psilocybe mexicana or Psilocybe cubensis. However, its identification and naming still hold cultural significance, particularly in the field of North American mycology. Named after the American mycologist Alexander H. Smith, Conocybe smithii is recognized more for its scientific role in mycology than for ethnobotanical traditions.
Although direct ethnomycological documentation on Conocybe smithii is sparse, mushrooms of the genus Conocybe have occasionally been noted in South American and Central American ethnobotanical surveys. These references, though rare, point toward awareness of their psychoactive potential, albeit with caution due to their toxic analogs. It is possible that indigenous communities were aware of the general characteristics of these mushrooms but chose not to incorporate them widely because of the inherent risks associated with lookalike species.
Much of Conocybe smithii's cultural value lies in academic interest. During the 20th century, as Western scientists began cataloging psychoactive fungi, C. smithii was one of several lesser-known species flagged for its psilocybin content. Mycologists, particularly those studying American fungal biodiversity, found the species noteworthy for its rarity and subtle psychoactive properties.
In modern underground psychedelic circles, Conocybe smithii occasionally surfaces in foraging discussions, though its mild potency and difficult identification often make it a candidate for scientific rather than recreational use. It serves today as a demonstration of the diverse spread of entheogenic fungi beyond the usual high-profile species.
How to Cultivate Conocybe smithii
Difficulty Level: Advanced - technically difficult due to delicate stature, specific growth requirements, and relative scarcity in the wild.
Substrate Requirements:
- Sterilized milo grain bags for inoculation
- CVG substrate (Coco Coir, Vermiculite, Gypsum)
- Nutrient-rich, loamy substrate mimicking natural habitat
- Aged manure-based substrates (optional)
Environmental Conditions:
- Temperature: 20–24°C (68–75°F)
- Humidity: 90–95% consistently required
- Lighting: 12 hours of indirect light per day
- Air Exchange: Adequate but gentle to avoid drying fragile caps
Timeline:
- Colonization: Several weeks depending on conditions
- Pinning stage: Slow to form and sensitive to moisture fluctuations
- Harvesting: Requires delicate handling due to fragile structure
Important Note: Conocybe smithii cultivation is for enthusiasts who appreciate the uniqueness of this species and are experienced in sterile technique. All-in-One Grow Kits are available for newer growers, combining sterilized milo grain and CVG substrate in one ready-to-inoculate bag. Patience and precision are key to success with this rare mushroom.
Where Does Conocybe smithii Typically Grow?
Conocybe smithii thrives in distinctly nutrient-rich environments, with a noticeable preference for soils where organic matter is abundant. Natural habitats include pastures, meadows, gardens, and forest borders, particularly in areas that have been enriched by decomposing grass, wood chips, leaf litter, or animal dung. This species has a particular affinity for manure-rich soil, often appearing around older compost piles and livestock areas.
This mushroom generally grows as a solitary or scattered specimen rather than in dense clusters, which can make it more difficult to spot in the wild. It's most frequently found at lower elevations but may occasionally occur up to mid-elevation zones in suitable climate zones. Moist environments with good natural drainage are favorable for the fruiting of Conocybe smithii. It prefers temperate climates but has been recorded in both subtropical and cooler temperate forests, especially after heavy rainfall.
Key environmental conditions include:
- Rich, damp soils mixed with decaying organic matter
- Areas enriched by decomposing grass, wood chips, or leaf litter
- Manure-rich environments around compost piles
- Lower to mid-elevation zones in temperate climates
- Good natural drainage with consistent moisture
Geographically, reports of Conocybe smithii have surfaced predominantly in North America, particularly in the Pacific Northwest, where the moist, mild climate creates ideal conditions for their growth. There have also been anecdotal reports of this species in parts of Europe and South America, although confirmation is often clouded due to similar-looking species within the Conocybe genus.
When is Conocybe smithii in Season?
Mid-summer through early autumn (July to October)
Is Conocybe smithii Edible or Toxic?
Toxicity Information:
Conocybe smithii contains psychoactive psilocybin and psilocin, making it a hallucinogenic species rather than toxic in the conventional sense. However, its potential risks lie not purely in the mushroom itself but in its close resemblance to other Conocybe species, some of which contain lethal toxins such as amatoxins.
Primary Risks:
- Misidentification Risk: Mistaking for Conocybe filaris or other toxic lookalikes can be fatal
- Amatoxin Exposure: Toxic analogs contain deadly compounds causing liver and kidney damage
- Overdose Potential: Low potency may lead to consuming higher quantities, increasing risk
- Digestive Upset: Nausea, vomiting, confusion possible with overconsumption
Fatal Confusion Risk:
Deaths have occurred from misidentifying these types of mushrooms. The toxins in lookalikes cause severe organ damage, often beginning with flu-like symptoms and progressing to organ failure if untreated. The risk of fatal confusion is significantly higher in this genus than in more robust Psilocybe species.
Critical Safety Note: Anyone handling or foraging Conocybe smithii should engage in microscopic verification and avoid consumption without expert identification. This mushroom is better suited to rigorous academic or professional evaluation rather than casual recreational use.
What are the Medicinal Uses for Conocybe smithii?
Though not commonly used in mainstream medicinal practice, Conocybe smithii, like other psilocybin-containing fungi, shows promising prospects in the field of mental health research. The mushroom contains psilocybin and psilocin, compounds that interact with serotonin receptors in the brain, particularly targeting the 5-HT2A receptors involved in mood regulation, perception, and cognitive function.
Potential Benefits:
- Mental Health Applications: Potential therapeutic applications for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance use disorders
- Neuroplasticity Enhancement: May improve cognitive fluidity and emotional processing in treatment-resistant cases
- Microdosing Potential: Low doses may support mood regulation and cognitive flexibility
- Research Interest: Pharmacologically relevant due to psilocybin content despite mild potency
Modern studies on psilocybin have highlighted potential therapeutic applications for a range of psychological conditions. Though Conocybe smithii is not typically the strain used in clinical trials—those usually involve Psilocybe cubensis or Psilocybe semilanceata—the presence of psilocybin suggests it may provide similar pharmacological benefits in microdoses or therapeutic settings.
Important: Caution is warranted given its mild potency and potential lookalike toxic species. Any potential medicinal utilization should be approached via controlled environments and handled with expert identification, particularly considering the fragile reputation of the Conocybe genus.
What Drugs Interact with Conocybe smithii?
Interactions with Prescription Medications:
- MAO Inhibitors (MAOIs): Combining with phenelzine or harmaline may intensify and prolong psychoactive experience to dangerous levels, potentially causing serotonin syndrome
- SSRI Antidepressants: SSRIs like fluoxetine or sertraline may blunt psychedelic effects due to receptor downregulation
- Stimulants: Combination with amphetamines or MDMA can cause cardiovascular strain, anxiety, or psychosis
Other Substances:
- Alcohol & Benzodiazepines: May dull sensory effects and interfere with therapeutic potential while increasing accident risk
- Cannabis: May cause increased emotional vulnerability or unpredictable experiences depending on tolerance and mindset
- Unknown Botanicals: Avoid combining with unknown botanical extracts or synthetic psychoactives
Critical Safety Note: Even a seemingly mild species like Conocybe smithii can produce profound neurochemical effects that require thoughtful safety precautions. Always consult a healthcare provider or psychedelic integration specialist if you are currently on medication and considering psychedelic use.
What Mushrooms Look Like Conocybe smithii?
Conocybe smithii is infamous for its resemblance to a variety of other small, brown mushrooms—often dubbed 'LBMs' (Little Brown Mushrooms)—many of which are either mildly toxic or lethally poisonous. The most dangerous and frequently mistaken lookalike is Conocybe filaris, a lethal species found in similar habitats and notable for its high amatoxin content.
- Conocybe filaris: DEADLY TOXIC - Contains lethal amatoxins, appears similar in color, stature, and ecological niche. Only distinguishable through microscopic spore analysis
- Galerina marginata: DEADLY TOXIC - Contains same deadly amatoxins as Amanita species; grows on decaying wood with brown cap and slender stipe
- Pholiotina rugosa: Contains toxins causing GI distress; has a ring on the stem, which is absent in Conocybe smithii
- Panaeolina foenisecii: Found commonly on lawns, contains weak or no psilocybin but resembles small Conocybes in shape and coloration
Critical Safety Warning: Because such species can be challenging to distinguish even with side-by-side comparison, foragers often rely on microscopic structures such as cystidia and spore shape, or chemical analysis, to confirm identity. It's advised NOT to consume any Conocybe-like mushroom unless it has been verified by a trained mycologist or tested in a research lab. The risk-to-benefit ratio of consuming a lookalike species under false identification is dangerously high.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational, taxonomy, and research purposes only. Always consult a trained professional before attempting to identify any mushroom. Always consult a trained healthcare professional before attempting to ingest any mushroom. Do not message asking if we sell cultures or spores, all requests will be ignored. Always respect your local laws.