Available In: Single spore syringes

Strain Origin: Wilton’s Bush Botanical Gardens near Wellington, New Zealand

(Locally called “Blue Meanies”, this name is more commonly used for the unrelated but also hallucinogenic Panaeolus cyanescens).

Cap: 10-30 mm in diameter, 30-50 mm tall. Light brown to tan when very young, maturing to bluish grey often with blue to bluish green stains especially where damaged.

Stem: up to 40 mm long, cartilaginous, white to grayish blue, yellowish brown at the base, bluing where damaged.

Gills: Chambered, chocolate brown gleba.

Spores: 12-14(17) x (6)7-8.5(10.8) microns, elliptical and smooth, brown. Spores are not discharged as prints and must be extracted by centrifuge to concentrate samples for microscopy.

Comments: Weraroa novea-zelandiae (W. noveazelandiae) is a rare secotioid form of caerulescent Psilocybe known only from the North Island of New Zealand. In general, secotioid mushrooms appear to be lumpy, malformed mushrooms that never open up to expose their gills (or tubes in boletes). A cross section will reveal a convoluted mass of gills and sometimes a stem. Since the cap never opens up, the spores are not forcibly discharged and the mushroom must rely on animals or insects to eat and disperse them. Slugs seem to be especially attracted to W. novea-zelandiae and most specimens are found to have slug damage. If not eaten, the mushrooms can persist for months before slowly succumbing to decay. W. novea-zelandiae was first described in detail by Cunningham in 1924 (as Secotium novea-zelandiae). In 1958, Singer made the connection between W. novea-zelandiae and the bluing Psilocybes based on similar spore types and blue staining. He further speculated that Weraroa was the probable ancestor of the Strophariaceae (the family containing the genera Hypholoma, Psilocybe and Stropharia). Singer didn’t mention any hallucinogenic properties and no one will for almost 50 more years.

In 2005 Internet postings about the recreational use of W. novea-zelandiae for its hallucinogenic effects were noticed by New Zealand mycologist Peter Johnston*. The postings prompted molecular work (currently unpublished) by secotioid expert Ross Beever which reveals that W. novea-zelandiae is very closely related to Psilocybe subaeruginosa which appears to be synonymous with P. cyanescens. Cultivation experiments also support this close affinity with P. cyanescens and other temperate wood-inhabiting Psilocybes. W. novea-zelandiae now appears to be only distantly related to other species of Weraroa such as W. erythrocephala and W. virescens.

Literature:
Cunningham, G.H. (1924). A critical revision of the Australian and New Zealand species of the genus Secotium. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 49(2): 97-119.

Singer, R. (1958). New genera of fungi, IX. The probable ancestor of the Strophariaceae: Weraroa gen. nov. Lloydia 21(1): 45-47.

Singer, R.; Smith, A.H. (1958). Studies on secotiaceous fungi. III. The genus Weraroa. Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club 85: 324-334

Stamets, P. (1996) Psilocybin mushrooms of the world. Berkeley, Calif.: Ten Speed Press.

Links:
Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research

Earliest Shroomery.org post of Weraroa novea-zelandiae 7/8/04

*Peter Johnston is mentioned on page 127 in the book “Psilocybin Mushrooms of the World” as working closely with, consulted by and paid by law-enforcement officials to help in the prosecution of “unlucky collectors”.

* Spores intended for microscopy and taxonomy purposes only. Images provided for informational and educational reference only and originate from cultivators and labs outside the US. Cultivation of this species is illegal in many countries including the United States. Please check your local regulations.

Combo Savings! Purchase this sample along with your choice of other available exotic Psilocybe spore samples in our Exotic Psilocybes : 4 Pack Your Choice Spore Syringe Grab Bag Special and save 25% or more!

California, Idaho, and Georgia residents: Orders requesting Psilocybe Genera Spores shipped to California, Idaho, and Georgia will be refused, voided, or refunded. Possession of these mushroom spores may be illegal in CA, ID, and GA without the proper permissions.