Zen Peddler

Stamets totally ignored the cross compatibility work of Chang and Mills, the taxonomical lechotype examinations of Johnson and Buchanan which unlike his ponderings here actually have a scientific/research basis. Ps eucalypta is a phenotype of psilocybe subaeruginosa and it has the same hyaline bowling pin shaped cystidia. But more recent dna extraction puts subaeruginosa very close to Ps cyanescens possibly even casting doubt on subaeruginosa's delineation.

Caffeine consumption in humans is the perfect example of a defense mechanisms against insects becoming attractive to humans by accident. it does happen no doubt.

I dont think anyone would claim definitively that the indole compounds are in this group of mushrooms primarily as a defence mechanism. it is entirely possible that they served an entirely different purpose. Many animals that may have consume mushrooms apparently had brains that dont as readily rely on the serotonin system thus these indoles may have a lesser effect on them (although it also possible that they have an increased effect). But I dont see the argument that they may have primarily a defensive role is at all simplistic. Often in science the most likely possibility and the easiest explained scenario is the most probably - Occam's Razor and all. There are two known species of mushroom that contains indole compounds that arent directly psychoactive and in both those cases the data is scetchy and unreliable. This suggests that the indoles dont appear as a spectrum of inactive to prominently active indoles and that its just a coincidence that some are serotonically psychoactive. Secondly mushrooms that do not contain indole compounds are just as vigourous and healthy suggesting that the indoles dont play a primary role in the healthy of vibrance of the mushroom. A very stained mushroom through indole oxidisation will just as successfully drop its spores as one that hasnt had its indole content drained by oxidisation. Further there are myriads of examples of other species of mushrooms containing nasty toxins like amatoxins that degrade RNA synthesis in victims who have injested them. it would be argue that these lethal toxins have any role in the mushrooms other than a defensive mechanisms. On the other hand there arent any strong examples of other species of mushrooms containing other constituents that are produced for symbiosis with mammals or insects - the only example are mycorrizhae with trees and plants. This of course is conjectural rather than definitive but I have always firmly believed that the stoned ape theory of human serotonic evolution being catalysed by psilocybin-containing mushrooms is a load of crap. And i dont buy that suggesting the indoles are in this specific group of mushrooms as a defensive mechanism is simplistic. over the years Ive found that people have resisted this possibility more because they want to believe the mushrooms have a higher purpose and seek some sort of symbiosis with humans which is possible as well but a more romantic notion than usually proves true in the harsh realities of evolution.

Wow this was a fascinating thread and i enjoyed every post. i wonder if its like caffeine - toxic to insects but useful for us? By accident these group of plants have guaranteed their success because their defense wakes us up. I did read somewhere that primate brains rely more on the serotonic system than other animals but i tend to agree thst it is a defence mechanism at least initially. it is weird how psilocybe mushrooms do love to thrive in our manicured, mulched garden beds but then again so do galerina and L.ceres - both if which contain constituents that are clearly defense mechanisms.

I keep forgetting to check this thread. i have an untested oyster and turkey plates - just pm if interested

Same as mine? Then its worth it as mine as been excellent

Ive done it a few times. Its worst when someone sends you a plate and you run 20 bags of the wrong species...

No pseudogills or gill veins that fork and reconnect

Yeah those arent chantarelles

Where was the print taken? Did u happen to clone it as well?

We have one collection of Boletus badius in the herbarium from wa and edulis is now quite common in the adelaide hills with rumours about the yarra ranges each year. Birch boletes are an ok substitute on the meantime

Its very cute!

My mate found chants in the Jarrah forests over there including the lilac ones. boletus badius has been reported from perth region

All posted out. Thanks.

Ive never looked back really. Just bleach and alcohol spray your work area, turn it on for half an hour and work right in front of it. I cant remember the last time i saw an airborne contaminant and its a million times more reliable than a glovebox (which are also a super pain in the arse).

Wow meanies are going off. Keep your eyes out for king stropharia also going gang busters up your way

Bolete taxonomy is pretty poor in australia

Agree but some do look like Pan cyanescens

Would love to know what native species they ate around here

Irs a great flowhood really. Its been great for me.

Nice - yeah i have a prefilter that the guy put in for me

haha. Pop me your addy again and ill post you put a goodie ;)

Exactly the same with me bar the type of prefilter.

All gone thanks

Ill get on to these asap