| Conocybe | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Conocybe tenera | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Agaricomycetes |
| Order: | Agaricales |
| Family: | Bolbitiaceae |
| Genus: | Conocybe |
| Type species | |
| Conocybe tenera | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
Conocybe is agenus ofmushrooms withConocybe tenera as thetype species and at least 243 other species. There are at least 50 different species in North America.
Most have a long, thin fragilestipe and are delicate, growing in grasslands on dead moss, dead grass, sand dunes, decayed wood, and dung.Conocybe species generally prefer fertile soils in lawns and pastures and are found worldwide.Conocybe species are sometimes called dunce caps or cone heads due to their conical or bell-shapedcaps. Former species ofConocybe that have a well-developedpartial veil and/or lacklecythiformcheilocystidia have been transferred to the genusPholiotina, which was formerly a subgenus ofConocybe.[2] However,Pholiotina as it is currently defined ispolyphyletic, although none of the three clades that make it up belong inConocybe.[2] Similar toGalerina, aConocybe species can be distinguished microscopically by its cellularcap cuticle, which is filamentous (thread-like) inGalerina. It is easy to confuseConocybe species forGalerina species unless the microscopic nature of the cap cuticle is examined.Conocybe species have cap cuticles resembling cobblestones.Conocybe species can also be mistaken for species ofBolbitius.
Four species ofConocybe that are known to contain thehallucinogenic compoundspsilocin andpsilocybin areC. kuehneriana,C. siligineoides,C. cyanopus, andC. smithii.[3][4]Conocybe siligineoides was used forshamanic purposes by theMazatecs ofOaxaca.[5]
Conocybe filaris is a common lawn mushroom that contains the same deadly toxins as thedeath cap.
Conocybe comes from theGreekcono meaningcone andcybe meaninghead.
Except forornamental purposes, growing, selling or possessingConocybe spp. (andPsilocybe spp.) is prohibited byLouisiana State Act 159.
