Deconica coprophila
Species of fungus
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First described as Agaricus coprophilus by Jean Baptiste François Pierre Bulliard in 1793, it was transferred to the genus Psilocybe by Paul Kummer in 1871.
In the first decade of the 2000s, several molecular studies showed that the Psilocybe was polyphyletic and the non-bluing (non-hallucinogenic) species were transferred to Deconica.
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Description
The hemispherical cap is up to 2.5 centimetres (1 in) wide, red then orangish, usually with a hygrophanous central blotch. The gills are adnate, pale then purplish with white edges.
The stem is up to 4 cm (1+1⁄2 in) long and 3 millimetres (1⁄8 in) thick and darker near the base. The spore print is purplish-brown.
Similar species
It resembles D. merdaria, Agrocybe pediades, Panaeolus cinctulus, and members of Protostropharia.
Habitat and distribution
The species grows on cattle dung in much of North America (generally from July to September; December to May on the West Coast).
Potential uses
While non-toxic, the species is not a good edible mushroom. Bacterial contamination from the dung habitat can cause gastrointestinal distress.