The information on this page should be used in conjunction with the location map page. This page will inform you on the characteristic areas in which to search, while the location map gives more local information on where species have actually been found.
Knowing when to look for mushrooms is just as important as knowing where to look. It is quite normal to go looking for mushrooms in an area during a time of 'wrong' weather conditions as not find anything, then returning a few days later to find many specimens. Please dont get too disheartened too quickly. It mau take several trips to identify an area which is rich in psilocybe specimens. Generally, areas of exposed, long grass close to a mixed woodland are always good areas to start.
It is important to realise that psilocybe semilanceata only start to appear when the summer warmth has subsided. When the weather begins to feel quite chilly at night, and there is intermittent rain, there is a good chance that psilocybe semilanceata has begun fruiting. Of course there may already be some specimens in an area - but in the days after rainfall there may be an explosion in their numbers.
Knowing where to look is also a very important point. In Scotland during the autumn, psilocybe semilanceata grow virtually everywhere - really! You just have to know whereand how to look. Firstly, although many people say to look in public parks, local councils have cottoned on to this and now routinely spray 'known areas' with fungacides - to prevent hoardes of youths going on a mad hunt in September. The same goes for school playing fields. But almost everywhere else in the countryside plays host to the species - especially hilly areas. One of the more enjoyable ways in which to spend a day shrooming is to combine it with a relaxing walk through the hills.
Knowing how to look can make the difference between wasting your time and enjoying a fruitful day out! I recommend that you walk through areas of long grass slowly, looking a few yards to either side of you (looking down all the time). Every now and then get right down and spread the long grass so that the ground is visible. This is where the psilocybes like to hide! Psilocybe semilanceata grow in troops according to the literature. While this may be true, it is the opinion of most scottish mycophiles that they tend to grow over large areas in small groups (which grow several meters apart).
As mentioned elsewhere on this site -its a bad idea to let anyone else know of the exact location of your find. As soon as more than one person knows of the location, you can be sure that no matter how much they promised, someone else will be told - soon many people will know. This has two disadvatages:
Actually there is a third disadvantage, if the local council eventually find out about the site then you can be sure that they add it to their list of sites to be treated with fungacide. This is perhaps the worst eventuality of all.
Thats about it really, so go on - get out there and start looking. Remeber to email me regarding any success. You can find out my email address at the contact page. I am especially pleased to hear of any finds of 'other' psilocybes i.e. psilocybes other than the P.Semilanceata.