Conocybe siligineoides - Conocybe
- Labiatae - Tropical and warm zones of Europe, Africa, Asia

conocybe_siligineoides.jpg
 

Wasson and his associates, especially Heim, have discovered a number of different species of mushrooms valued as sacred, psychotomimetic agents in Mexico, and more recently, Guzman and Singer have added a few additional species to the total. The result is now that at least twenty-four species in four genera are known to be used currently amongst tribes in Mexico.

Undoubtedly there were many tribes in ancient Mexico who employed teonanacatl, but we know with certainty only of the Chichimilcas, who spoke Nahuatl. Today we know that the sacred mushrooms are consumed by Mazatecs, Chinantecs, Chatinos, Zapotecs, Mixtecs and Mijes - all of Oaxaca; and by the Nahoas of Mexico; and possibly by the Tarascanas of Michoacan; and the Otomis of Puebla.

A relatively large number of mushrooms are employed as divinatory and ceremonial agents in modern Mexico, and probably as many were known to the ancient inhabitants of the Aztec empire. The species involved includes, amongst others: Psilocybe mexicana, P. caerulescens var. mazatecorum; P. caerulescens var. nigripes; P. yungensis; P. mixaeensis; P. Hoogshagenii; P. aztecorum; P. muriercula; Stropharia cubensis; Panaeolus sphinctrinus; and Conocybe siligineoides.

Conocybe Siligineoides is a sacred fungus endemic only to Mexico, reportedly found growing on wood. No chemical studies have ever been done and unlike C. Cyanopsis and C. Smithii, Psylocybin has not been isolated in this mushroom, though it is not to say that it doesn't exist in it. Although it was collected in Oaxaca, Mexico in 1955 by Gordon Wasson, there are no additional reports of it having been found since despite extensive fieldwork by Gaston Guzman. (1)

The common name for this particular fungus is Ya'nte and is listed in Shedule I in the United States and Australia.  We are hoping to find more information regarding this possibly sacred plant.  If you are a researcher, please notify us of any information you may have.

REFERENCES:

1. Guzman, Allen and Gartz, 1998, A Wordwide Geographical Distribution of the Neurotropic Fungi, an Analysis and Disscussion


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