Species library · Mushrooms

Liberty Cap: poisonous

Psilocybe semilanceata

☠ Poisonous. Do not eat.What to do if poisoning is suspected

Liberty Cap is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. This page helps you identify it and tell it apart from similar species. It is not a foraging guide. Have every wild mushroom checked by a qualified mushroom expert before eating it.

If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away. If someone has trouble breathing, has a seizure or is unconscious, call emergency services. Don't wait for symptoms: with some poisonings they only start hours later. Keep any leftovers of the find, they help identify it.

Usually seen from August to November in the northern hemisphere. Found in Grassland, Heath & moor. Can be confused with similar species.

☠ Poisonous
Liberty Cap (Psilocybe semilanceata)

Photo: (c) Alan Rockefeller, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alan Rockefeller · iNaturalist

When Liberty Cap appears

Typical window in the northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset.

Where it grows

Liberty Cap is usually found in Grassland, Heath & moor.

⚠ Look-alikes

Look up Liberty Cap in the app

In the Forage app, Liberty Cap has a full field guide entry with more photos, key features and the species it can be confused with.

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play

Liberty Cap: common questions

Is Liberty Cap poisonous?

Yes. Liberty Cap is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. Do not eat it. If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away, or emergency services if it is life-threatening.

When does Liberty Cap appear?

Liberty Cap usually appears from August to November in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather.

Where does Liberty Cap grow?

Liberty Cap is usually found in Grassland, Heath & moor.

What can Liberty Cap be confused with?

Deadly look-alikes: Funeral bell, Deadly Conocybe, Mower's mushroom. Only a confident identification tells them apart. When in doubt, have a find checked by a qualified mushroom expert.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits