A newly discovered 'magic mushroom' species, Psilocybe ochraceocentra, has rewritten the story of the psychedelic's evolution. This African mushroom is the closest known wild relative of the widely cultivated Psilocybe cubensis, pushing their shared ancestry back by 1.5 million years. This challenges the long-standing idea that the species spread globally after cattle were moved across continents. The discovery highlights the importance of accurate species identification, as many growers and researchers have mislabeled strains, leading to confusion and potential safety and regulatory issues. The study also emphasizes the need for better fungal surveying in Africa, where biodiversity remains largely unexplored. The research, published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, raises questions about the origins of Psilocybe cubensis, suggesting a deeper history tied to grasslands, grazing animals, and sparse records. The authors caution that a clearer answer will require more verified specimens from under-sampled regions.
