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Psilocybe cubensis is the best-known psilocybin mushroom, holding center stage in cultivator circles due to its wide distribution and the ease of its cultivation. The span of influence woven by its wide mycelial web has been deep and far-reaching, but its place at the top may not last forever: A mushroom hailing from Southern Africa, Psilocybe ochraceocentrata (which was formerly P.natalensis), is gaining ground in cultivation circles due to its ease of cultivation and perceptions that it elicits a smoother, more positive experience. 

To understand what sets P. ochraceocentrata apart, it’s important to know how P. cubensis became so ubiquitous in the first place. P. cubensis first entered into cultivation circles courtesy of the McKenna brothers, from spores sourced during their adventures in the Colombian Amazon. Writing under pseudonyms, they published the game-changing Psilocybin: Magic Mushroom Grower’s Guide, popularizing the hobby of home psilocybin mushroom cultivation in the 1970s and effectively making psilocybin open-source.

While its stress-free cultivation, rapid growth, and bountiful yields have helped secure its place in cultivation circles, not everyone is a fan of P. cubensis. Not all Mazatec shamans will use it, including the late Maria Sabina, for example. Even cubensis connoisseur kingpin Terrence McKenna swore off heroic doses of this mushroom altogether following a particularly harrowing experience with it in 1998. Richard Gutierrez, who played a key role in developing the popular “Penis Envy” strain of P. cubensis, notably does not like to partake of this mushroom himself, not having done so since the 1970s. In an interview with Hamilton Morris, he said that “it’s never been my mushroom of choice; I’ve always eaten [Psilocybe] cyanescens.”

This all brings us to P. ochraceocentrata, a relative newcomer to cultivation circles whose fan base appears to be rapidly growing. Its popularity appears to be down not just to its tenacity and the ease of its cultivation or its quick growth and bountiful yields, but also the effects ascribed to it. There are many testimonials attributing positive effects to the species when compared to P. cubensis. (The current prevailing scientific view is that any differences in effect attributed to different species of mushroom arise entirely from differences in set and setting factors—and dosage—rather than any qualities intrinsic to a particular mushroom. Not everyone resonates with this view, however.)

Curiously, the differences in the quality of effects people report in association with this species are fairly consistent, in spite of the inherent variation in the individuals consuming it, and the set and setting. Many people report it as yielding a smoother experience with less body load and an easier come up than P. cubensis. Others report differences in the quality of the headspace, sometimes describing a “friendlier” tone to the experience. Whether this is down to expectancy, or differences in the chemistry between the species shaping the effects attributed to each (or a combination of both) remains to be seen.  However, for some growers, P. ochraceocentrata mushrooms are “cube killers”, and they will forgo ever growing or ingesting P. cubensis from that point onwards. For other cultivators, P. ochraceocentrata has served as a “gateway mushroom,” igniting growing interest in the qualities of other non-Cubensis species.

Aside from its revered experiential qualities, the ease of cultivation makes it a contender for P. cubensis, as it is well-suited to beginner growers given its resilient, tenacious nature. In the words of Matthew Monroe of Cultiv8r Club, P. ochraceocentrata “is a mushroom species that’s fun to grow, fast to grow, and shockingly easy to grow—to the point where I now recommend it as the mushroom that all first-time cultivators should start off with.”

While the jury is still out on the possible modulating influence of other secondary compounds in these fungi, it is worth considering that we’ve barely scratched the surface of chemically profiling them, with one study concluding “that our understanding of the chemical diversity of these mushrooms is largely incomplete.” We should be mindful that fungi are master chemical alchemists and exist not merely as packets of pure psilocybin, but as chemically complex organisms. There is a growing body of research suggesting that more than psilocybin alone may contribute to the effects of these fungi.

Until quite recently, P. ochraceocentrata was mistakenly lumped together with the species P. natalensis, which it was referred to as, sowing spores of confusion throughout the cultivator community. The species P. natalensis was formally described in 1995, with mushrooms collected from high-elevation grassland in the KwaZulu-Natal region of South Africa. The genetics of what was considered to be P. natalensis have been doing the rounds in cultivator circles over the last few years.

However, no samples of P. natalensis or those labelled as ‘Natal Super Strength’ (considered a South African variety of P. cubensis) by spore vendors submitted by members of the cultivator community for genetic testing matched the sequence of the type specimen of P. natalensis. Instead, these samples genetically clustered with P. ochraceocentrata (or what had been previously temporarily described as “P. aff. natalensis”; the ‘aff’ referring to its affinity to P. natalensis). P. ochraceocentrata was revealed to be its own distinct species, and the closest living relative of the more familiar P. cubensis, with both likely sharing a common ancestor around 1.5 million years ago. Genetics of the ‘real’ P. natalensis have now started to trickle into cultivator circles, with some initial analyses suggesting it is a species of low potency, with a much longer growing time than P. ochraceocentrata or P. cubensis.

The species has been collected from the wild in Zimbabwe and South Africa, growing on or near to decomposing native mammalian herbivore dung, found in mixed deciduous and miombo woodland on granitic sand. It differs from its sister species P. cubensis based on molecular evidence from multiple DNA barcoding regions on its genome, and differences in certain microscopic morphological features of the mushrooms.

Like P. cubensis, P. ochraceocentrata is highly variable in potency (testing in the range of 0.6 to 1.81 percent alkaloids), with most people considering it as potent or exceeding the potency of the more potent strains of P. cubensis such as Penis Envy. Some people recommend starting out with a 1 g dose (dry) to test the waters, and as a precaution some recommend halving one’s normal P. cubensis dosage when consuming P. ochraceocentrata. Some analyses reveal that P. ochraceocentrata can sometimes harbor minor alkaloids such as baeocystin and aeruginascin. It has been chemically profiled and found to harbor antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds, in addition to tryptamines (while the linked study paper is referring to P. natalensis, it is in fact centred on P. ochraceocentrata).

Some people prefer microdosing with P. ochraceocentrata over P. cubensis, given that it is widely considered to be smoother on one’s system, and lacking in body load issues. P. ochraceocentrata is also a cold-tolerant species, colonizing substrate and fruiting at temperatures as low as 60 F (15.6 C), although growing times will be significantly extended.

One distinctive feature of P. ochraceocentrata is its thick, rhizomorphic, rapidly growing mycelium which has a tendency to overlay when putting it into fruiting conditions. The aggressive nature of its mycelium and its speed at colonizing substrate may make it a more contamination-resistant species to work with than P. cubensis. Given that contamination is the number one cause of cultivation failures, this quality could make this species a particular boon to the beginner grower. Some growers have sampled the mycelium overlay that can form during fruiting and have found it to be potent.

Cloning and isolation work over the coming years with P. ochraceocentrata will likely yield a myriad of different cultivars, following in the footsteps of P. cubensis before it, with strains selected for potency. Some are already beginning to emerge, such as low-spore, squats, black caps, and green caps. Some breeders such as Yoshi Amano have also been working on cross-breeding P. ochraceocentrata with its closely related sister species P. cubensis, seeking to produce hybrid cultivars (such as yellow umbo) that combine positive qualities of both species.

It has recently been discovered that P. ochraceocentrata mushrooms are used traditionally by healers among communities of the Xhosa in South Africa (the second largest ethnic group in the country). This mushroom - which is referred to as ‘Inkokowane’ -  is used in a variety of ways by the Xhosa in the Eastern Cape province. When interviewed by South African ethnomycologist Cullen Taylor Clark, one healer stated that they have been using this mushroom to do their work and provide them with insight as far back as they can remember.

The mushroom is used both as a tonic and as a sacrament. It is used as a tonic in small doses, combined with various herbs, roots, and barks, to treat a range of maladies, fortify vitality and strength, and promote healing. It is also used in larger quantities in a community-centered ceremonial context by igqirha (diviners or shamans) to act as a conduit to their ancestors, through which insight and guidance can be obtained. Community members partaking in the ceremony assist in preparing the ceremonial space (one of the healer’s homes) and in acquiring the necessary materials. The ceremony involves various ritualistic elements, such as the burning of herbs, the lighting of candles, fungal face painting, drumming, dancing, singing, storytelling, and intervals of silent reflection.

Superficially, P. ochraceocentrata bears a very close resemblance to the closely related P. cubensis from which it cannot reliably be differentiated based on its visual appearance alone. However, it differs in its genetics, less persistent annulus, habitat preference, and in the behavior of its mycelium. The species name "ochraceocentrata" refers to a key visual characteristic of this species: the prominent ochre-yellow color spot at the centre of the cap.

The mushrooms are up to 105 mm tall, occurring singly or in tight clusters. Generally appearing as pale off-white, with glaucous sky-blue to glaucous blue-green bruising if handled or damaged.

Cap: 65–75 mm diameter; at first cream-colored, then vinaceous-grey, with center ochre-yellow to fulvous in color, pale yellow towards the cap margin. Cap is smoothly rounded (convex), becoming flattened (planate) as it matures, initially incurved, with straw-yellow margin. Cap bruises blue-green if handled or damaged, turning black and remaining dark while fresh. The flesh of the cap is bright cream-colored, firm to pithy, hollow with fibrous walls.

Stem: Up to 95 mm long, 9 mm in diameter at the tip, 10 mm in diameter at the base, cylindrical, often twisted, with a dull sheen, the base often harboring white silky hairs. Cream colored, bruising to blue-green if handled or damaged.

Gills: Broadly attached directly to the stem (adnate). Covered by a veil initially, at first appearing pale, then greyish-sepia with white edges, becoming brown–vinaceous to very dark sepia and an almost black near margin, with the face of gill appearing speckled as the spores mature. Gills are up to to 12 mm deep, pale thin, papery and fragile with the edge thin, smooth or finely scalloped.

Spores are ellipsoid, and the spore print color is dark vinaceous-grey to purplish-grey. This species cannot be accurately identified on the appearance of its spores alone, when compared to other closely related species like P. cubensis.

P. ochraceocentrata can be grown in the same way as P. cubensis, using the same techniques and substrates, but there are a few tweaks you can make that might be helpful.

To summarize, P. ochraceocentrata can be grown using the same substrates as P. cubensis. It will grow happily on various substrates (or substrate mixtures), including various grains (such as brown rice, oats, rye grain, wheat, birdseed, non-hulled millet, grain sorghum, and popcorn), and bovine and equine dung and straw.

The growing process starts with spores or a tissue culture, which is then used to inoculate grains, which are then used to inoculate a bulk substrate, which is then fruited once colonized. If starting with a spore print, agar plates or jars can be inoculated, then a healthy clean mycelial culture can be used to inoculate grain jars, or jars of liquid nutrient solution, to create liquid culture for subsequent grain jar inoculations. Colonized grain can then be used to inoculate bulk substrate which may include coconut coir, vermiculite, and well-aged horse manure. A pinch of gypsum added to this can supply minerals to the growing mycelium and may help support good yields during fruiting. Pre-mixed substrate can also be sourced if desired. P. ochraceocentrata will colonize and fruit happily in the indoor temperature ranges favored by humans. It will also grow in PF Tek jars or Uncle Ben’s rice bags like P. cubensis.

Given that P. ochraceocentrata mycelium can form a thick layer of mycelium during fruiting, some growers have reported success combating this by using a higher substrate to spawn ratio than they typically would when fruiting P. cubensis, opting for a one to three (or four, or higher) spawn to substrate ratio. Applying a casing layer during fruiting is optional when fruiting P. ochraceocentrata (much like with P. cubensis), but experimentation by some growers has suggested that doing so will result in higher yields. Some growers feel that P. ochraceocentrata benefits from a little more fresh air exchange than P. cubensis during fruiting (the mushrooms may take on a more noodly form if not receiving optimal levels of fresh air).

Growers report seeing pins two to four weeks after spawning their tub and placing it in fruiting conditions.

The legality of P. ochraceocentrata and other psilocybin fungi is complex, and it is important to be acquainted with the laws in your locale. It is also worth noting that the laws are rapidly evolving, so it is important to keep up to date with any changes in legislation. 

In some places it is illegal to possess spores and mushrooms, while in other areas it is legal to possess spores (for “microscopy purposes”) due to them not containing any psilocybin. While the DEA recently confirmed that at a federal level in the United States, psychedelic mushroom spores are legal to possess prior to germination, laws may vary by state. Purchasing or possessing psilocybin mushroom spores is currently illegal in California, Georgia, and Idaho. 

A growing number of cities and states in the U.S. are adopting decriminalization, with around two dozen cities across the country having decriminalized psilocybin fungi. State wise, Colorado and Oregon have decriminalized and permitted use of psilocybin fungi in licensed facilities. Oregon may be recriminalizing psilocybin fungi and other substances, but supervised use at licensed locations will remain an option.

Growing psilocybin mushrooms is legal in other countries such as the Bahamas, the British Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Nepal, Samoa, and the Caribbean island nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. In Brazil, while psilocybin and psilocin are classified as illegal, this only extends to the molecules themselves and not the fungi containing the molecule. Psilocybin mushrooms are also decriminalized in Austria, the Czech Republic, Portugal, and partially decriminalized in Spain.

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