P. ovoideocystidiata Spore Syringe

Psilocybe ovoideocystidiata is unlike anything else in our catalog. While every other syringe we carry belongs to the cubensis or natalensis species, P. ovoideocystidiata is a wood-loving Psilocybe native to the eastern United States — a fundamentally different ecological niche. It thrives in riparian habitats (stream banks, flood plains) on decaying hardwood mulch rather than the herbivore dung that cubensis requires. First formally described in 2007, it is one of the most recently classified Psilocybe species.

Microscopy Characteristics

P. ovoideocystidiata spores are subellipsoid to ellipsoid, dark purplish-brown, measuring approximately 8–10 x 6–7 micrometres. While size overlaps with cubensis, the key diagnostic feature is the spore shape: ovoideocystidiata spores tend to be rounder (more broadly ellipsoid) than the elongated ellipsoid of typical cubensis. The species name references a microscopic diagnostic feature: ovoid cystidia (egg-shaped sterile cells) on the gill surface, visible under 400x–1000x magnification, that separate it from related species like P. caerulipes and P. cyanescens.

Strain Background

Formally described in 2007 by Gaston Guzman, Paul Stamets, and colleagues from specimens collected in Pennsylvania and Ohio. The species has since been documented across much of the eastern United States. Its habitat is distinctly different from cubensis: lignicolous (wood-loving), found on decaying hardwood mulch in riparian zones. It fruits in spring and early fall, tolerating temperatures too cool for cubensis — one of the few psilocybin-producing species that fruits in temperate climates.

Storage & Handling

Store the P. ovoideocystidiata Spore Syringe at 2–8°C (35–46°F) in a dark location. Do not freeze. Viable for 6–12 months when properly refrigerated. Shake gently before use to redistribute settled spore material.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes P. ovoideocystidiata different from cubensis?
Everything except the genus. It is wood-loving rather than dung-loving. It is native to the eastern United States rather than tropical regions. It fruits in cooler temperatures. Its spores are more broadly ellipsoid. Its cystidia are ovoid — the diagnostic character in its name. It was only formally described in 2007.

What are ovoid cystidia and why do they matter?
Cystidia are sterile cells on the gill surface of a mushroom. In P. ovoideocystidiata they are distinctly egg-shaped (ovoid), helping distinguish this species from similar wood-loving Psilocybe species. Observing cystidia requires 400x–1000x magnification.

Every syringe is prepared in our Canadian cleanroom under 99.99% HEPA-filtered laminar flow hoods and visually inspected under magnification before shipping.