Systematic study of Panaeolus (Agaricales, Galeropsidaceae) sensu lato and psilocybin-producing traits of species from China
Global Biodiversity Information Facility January 1, 2026 Mao-Qiang He, Wen-Qiang Yang, Dorji Phurbu et al.
A group of hallucinogenic mushrooms, Panaeolus sensu lato, is shown to belong to a distinct family, Galeropsidaceae, separate from Bolbitiaceae, based on phylogenomic, multigene phylogenetic, molecular clock, and morphological analyses. The taxonomic system of Galeropsidaceae is revised: it contains the genera Panaeolus and Staktophyllus, while Crucispora and Panaeolopsis are synonymized under Panaeolus. Three subgenera are accepted in Panaeolus. Eight new species and one new subgenus are proposed. Species from China are documented with descriptions and illustrations. Testing 14 species for psilocybin using HPLC–MS confirmed that the known species P. cinctulus and the new species P. subfoenisecii possess psilocybin-producing traits. The evolution of the coprophilous lifestyle and psilocybin-producing traits is discussed.