Psilocybe cubensis

Classification

Domain: Eukarya     P. cubensis belongs in this domain because they are a eukaryotic cell. This means they posses a nucleus, cell membrane, and other membrane bound organelles.

Kingdom: Fungi     P. cubensis classifys as a fungus because it is heterotrophic, has an alternation of generation, posseses a fruiting body, and has cell walls made of chitin.

Phylum: Basidiomycota  Basidiomycota fungi possess a fruiting body, very rarely produce asexual spores, and produce sexual spores externally on a club-shaped sporangium called a basidium.

Class: Basidiomycetes Basidiomycetes used to be loosely called for basidiomycota, but now this class refers to the filamentous fungi made of hyphae and reproduce sexually via basidia. (ZipcodeZoo.com, 2008).

Order: Agaricales These are classified by their distinctive gills.

Family: Strophariaceae Strophariaceae have a red to brown spore print and the spores are smooth as well as have an apical germ pore. All organisms within this family are saprophytes.

Genus: Psilocybe This genus is well-known for its hallucinogenic effects although many species within this genus do now have hallucinogenic effects. Psilocybe comes from Greek meaning "bare-headed."

Species: P. cubensis This is the most common Psilocybe grown and consumed. This fungus is easy to cultivate and has large carpophores. (ZipcodeZoo.com, 2008). Psilocybe cubensis is a polyphyletic species.

This phylogenetic tree is based upon molecular RNA sequences. P. cubensis is found in more than one spot because it is polyphyletic. Copyright 2006 Shroomery.org