Derrumbes & Landslide Mushrooms of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt

Psilocybe zapotecorum is a fungus with a very peculiar ecology: mostly growing out of vertical walls & scars created by landslides at elevations of 1400-2800 meters in the wet montane forests of central Mexico. (Videos in last three slides). The habitat that this species occupies is almost always treacherous and incredibly steep, thus it's common name as one of 5 species of "derrumbe" (Spanish for "landslide) mushroom. It is also one of the most potent wild Psilocybin-containing mushroom species in the world, reportedly containing 2.6% psilocybin (and probably more). It bruises a very strong blue after being handled or touched, indicating the conversion of psilocybin to psilocin. But the ecology here is what's mind-blowing. How does a mushroom species come to almost only grow out of vertical dirt walls at the bottom of dark canyons? Due to the steep terrain here, which is in turn a result of the geologic setting : the Cocos tectonic plate to the South is subducting beneath the North American plate, causing a region of intense volcanism and uplift (see: Mexican Transvolcanic Belt). This subduction zone to the South is responsible for the steep terrain, which is in turn responsible for the landslides, which coupled with the heavy and frequent rainfall (from warm moist air rising once it hits these mountains) is in turn responsible for the large amount of buried plant material in the substrate and walls of these ravines, which in turn provide an ample food source for Psilocybe zapotecorum. Your contributions support this content. It sounds clichéd, but it's true. Whether it's travel expenses, vehicle repair, or medical costs for urushiol poisoning (or rockfalls, beestings, hand slices, toxic sap, etc), your financial support allows this content to continue so the beauty of Earth's flora can be made accessible to the rest of us in the degenerate public. At a time when so much is disappearing beneath the human footprint, CPBBD is willing to do whatever it takes to document these plant species and the ecological communities they are a part of before they're gone for good. Plants make people feel good. Plants quell homicidal (and suicidal!) thoughts. To support Crime Pays But Botany Doesn't, consider donating a few bucks to the venmo account "societyishell" or the PayPal account email [email protected]... Or consider becoming a patreon supporter @ :   / crimepaysbutbotanydoesnt   Buy some CPBBD merch (shirts, hats, hoodies n' what the shit) available for sale at : https://www.bonfire.com/store/crime-p... To purchase stickers, venmo 15 bucks to "societyishell" and leave your address in the comments. Plants ID questions or reading list suggestions can be sent to [email protected] Thanks, GFY.