population, but harvesting is a potential misdemeanor that is enforced by local law enforcement agencies. The species' preferred environment ranges from caespitose (growing in tight, separated clusters) to gregarious on deciduous wood-chips and/or in sandy soils rich in lignicolous (woody) debris. The mushroom has an affinity for coastal dune grasses. In aspect it generates an extensive, dense, and tenacious mycelial mat (collyboid). P. azurescens causes the whitening of wood. Fruitings begin in late September and continue until "late December and early January", according to mycologist Paul Stamets. Psilocybe azurescens has been cultivated in many countries including Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and its native United States (especially in California, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Washington, Vermont, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania). Legal status Possession and/or cultivation of this species is illegal in a number of countries, including in the United States under federal law. However, the state of Oregon and the cities of Seattle, Washington; Denver, Colorado; Oakland, California; Santa Cruz, California; and Ann Arbor, Michigan have decriminalized possession of personal amounts of psilocybin mushrooms. It is considered a Class A Drug in New Zealand. Effects See also List of psilocybin mushrooms References External links Psilocybe azurescens on Google Images Psilocybe azurescens taxonomy paper Psilocybe azurescens cultivation Psilocybe azurescens Images Entheogens Fungi described in 1995 Psychoactive fungi azurescens Psychedelic tryptamine carriers Fungi of North America