Psilocybe

Psilocybe is a genus of small mushrooms growing worldwide. This genus is best known for its species with psychedelic properties, widely known as "magic mushrooms", though the majority of species do not contain psychedelic compounds. Psilocin and psilocybin are the psychedelic compounds responsible for the psychoactive effects of many species in the genus.

The word Psilocybe comes from the Greek words ψιλός + κύβη, and literally means "bare headed", referring to the mushroom's detachable pellicle (loose skin over the cap). It may be pronounced with the accent on the first syllable (/ˈsɪlɵsaɪbiː/) or the second (/saɪˈlɒsəbiː/). The final e is not silent. The marked difference between the Botanical Latin-based pronunciation (given here) and anglicized colloquial pronunciations (with a silent "e") is sometimes a source of confusion in oral communication about this genus.

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