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Magic Truffle Liquid Cultures
A magic truffle liquid culture is a 20 ml syringe of living mycelium from a Psilocybe that forms sclerotia, the compact structures sold as magic truffles. We stock seven strains: Atlantis, Mexicana, Galindoi, Pajaritos, Utopia, Hollandia and Tampanensis. Each syringe comes with a needle and disinfectant wipes and is sold for microscopy, taxonomy, educational and research purposes. For other cultures, see all liquid culture syringes.
What makes a species truffle-forming?
Some Psilocybe species can form sclerotia: dense, hardened masses of mycelium that develop below the surface and act as a nutrient reserve. Those sclerotia are what the trade calls magic truffles. A liquid culture is not a truffle. It is the same fungus at the mycelial stage, in liquid form. Not every Psilocybe can do this. Psilocybe cubensis, the species behind most mushroom strains, does not form sclerotia, which is why truffle cultures have their own category.
Species and trade names
Truffle names are a mix of scientific species names and market names. This table shows which is which, so you know what you are actually looking at.
| Culture | Name status |
|---|---|
| Tampanensis | Psilocybe tampanensis, described from material found in Florida in 1977 |
| Mexicana | Psilocybe mexicana, first described by Roger Heim in 1957 |
| Galindoi | Psilocybe galindoi |
| Atlantis | Psilocybe atlantis, described in 2003 from Georgia (USA), a close relative of Psilocybe mexicana |
| Pajaritos | Trade name (Spanish for little birds); no formally described species |
| Utopia | Trade name for a Dutch truffle line; no formally described species |
| Hollandia | Trade name for a Dutch truffle line; no formally described species |
Tampanensis and Mexicana are the two best documented species in this group, which makes them the obvious reference cultures for taxonomy work. The trade-name strains are interesting for comparison, but treat any species label you see on them elsewhere with some caution. Strain background is collected in our magic truffle strain library.
Mexicana truffle culture or Mexicana cubensis?
The name Mexicana is used for two unrelated things. The Mexicana in this category is the truffle-forming species Psilocybe mexicana. We also stock a Mexicana cubensis liquid culture, which is a Psilocybe cubensis strain and does not form sclerotia. Check the product title before you order: truffle cultures say Magic Truffle Liquid Culture, cubensis cultures say Psilocybe Cubensis.
Storage
The culture keeps for up to 2–3 months in the fridge at 2–8 °C, should never be frozen and is best kept away from light.
Our liquid cultures are sold for microscopy, taxonomy, educational and research purposes. Rules differ per country, so check your local law first.
Frequently asked questions
Is a magic truffle liquid culture the same as magic truffles?
No. Magic truffles are sclerotia, the compact structures some Psilocybe species form. A magic truffle liquid culture is living mycelium of such a species in a nutrient solution, not the truffle itself.
Which species form magic truffles?
Only some Psilocybe species form sclerotia. Psilocybe tampanensis and Psilocybe mexicana are the best known, and Psilocybe galindoi is another. Psilocybe cubensis does not form sclerotia.
Is Pajaritos a real species?
Pajaritos is a trade name, Spanish for little birds, not a formally described species. The same applies to Utopia and Hollandia. You may see them labelled with a Psilocybe name elsewhere, but no species by those names has been formally described.
Is the Mexicana truffle culture the same as Mexicana cubensis?
No. The truffle culture is Psilocybe mexicana, a species that forms sclerotia. Mexicana cubensis is a strain of Psilocybe cubensis and only forms mushrooms.
How long does a magic truffle liquid culture keep?
Up to 2–3 months in the fridge at 2–8 °C. Do not freeze it and keep it out of the light. A fresher culture has more active mycelium.
