Psilocybin Containing Mushrooms of the Southeast
The Southeastern United States harbors a distinctive assemblage of psilocybin-containing mushrooms, many of which differ from those found in other regions of the country. This talk will provide an overview of the genera Psilocybe,  Panaeolus, Gymnopilus, and Pluteus as they occur in the Southeast, highlighting diagnostic features, ecological preferences, and distinguishing characteristics of individual species. Emphasis will be placed on taxonomy and field identification. He will also examine the biogeography of these fungi, considering patterns of distribution, habitat specialization, and historical factors that may explain their presence in the region.

Scott Ostuni is an autodidact, mycologist, and mushroom photographer who focuses on fungal taxonomy in the southeastern United States. He specializes in fungal identification based on molecular data and traditional methods. Some of his accolades include describing three new species of psilocybin-containing mushrooms, Panaeolus oligotrophus, Psilocybe niveo tropicalis and Psilocybe caeruleorhiza, as well as contributing to the understanding of the distribution of various fungi species in Florida. Scott is currently studying the genus Panaeolus and collaborates with professionals and academics worldwide. As a mycologist, he blurs the line between amateur and professional, using his expertise and passion to recruit aspiring mycologists to help outline the biodiversity of fungi in Florida.