The Origins of Penis Envy Mushrooms

The Origins of Penis Envy Mushrooms:

Uncovering the Full Story

At Basidium Equilibrium, we pride ourselves on providing unique, world-class genetics, including our Bas Original Penis Envy strain. Selected from spore, this line is an attempt to recreate the original culture I first obtained in 2015. Back then, it came from a now-defunct vendor, Hawk Eyes, whose owner and I had the opportunity to discuss the deep, sometimes mysterious history of this iconic strain. What we’ve come to realize is that The Origins of Penis Envy Mushrooms strain’s story is far richer and more complex than most accounts suggest, with some key figures and events being left out of popular tellings, including the contributions of the Homestead Book Company and their role in creating the Melmac variety, also known as the original Homestead Penis Envy.

A note on this history: the Penis Envy story comes from interviews, forum records and accounts passed between collectors over decades. We tell it as accurately as we can, but some details are disputed and can’t be independently verified.

Penis Envy’s Mysterious Backstory

The origins of Penis Envy mushrooms are surrounded by intrigue, secrecy, and a wealth of half-truths and myths. In 2009, Hamilton Morris, in his article for Vice, took readers on a fascinating journey, pointing to renowned ethnobotanist Terence McKenna as the source of the Penis Envy strain’s story. McKenna’s 1971 journey to the Amazon was pivotal, as it gave him the opportunity to observe indigenous shamans using psychedelic substances, some of which were said to exude a blue substance.

During this journey, McKenna discovered a mutant form of Psilocybe cubensis growing from cattle dung. Realizing its potential, he collected spore prints and brought them back to the United States, eventually sending a sample to the renowned mycologist Steven Pollock.

The Making of a Legend

When Pollock began working with McKenna’s spores, he was amazed by the size of the specimens that emerged—substantially larger than any known in the Western world at the time. Pollock dedicated years to experimenting and isolating the most robust specimens, aiming to create a mushroom with a distinct, penis-like shape. This work culminated in the creation of the Penis Envy strain, which gained notoriety for its unusual, distorted shape.

However, Pollock’s work was abruptly cut short under mysterious circumstances. In an unsolved crime, Pollock was murdered by unknown assailants, and his home was raided. In one of the most bizarre episodes in mycology history, nearly 1,800 jars of mushrooms were seized by the police and destroyed in a local landfill.

The Washington Connection: Richard Gee’s Role

As the story of Penis Envy moved forward, the question arose: who received the spores that Pollock had sent to Washington State before his death? This is where Richard Gee, a reclusive mycologist from the Pacific Northwest, enters the narrative. Gee is believed to have received these spores and spent the next decade perfecting the strain. However, the true extent of his involvement and how he came to possess these spores is still shrouded in mystery.

There were rumors that Gee had claimed McKenna was directly responsible for developing Penis Envy, a statement that was swiftly denied by those closest to McKenna. In 2021, an interview between Hamilton Morris and Richard Gee revealed some key revelations. Gee confirmed that McKenna had indeed discovered the strain and sent the spores, but not directly to Pollock or him. Instead, they were passed through a third party, Jules Stevens, who had obtained them from another source connected to McKenna.

This clarification added a layer of independence to Pollock and Gee’s work with the Penis Envy strain, confirming that their efforts were not directly tied to one another.

The Evolution of Penis Envy: The Birth of Melmac and Homestead Penis Envy

Perhaps one of the most overlooked aspects of the Penis Envy story is the role played by the Homestead Book Company, an essential player in the early development of the Melmac variant of Penis Envy. While this strain has become better known under the Melmac name, many still refer to it as the Homestead Penis Envy. It was through the Homestead Book Company that this new version of Penis Envy was developed, with a distinct phallic shape. The Homestead strain has left a lasting legacy, creating even more variation in this mushroom’s history.

The Accidental Naming of Penis Envy

The name Penis Envy was coined almost by accident. During a casual encounter, some strippers observed the mushrooms and remarked that they resembled “donkey dongs.” Gee, in a playful response, jokingly asked, “Do you have penis envy?” The name stuck, and thus the now-iconic strain received its unmistakable title.

The Legacy and Variations of Penis Envy

Over the years, the Penis Envy strain has cemented its status as one of the most recognizable varieties of Psilocybe cubensis. Its story is a tapestry woven with significant figures like McKenna, Pollock, Gee, and the Homestead Book Company. That genetic history has also produced a large family of related varieties. Our Penis Envy spore collectionbrings many of those lineages together, including classic Penis Envy, Albino Penis Envy, Penis Envy Uncut, Melmac, and other related genetics.

– Penis Envy Uncut: Featuring a cap that remains unopened, offering a compact and dense appearance.

– Albino Penis Envy (APE): An albino version showcasing pale coloration while retaining the original Penis Envy form.

– Old Dirty Penis Envy: Originally called outdoor PE coming from a garden bed. This mushroom has become synonymous

– PE6: A hybrid of Penis Envy crossed with another strain, offering unique growth patterns and properties.

The Continuing Fascination with Penis Envy

The Penis Envy mushroom’s journey is far from over. This strain has become a symbol of the underground mycology movement and the pursuit of deeper understanding in both the scientific and psychedelic communities. From its discovery in the Amazon to its spread through the United States, Penis Envy has continued to captivate enthusiasts, researchers, and curious individuals alike. The lore and legends surrounding it contribute to the growing fascination, making it a cornerstone in the study of Psilocybe cubensis.

The Penis Envy mushroom remains a testament to the unique intersection of nature, human curiosity, and cultural evolution. Its origins, full of mystery, intrigue, and often untold stories, continue to fascinate the world. At Basidium Equilibrium, we take great pride in offering genetics that go beyond the surface, providing in-depth strain-specific details and a rich history that people can seek out for their own research. Visit our site to explore these fascinating strains, and keep an eye on our Genetic Vault for more in-depth information on this and other iconic mushrooms.

Over the years, the Penis Envy strain has cemented its status as one of the most recognizable varieties of Psilocybe cubensis. Its story is a tapestry woven with significant figures like McKenna, Pollock, Gee, and the Homestead Book Company. That genetic history has also produced a large family of related varieties. Our Penis Envy spore collectionbrings many of those lineages together, including classic Penis Envy, Albino Penis Envy, Penis Envy Uncut, Melmac, and other related genetics.