Created February 15, 2006, Revised June 29, 2006 and September 13, 2007
Copyright 1998-2007 by John W. Allen









 

Ruminants and their Shroom Habitats BANTEAY SREI (CITADEL OF THE WOMAN) and BANTEAY KDEI (CITADEL OF THE CELL) Xiem Riap, Cambodia

 

Hello to all lovers of mushrooms. Here is a photographic essay of the first reported specimens of Psilocybe antioquensis were collected from. The first four specimens of Psilocybe antioquensis were found in Banteay Srei, at the the "Temple of the Woman" (Citadel of the Woman), 40 km from Angkor Wat. Banteay Srei is a small beautiful temple consisting of numerous intricate carvings and was built of rose colored sandstone. There are carved intricate details inside the temple walls. This Hindu temple was constructed in the 10th century and its small intricate undamaged carvings are like an ancient jewell, untouched by the ages. The second four specimens, bringing a total of 8, were collected in 2002 at the south walls of Banteay Kedi (Citadel of the Cells). An additional collection of more than 84 specimens were later collected in 2003 at the same location of the first collection along the outer south wall of the "Citadel of the Cell." As for Banteay Kdei, we know that it means "Citadel of the Cells." But there are no inscriptions inside this temple to tell its story. This is where the 84 specimens of Psilocybe antioquensis were collected from in 2004. It was built in late 12th century by King Jayavarman VII and is located south of Ta Prohm where Lara Croft: Tomb Raider was filmed.

Shroom habitat of Psilocybe antioquensis along south wall of Banteay Kdei (Citadel of the Cells). Observe shroom helpers looking for shrooms in the background of 2nd image








Exotic Forays participants in September of 2005 with local children shroom gathering for us.








The children in the above image found one lone specimen of Psilocybe antioquensis, lost in transit to Bangkok a few days later. Observe the sandy soiled condition of the stem from rain, wind and sand damage.


More specimens of Psilocybe antioquensis collected in 2003 at this same location.







A species of edible Amanita, probably Amanita caesarea found by the children of Bateay Kdei.





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