Magic Mushroom Strain Name Origins: The Stories Behind Popular Shroom Names
Magic mushroom strains often come with quirky, memorable names – but have you ever wondered how those names came about? From cheeky monikers like Penis Envy to mystical titles like Blue Magnolia, each strain has a story. In this guide, we’ll explore the origin stories and folklore behind some famous magic mushroom strain names. Get ready for some fascinating strain name stories that reveal why it’s called what it’s called – and learn a bit of strain history along the way. We’ll cover the legends of Penis Envy, Albino Avery, Blue Magnolia, and B+ (yes, that’s a strain name!), all in a friendly, conversational tone. By the end, you might view these origin stories as part of the magic, giving you a deeper appreciation for your next shroom journey.
Penis Envy: A Legendary Strain with a Legendary Name
Penis Envy is one of the most notorious and potent magic mushroom strains, and its name certainly raises eyebrows. The obvious reason is its appearance – in its “perfect form,” a Penis Envy mushroom looks uncannily like a certain male appendage (hence the tongue-in-cheek name). But the origin story of Penis Envy goes beyond a phallic shape; it’s practically psychedelic folklore. According to popular lore, famed ethnobotanist Terence McKenna stumbled upon an exceptionally large Psilocybe cubensis mushroom in the Amazon rainforest in the 1970s. He took spore prints of this giant shroom and secretly sent them back to the U.S., hidden between slides (a classic mycologist trick of the era).
McKenna shared one of these spore prints with Dr. Steven Pollock, a noted mycologist and physician who was passionate about psychedelic mushrooms. Pollock cultivated generation after generation from this Amazonian sample, selectively breeding for the biggest, most potent mushrooms. Eventually, a mutant emerged with a thick stem and a bulbous, underdeveloped cap – essentially a mushroom that looked like an uncut you-know-what. Pollock had succeeded in coaxing out the ultimate phallic fungus. In a dramatic (and rather dark) twist, Pollock was tragically murdered not long after, adding a layer of mystique to the strain’s history. Decades later, this line of mushrooms surfaced in circulation under the now-infamous name “Penis Envy”. The name stuck, for obvious reasons, and the strain’s reputation for sky-high potency only fueled its legendary status.
Today, Penis Envy is considered one of the strongest Psilocybe cubensis varieties, valued by experienced psychonauts for its intense effects. Its strain name origin is a perfect mix of literal description and psychedelic lore. (Fun fact: There’s even an Albino variant called Albino Penis Envy (APE), created by crossing Penis Envy with an albino strain. APE mushrooms are ghostly white, often tinged with blue bruising, yet pack the same punch – truly living up to the Envy name!)
Avery’s Albino (Albino Avery): Named After a Loved One
Moving from cheeky to charming, Avery’s Albino is a strain with a heartfelt naming story. Also known casually as Albino Avery or Albino A+, this magic mushroom is a true albino mutation – its caps are pale white, and it even drops transparent spores. The origin of this strain’s name is refreshingly wholesome: it was named after the cultivator’s daughter, Avery. According to strain history, a hobbyist cultivator (online alias “Albinous White”) discovered this albino mutation by surprise from a batch of Cambodian cubensis mushrooms. It was a fluke find – an unexpected all-white mushroom popping up among normal brown cousins – and the grower decided to isolate and stabilize it. As the story goes, when it came time to name this beautiful rarity, the cultivator honored his little girl. Thus, “Avery’s Albino” was born, forever linking a family name to a fungus.
Some conflicting folklore surrounds Avery’s Albino – a few sources speculate it might have links to an “A+” cubensis lineage – but the prevalent tale is that it came from a Cambodian strain and the name was a tribute. Regardless of its precise genetic origin, Avery’s Albino has gained a reputation for balanced yet potent effects and striking looks (picture snow-white shrooms that bruise blue). In a mushroom world full of mythical creatures and inside jokes, a strain named after someone’s daughter stands out as endearingly human. It’s a reminder that behind every strain name story, there’s often a person (or loved one) who inspired it.
Pssst, if you’re curious about trying an albino strain, Avery’s Albino is one of the varieties featured in our products. Keep an eye out for it in our microdose capsules or yummy mushroom gummies – more on that in the closing section!
Blue Magnolia: A Southern Mystery with a Colorful Twist
The name Blue Magnolia evokes something beautiful (and maybe a bit bluesy), and this strain’s backstory doesn’t disappoint. Blue Magnolia is a relatively newcomer in the mushroom scene, first discovered in the 2010s. In fact, it originated from a wild Psilocybe cubensis found in Mississippi’s Gulf Coast region. Mississippi is known as the Magnolia State (state flower: magnolia blossom), which likely inspired the “Magnolia” part of the name – a nod to where the mushroom came from. The “Blue” part? That comes from the mushroom’s tendency to bruise a vivid blue, a common trait in psilocybin-containing fungi (and a hint at their potency). When you handle Blue Magnolia mushrooms, they can develop bluish streaks, almost like nature’s tie-dye, due to the oxidization of psilocin. So the name Blue Magnolia perfectly reflects both the strain’s Southern roots and its colorful character.
The origin story goes something like this: around 2011-2015, a mushroom hunter (or a few) stumbled on an unusually robust wild cubensis in Mississippi cow pastures. Recognizing it as something special, they took spore prints or tissue samples and shared them on an online mycology forum, where growers began cultivating it. As the community realized how fast-colonizing and large-fruiting this strain was, it quickly became a desirable strain to grow.
It earned the nickname “Blue Mag” among enthusiasts. There’s even a variant called Blue Magnolia Rust which produces cinnamon-colored spores – the result of years of selective breeding off the original Blue Magnolia (proving that even an up-and-coming strain can spawn its own sub-strains and lore).
In essence, Blue Magnolia’s name is a tribute to its discovery locale and its vivid appearance. The idea of a magnolia turning blue is poetic – almost like Southern gothic imagery – and it certainly makes this strain stand out in a lineup. Not to mention, it pairs wonderfully with our site’s name (Sugar Magnolia, meet Blue Magnolia – clearly, we have a soft spot for magnolia magic!).
B+: The Mystery Behind the Grade
Compared to the flamboyant names above, B+ is short and sweet – but it still has an interesting story. This strain became famous in the 1990s and remains a favorite, especially for beginners, thanks to its easygoing growth and pleasant effects. But why is it called “B+”? The truth is a bit of a mystery (the folklore around this name is debated), but one popular theory credits an early cultivator known by the pseudonym “Mr. G.”. According to mushroom community lore, Mr. G developed this strain and chose the name B+ as a sort of personal signature and marketing hook. Some say the “B” was meant to stand for Mr. G’s actual first initial and the “+” to denote the strain’s exceptional size or quality. In other words, it was like giving his creation a grade of B-plus – above average. Not exactly humble, but it certainly got attention!
Whether or not that tale is true (it’s hard to verify, and even the old-timers aren’t 100% sure), the name B+ stuck and has taken on its own meaning. Many growers joke that B+ stands for “Be Positive,” reflecting this strain’s reliably positive, uplifting trip. With large, friendly-looking mushrooms that often welcome newbies into the cultivation hobby, B+ has earned a reputation as a generous strain – one that “positively” thrives even if your technique isn’t perfect. Its strain history is less wild than something like Penis Envy; instead of jungle legends, B+ seems to have arisen from the garage experiments of hobbyist mycologists during the ‘90s internet age. Perhaps that humble, modern origin is why its name sounds like a line from a grading rubric.
No matter the true origin of the name, B+ has a straightforward charm. It’s easy to remember, easy to grow, and easy to enjoy – making it a perennial “best in class” for beginners. Sometimes simple names hide big secrets, but in the case of B+, the simplicity is part of the charm.
Experience the Magic Yourself – With a Sweet Twist
Hearing these strain name stories might have you curious to try these famed fungi yourself. The good news is you don’t need a deep Amazon expedition or a clandestine spore swap to do so! My Sugar Magnolia offers these storied strains in convenient, tasty forms – perfect for the modern mushroom enthusiast. For instance, our decadent Chocolate Bar breaks into 20 bite-sized pieces (200 mg each) infused with our proprietary blend of Albino Penis Envy and Avery’s Albino mushrooms. Yes, you read that right – two of the legends we discussed (the Albino offshoots of Penis Envy and Avery’s strain) come together in one delicious treat. If microdosing is more your style, check out our 200 mg capsules, which also feature the Albino Penis Envy + Albino Avery combo for a balanced, uplifting experience. And for those who prefer something fruity, our sugar-dusted gummies pack 500 mg of the same magical blend per piece, bringing a little whimsy to your wellness routine.
All products are formulated with care, quality, and a dash of love – so you can safely explore these legendary strains’ benefits. As always, start low and go slow, especially with heavy hitters like Penis Envy lineage mushrooms. Even in microdose form, they can be profound!
Finally, if you’re as enchanted by the world of shrooms as we are, consider joining our Sugar Mama program. It’s an exclusive community for our Sugar Magnolia family, offering sweet perks, education, and support for your journey (plus it’s totally free to join). Becoming a Sugar Mama means you’ll stay in the loop on new products, get members-only discounts, and connect with like-minded wellness enthusiasts – a perfect way to deepen your relationship with these fungi and folklore.
Ready to turn these origin stories into your own experience?
Explore our capsules, chocolate bar, or gummies and discover why these strains are beloved both for their history and their effects. And don’t forget to join the Sugar Mama program for more magic, more mushrooms, and more you-powered wellness. Your adventure with magic mushroom strain name origins has just begun – now it’s time to write your own chapter!