Researchers at the University of Utah have mapped the evolutionary history of Lanmaoa, a globally distributed genus of boletes that includes a mysterious hallucinogenic species. Their genomic analysis of 53 specimens reveals that Lanmaoa asiatica causes vivid Lilliputian hallucinations in Yunnan, China, yet contains none of the known psychedelic compounds found in other psychoactive fungi.

The team sequenced whole genomes and constructed a phylogeny using 1,515 single-copy orthologous genes, providing the first resolved family tree for this genus. They reorganized the classification, renaming six species and identifying four new to science. Two species, Lanmaoa fallax and Lanmaoa carbonilivor, received formal descriptions. The research included 21 type specimens that anchor species names.

Despite extensive chemical analysis searching for psilocybin and ibotenic acid biosynthetic pathways, the hallucinogenic mechanism remains unknown. The mushroom's effects—seeing tiny people marching and dancing—have been documented for centuries, with reports spanning from Yunnan to the Philippines. This discovery challenges our understanding of fungal psychoactivity.

Finding a third biosynthetic route for hallucinogenic compounds, independent from both Psilocybe and Amanita lineages, would significantly expand our knowledge of fungal pharmacology. The genus now contains 17 recognised species, many prized as edible delicacies that ironically lead to accidental poisoning when undercooked.