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Pinwheel mushroom

Marasmius rotula

A species of Marasmius, Also known as Little wheel, Collared parachute

The pinwheel mushroom (Marasmius rotula) is a tiny, delicate species that can be found across eastern North America. The gills on their undersides are both widely an evenly spaced, creating a whimsical, pinwheel-like appearance. These frail-looking mushrooms desiccate quickly but can "revive" if they receive sufficient moisture.

Cap Diameter:

5 - 15 mm

Odor:

Mildly mushroomy but not distinctive.

General Info About Pinwheel mushroom

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Attributes of Pinwheel mushroom

Cap Diameter

5 - 15 mm

Height

2 - 9 cm

Cap

Cap 5 - 20 mm; hemispherical, broadly convex; brown, white; bald, dry

Cap Shape

Convex, Depressed, Flat

Cap Surfaces

Smooth, Visible lines or stripes

Gills

Adnate; distant; white to yellowish white

Gill Attachment

Attached

Stem

Stem 1.5 - 8 cm long, 1 - 2 mm thick; equal; pale, brown, black; dry, smooth; base sometimes with stiff hairs

Stem Shapes

Cylindrical

Stem Surfaces

Smooth

Flesh

Thin

Ring

Ringless

Spore Print Color

White

Odor

Mildly mushroomy but not distinctive.

Body Color

Brown

Black

White

Purple

Flesh Bruises

The flesh or milk does not discolor when bruised or cut.

Growth Form

Solitary, Gregarious

Nutrient Gathering

Saprophytic

Substrate

Dead Woods

You can find Pinwheel mushroom by these plants:

European beech, Oaks

Occurence Habitats

Deciduous Woodland

Species Status

Widely distributed

Endangered Species

How to Identify Pinwheel mushroom

Fruiting Body Cap Gills

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Habitat of Pinwheel mushroom

The pinwheel mushroom occurs in woodlands, wooded areas, and field hedgerows, and it's primarily associated with deciduous trees. It grows on dead wood, downed logs, roots, twigs, branches, sticks, and moss-covered forest debris.

Distribution Area of Pinwheel mushroom

North America,Europe,northern Asia

Scientific Classification of Pinwheel mushroom

Phylum

Club fungi

Class

Mushroom-forming fungi

Order

Gilled fungi

Family

Marasmiaceae

Genus

Marasmius

Similar Species to Pinwheel mushroom

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Tips for Finding Pinwheel mushroom

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What are Some Tips for Finding Pinwheel mushroom

Inspect fallen branches and sticks in deciduous woodland areas, as pinwheel mushroom prefers such substrates.
Search near the base of hardwood trees where organic material is abundant and provides suitable growth conditions for pinwheel mushroom.
Look closely at the small size and delicate features of pinwheel mushroom when examining potential habitats to avoid overlooking them.
Be gentle while searching to prevent breaking the fragile caps and stems of pinwheel mushroom which are often connected to the woody debris.