Fauna
Fungus

Bleeding Fairy Helmet

Mycena haematopus

Also known as Burgundydrop Bonnet, Bleeding Mycena

Bleeding fairy helmets grow in dense clusters on decaying hardwood logs and stumps throughout temperate forests. When bruised or cut, the delicate mushroom exuded a dark reddish-purple latex that resembles blood droplets, a defensive secretion laden with antimicrobial alkaloids. Cultured mycelium of this wood-rotting saprotroph displays faint bioluminescence, glowing green under pitch-dark conditions.

WoodlandSaprophyteForest Floor
Bleeding Fairy Helmet reference1 / 7
(c) Alan Rockefeller, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alan Rockefeller · cc-by
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyLignin, Cellulose, Decaying organic matter
Predators
  • Fungus gnats
  • Slugs
  • Springtails
ThreatsDeforestation and intensive removal of deadwood
HabitatsDeciduous and mixed temperate woodlands
Life spanFruiting body lasts 3–7 days; mycelium survives years
Classification
  1. FamilyMycenaceae
  2. SpeciesMycena haematopus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Many edible mushrooms have toxic look-alikes; never eat wild fungi based on app identification alone.
Responsible observation
  • Inspection: Gently press a stem with a hand lens nearby to observe the ruby-red latex flow.
  • Habitat Clues: Search moss-covered birch or oak logs in damp autumn woods.
  • Preservation: Avoid removing entire clusters to let spores disperse into surrounding deadwood.
Related species
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