Fauna
Fungus

Collared Parachute

Marasmius rotula

Also known as Pinwheel Mushroom, Little Wheel, Horse Hair Fungus, Pinwheel Marasmius

Collared parachutes sprout in dense clusters along decaying hardwood twigs after warm summer rains. Their delicate, paper-white caps feature crisp radial pleats and a unique collar beneath where the gills join around a dark, wiry stem. Capable of shriveling during dry spells and reviving fully after rain, these tiny decomposers play a vital role breaking down leaf litter and forest debris.

SaprophyticWoodlandTiny
Collared Parachute reference1 / 7
(c) Bill Sheehan, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Bill Sheehan · cc-by-sa
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyDecomposing wood, twigs, and leaf litter
Predators
  • Insects
  • Slugs
  • Mites
ThreatsDeforestation and intense forest floor clearing
HabitatsDeciduous forests and mixed temperate woodlands
Life spanFruiting bodies last several weeks; mycelium lives indefinitely
Classification
  1. OrderAgaricales
  2. FamilyMarasmiaceae
  3. GenusMarasmius
  4. SpeciesMarasmius rotula
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
  • Look Closely: Scan small fallen hardwood twigs and fallen branches after warm summer rains.
  • Check the Stem: Look for the distinctive black, wire-like stem supporting the pleated white cap.
  • Observe the Collar: Use a hand lens to view the free collar where gills attach around the stem.
Related species
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