Marasmius wynnei

Description

Marasmius wynneae (sometimes incorrectly spelt Marasmius wynnei) is a species of gilled mushroom found in European woods. Differs from other varieties of this genus in the white color of the cap, sparsely located plates. The diameter of the caps is 2-5 cm. The shape of the mushroom caps is initially convex, but a little later they become open, with a ribbed edge. In the beginning, the caps of the spherical non-stoneware are white, sometimes they can be gray-lilac. The hymenophore plates are high, sparse, and can be either white or grayish. The length of the stem is short and the top is slightly widened, lighter in color. The stem has a brownish or darkish tint.

Common names: Pearly Parachute.

Mushroom Identification

1. Cap

   2 to 5 cm across; initially hemispherical then convex, flattening with a broad umbo; hygrophanous, grayish, drying to cream buff; margin appears striate when wet.

2. Gills

   Adnexed or free; distant; white at first, becoming cream sometimes tinged violet.

3. Stem

   Cylindrical, 3 – 10 cm long and 2 - 5mm diameter; buff near the apex, progressively browner towards a white-powdered base. The stem flesh is whitish at the apex and browner and sometimes black towards the base.

4. Spores

   Ellipsoidal to pip-shaped, smooth, 5-7 x 3-3.5μm; inamyloid.

5. Spore Print

   White.

6. Odor and Taste

   Not distinctive.

7. Habitat & Ecological Role

   Saprobic, on soil and leaf litter in deciduous woodland and on woodland edges, most commonly under beeches (Fagus spp.) but also quite often with oaks (Quercus) and Hazel (Corylus).

8. Similar Species

   Marasmius oreades, a common grassland mushroom, has a tan or buff cap and a stem concolorous with the cap

History

This saprobic fungus was first described validly in the scientific literature in 1859 by the English mycologists Miles Berkley and Christopher Broome, who gave it the scientific name Marasmius wynnei, since amended to Marasmius wynneae.

The genus name Marasmius comes from the Greek word marasmos, meaning 'drying out'. Elias Magnus Fries, who separated the Marasmius genus from the similar white-spored Collybia fungi, used as a key differentiating factor the ability of Marasmius mushrooms to recover if rehydrated after drying out. Fries called this characteristic 'marescence'.

The original collection by Berkeley and Broome for the description of this mushroom was made at the Coed Coch estate, near Dolwen in Denbighshire, North Wales UK, and the specific epithet is in honor of Mrs.

Photo sources:

Photo 1 - Author: amadej trnkoczy (amadej) (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Photo 2 - Author: amadej trnkoczy (amadej) (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Photo 3 - Author: Richard Daniel (RichardDaniel) (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Photo 4 - Author: Richard Daniel (RichardDaniel) (CC BY-SA 3.0)