Where’s Wildlife · Mushroom Field Guide
Marasmius cf. capillaris
Pronounced (approx.): muh-RAZ-mee-us kap-ih-LAIR-iss
Likely identification. This entry is excluded from quiz questions.
Tiny pale umbrellas stand on hair-thin dark stems attached to fallen leaves.
Leaf Pinwheel. Select the photo to browse the gallery. Photographs © Where’s Wildlife.
LIKELY IDENTIFICATION
Fruiting varies with local weather and habitat.
Tiny pale pleated caps
Wiry dark stems
Growing directly from fallen leaves
Compare form, texture and growing surfaces in the photographs below.
Likely Marasmius capillaris. The leaf attachment is especially helpful in the hand-held leaf photographs. “cf.” means the identification is a close comparison, not a confirmed species.
Marasmius rotula is similar but typically grows on woody debris. The less detailed group photographs remain tentative; none are used as quiz questions.
Fallen hardwood leaves. Summer and fall, especially after rain.
These small decomposers can shrivel during dry weather and expand again after rain.
Tiny pale pleated caps.
Growing directly from fallen leaves.
This gallery retains a likely identification and is excluded from quiz questions.
These photographs were taken in Illinois or Wisconsin; the exact location of each image is unconfirmed. The observation map provides wider context.
Explore reported sightings on iNaturalist. Observation records are not a complete range map.
Photographs © Where’s Wildlife.
Identification notes & comments
Think a photograph has a different identification? Please include its filename or describe the image, suggest a name, and explain the identifying features. Links to reliable references are welcome. Thoughtful corrections help improve this guide.
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