Purple pinwheel (Marasmius haematocephalus)

Purple pinwheel, a reference photo — Photo: José Roberto Peruca from Araçatuba/SP, Brasil · CC BY 2.0 (licence)

Marasmius haematocephalus, commonly known as the purple pinwheel, is a basidiomycete mushroom of the genus Marasmius. It grows on leaf litter and forms basidiocarps with striated purple caps. Historically believed to have a large pantropical distribution, it is now believed to be a species complex.

From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Is it poisonous?

We have no record of Purple pinwheel being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.

Easily confused with

Marasmius porphyrocephalus
Marasmius pulcherripes
Marasmius tageticolor

Classification

Kingdom: Fungi
Phylum: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Agaricales
Family: Marasmiaceae
Genus: Marasmius
Species: Marasmius haematocephalus

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