Horsehair Parachute

Marasmius androsaceus

On fallen pine and spruce needles, more rarely on small twigs. Early spring, late autumn, summer.

Fruiting bodies very small. Cap 0.3-0.7 (1) cm across, convex when young, later flattened, slightly depressed in the middle, matt, wrinkled, brownish, flesh-coloured, the margin paler, pleated. Gills narrow, distant, greyish, brownish, adnexed. Stem 3-8 cm long, of the shape and thickness of a horsehair, smooth, shiny, dark brown, almost black, paler near the gills. Flesh membranous, tough, without smell or taste. Characteristic features: tiny fungi growing only on fallen needles, more rarely on tiny twigs, as if sown over the forest litter. Grows in colonies. A valuable litter saprotroph. Inedible. Very widespread.