Synonyms: Agaricus haematocephalus, Chamaeceras haematocephalus.
Common names: mauve parachute, purple pinwheel.
Marasmius haematocephalus is a small to medium-sized fungus with a reddish-brown to blood-red cap, typically 1-4 cm in diameter, and a slender stem. It grows scattered to gregarious on soil, leaf litter, and decaying wood in wooded areas. In East and Central Texas, it fruits from spring to fall, often in association with oak, pine, and other hardwood trees. The fungus is widely distributed in the region, with specimens collected in various counties, including Brazos, Grimes, Houston, and Walker.
Blood-red Marasmius (Marasmius haematocephalus(?)) mushrooms on Kiwanis Nature Trail. College Station, Texas, November 17, 2017
Blood-red Marasmius (Marasmius haematocephalus) mushrooms on a fallen branch on Kiwanis Nature Trail. College Station, Texas, November 17, 2017
Blood-red Marasmius mushrooms (Marasmius haematocephalus) in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, September 11, 2018
Raccoon Run, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Blood-red Marasmius mushrooms (Marasmius haematocephalus) with water drops in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, September 11, 2018Raccoon Run, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Blood-red Marasmius (Marasmius haematocephalus(?)) mushrooms in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, September 21, 2018Yaupon Loop, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Gills of blood-red Marasmius (Marasmius haematocephalus(?)) mushrooms in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, September 21, 2018Yaupon Loop, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Caps of blood-red Marasmius (Marasmius haematocephalus(?)) mushrooms in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, September 21, 2018Yaupon Loop, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Blood-red Marasmius (Marasmius haematocephalus(?)) mushrooms among dry oak leaves in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, September 21, 2018Yaupon Loop, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Blood-red Marasmius (Marasmius haematocephalus(?)) mushrooms between dry oak leaves in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, September 21, 2018Yaupon Loop, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Mauve parachute mushrooms (Marasmius haematocephalus) in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, June 1, 20211405 Bulle Rock Ct, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Mauve parachute mushrooms (Marasmius haematocephalus) on a fallen oak branch in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, July 15, 2021Yaupon Loop, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Mauve parachute mushrooms (Marasmius haematocephalus) on an oak log in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, July 15, 2021Yaupon Loop, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Mauve parachute mushrooms (Marasmius haematocephalus) on rotting wood in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, July 15, 2021Yaupon Loop, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Mauve parachute mushrooms (Marasmius haematocephalus) on a piece of wood in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, July 15, 2021Yaupon Loop, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Close-up of mauve parachute mushrooms (Marasmius haematocephalus) in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, July 15, 2021Yaupon Loop, College Station, TX 77845, USA
Underside of mauve parachute mushrooms (Marasmius haematocephalus) in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, July 15, 2021Yaupon Loop, College Station, TX 77845, USAObservations of Marasmius haematocephalus in East and Central Texas show that the fungus grows in various environments, including on fallen branches, oak logs, and rotting wood. The mushrooms were found in Lick Creek Park and Kiwanis Nature Trail in College Station, Texas, during different times of the year, including November, September, June, and July. They were often surrounded by dry oak leaves or water drops, and their caps and gills were observed in detail. The fungus was identified as Blood-red Marasmius or Mauve parachute mushrooms, with some observations noting a blood-red color and others a mauve color. The mushrooms grew singly or in groups, and their appearance varied slightly depending on the location and time of year. Overall, the observations suggest that Marasmius haematocephalus is a common species in East and Central Texas.
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