''Marasmius vagus'', the wandering creamsicle or wandering parachute, is a small bright orange gilled mushroom in the family

Marasmiaceae The Marasmiaceae are a family (biology), family of fungi in the order (biology), order Agaricales. Basidiocarps (fruit bodies) are most frequently agarics (gilled mushrooms), but occasionally cyphelloid (in the genus ''Cellypha''). According to a ...

Etymology

The Greek language word ''marasmos'' means "drying out" and was applied to this genus because some members have an ability to dry out and then revive with moisture. Members of the genus produce white spores and have a central stipe (stem or stalk) that is often tough or wiry. ''Vagus'' refers to their geographical spreading as with a vagabond or vagrant.

Description

The orange cap is wide. The white

gills A gill () is a respiratory organ that many aquatic organisms use to extract dissolved oxygen from water and to excrete carbon dioxide. The gills of some species, such as hermit crabs, have adapted to allow respiration on land provided they are ...

are adnexed. The stem is usually not centered or straight, growing up to long and thick. Both the flesh and

spore print 300px, Making a spore print of the mushroom ''Volvariella volvacea'' shown in composite: (photo lower half) mushroom cap laid on white and dark paper; (photo upper half) cap removed after 24 hours showing warm orange ("tussock") color spore print. ...

are white.

Distribution and habitat

Native to northern Australia, they commonly grow in lawns in Florida where the brightly colored mushrooms are found growing in clusters and partial

fairy ring A fairy ring, also known as fairy circle, elf circle, elf ring or pixie ring, is a naturally occurring ring or arc of mushrooms. They are found mainly in forested areas, but also appear in grasslands or rangelands. Fairy rings are detectable by ...

Cautions

It is not believed to be toxic but it resembles some

poisonous mushrooms Mushroom poisoning is poisoning resulting from the ingestion of mushrooms that contain toxic substances. Symptoms can vary from slight gastrointestinal discomfort to death in about 10 days. Mushroom toxins are secondary metabolites produced by the ...

References

Marasmius Fungi native to Australia Fungi described in 2020 Fungus species {{Marasmiaceae-stub