Marasmius vagus

{{Short description|Species of fungus}}

{{Speciesbox

| image=Marasmius vagus 221876925.jpg

| genus = Marasmius

| species = vagus

| authority = F.E.Guard, M.D.Barrett & Farid{{GBIF |title=Marasmius vagus F.E.Guard, M.D.Barrett & Farid |id=11601808 |access-date=18 February 2025}}

}}

Marasmius vagus, the wandering creamsicle or wandering parachute, is a small bright orange gilled mushroom in the family Marasmiaceae.{{Cite journal |last1=Prentice |first1=Sarah |last2=Smith |first2=Matthew E. |date=March 21, 2024 |title=Marasmius vagus (the Wandering Creamsicle), One of Florida's Most Common Lawn Mushrooms: PP375, 2/2024 |journal=EDIS |volume=2024 |issue=2 |doi=10.32473/edis-pp375-2024 |doi-access=free}}

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 {{Convert|2-3.5|cm|frac=4}} wide. The white gills are adnexed. The stem is usually not centered or straight, growing up to {{Convert|6.5|cm|abbr=on|frac=4}} long and {{Convert|5|mm|abbr=on|frac=8}} thick.{{Cite book |last=Audubon |title=Mushrooms of North America |publisher=Knopf |year=2023 |isbn=978-0-593-31998-7 |pages=462}} Both the flesh and 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 rings.{{Cite web |title=PP375/PP375: Marasmius vagus (the Wandering Creamsicle), One of Florida's Most Common Lawn Mushrooms |url=https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/PP375 |website=Ask IFAS - Powered by EDIS}}

Cautions

It is not believed to be toxic but it resembles some poisonous mushrooms.

References