Orange Pinwheel Mushrooms

No, you aren’t in Wonderland—this whimsical mushroom exists in our world! Orange Pinwheel Mushrooms (Marasmius siccus) look like tiny parasol umbrellas and can be found throughout the Appalachians. The spindly brown stems stretch tall, holding the comically large by comparison orange cap. Orange pinwheels are too small to be considered a food source. They feed on forest debris and can be found growing on leaf litter and decaying wood.

Photo by Noah Rauch.