Purple Pinwheel fungi recorded in Telangana for first time

Wildlife researcher Dr. Venkatesh Anagandhula has discovered the rare Purple Pinwheel fungi (Marasmius haematocephalus) in Telangana’s Kawal Tiger Reserve. Previously known from other states, its presence highlights the reserve’s ecological richness and the need for documenting lesser-known forest species

Mancherial: Dr Venkatesh Anagandhula, wildlife researcher and regional coordinator of the Hyderabad Tiger Conservation Society (HyTiCoS), has found the Purple Pinwheel fungi (Marasmius haematocephalus) in Kawal Tiger Reserve (KTR), marking its first record in Telangana.

He spotted the tiny scarlet mushroom during a fungal data collection survey conducted in the reserve two days ago. “The discovery highlights the ecological richness of KTR, a landscape already celebrated for its diverse flora and fauna,” he remarked.

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The delicate fungus, known for its reddish to blood-red cap and wiry stem, was earlier reported in Odisha, Karnataka, Kerala, Puducherry, and Assam by scientific groups and scholars. Its presence in Kawal adds to the reserve’s biodiversity, underscoring the need for continued documentation of lesser-known organisms in India’s protected forests.

The species is most often found during the rainy season, when moisture supports fruiting. Although too small and tough to be edible, it plays an important ecological role and is visually striking. With confirmed records across Asia and South America, M. haematocephalus highlights the hidden diversity thriving in tropical and subtropical forests.

The genus Marasmius was first described in 1838 by Swedish mycologist Elias Magnus Fries. The name derives from the Greek word marasmos, meaning “withered,” referring to the unique ability of many species in the genus to dry out and later revive when moistened.