Marasmius rotula, the pinwheel mushroom, is a fungus in the family
Marasmiaceae. Widespread in the Northern Hemisphere, it was first
described scientifically in 1772 by mycologist Giovanni Antonio Scopoli.
The mushrooms are characterized by thin whitish caps up to 2 cm
(0.8 in) wide that are sunken in the center and pleated with scalloped
margins. The wiry black hollow stalks measure up to 8.0 cm (3.1 in)
long by 1.5 mm (0.06 in) thick. On the underside of the caps are
widely spaced white gills, attached to a collar encircling the stalk.
The mushrooms grow in groups or clusters on decaying wood such as fallen
twigs and sticks, moss-covered logs, and stumps. Spore release is
dependent upon sufficient moisture. Dried mushrooms may revive after
rehydrating and release spores for up to three weeks, much longer than
most gilled mushrooms. Although the mushrooms are not generally
considered edible, they produce a unique peroxidase enzyme that is
attracting research interest for use in bioengineering applications.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marasmius_rotula>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1899:
Philippine–American War: A 60-man Filipino rear guard was
defeated in the Battle of Tirad Pass, but delayed the American advance
long enough to ensure Emilio Aguinaldo's escape.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tirad_Pass>
1927:
The Ford Motor Company introduced the second version of the
Model A, its first new model in 18 years.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Model_A_%281927%E2%80%9331%29>
1943:
World War II: The Luftwaffe conducted a surprise air raid on
Allied ships in Bari, Italy, sinking twenty-eight ships and releasing
one ship's secret cargo of mustard gas.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_raid_on_Bari>
1988:
Benazir Bhutto took office as the Prime Minister of Pakistan,
becoming the first woman to head the government of a Muslim-majority
state.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benazir_Bhutto>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
sowl:
(transitive) To pull (especially an animal) by the ears; to drag about.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/sowl>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
I have spoken of a thousand points of light, of all the community
organizations that are spread like stars throughout the Nation, doing
good. …The old ideas are new again because they are not old, they are
timeless: duty, sacrifice, commitment, and a patriotism that finds its
expression in taking part and pitching in.
--George H. W. Bush
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/George_H._W._Bush>