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

_______________________________ 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

_____________________________ 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

___________________________ 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