Diamond Thoughts

Mycena roseoflava is a tiny mushroom found in New Zealand. It’s really small, with caps that are only 5-10 millimeters wide. These caps start off pink and turn yellowish as they get older.

They have a smooth to slightly fuzzy texture, making them look quite delicate. This mushroom likes to grow in damp places, especially in wetter forests and rainforests, where it can be found on rotting wood and twigs.

One of the coolest things about Mycena roseoflava is that it can glow in the dark. This glowing ability, discovered in 2021, happens because of a chemical reaction involving enzymes and a substance called luciferin, similar to how fireflies light up. This makes the forest floor look magical at night.

As a fungus that breaks down dead organic matter, Mycena roseoflava helps recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem. It was first described in 1964 by a New Zealand scientist named Greta Stevenson.