The scent is unmistakable. Crush the cap of the Garlic Parachute, and it releases a pungent aroma of garlic or onion. This is not a culinary invitation. It is a chemical signature, distinct and persistent. The cap is small, white, and distinctly pleated, like a tiny parachute. The pleats radiate from the centre to the margin, giving it a star-like appearance when viewed from above. It is dry to the touch, sometimes slightly sticky in wet weather. As it ages, the centre may darken to a pale brown, but the margins remain white. It is a delicate fungus, easily overlooked among the debris. This fungus is saprotrophic. It does not form mycorrhizal relationships with trees. Instead, it feeds on decaying organic matter, breaking down dead wood and leaf litter. In doing so, it releases nutrients back into the soil. It is a recycler, working in the shadows of the forest. Without it, the debris would pile up. The forest floor would stagnate. The Garlic Parachute is efficient. It consumes what is dead to feed what is living. Its garlic scent may deter some predators, though slugs seem undeterred. The gills are white and crowded. They are attached to a collarettum, a small collar around the stem, which is a defining feature of the genus Marasmius. The stem is slender, black, and wiry. It does not have a ring. It does not have a web. It stands alone, supporting the small cap. The flesh is thin and fragile. It smells strongly of garlic, especially when dried and rehydrated. This resilience is its survival strategy. When the rain returns, it unfolds again, ready to release spores. Garlic Parachutes are found throughout New Zealand, from the northern forests to the southern beech lands. They fruit in autumn, often in large numbers on rotting logs or buried wood. They are not edible. While the scent is pleasant to some, the texture is insubstantial, and the flavour is overpowering. They are best left alone. Their beauty is in their aromatic presence, not their palate. Threats are minimal. The species is widespread and common. However, it is sensitive to changes in moisture and soil structure. Logging, fire, or heavy grazing can disrupt the delicate mycelial networks beneath the forest floor. Recovery is slow. The fungi wait for the conditions to return. They do not rush. It carries on.