♦ A rare burst of colourful fungi named - Blue Pinkgill mushroom (Entoloma hochstetteri) was discovered in the Kagaznagar forest division in Komaram Bheem Asifabad district of Telangana.

♦ These species are native to New Zealand.  

♦ This vivid blue mushroom is notable for its rare azulene pigments.

♦ Alongside, the shuttlecock mushroom (Clathrus delicatus) was recorded in the Kawal Tiger Reserve, marking its first sighting in the Eastern Ghats.

♦ The Blue Pinkgill is also called the sky-blue mushroom.

♦ It has a striking bright blue cap and stems.

♦ The gills appear pink to purplish due to spores.

♦ Its colour comes from rare azulene pigments uncommon in fungi. Caps vary from flat to funnel-shaped.

♦ Gills can be pink or white, with spores producing a pink to salmon spore print.

♦ These features aid in its identification.