This is one of the more unusual and striking Mycena  species in the world.  In
primordium, basidiomata are covered with tall, white conic spines forming a universal
veil that entirely encloses the basidiomata.  As they mature and the pileus expands
and the stipe elongates, these UV spines fall off and leave a pileus with a minutely
granulose surface.  The UV spines are formed from chains of thick-walled, spinose and
spinulose cells called cherocytes, each of which can disarticulate and act as an asexual
propagule, individually germinating to form dikaryotic hyphae.  We have observed 
both arthropods and molluscs feeding on young basidiomata and carrying fragments
of UV on their bodies.  Mycena spinosissima  is rarely collected but widespread in
Central and South America and was probably introduced to the Hawaiian Islands with
plants or animals from the New World.