Posted on 11/03/2025 10:55:11 AM PST by Red Badger
The octopus stinkhorn, also known as devil's fingers, is a type of fungus that grows from egg-like spores
Surely one of the weirdest fungi in the British Isles, or indeed anywhere in Europe, is the octopus stinkhorn, otherwise known as devil’s fingers.
It’s actually a southern hemisphere species, originally native to New Zealand and Australia – the leading theory is that its microscopic, dust-like spores hitched a lift to Europe in shipments of wool, timber and other natural products. Though it is still rare in its adopted range, sightings of the stinkhorn are now increasing in England, for reasons that remain a mystery.
Octopus stinkhorn fungus growing from 'eggs'. Credit: de:Benutzer:Oilys, CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons The octopus stinkhorn thrives in damp grassland, often near trees, and there is no mistaking its bizarre tentacled form. But the first indication of its presence is when a slimy ‘egg’ appears on the ground. This ‘hatches’ to reveal the tentacles, which are bright red, like raw flesh. The tentacles unfurl, much as an octopus opens its arms, and when mature are covered in a black goo that stinks of death.
The stench attracts flies, which leave smeared in the spore-containing gunk and thus spread the fungus. After a few days, the tentacles disintegrate, leaving a mushy mess in the grass.
We have a similar version here in Florida..............
Ping!..................
And it’s about to be voted Mayor of New York.
“Is the octopus stinkhorn in the room with you now?”
“Yes, doctor. Yes it is.”
Wonder if they use it in Beyond Meat?
The Stinkhorns we have in Florida are smaller that New Zealand’s but they stink just as bad I bet. You can see them right after a summer rain popping up in your yard, and smell them from yards away!...............
Clathrus species. Never seen it but I have seen the dog stinkhorn, Phallus species.
No, stinkhorn mushrooms are generally not poisonous to humans, but they are not recommended for consumption due to their foul odor and potential for causing gastrointestinal issues in pets. Their strong smell, which resembles rotting flesh, is used to attract insects that spread their spores. While some species are considered edible in their immature “egg” stage, the mature mushrooms’ odor is likely to deter most people from eating them. .............
Uncle M-Mike?
We also have slime molds, the only one that I am aware of the moves!...............
You’re being serious. I was being smart aleck.
LOL! Sometimes it’s hard to tell on FR!..................
But they do smell exactly like something is dead in the yard.................
Ewwwwww.
I’ve seen some really weird looking fungi in the woods around here. I don’t know if they are known or not. Would be kinda cool to get to name one!.........
From the headline, I thought my ex wife moved onto my street
I do not allow DemonRATS into my home or yard.
Oddly, I just looked over at my dog to see if she was oozing anything.
Nope.
We’re good.
Because of course it is.
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