Ravenel'S Stinkhorn

phallus ravenelii

Ravenel's Stinkhorn (Phallus ravenelii) is a fascinating, albeit smelly, member of the Phallaceae family. Encountered in forests, gardens, and woodchips across North America, this fungus is famous for its rapid development and pungent odor. Emerging from a subterranean, egg-like structure, it grows into an upright stalk topped with a spore-bearing cap in just a few hours. Its foul scent, reminiscent of rotting meat, is actually a brilliant evolutionary strategy designed to attract insects, which assist in propagating the species. While its appearance and smell can be shocking to casual hikers, Ravenel's Stinkhorn plays a vital role as a decomposer, recycling nutrients back into the soil. It showcases the incredible diversity of fungal reproduction and serves as a reminder of the complex, often bizarre interactions that drive forest ecosystems.

Habitat: Typically found growing on wood chips, mulch, decaying logs, and sawdust piles in gardens, parks, and mixed deciduous forests.

Appearance

This fungus is easily identified by its erect, hollow, and spongy white-to-yellowish stem, which typically stands 10 to 20 centimeters tall. The stem is capped with a bell-shaped, conical head covered in a sticky, olive-green to dark brown spore slime that emits a strong, foul odor. Unlike some other stinkhorns with deeply pitted caps, the cap surface beneath the slimy gleba of Ravenel's Stinkhorn is relatively smooth to slightly granular. At the base of the stem lies a whitish-to-pinkish cup-like structure, the remnant of the egg from which the fungus emerged.

KingdomFungiPhylumBasidiomycotaClassAgaricomycetesOrderPhallalesFamilyPhallaceaeGenusPhallus

Ravenel'S Stinkhorn

Interesting facts

Before they erupt into their familiar stalk shape, stinkhorns exist as subterranean eggs that are technically edible, though highly unappealing to most.

Stinkhorns can emerge so rapidly that they have been known to push through asphalt and hard-packed soil overnight.

The scientific genus name Phallus directly references the phallic shape of the mature fruiting body, a characteristic shared by many members of the family.

The slimy gleba contains sugars that provide an energy-rich meal for the flies and beetles that act as its spore-transport system.

Special abilities

Emits a complex blend of volatile organic compounds that mimic the scent of decaying flesh, successfully duping carrion-seeking insects.

Utilizes hydraulic turgor pressure to inflate its spongy cells, allowing the fruiting body to erupt from its egg stage to full height in just a few hours.

Produces a sticky, water-resistant spore paste that adheres readily to the legs and bodies of visiting insects for wide-range dispersal.

Measurements & details

Length: 10+ cm
Weight: 0.01+ kg

Diet & Feeding

As a saprobic fungus, Ravenel's Stinkhorn feeds by secreting extracellular enzymes to break down tough organic matter like wood, mulch, and decaying leaf litter, absorbing the released nutrients.

Primary Foods

Decaying wood
Mulch
Organic forest litter
Dead plant roots

Ecological connections

mutualism

Common Greenbottle Fly

Lucilia sericata

Attracted by the carrion scent, this fly feeds on the sweet, spore-rich gleba and disperses spores to new locations.

mutualism

American Carrion Beetle

Necrophila americana

This beetle is drawn to the foul odor and consumes the spore-bearing slime, aiding in spore dispersal.

Traits

No trait badges are assigned for this object yet.

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

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Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

No special safety notes yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Ravenel'S Stinkhorn?

The easiest way to identify Ravenel'S Stinkhorn is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How long is Ravenel'S Stinkhorn?

10+ cm

How much does Ravenel'S Stinkhorn weigh?

0.01+ kg

What does Ravenel'S Stinkhorn eat?

As a saprobic fungus, Ravenel's Stinkhorn feeds by secreting extracellular enzymes to break down tough organic matter like wood, mulch, and decaying leaf litter, absorbing the released nutrients.

Where is Ravenel'S Stinkhorn usually found?

Typically found growing on wood chips, mulch, decaying logs, and sawdust piles in gardens, parks, and mixed deciduous forests.