Red-Cage Fungus
ExploreFungi
Red-Cage Fungus
clathrus ruber
The Red-Cage Fungus looks like a bright red basket! It is fun to find in the forest and has a unique shape that makes it stand out.
Habitat: Forests and woodlands, often near decaying trees.
Appearance
The Red-Cage Fungus has a striking, bright red to orange-red spherical or oval body, resembling a delicate, latticework cage. Inside this net-like structure, it holds a dark, olive-green slimy substance. Its vibrant color makes it stand out vividly against the forest floor.
KingdomFungiPhylumBasidiomycotaClassAgaricomycetesOrderPhallalesFamilyPhallaceaeGenusClathrus
Category
FungiRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
21
Interesting facts
Before it blooms, the Red-Cage Fungus looks like a white, jelly-filled 'witch's egg'!
Its strong, disgusting odor, like rotting meat, helps attract flies from far away!
The open cage design helps breezes carry its fly-attracting stink even further!
This fungus is a relative of the stinkhorn family, known for their strong smells!
Special abilities
Ability
Stink Signal
Red-Cage Fungus can release a foul, carrion-like odor that helps them attract flies for spore dispersal.
Ability
Slime Shield
Red-Cage Fungus has a protective, cage-like structure that helps them hold and protect their spore-filled slime.
Ability
Pop-Up Sprouter
Red-Cage Fungus can emerge rapidly from its 'egg' stage that helps them quickly release their stinky spores.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 5-15 cm
- Edibility
- inedible
- Cap Diameter
- 5-15 cm
- Growth Substrate
- leaf litter
- Season
- Summer-fall
- Spore Color
- Olive-brown
Ecological connections
symbiotic with
Common Green Bottle Fly
Lucilia sericata
attracts to disperse its smelly spores.
depends on
English Oak
Quercus robur
decomposes its decaying leaves and wood.
depends on
European Beech
Fagus sylvatica
grows on its decaying wood and leaf litter.
Traits
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Decomposer
Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Also known as
Basket FungusClathrusRed Cage
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Red-Cage Fungus?
The easiest way to identify Red-Cage Fungus is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How tall is Red-Cage Fungus?
5-15 cm
Is Red-Cage Fungus edible?
inedible
How big is Red-Cage Fungus?
5-15 cm
Where is Red-Cage Fungus usually found?
Forests and woodlands, often near decaying trees.
What does Red-Cage Fungus grow on?
leaf litter
When is Red-Cage Fungus in season?
Summer-fall
What color are Red-Cage Fungus spores?
Olive-brown
Snap Map
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