Stinkhorn
ExploreFungi
Stinkhorn
Phallus
The Stinkhorn fungus has a funny shape and a strong smell! It grows in the ground and is very unusual to see.
Habitat: In gardens and forests
Appearance
The Stinkhorn is a striking fungus with a tall, white, porous stalk topped by a conical, slimy, olive-green cap. This cap is covered in a dark, foul-smelling goo (gleba) that makes it visually distinct from most other tall, stalked mushrooms.
KingdomFungiPhylumBasidiomycotaClassAgaricomycetesOrderPhallalesFamilyPhallaceaeGenusPhallus
Category
FungiRarity
Rare
Danger
1/5
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Ancient Europeans believed Stinkhorns grew where lightning had struck!
Before emerging, Stinkhorns look like a soft, white 'witch's egg' buried in the soil!
Its scientific name, 'Phallus', comes from its unusual, phallic shape!
Some people brave the smell and eat the Stinkhorn 'egg' when it's still young!
Special abilities
Ability
Stinky Scent Beacon
Stinkhorn can produce a strong, foul odor because of its slimy spore mass that helps them attract flies for spore dispersal.
Ability
Explosive Emergence
Stinkhorn has a unique 'egg' stage that helps them rapidly emerge from the ground, sometimes in just hours, after heavy rain.
Ability
Fly Taxi Service
Stinkhorn has sticky, smelly spores that help them hitch a ride on visiting insects, spreading them far and wide.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 10-30 cm
- Edibility
- inedible
- Cap Diameter
- 2-4 cm
- Growth Substrate
- soil
- Season
- Summer to fall
- Spore Color
- Olive-green
Ecological connections
symbiotic with
Blowfly
Calliphora vicina
Blowflies are attracted to and feed on the smelly gleba, dispersing spores.
depends on
Pedunculate Oak
Quercus robur
Stinkhorns decompose dead wood and leaf litter from trees like oak.
eats
Black Slug
Arion ater
Slugs occasionally feed on the foul-smelling spore mass (gleba).
Traits
Spore Producing
Discover how some plants and fungi create tiny little "seeds" called spores to help them grow new life! These tiny particles drift in the air, spreading new generations far and wide.
Rapid Growing
Watch these energetic plants grow super fast, quickly transforming spaces and adding lush greenery in a blink of an eye!
Forest
These lush habitats are filled with countless trees, offering homes to a huge variety of plants and animals! Immerse yourself in the green canopy.
Also known as
Corpse FlowerDevil's Horn
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5
Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Stinkhorn?
10-30 cm
Is Stinkhorn edible?
inedible
How big is Stinkhorn?
2-4 cm
Where is Stinkhorn usually found?
In gardens and forests
What does Stinkhorn grow on?
soil
When is Stinkhorn in season?
Summer to fall
What color are Stinkhorn spores?
Olive-green
Snap Map
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