29 October 2007 Bedfordshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. Common Name Stinkhorn Fruiting Body Egg shaped when young, then upright, phallic, head honeycombed and coated in a foul smelling and sticky spore laden green slime, stem tapered, white, about 10 to 25 cm high by about 3 to 6 cm across Flesh White Smell Strong and unpleasant Season Summer to autumn Distribution Very common Habitat In deciduous and coniferous woods, on dunes, and in gardens Microscopic Features Spores ellipsoidal (3.5-4) x (1.5-2) µm2 Edibility The egg stage is edible but not recommended. It is claimed by some to be an aphrodisiac, no doubt due to the phallic shape of the mature fungus. Notes The spores are spread by flies which feed on the green slime. 
October 2004 Buckinghamshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. |