29 October 2025 Near Lyndhurst, New Forest, Hampshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. Common Name Octopus stinkhorn, devil's fingers Fruiting Body Initially presenting as a small whitish egg shaped structure, from which the fungus emerges. The mature fruiting body resembles an inverted octopus emerging from the ruptured egg sack, with a pinkish stem, and deep red arms covered in a foul smelling slime containing the spore mass. Smell Disgusting, rotten Taste Unknown Season Summer to winter Distribution Infrequent. Most records are from southern and central England, with a small number from Wales and Scotland. Habitat On soil, especially with or near rotten wood, in parks, heaths and woods Spore Print Not applicable Edibility Inedible Notes This species is native to Australia, New Zealand and Tasmania, and has colonised southern England. 
28 October 2025 Near Lyndhurst, New Forest, Hampshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. 
28 October 2025 Near Lyndhurst, New Forest, Hampshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. 
29 October 2025 Near Lyndhurst, New Forest, Hampshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. 
29 October 2025 Near Lyndhurst, New Forest, Hampshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. 
29 October 2025 Near Lyndhurst, New Forest, Hampshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. 
On heathland with Gorse. 29 October 2022 New Forest, Hampshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. 
29 October 2022 New Forest, Hampshire. Photograph copyright Leif Goodwin. |