John Miller
Stinkhorn mushrooms are fungi that are found in both tropical and temperate regions. They are characterised by their unpleasant odour, which resembles rotting flesh or dung, and their unique appearance, often sprouting up overnight. Stinkhorns are saprophytes, meaning they feed on decaying organic matter, and are therefore commonly found in gardens with mulch. While they may be unwanted in gardens due to their smell and appearance, they do not cause plant disease and contribute to recycling plant debris into nutrients that improve soil fertility. There are dozens of stinkhorn species in North America alone, and they are known to attract insects, particularly flies, which aid in the dispersal of their spores.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Stinkhorn Mushrooms |
| Scientific Name | Phallaceae |
| Odor | Unpleasant, putrid, foul-smelling, rotting flesh, dung, sewage, feces, decay |
| Appearance | Horn-like, penis-like, octopus-like, egg-like, basket-like, bamboo-like, net-like |
| Habitat | Tropics, temperate regions, lawns, gardens, mulch, organic soil, wooded areas, forests, leaf litter, decayed stumps |
| Distribution | Worldwide, especially in tropical regions |
| Edibility | Non-poisonous, edible in some species, considered a delicacy in China |
| Benefits | Contribute to recycling of plant debris, improve soil fertility |
| Reproduction | Insects disperse spores, especially flies and beetles |
| Growth Rate | One of the fastest-growing mushrooms, extending by 5 mm per minute |
| Nutrient Content | High concentrations of potassium, calcium, manganese, and iron |
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What You'll Learn
Stinkhorn mushrooms are non-poisonous and edible
Stinkhorn mushrooms are known for their foul-smelling, sticky spore masses, or gleba, which are borne on the end of a stalk. The smell of stinkhorns has been likened to decomposing flesh, rotting faeces, sewage, or dung. Despite their unpleasant odour, stinkhorn mushrooms are non-poisonous and edible. In fact, they are eaten in a variety of ways, including as salad toppings, in soups, incorporated into sausages and pickled items, and even as a short-term food preservative. The flavour of the common stinkhorn, or Phallus impudicus, is said to resemble hazelnuts when eaten in its egg stage. The stinkhorn Phallus indusiatus is considered a delicacy in China, where it is commercially grown and used in many recipes. It also has a long history of use in Chinese medicine.
Stinkhorns are saprophytes, which means they feed on decaying organic matter. They are especially common in gardens, yards, and landscaped areas, as they tend to grow in mulch, leaf litter, decayed stumps, and soil. They are often considered unwanted additions to gardens due to their unsightly appearance and putrid smell. However, they do not cause plant disease and are beneficial in that they contribute to the recycling of plant debris into nutrients that improve soil fertility.
Stinkhorns are among the fastest-growing mushrooms in the world, extending by 5mm per minute. They can also grow on a variety of surfaces, including concrete. The appearance of stinkhorns is quite diverse, with some resembling horns or penises, and others having multiple appendages that give them an octopus-like look. Some species also have a veil attached below the cap that resembles a lacy skirt flowing from the mushroom's hollow stalk.
While stinkhorns are non-poisonous and edible, it is important to correctly identify each fungus to the species level, as there are several species of deadly poisonous fungi that exist in Florida and around the world. For example, there have been reports of poisoning after consumption of the columned stinkhorn Clathrus columnatus by pigs. Therefore, while stinkhorns can be consumed and even offer culinary and medicinal benefits, it is important to exercise caution and properly identify the species before eating them.
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They are found in mulch, lawns, and bare soil
Stinkhorn mushrooms are a type of fungus commonly found in mulch, lawns, and bare soil. They are known for their distinctive and unpleasant odour, which can be reminiscent of rotting flesh, dung, sewage, or decay. This odour attracts flies and other insects, which then help to spread the stinkhorn spores to new locations.
Stinkhorns are saprophytes, meaning they feed on decaying organic matter. They are often introduced to new areas through organic materials such as soils and mulches that contain microscopic fungal threads called hyphae. Stinkhorns can also be spread by insects carrying the spores, which can lead to the fungi appearing in new locations.
Stinkhorn mushrooms are known to suddenly appear in lawns and bare soil, in addition to mulch. They can be challenging to remove from yards due to the ease with which their spores are transported. The fungi often remain hidden just beneath the surface, making it difficult to eradicate them completely.
Stinkhorns are not poisonous, and some species are even considered edible and used for culinary purposes, especially in the egg stage. However, it is important to correctly identify the species before consumption, as there are other similar-looking species that are poisonous. While stinkhorns may be unwanted in gardens due to their unpleasant odour and appearance, they do not cause plant diseases and can even contribute to improving soil fertility by recycling plant debris into nutrients.
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Stinkhorns are introduced to gardens via organic materials
Stinkhorn mushrooms are a type of fungus that can appear in mulch, lawns, and areas with bare soil. They are known for their foul-smelling, sticky spore masses, or gleba, which are borne on the end of a stalk. This characteristic gives them their name, with the smell often likened to that of rotting flesh or dung. Stinkhorns are often introduced to gardens via organic materials, such as mulch, that contain microscopic fungal threads called hyphae.
Stinkhorns are short-lived and will naturally disappear quite rapidly. They do not cause plant disease and can even be beneficial to gardens by contributing to the recycling of plant debris into nutrients that improve soil fertility. However, their unpleasant odour and unsightly appearance may cause gardeners to want to remove them. It is important to note that removing stinkhorn mushrooms from the ground will not eradicate them. The fungal threads, or hyphae, that gave rise to the mushrooms will remain in the soil or mulch and will eventually produce new stinkhorn mushrooms.
To reduce the likelihood of stinkhorns appearing in a garden, organic matter such as mulch should be removed, and soil moisture should be reduced. However, these strategies may not completely prevent the appearance of stinkhorn fungi. Stinkhorn spores are distributed by flies and other insects, which are attracted by the mushrooms' pungent odour. These insects carry the spores to new locations, introducing stinkhorn fungi to gardens even without the presence of organic materials containing hyphae.
Stinkhorn mushrooms are easily recognisable by their distinctive shape and odour. They can grow into various shapes but are often horn- or penis-like in form, with some species bearing multiple appendages that give them an octopus-like appearance. The mushrooms are usually red, orange, or reddish-orange in colour, and their tips are coated in a spore-containing slime. The slime is covered by a veil in the mushroom's immature "egg" stage, which can be found underground.
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They are known for their foul-smelling, sticky spore masses
Stinkhorn mushrooms are known for their foul-smelling, sticky spore masses. The smell of these mushrooms has been described as similar to decomposing flesh, rotting faeces, sewage, or dung. The purpose of this odour is to attract insects, which then feed on the spore mass and carry the spores to new locations. The stinkhorn's spores are coated in a slimy substance, which sticks to the bodies of insects, aiding in their dispersal. This process is comparable to the distribution of pollen by bees.
The stinkhorn mushroom's life cycle begins in the "egg" stage, during which the mushroom is oval or spherical in shape and may be partially or completely buried underground. The egg stage is edible and is said to have a hazelnut-like flavour. As the mushroom matures, it produces a putrid odour to attract insects. The outer layer of the egg, known as the peridium, is composed of two to three layers. The outermost layer is a thin, elastic membrane, while the inner layer is thicker and gelatinous.
When the stinkhorn mushroom matures, it extends rapidly, sometimes at a rate of 5 mm per minute, producing a cracking sound. The mature stinkhorn has a distinctive appearance, often resembling a horn or penis, with a stalk that may be cylindrical, star-shaped, or reticulate. The fertile portion of the mushroom, where the spores are produced, is typically borne on the end of this stalk.
The stinkhorn mushroom's foul-smelling, sticky spore masses are an essential part of its reproductive strategy. By attracting insects with its odour, the stinkhorn ensures the dispersal of its spores to new locations. While the smell may be unpleasant to humans, it serves a vital ecological function for the survival and propagation of stinkhorn mushrooms.
Stinkhorn mushrooms are found worldwide, but are especially prevalent in tropical regions and organic soils. They are known for their rapid growth and distinctive appearance, often appearing suddenly in gardens, lawns, and landscapes, much to the dismay of gardeners. Despite their unpleasant odour, stinkhorn mushrooms are not poisonous, and some species are even considered delicacies in certain parts of the world.
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Stinkhorns are among the fastest-growing mushrooms in the world
Stinkhorn mushrooms are a type of fungus commonly found in mulch or organic soil in gardens and lawns. They are known for their foul-smelling, sticky spore masses, borne on the end of a stalk called the receptaculum. The stinkhorn's distinctive odour, reminiscent of rotting flesh, dung, or sewage, attracts flies and other insects, which then feed on the spore masses and help disperse the spores to new locations. This process is essential for the spread and maintenance of genetic diversity.
The fruiting body of the stinkhorn fungus is often borne on the end of a wide, fleshy, or spongy stalk. The stalk can take on various shapes, including cylindrical, star-shaped, or reticulate (forming a network). The appearance of the fruiting body can vary significantly among the different genera of stinkhorns, ranging from horn-like or phallic shapes to octopus-like forms with multiple appendages.
Stinkhorns are saprophytes, meaning they feed on decaying organic matter. They are particularly fond of mulch and are often found in gardens, yards, and landscaped areas. While they may be considered unsightly due to their unusual forms and putrid odour, stinkhorns are not poisonous and are even consumed in various ways in different parts of the world. For example, the stinkhorn Phallus indusiatus is considered a delicacy in China, where it is commercially grown and used in many recipes.
Despite their benefits as decomposers and their culinary uses, some people may wish to remove stinkhorns from their gardens due to their unpleasant appearance and smell. However, it is challenging to eradicate stinkhorns entirely. Even if the mushrooms are plucked from the ground, their hyphae will remain in the soil or mulch and will eventually produce new stinkhorns. Reducing organic matter and soil moisture may decrease the number of stinkhorns, but these strategies are unlikely to eliminate the fungi completely.
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Frequently asked questions
Stinkhorn mushrooms are a type of fungus that commonly grows in mulch or organic soil. They are known for their foul-smelling sticky spore masses.
Stinkhorn mushrooms need to attract insects in order to spread their spores. The smell, which has been described as similar to decomposing flesh, rotting faeces, or sewage, attracts flies and other insects to the mushrooms.
Stinkhorn mushrooms have a worldwide distribution but are especially prevalent in tropical regions. They can be found in gardens, yards, and landscaped areas, often in mulch or organic soil.
Stinkhorn mushrooms are not poisonous and are considered non-toxic. In fact, some species are edible and used for culinary purposes, especially in the egg stage. However, it is important to correctly identify the species before consumption as there are other poisonous fungi that may look similar.
Stinkhorn mushrooms can be difficult to remove as their spores are easily spread by insects. If the mushrooms are causing issues, they can be plucked from the ground and discarded. However, this may not eradicate them as the fungal threads can remain in the soil or mulch and produce new mushrooms. Reducing organic matter and soil moisture may help to reduce the number of stinkhorns that appear.
