Clathrus archeri

[waxcap]

Here's a few photos of Clathrus archeri. Known as the "Octopus Stinkhorn" in Australasia (where it is indigenous) and Devil's Fingers in the UK (where it has been introduced). It is found in damp meadows and deciduous forests from July to December.

The young fungus erupts from a suberumpent egg by forming into four to seven elongated slender arms initially erect and attached at the top. The arms then unfold to reveal a pinkish-red interior covered with a dark-olive spore-containing gleba. In maturity it smells of putrid flesh.

At present it seems to be confined to the South of England in the UK. These were found in The New Forest in Hampshire. I estimate there were between 20 and 30 "eggs" an an area 100 metres by 50 metres on the edge of woodland. They were in groups of 3-6 and the "egg" stage lasted around 2 weeks. Flowering to disintegrating was only a few hours.

Here are some photo's

The "egg" stage







"Flowering"







Some other shots of the mature stage.

[Chris Yeates]

Originally Posted by waxcap

Here's a few photos of Clathrus archeri. Known as the "Octopus Stinkhorn" in Australasia (where it is indigenous) and Devil's Fingers in the UK (where it has been introduced). It is found in damp meadows and deciduous forests from July to December.

The young fungus erupts from a suberumpent egg by forming into four to seven elongated slender arms initially erect and attached at the top. The arms then unfold to reveal a pinkish-red interior covered with a dark-olive spore-containing gleba. In maturity it smells of putrid flesh.

At present it seems to be confined to the South of England in the UK.

excellent shots - will never forget the first time I saw it - in Cornwall sadly, not up here)
perhaps it's only a matter of time before you find Aseroe
Aseroe rubra | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

cheers

Chris

[FungiJohn]

A wonderful series Dave!

John

[fairplay]

First records in Britain came around 1945 and since then has become quite widespread, with records from Kew, Gloucestershire, Bedfordshire and 2 separate towns (Halesworth and Ipswich) here in Suffolk.
I believe it frequently turns up at a site in Wales now.

Neil.

[Iona F]

Wow!

These were somewhere between urban (rural!) myth and holy grail for me when I got my first copy of Roger Phillips Mushrooms way back when... I can't imagine actually coming across them in the woods!

I'd even be willing to base a bit of an excursion around them if anyone wants to share some good spots to see them... Ashdown Forest hasn't turn any up on my forays

Great photos too

[fairplay]

I recently came across a letter from somebody asking "How do I get rid of them"
Seemed that the lady had loads in her garden and hated the smell !

In the village of Bently, near Ipswich, they have been growing in good numbers in a garden for several years now and the owners are very pleased they have such an exciting fungus.
Presumably, when all the nutrients are depleted, the fungus will no longer appear, until that is, it is spotted in somebody else's garden in the next village.

Neil.