Stinky Squid - Pseudocolus fusiformis

Orange fruiting body that consisted of 3 tapering arms that were fused at the tips. Volva was gray-white. The gleba covered the inner parts of the arms and was greenish black and slimy.

Habitat: Spotted growing on the ground in a deciduous forest.

Notes: The potent odor of the gleba attracts insects, which help to disperse the spores.

comments (6)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

I love weird species and this is one! I'm referring to the fungus, to be sure. Posted 6 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  Ha!!! Posted 6 years ago

Barry

Lion

I agree, I only know this from the European version which is red - but it is a truly bizarre organism in any case. Posted 6 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  It is very odd, and smells so bad. Posted 6 years ago

Paul Dirksen

Lion

Most gorgeous specimen Christine. Posted 5 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks Paul! Posted 5 years ago

The Stinky squid

"Pseudocolus fusiformis" is a stinkhorn mushroom in the Phallaceae, a family well known for a remarkable range of fruit body types. It is the most widely distributed member of the genus "Pseudocolus" and has been found in the United States, Australia, Japan, Java, and the Philippines.

Info 6 0

Similar species: Phallales

Species identified by Christine Young