Phallus rugulosus

Appearance

Mature Fruiting Body: Cylindric, with a clearly differentiated head structure that is separate from the stem but may collapse against the stem surface with age.

Head: 1.5–2.5 cm high; attached to the top of the stem; conic or nearly so; often becoming perforated at the apex; smooth or granular and wrinkled; red when fresh, fading to orange; initially covered by dark brown spore slime; sometimes with a few patches of universal veil.

Stem: 8–12 cm high; 1–1.5 cm thick; cylindric or slightly tapered to apex; dry; very rarely white throughout development, but usually reddish orange when fresh, fading from the base up to pale pinkish orange; pocketed; hollow; base enclosed in a white to purplish or brownish volva 1–2 cm high and 2–3 cm wide; attached to white rhizomorphs.

Naming

Phallus rugulosus has been labeled "Phallus rubicundus" in many treatments, but it turns out that there are two very similar species that can be separated on the basis of their colors, stature, and location.

Distribution

Fairly common in North America from the Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic states; also recorded from South America, Hawaii and Asia (originally described from Japan).

Habitat

Growing alone or gregariously in urban locations, including gardens, landscaping mulch, woodchip beds, lawns, and cultivated areas; spring through fall in temperate climates, but potentially year round in tropical and subtropical areas.