Clathrus ruber - Red Cage

Taxonomy

Phylum: Basidiomycota

Class: Agaricomycetes

Order: Phallales

Clathrus ruber is a remarkable species, almost certainly introduced rather than native to northern Europe. When seen for the first time it is often assumed to be something other than a fungus.

Like the common stinkhorn and the dog stinkhorn, this 'cage stinkhorn' emerges from a white ball or 'egg' - and like other members of this family the egg is reported to be edible, although I have never met anyone who can confirm that from first-hand experience.

This rather rare (in Britain at least) saprobic fungus is commonly referred to as the Red Cage or as the Lattice (or Latticework) Fungus.

Identification Guide

Description	A large, globe-shaped fruit body whose surface consists of a cage-like mesh structure. The bright red colour makes this striking species very easy to identify; however, it is a relatively rare find in Britain and mainly occurs in the south of England and on the Isle of Wight.
Dimensions	Typically 5 to 15cm across and roughly spherical.
Other features	The inside of the cage is coated with a dark green smelly gleba that attracts flies.
Stem	None.
Spores	Olive-brown.
Odour/taste	Strong, unpleasant odour reminescent of rotting meat; no distinctive taste (or so it is said!).
Habitat	Mainly found in gardens, often on or beside decomposing vegetable matter and in particular compost heaps. Increasing this species is being found growing on bark mulch.
Season	June to September .
Occurrence	Rare in southern mainland Britain but now quite common in the Channel Islands.
Similar species	Unlikely to mistaken for any other species.