Mutinus caninus, the Dog Stinkhorn, is harder to
find than the Common Stinkhorn, Phallus impudicus because it is
rather less smelly and much less widespread in its distribution.
Description
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The 'egg' from which the Dog Stinkhorn
develops is usually almost completely buried and difficult to find until
the stipe emerges from the egg - unlike the Common Stinkhorn, Phallus
impudicus, whose eggs develop with much more exposed above ground. The
cap is honeycombed beneath the gleba (a shiny, sticky coating that
contains the spores).
Once insects have consumed the dark olive gleba, the tip of the fungus
turns orange and then the whole fruit body decays rapidly: there is
usually nothing left within three or four days. |
Dimensions |
Typically 8 to 15cm tall; stipe diameter 1 to 1.5cm. |
Other features |
The volva-like remains of the 'egg' often
appear above the ground once the fruit body is fully developed. |
Stipe |
The white stipe has a texture and appearance of expanded polystyrene and is
barely strong enough to support the small, half-egg-shaped head with its
coating of sticky olive gleba. |
Spores |
The gleba, which is dark olive, contains pale
yellow spores. |
Odour/taste |
Unpleasant odour, but not as strong as that of
the Common Stinkhorn, Phallus impudicus. |
Habitat |
Found growing in small groups in coniferous
forests, usually close to rotting stumps. |
Season |
July to early October. |
Occurrence |
Fairly common. |
Similar species |
- Phallus impudicus, the Common Stinkhorn, is much larger and has
a stronger odour; its honeycombed cap surface is white rather than
orange beneath the gleba.
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