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Mutinus caninus

 

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

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

  1. 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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