This
smelly, strange looking fungus is also referred to as octopus stinkhorn
or octopus fungus. Its eye-catching red tentacles splay out like a
starfish.
About
The
species is from the southern hemisphere and was first discovered in
Britain in 1914. The devil’s fingers fungus hatches from a slimy,
gelatinous ‘egg’. As it grows, the tentacle-like arms start to protrude.
The bright red colour of this fungus makes it easy to spot although it
is fairly rare in the UK. Related to the stinkhorns it has a strong and
unpleasant smell.
How to identify
About
5cm high, tentacles can be up to 7cm long. Usually there are at least 3
or 4 tentacles. Often found amongst leaf litter under trees or in parks
and gardens.Distribution
Scarce in the UKDid you know?
This fungus smells like
rotting flesh which attract insects to arms where the spores are found.
The spores are then spread by the visiting insects.
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