We have had some foggy mornings lately. Fog is similar to snow in how quiet it makes it feel. It seems magical. The fog had lifted by the time I made it to our back field.
There I found an amazing sight!. See the little white specks in the photo?
Indeed I was blown away by the sheer number of Common Stinkhorns (Phallus impudicus)! As the name implies they are stinky. However only if you get close enough to one. Furthermore the smell is very enticing to some, just not humans. LOL.
X marks the spot! So the count began.
So many beauties!
This one had a pinkish hue as it was forcing its way to the surface.
Furthermore I could not resist.
Out came my knife. Indeed I just had to look at it.
You could see the crinkly edges of cap inside the volva (sack). The mycelium root had a purplish hue.
The slime (gleba) formed around the cap and the center soon would be hollow as it grew to life above. The slime is where the stinkhorn’s spores are developed.
Still pushing!
Some had an opening at the top for a view of the tiny fungus gnats inside!
The gnats unintentionally will carry the sticky spores on their feet and legs. Mostly you will see either these or flies (Diptera) par taking in the bounty that is offered by the stinkhorns!
Six grew in close quarters in this spot!
And one grew to my size eight! They came in all sizes. In fact I found some that were barely an inch tall.
The count ended with over one hundred individuals! Never before had I seen so many stinkhorns in one small area! Incredible!
More than 100 – unbeliveable! And that section cut is gorgeous! All the stars must have been aligned one night to make that mysterious appearance possible.
Like the stories about longevity – and jellyfish that could live just about forever?
Oh my gosh that’s a lot of stinkhorns. Cool
Really cool!
More than 100 – unbeliveable! And that section cut is gorgeous! All the stars must have been aligned one night to make that mysterious appearance possible.
Like the stories about longevity – and jellyfish that could live just about forever?
Crazy for sure!
Whoa, stinkhorn puhpowee! Your back field went crazy!
Seems the word puhpowee should be loud, but again maybe it is for the fungi. 😉