Stinkhorn - Phallus impudicus

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Edible mushroom - novice Season - summer to winter ​ Common names Stinkhorn, common stinkhorn, Devil's egg, demon egg, daemon egg, witch's egg, deadman's cock, prike mushroom

Scientific name meaning: Phallus, is from the Greek phallos, meaning penis. The species name is from the Latin words im, meaning lowest/without, and pudicus, meaning shame or modesty - literally the shameless penis

Habitat

The stinkhorn is a saprobic fungus living off decaying wood and wood debris, particularly that of coniferous trees. It often found near badger setts as it attracts carrion flies, like blow flies, to feast on its spore containing gleba. These flies will transport the spores to the setts when they are feeding on dead badgers.

Fruit body

The fruit body emerges from a ball like structure, which has a thick mycellial cord at its base. Within it, the fruit body is surrounded by a thick goo. When it emerges, it resembles a phallus. It has a hollow stem resembling polystyrene with a stinky grey-black foul smelling gleba (spore mass) at its top. Flies feed on the gleba. The fruit body is 15 to 25cm in height and 2 to 5cm in width.

Flesh, taste, smell and spores

When sliced from top to bottom in its "egg" stage, the embryonic mushroom can be seen and looks almost like a cat's eye with a white centre. It is surrounded by clear jelly. The flesh of the mature fruit body is white and like polystyrene.

​Possible lookalikes

When in its "egg" stage, could be confused with young Amanitas, such as the one pictured, but these lack goo under the egg's skin. Could also be mistaken for earthballs, which are also toxic, or puffballs, but both like an embryonic fruit body inside. There are other stinkhorns it could easily be confused with that are considered either edible or inedible in the egg phase.

Use as a food Young stinkhorns in their egg stage are considered edible. In some countries they are pickled or dried. In our opinion, there are much better wild mushrooms to consume​Hazards Do not consume once mature or in late egg stage when they are considered potentially toxic

Use in herbal medicine and medicine Some research has shown the stinkhorn to be effective in treating thrombosis. In folk medicine, it has been used as an aphrodisiac and a cure for impotence (it is not proven)

If you are suffering from any ailment or need medical advice, please see your General Practitioner​Other uses Was once rubbed on the necks of fighting bulls in the belief it would make them stronger and breeding bulls to make them more virile​Importance to other species Provides a source of nutrition for various flies

Always stay safe when foraging. You need to be 100% sure of your identification, 100% sure that your foraged item is edible, and 100% sure that you are not allergic to it (it is good practice to always try a small amount of any new food you are consuming). If in doubt, leave it out!

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