26.9.08

Stink Horn

Should you find me quietly nestling in dark, dank woodland corners -




Be kind. Call me Dragon's Egg.




Call me Witches Ball.




Call me Goblin's Crystal.





But please - don't call me Stinkhorn. Even if you smell my older brother
...






(edited note - the 'egg' is the primary stage of the common Stink Horn - as you can see, it starts as an amazing globe, about as large as a big hen's egg, and erupts into the fairy tail castle of the 'older brother', shown here in its later stage as it begins to disintegrate. You often find flies and insects clustered round them, as they have a rank, sour odour - in fact, you will probably smell one before you see it. I actually rather like it, but others find it noisesome in the extreme).
allus Impudicus - StinkIhorpE

24 comments:

tut-tut said...

I have seen (and smelled) a stinkhorn, I think, but never have I seen a witches ball, goblin's crystal, or dragon's egg!

Sarah Laurence said...

Cool dragon's egg. Nothing quite like phallic fungus here. How funny!

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Okay, I'm a novice here. What in heaven's name is that thing??

Anonymous said...

Just looking at your photograph brings back that ghastly smell, so aptly named.

Caroline B said...

Never seen either of these, & I'm a country girl (probably too busy crashing through the woods kicking puffballs.....) That Dragon's Egg is quite incredible, the stuff fairytales are built upon!

Gwen Buchanan said...

Oh, Gretal, do I love these photos.. and their names.. they really fit and sound so magical.. We have been festooned with mushrooms and toadstools of all kinds this year.. more than ever before..I don't know why? Thrilling though !!!

d. moll, l.ac. said...

Phallus Impudicus indeed.

Jackie said...

Wonderful photos. There were some in our local woods and as you said I smelled them before I saw them.

Acornmoon said...

I much prefer the Latin name although it sounds so risque!

(How strange that you should describe the same dream).

Anonymous said...

I've never smelled or seen one, but I'm sure I'd stop in my tracks if I came across a specimen of Phallus Impudicus!

Sea Angels said...

What a superb post, and what a fabulous fungi. Do you know anymore about them, can you recommend any books to identify the edible one's? I really admire your country knowledge. I've got to go find one now!!!......
Hugs Lynn xx

Deborah Lambson said...

Very cool, I've never heard of such a thing.. why do I see a fabulous organic bead? :)

Anonymous said...

What an educational posting! I didn't know about these and I love the names you gave it. I think goblin's crystal is my favourite. You made me laugh when I saw the older brother. But certainly not for the reasons you're thinking (makes disapproving face.)x

Francie...The Scented Cottage Studio said...

That does look like an egg in a nest!
I love your photos and postings...I learn so much.

(())

Waterrose said...

Well we don't have those around these parts...what happens if you step on one in the globe stage?

Kim said...

I prefer it at the dragon's egg stage! I've never come across these, but maybe in time, as they are a woodland fungus! I must look harder!

Kim x

Elizabeth said...

What a perfectly 'gross' - as the Americans would say - item.
A friend on Long Island has fungi raising the tarmac on her drive.......weird.
I was in England at the w/e and it was glorious.
All best wishes.

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Oooh, new header?? Love it!

Anonymous said...

Mmmmmmm! Lovely Banner! - Jen

auntpearl said...

I have read about such a thing. Isn't it funny how we find different scents delightful when others can't stand them?

Hope you are doing well my friend.
Hugs,

Kim said...

Oooh, I LOVE the new banner, very bright and a nice surprise :)

Kim x

Gigibird said...

Once smelt never forgotten!

Isn't it meant to smell like rotting flesh?

tlchang said...

Yummy new banner!

I've never seen stinkhorn at the 'egg' stage before. Thanks for posting that. (It's much harder to miss once it becomes all odiferous and phallic). There is another type of stinkhorn that I grew up with on the east coast of the states: Mutinus caninus (which would be the canine-phallus version. They're all a bit obscene) - which we learned quickly too watch out for because the smell was so much worse if you stepped on them.

Lynne said...

Greetngs! I saw your comment on Lettuce-Eating's blog and stopped over to visit. So glad I did! Also glad to know that other people have mushroom fetishes such as mine. We forage and eat what we know too. In fact we just found a Chicken Mushroom (or sulphur shelf) and it was delicious. Do you have those there?

We had this exact same stink horn in our yard two years ago. I found it at the same stage as you did and kept looking every day, waiting for it to "bloom." I keep watching for it to come back, but so far no luck. I find them fascinating! We also had another variety of stink horn that was red, and if you think that one didn't look strange! :) Not enough rain and damp this year I imagine. Too bad.

Love your photos and your cottage sounds so idyllic to me. You're a wonderful artist as well—love the needle felted animals.

Good luck on the wine. We've always wanted to try our hand at making some.

Lynne in NJ, USA
www.rickandlynne.com/lynne