FRUIT BODY: Starting in a large, rubbery egg the phallic fruit body
consists of a stout, cylindrical, white stem that is covered on numerous
pock marks. Atop the stem is the thimble shaped head that is
covered in a sticky mass of olive brown spores (fig 2). Beneath
this covering is a white, honeycombed surface (fig 1). This is one
of the smelliest fungi giving off a harsh odour that can carry over
several metres. GILLS/PORES: N/A. FLESH: White, spongy. There is yellowy-orange
gelatinous mass within the egg from which the fruit body erupts. SPORES: Pale yellow, oblong. HABITAT: On or close to old stumps in broadleaved and coniferous
woodland. SEASON: Common. Summer to late autumn. EDIBILITY: Edible in egg stage. |
