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Devil's fingers

Clathrus archeri

A species of Clathrus, Also known as Helicopter stinkhorn

The devil's fingers is a mushroom of a unique appearance, often popping out in gardens and lawns. Its unpleasant odor, similar to the rotting meat, will surely keep people from getting too close. This pungent odor attracts flies, however, which have a significant role in the spore dispersal of the devil's fingers.

Odor:

Pungent, similar to decaying flesh.

General Info About Devil's fingers

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Attributes of Devil's fingers

Height

10 - 20 cm

Stem

Stem 4 cm long; whitish, pinkish to reddish

Stem Cross Sections

Hollow or cottony hollow

Volva

Sac-like; whitish, with brownish spots

Spore Print Color

Olive-brown

Odor

Pungent, similar to decaying flesh.

Body Color

Red

White

Pink

Flesh Bruises

The flesh or milk does not discolor when bruised or cut.

Growth Form

Solitary, Gregarious

Nutrient Gathering

Saprophytic

Substrate

On soil, Leaf or Needle Litter, Wood Chips or Mulch

You can find Devil's fingers by these plants:

Oaks, European beech

Occurence Habitats

Disturbed Lands

Species Status

Global distribution

Endangered Species

How to Identify Devil's fingers

Fruiting Body Immature Fruiting Body Flesh

AI mushroom expert in your pocket

Habitat of Devil's fingers

The devil's fingers inhabits riparian woodlands, coastal urban areas, parklands, and damp, shady gardens. It feeds on decomposing organic material, therefore it can be seen growing on wood chips and forest litter, around well-decayed stumps, or on bark mulch.

Distribution Area of Devil's fingers

Australia,New Zealand,Africa;naturalized in Europe and western North America (California)

Scientific Classification of Devil's fingers

Phylum

Club fungi

Class

Mushroom-forming fungi

Order

Stinkhorn allies

Family

Stinkhorn mushrooms

Genus

Clathrus

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Tips for Finding Devil's fingers

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What are the Ideal Soil Conditions for Devil's fingers

Prefers moist, nutrient-rich soils.

What are Some Tips for Finding Devil's fingers

Search in shaded, moist areas of gardens and nurseries where these conditions are artificially maintained.
Look under trees and shrubs, focusing on spots with abundant leaf litter which devil's fingers uses as a nutrient source.
Check areas with bark mulch in parks and gardens, as these are increasingly becoming a habitat for devil's fingers.
Plan your search after a period of rain, when the moisture levels are higher, favoring the growth of devil's fingers.
Be observant of unusual structures in the mulch or leaf litter; the unique appearance of devil's fingers can help in identification.