Pretty creepy mushrooms
Devil's tooth, dead man's fingers, pig's ear: The things nature creates can be fascinating to behold, and sometimes scary, too. Here are the creepiest, most beautiful mushrooms we could find.
A foul smell
Allow us to introduce the octopus stinkhorn, or devil's fingers (Clathrus archeri). As with all mushrooms, it's neither animal nor plant. Fungi are an independent group of organisms. This specimen's superpower: It smells like carrion, or decaying flesh. Its color is reminiscent of rotting meat. That attracts flies and dung beetles, which spread the fungal spores. Very clever!
Not deadly, but not very tasty, either
The octopus stinkhorn is native to Australia, New Zealand and the Malay Archipelago, but it's not really that fussy about location: The mushroom is now much more widespread. In Germany, it was first discovered in 1934. It's not poisonous. After its spore container and a gelatinous layer are removed, it can be eaten — but don't expect a culinary delight.
Horrid little hand
Xylaria polymorpha is also known as "dead man's fingers." It prefers to grow on dead or dying deciduous trees. The club-shaped body, or stroma, ranges from dark-brown to blackish-brown on the outside, and it's white and fibrous on the inside. Dead man's fingers are inedible. In any case, you wouldn't want to be a cannibal, would you?! :-)
Young and gory
Hydnellum peckii excretes a watery red liquid like blood when it is young. That's why it is also known as "bleeding tooth fungus," the "red-juice tooth" or the "devil's tooth." Spikes or thorns run down the underside of its hat and stem. These are deterrents and a good thing: We're dealing with a highly inedible mushroom here.
Threatening and threatened
Devil's tooth mushrooms are common in Central Europe. There are about 15 species. They are a rarity among mushroom flora that deserves protection. However, Hydnellum peckii likes company. It is not uncommon to find it along with other endangered species, such as the "pig's ear" mushroom.
Yummy pig's ear!
And this is that very mushroom — the pig's ear (Gomphus clavatus) was the German mushroom of the year in 1998 and often looks like — you guessed it — a pig's ear. The good news is, even for vegetarians, is that this mushroom is delicious — and can be eaten with a clear conscience to boot! Its flesh is white and tender, and has a mild flavor.
Forgotten bird's nest
Cyathus striatus is commonly known as the fluted bird's nest fungus. The species occurs almost worldwide, but it is only beautiful to look at and not at all good to eat.
Excuse me?!
This one's a little embarrassing: The common stinkhorn. The Latin name "phallus impudicus" means "shameless penis," which did not come about by chance, as you can see. Its tip is covered with a stinking, sticky substance. There's a good reason for this: That attracts flies, which then transport the spores of the obscene fungus.
The veiled lady
This one also hails from the family of Phallaceae, or stinkhorns. But it is somewhat less offensive: At least the crinoline stinkhorn or veiled lady (Phallus indusiatus) wears a veil. Although the mushroom is also smelly, it is often used in sophisticated Chinese cuisine. It is rich in proteins, carbohydrates and fiber. Well then, enjoy!
From brain to intestine
Ascocoryne sarcoides is colloquially known as jelly drops or the purple jellydisc. It loves company. The mushroom is particularly common on dead birch, willow or beech wood. It looks a bit like innards. But it comes in a variety of forms, such as a spinning top, a cushion or a mug, and as a gelatinous mass, flesh-colored, purply-pink or wine-red. It is technically edible, however...
Bad twin
Ascocoryne sarcoides has a doppelgänger of sorts — Ascocoryne cylichnium. And this one is definitely inedible. To the naked eye it can be virtually indistinguishable from one of the life-cycle stages of Ascocoryne sarcoides. But hands off!
A carnivorous plant?
Wrong, all wrong! This specimen is neither carnivore nor plant. Cookeina tricholoma belongs to the cup fungi family and is a rather harmless individual. However, it is striking for its shape and splendid hairdo. In parts of Mexico, Cookeina tricholoma is used in cooking. In Cameroon, it is used in medicine to relieve earaches.
What a lion's mane!
Hericium erinaceus is another hairy eye-catcher. It's called lion's mane or monkey head mushroom. It is edible, unlike most other mushrooms of the tooth fungus group. In Asia, monkey head mushroom is considered a delicacy. It is also popular in traditional Chinese medicine. But it's on a Red List of endangered fungi and is rarely found in nature. So, if you spot it, look but do not touch!