Megan's Nature Nook
Nature Notes, Phenology, Photography, Fun Facts, Trips, Maybe Even a Bad Joke or Two... and More!
Dog Stinkhorn (Mutinus caninus) is an interesting fungus that can be seen August through October here in Minnesota. Although, it is typically found late summer/early fall, a neighbor of mine had a small colony growing in a mulched area earlier this summer in June. Dog Stinkhorn is a 4 - 6 inch tall mushroom with a pinkish/orange stem that is about a half an inch in diameter. The stem has an olive green/brown slimy spore mass, called a “gleba” that covers the upper portion. The gleba has a certain stink to it that helps to categorize this mushroom into the Stinkhorn family. The stink from the mushroom attracts flies and other insects which land on the gleba and in the process get spores stuck to their feet, which they then help to spread elsewhere when they fly off. Dog Stinkhorn can be found growing in a variety of places like mulch, leaf or needle litter, soil, and decaying wood in coniferous and deciduous forests. The lifecycle starts as a Stinkhorn “egg” usually found under the surface of mulch or soil. The egg is oval shaped and has an outer skin with a gelatinous inside. When the mushroom is ready to emerge, the egg will split open and the mushroom will begin to grow. It grows very quickly and in only five or six hours the mushroom will grow to it full size of 4 - 6 inches! After the mushroom emerges the egg is still visible at its base. The mushroom usually lasts only a few days before it decays and disappears.
12 Comments
Thomas Brase
12/17/2018 06:19:14 pm
I’m glad you came over to tell me what these were. I had never seen them before. You’re the best, Megan.
Reply
Lesley
9/1/2019 03:42:55 pm
I’ve never seen these before, so was pleased to be able to find some information about them. I live n Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and we’re seeing lots of new “mushrooms,” likely due to the very wet and cool summer we’ve been having.
Reply
Megan Betcher
9/1/2019 05:47:13 pm
Lesley, Thanks so much for reading and commenting! I'm glad I was able to help you find more information about the interesting fungi!
Reply
Anonymous
3/11/2020 12:15:56 am
We have them in Australia
Reply
Megan Betcher
3/11/2020 01:18:31 pm
I did not know they grew there, very cool!
Reply
STEVE STRONG
9/28/2020 04:04:44 pm
I have them in Virginia. FWIW - they grew up in some mulch that I'd purchased at Walmart. I have never seen these in our woods.
Reply
Christine Meyer
11/3/2020 02:09:03 pm
We found some in our yard in Perry Florida in November!
Reply
Mimi
12/19/2020 01:21:29 am
We first started noticing these early this year. We seem to be under attack by them there is an often lot in our yard and outside. Is there any reason why the specifically grow in our yard? I've never seen or heard of them elsewhere. They grow so big and scary. Is there any reason?
Reply
Sasi
6/2/2021 07:03:15 am
I have seen this fungus in my native home and aunty praying as it is God for us and I came to know that my village people also have to devote this type mushroom as God. When I search about this type , I saw this page.. Unfortunately I missed to take photo of it and very next day it got shrink and now no trace
Reply
Ali
8/5/2022 08:30:08 am
Hi. Had no idea what these were when my pups and I stumbled across them this morning. One google image search later led me to your page. Thank you! Very interesting!!!
Reply
Earl McRae
2/26/2023 10:10:57 am
I have them in my yard here in North Louisiana (Bossier City). Absolutely gross looking. 🤢🤮
Reply
Martha Rae
8/6/2023 09:22:53 am
Thanks for the info. I live on the Eastern Shore in MD. I've never seen this one before. Checking to see if they are harmful to pets
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Blog Updates:
If you would like to receive a notification when there is a new post, please fill out the contact form under the "Get in Touch" page. About MeHi, my name is Megan. I love spending time out in nature and learning everything I can about it! Enjoy my blog and want to support my writing? Buy me a tea! Click the button below - Thank you!
Categories
All
Archives
June 2023
|