More Octopus Stinkhorns

Monday Mushroom #61

Just some more photos of the wonderful Octopus Stinkhorn - Clathrus archeri. I'm pleased to say it seems to be a very common, easy to spot mushroom in parks and gardens around Auckland. Its 'tentacles' are quite variable in form and colour.

Octopus Stinkhorn - Clathrus archeri

Octopus Stinkhorn - Clathrus archeri

Octopus Stinkhorn - Clathrus archeri

Octopus Stinkhorn - Clathrus archeri

Previous post with more photos is here: http://wild-e-eep.blogspot.co.nz/2014/05/octopus-stinkhorn.html

Octopus Stinkhorn

Here's an outlandish-looking stinkhorn from New Zealand - the octopus stinkhorn. 

Clathrus archeri - Octopus Stinkhorn

Clathrus archeri - Octopus Stinkhorn

Clathrus archeri - Octopus Stinkhorn

Clathrus archeri - Octopus Stinkhorn

Red Cage Fungus

Monday Mushroom #50

Clathrus ruber - Red Cage Fungus

I came across this intriguing looking egg like structure pushing up through the leaf mould in a forest in southern France.

Clathrus ruber - Red Cage Fungus

Red cage fungus is related to stink horns - same egg-like, jelly filled ball which the expanding fruiting body bursts out of. The shape and colour of the mature fungus are rather different, though. I couldn't find a mature specimen, but see wikipedia

Clathrus ruber - Red Cage Fungus