Monday 2 May 2016

Early mushrooms.



Mushrooms pop up in the most unlikely places, at the most unlikely times.

I found this rarity, Clathrus ruber, on the orchard lawn yesterday. It's not a particularly good example, so I've added a stock photo as well (below). 

                              

This intriguing mushroom is sometimes known as Red Cage, or the Latticed Stinkhorn, or even the Basket Stinkhorn.

No-one seems to know if it's edible or not, on account of its terrible pong!

Best left in situ, methinks!



22 comments:

  1. I have no idea what happened to the photo of my daughter... Maybe it was taken in a format of which Mr Blogger doesn't approve.

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  2. That's a shame, I was looking forward to seeing it.

    Unless I had had my glasses on, I would probably have mistaken the mushroom for another chewed-up dog ball and blamed the smell on him. What an interesting find.

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    1. I'll try to get the picture back tomorrow.

      Yes, not the most attractive of mushrooms; 'chewed up ball' is about right.

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  3. I have never seen one. It is not very attractive is it?

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    1. They are quite rare; nature has it right!

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  4. Most peculiar. My first thought was a chewed up ball, too.

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  5. That looks totally gross - I wouldn't even attempt to eat it on principle.

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    1. Best left alone. I mowed it a few minutes after I took the photo.

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  6. I would not even think it was a mushroom. Certainly looks inedible in your photo!

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  7. I think that that one is best left to the mower and the insects.
    Danger red, stinky and looks awful it is trying to tell you something.

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  8. I think it's absolutely fabulous. Mushrooms are one of my 'things' along with lichens and anything else from nature.

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    Replies
    1. Me too Sue; mushroom hunting is BIG here.

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  9. I found one like this only once last year here, i read that it is not good for eating.

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  10. That's extraordinary....I see they've only been found a few times in the UK. Not warm enough here!
    Arilx

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  11. I've never seen one of those. They say you can eat Stinkhorns before the properly 'emerge', but I've never wanted to.

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  12. That is one strange looking mushroom. I wonder how it actually grows into that cage shape.

    Would you now remember the spot where it grew and keep an eye out for another one?

    Best wishes.

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  13. Ummm. I think this mushroom looks good in its natural environment. I'd also just leave it where it is...

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  14. Gosh, I've never seen anything like that before. Fascinating.

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  15. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  16. It is "mushroom' season here and co-incidentally our son offered us something fungal to try last night, but I cant get my head around anything other than the field mushroom. His French couchsurfer is happy to indulge though.

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  17. I'm saying this here as I don't know your email address and I promised Rachel I wouldn't make any more comments on her blog. Your snide remark "I imagine he was defending the anti Semitic rantings on The Big Question" was insulting and totally untrue. I have NEVER defended anti Jewish rantings. Like most people I have Jewish friends so why would I condone attacks on them? Your remark makes me extremely angry.

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