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Common stinkhorn

Favourite of flies

A common stinkhorn eaten by flies © Eero Haapanen
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The common stinkhorn (Phallus impudicus) grows in seaside herb-rich alder forests. It is rare in Finland, growing only in Pornaistenniemi. The fungus’ strong odour resembles carrion and attracts flies to eat its gleba, which contains spores, thus spreading the fungus.

The curiously shaped and smelly common stinkhorn grows from late summer to late autumn. Young common stinkhorns are edible.