column stinkhorn

column stinkhorn (plural column stinkhorns)

1. A fungus, Clathrus columnatus, featuring two to five orange or red vertical columns joined at the top, and a fetid gleba.
   • 2010, “Urban Forager: Season of Stinky Cheese Puffs”, in New York Times:

     Clathrus columnatus, a k a column stinkhorn, arises the same way all stinkhorn fungi do — via a subterranean “egg” that, when mature, sprouts a fruiting body that can appear in a variety of shapes (starburst, squid, basket or wiffle ball, zombie hand, etc., but, in this case, columnlike). The fruiting body, in turn, produces an olive-colored slime and that gut-wrenching, carrionlike stench so attractive to flies.

   • 2019 April 19, “Colorful ‘dead man’s fingers’ emits foul odor”, in Tallahassee Democrat, page C3:

     Clathrus columnatus, the scientific name for the column stinkhorn, is a north Florida native which is common to many gulf coast locales. This colorful fungus has also been known by the common name “dead man’s fingers,” among other labels.

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