Octopus Stinkhorn: AKA Devil’s Fingers

Nature 1 Minute

From the first-nature.com website:

In Britain this remarkable fungus is commonly known as Devil’s Fingers, and in parts of the USA it is referred to as the Octopus Fungus. As global warming advances this species may become more common in Britain, and it will be interesting to see which (if any) of these common names is most generally adopted. One thing is for sure: its appearance and its awful smell guarantee that it will not go unnoticed for long!

Egg stage

Before rupturing the ball or egg of Clathrus archeri is typically 2 to 3cm in diameter.

Emerging arms

A large, starfish-like fruitbody whose 4 to 6 (exceptionally 8) arched red arms are coated with a smelly gleba on the upper surface, the mature fruitbody is typically 20cm across with arms arching to 10cm in height. The bright red colour makes this remarkable species very easy to identify; however, it is a relatively rare find in Britain and mainly found in the south of England and in the Channel Islands.

Strong, unpleasant odour reminescent of rotting meat; no distinctive taste at the young egg stage – I can find no reports about the taste of mature fruitbodies.

Clathrus archeri is saprobic and mainly found in leaf litter under trees and shrubs; also increasingly on bark mulch in parks and gardens.

Culinary Notes

In common with other kinds of stinkhorns, Clathrus archeri is not proven to be toxic, but it should be treated as suspect. Even if you can tolerate the stench it’s a risky snack. After you! No, no… after you, I insist!

In fact the eggs of various stinkhorns are edible, but there are no records of fights having taken place over these delicacies as there certainly are over truffles, morels and some kinds of edible boletes.

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134 thoughts on “Octopus Stinkhorn: AKA Devil’s Fingers”

  2. Great news! The man should never have been charged in the first fucking place!!!

    Just The News: “Arizona prosecutors on Monday announced that they would not seek a retrial in the shooting of a Mexican national, after a judge declared a mistrial in the case over a locked jury.

    A judge declared the mistrial against George Alan Kelly last week, after the jury failed to secure a unanimous verdict over whether Kelly was responsible for the death of Gabriel Cuen-Baltimea, who was found fatally shot on Kelly’s ranch near the southern border on Jan. 30, 2023. Kelly had been accused of second-degree murder.

    Prosecutors with the Santa Cruz County Attorney’s Office were allowed to do a retrial of Kelly, but have decided against it after the trial took one month, and jurors debated the case for two days.

    “Because of the unique circumstances and challenges surrounding this case, the Santa Cruz County Attorney’s Office has decided not to seek a retrial,” prosecutor Kim Hunley said during a status hearing in Santa Cruz County Superior Court, according to Tuscon.com.

    The case centered on allegations that Kelly acted with reckless disregard for human life when firing nine rounds at two unarmed people who were on his property. Kelly and his defense team claimed he fired the rounds above the pair’s heads, and that he was protecting his wife and his property. 

    He was charged with second-degree murder for Baltimea, and aggravated assault against the other migrant named Daniel Ramirez. Prosecutors had instructed the jury at the time that they could still find Kelly guilty of a lower charge such as manslaughter, aggravated assault, and negligent homicide, if they did not think his actions constituted second-degree murder.

    Kelly has maintained his innocence ever since he was charged last year, and even rejected a plea deal that would have reduced the charges to one count of negligent homicide in exchange for pleading guilty.” 

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  3. 04/29/24 • BIG PHARMA › NEWS

    “States Move to Oppose WHO’s ‘Pandemic Treaty,’ Assert States’ Rights — Utah and Florida passed laws intended to prevent the WHO from overriding states’ authority on matters of public health policy, and Louisiana and Oklahoma have legislation set to take effect soon pending final votes. Several other states are considering similar bills.”

    By Michael Nevradakis, Ph.D.

    world health organization on laptop with thumbs down on top

    EXCERPT: “Two states have passed laws — and two states have bills pending — intended to prevent the World Health Organization (WHO) from overriding states’ authority on matters of public health policy. Utah and Florida passed laws and Louisiana and Oklahoma have legislation set to take effect soon pending final votes. Several other states are considering similar bills.

    The WHO member states will convene next month at the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, to vote on two proposals — the so-called “pandemic accord” or “pandemic treaty,” and amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR) — that would give the WHO sweeping new pandemic powers.

    The Biden administration supports the two WHO proposals, but opposition is growing at the state level. Proponents of the WHO’s proposals say they are vital for preparing humanity against the “next pandemic,” perhaps caused by a yet-unknown “Disease X.”

    But the bills passed by state legislatures reflect frequently voiced criticisms that the WHO’s proposals imperil national sovereignty, medical and bodily sovereignty and personal liberties, and may lead to global vaccine mandates. Critics also argue the WHO proposals may open the door to global digital “health passports” and global censorship targeting alleged “misinformation.”

    Such criticisms are behind state legislative initiatives to oppose the WHO, on the basis that states’ rights are protected under the 10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Under the 10th Amendment, all powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states. Such powers, critics say, include public health policy…..”

    https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/states-oppose-who-pandemic-treaty/

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    1. That’s a bit much but I do think it’s unreasonable to expect such a large group of people to be responsible for watching out for everyone else’s allergies. If it’s that serious, stay away from such gatherings.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. I am adding a short daily prayer to the board. I would invite each of you, if you wish, to also add one or maybe two of your own liking. I do not want to stifle anyone but please limit yourself to one or two religious postings. here’s one I found that I liked.

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