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Jack Hoying | all galleries >> Galleries >> Photo A Day 2007 > Stinkworm attracting flies
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12-MAY-2007 Jack Hoying

Stinkworm attracting flies

Fort Loramie, Ohio

Stinkhorns (Mutinus caninus) frequently bewilder people by popping up in lawns, thrusting their slime-covered tips into the world within a matter of hours. They have been much maligned over the years, probably because--well, because they stink and they often look like penises (human, canine, or alien). Unlike other mushrooms, the stinkhorn distributes its spores by applying an odorous, spore-thick slime to its tip, which flies and other insects are attracted to. The flies then carry the spores to other places.

Nikon D200 ,Nikkor 105mm f/2.8D AF Micro
1/40s f/9.0 at 105.0mm iso200 full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
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Ron 14-Jan-2012 21:13
How do you kill this mushroom?
Laura Milholland29-May-2007 04:22
Glad you gave a description and info, Jack. I thought it really was a worm at first. There are some real absurdities in nature, that's for sure. Thanks for sharing this unusual one with us! I've never seen this before either.
Guest 16-May-2007 06:29
Similar thinking as Vern said, here. Odd looking fungus. Never seen one in these areas.
fotabug16-May-2007 02:08
Amazing. Would you believe I have never seen one?
Steve Thuman16-May-2007 01:32
Have you tried slicing one up and frying it?
Bea.15-May-2007 03:40
Well, it looks like they're popular with some. Such an alien looking growth.