If you’ve ever strolled through a wooded area after a good rain and spotted something on the ground that looked as though it belonged in a science-fiction film—a cracked, rubbery “egg” unfolding to reveal a tall, unusual structure—you may have crossed paths with a stinkhorn mushroom.
Known scientifically as Phallus impudicus and often simply called the stinkhorn, this remarkable fungus has earned a dramatic reputation. Its strange appearance, rapid growth, and powerful scent have led many to label it “one of nature’s most terrifying things.” But behind the shock factor is a fascinating organism with an important role in the natural world.
A Life Cycle That Begins With a Mysterious “Egg”
The stinkhorn’s story starts in an unexpected way. Before the mushroom ever stands upright, it exists as a round, rubber-like structure called a “witch’s egg.”
Gently tucked into soil, mulch, or grass, this early stage looks more like a biological pod than a mushroom. Inside is a jelly-like center and the beginnings of the mature fungus, folded tightly like an intricate origami waiting to unfold.
People often compare it to something out of a fantasy novel—an oddity you’d expect to see on another planet rather than in a quiet backyard or forest.
Then, often in just a few hours, the transformation begins.
The egg splits dramatically, revealing a growing stalk that can shoot upward with surprising speed. Some stinkhorn mushrooms rise several inches in a single morning, making them among the fastest-growing fungi known.
It’s no wonder hikers stop in disbelief, convinced they must be seeing things.
The Odor That Made Them Famous
Seeing a stinkhorn may startle you—but smelling one can be even more memorable.
Once the mushroom matures, it releases a very distinctive odor that many people describe as reminiscent of rotting flesh or decaying organic matter.
But this scent isn’t a flaw—it’s a brilliant strategy.
Most mushrooms rely on breezes to spread their spores. Stinkhorns do something different. Their caps produce a sticky coating called gleba, full of spores and that unmistakable smell.
The odor attracts flies, beetles, and other insects that normally seek out decaying material. When they land on the gleba, the spores attach to their bodies. The insects then fly off, unknowingly carrying the next generation of stinkhorns with them.
What seems unpleasant to us is, in fact, a finely tuned survival plan.
Strange Looks, Strong Reactions, and a Helpful Purpose
The tall, sometimes oddly shaped stalk of a stinkhorn mushroom—combined with its slime-covered cap—has earned it colorful nicknames such as “devil’s egg,” “corpse fungus,” and “zombie mushroom.” Its sudden appearance after rain and its unusual growth pattern have also made it a frequent star in viral photos and videos online.
But despite their dramatic presentation, stinkhorn mushrooms serve an essential purpose. They are saprophytic, meaning they help break down fallen leaves, wood, and organic debris.
By recycling nutrients back into the soil, they support healthy forest floors and thriving plant life. In their own unusual way, stinkhorns help keep ecosystems functioning smoothly.
Are Stinkhorns Dangerous?
Fortunately, no.
For humans, stinkhorn mushrooms are harmless to touch and are not considered poisonous. Their strong odor may keep most people from wanting to get too close, but there is no danger in simply encountering one outdoors.
In some parts of the world, the unopened egg stage has been eaten traditionally, though this is not widely recommended today due to the possibility of mistaking it for other, harmful species.
As long as you admire them with curiosity rather than curiosity mixed with a fork, you’ll be perfectly safe.
A Natural Wonder That Challenges Our Expectations
So why have stinkhorns earned a reputation as “nature’s most terrifying things”?
It’s because they bring together much of what startles us in the natural world:
- sudden, rapid growth
- unusual shapes
- a strong and unexpected scent
- a life cycle that feels almost otherworldly
But when you look past the shock and surprise, what remains is a remarkable example of nature’s creativity. Stinkhorn mushrooms may inspire gasps or grimaces, but they also remind us that the forest is full of wonders—some elegant, some odd, and some unforgettable.