Time Lapse Stink (from the Cornell Mushroom Blog)

by Elio
 

A most exciting blog on mushrooms is in the competent hands of Cornell biology students and their advisor, Kathie Hodge. By Kathie's permission, I present an article from that blog. Do not miss the video clip.
 

Time Lapse Stink

Dictyophora duplicata

Here's something I know you've all been dying to see. A vi­deo of one of the most compellingly jaw-dropping spec­tacles in mycology, condensed from four days of electri­fy­ing footage. What you cannot see is the stink, the awe­some stink associated with this event. It caused our noble departmental photographer, Kent Loeffler, to vent the noxious, carrion-like fumes into the fourth floor hall­way outside my office. We have all suffered here in the service of science.

There are two fungi in this video below. On your right, the common pinkish-stemmed Phallus ravenelii. On your left, the rarer, paler, netted stinkhorn, Dictyophora dup­licata. Note also the guest appearance by Hubert the fly (aka "The Vector") late in the video! Oh! the humanity.
 

 

Time lapse video by: Kent Loeffler
 

To preemptively answer your insightful questions, let me clarify a few points. The stinkiness is part of the dispersal mechanism of the crafty stinkhorn. The green goop covering the heads is a spore slurry that stinks in a sultry way and attracts flies and such. Insects disperse the spores on their little feet. Why does the mushroom look this way? I can't say, but I can assure you that you're not the first to notice a certain resemblance. The stinkhorns belong to an order of fungi called the Phallales. They have been causing trouble for a long time, and first got their suggestive Latin name in 1564. I'm sure we'll be talking about stinkhorns again. Why, every year I get my full share of upset or bemused calls and emails about them.
 

Bonus DIY tip: You can do this at home if you are blessed with the "eggs" of stinkhorns in your lawn or garden. An egg in a tall mason jar (keep the "umbilical cord" down and nestle your egg into a cup of damp paper towel) will often hatch stinkily within a few days. Keep the lid SHUT!
 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Chris Condayan]

Elio, just found this mushroom/slime mold time lapse video on Stupidvideos.com of all places.

http://www.stupidvideos.com/video/science_technology/Time_Lapse_Fungus_Growth/#191050

I think you will enjoy it. It's amazing.