Pocket BotanistPlant guide
Stinkhorn.
Phallaceae
Pronounced fal-LAY-see-ee
Also known as buzzard - blow-'e-nose, stinkhorns
Stinkhorns are fascinating fungi known for their unique, often phallic shapes and pungent odor. They emerge rapidly from underground egg-like structures to spread spores via insects attracted to their smell. These mushrooms play a vital role in decomposing organic matter in your garden.
At a glance
- Plant type
- Fungi
- Light
- Shade
- Indoor light
- Low light
- Water
- Every 1 to 3 days
- Mature size
- 10 to 30 cm
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Hardiness
- USDA 8 to 11
- Bloom time
- Late summer to autumn
Care
Stinkhorns are not typically cultivated and appear spontaneously in nutrient-rich soil or mulch. If you find them, they are harmless to your garden, though you can manually remove the egg stage if the smell is bothersome. They do not require any human intervention to thrive.
- Watering
- They thrive in consistently moist conditions.
- Feeding
- They do not require fertilizer as they feed on decaying organic matter.
- Pruning
- Pruning is not applicable.
- Repotting
- These are not container plants.
- Soil
- Rich, organic mulch or decaying wood
- Soil pH
- Neutral to slightly acidic
- Temperature
- 10 to 30°C
- Humidity
- 60 to 90%
Safety
- People
- While not typically lethal, ingestion is strongly discouraged due to the risk of gastrointestinal distress.
- Children
- Keep children away from these fungi as they are often mistaken for food or toys due to their strange shapes.
- Contact allergens
- The slimy gleba can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
- Airborne allergens
- The intense odor may trigger sensitivities in those prone to olfactory distress.
- Edibility
- Many species are considered inedible or potentially toxic, and they are generally not consumed due to their foul odor.
How to identify it
- Gelatinous egg-like base
- Pungent, carrion-like odor
- Spore-bearing slime cap
- Rapid, explosive growth
- Height
- 0.05 to 0.2m
- Spread
- 0.05 to 0.1m
- Leaves
- deciduous
- Flowers
- white, pink, orange, red, 2 to 15cm
- Fruit
- brown, black, Autumn
Problems to watch for
- Fungus GnatsCommon
- Slugs and SnailsCommon
- Root RotUncommon
- Soft RotUncommon
By symptom
Check your stinkhorn from a photo
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Growing it
- Propagation
- spores
- When to plant
- spring
Maintain a thick layer of organic mulch to provide the necessary habitat for these beneficial decomposers.
Grows well with
- Ferns — They thrive in the same moist, shaded conditions as stinkhorns.
- Hostas — These plants provide the cool, damp mulch environment that supports fungal growth.
Similar species
- Clathrus — These are related fungi that also produce foul odors and rely on insects for spore dispersal.
Science
- Family
- Phallaceae
- Order
- Phallales
- Class
- Agaricomycetes
- Native range
- Found worldwide in temperate and tropical regions.
- Conservation
- These fungi are not of conservation concern and are common in healthy forest ecosystems.
These fungi survive by decomposing organic matter in moist, nutrient rich soils.
- Value to wildlife
- decomposer, nutrient recycler
- Pollinators
- beetles
- Uses
- ecological decomposer, scientific study
Through the year
Ecological indicators
- Salinity
- 1/9
- Soil reaction
- 5/9
- Temperature
- 5/9
- Moisture
- 7/9
- Nutrients
- 6/9
- Light
- 1/9
Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.
Questions people ask
- Why does my stinkhorn smell so bad?
- The odor mimics rotting meat to attract flies, which then carry the spores to new locations.
- Can I eat stinkhorns?
- While some cultures consume the 'eggs' of certain species, it is not recommended for beginners due to identification risks.
Where the name comes from
The name Phallaceae is derived from the Greek word phallos, referring to the phallic shape of the mature fruiting body.
Good to know
- Commonly known as stinkhorns due to their pungent aroma.
- They grow with incredible speed, sometimes appearing overnight.
- The smell is often compared to rotting meat or sewage.
- They play a vital role in breaking down woody debris in soil.
Keep your stinkhorn growing
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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.