Column Stinkhorn
Clathrus columnatus
Non-lethal but Foul-smelling Column Stinkhorn
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Key Features
- Reddish-orange vertical columns
- Columns fused together at the top
- Dark olive-green slimy gleba on inner arms
- Emerges from a white
- egg-like base
- Strong odor of decaying flesh
Color:
Reddish-orange with dark olive-brown slime
Smell:
Foul, like rotting meat
Growth Pattern:
Single
Environment:
Soil and mulch
Habitat & Distribution
Habitat:
Mulched garden bed
Distribution:
Southeastern United States, Caribbean, South America
Seasonality:
Year-round (Florida)
Economic Value
Market Demand:
None - considered a nuisance due to odor
Price Range:
N/A
Commercial Use:
None
Similar Species
Lattice Stinkhorn
Clathrus ruber
Key Differences:
- Forms a hollow globose lattice
- No distinct vertical columns
Crowned Stinkhorn
Clathrus crispus
Key Differences:
- Lattice structure with 'corona' structures
- More complex meshwork
Recommended Action
Avoid consumption; remove and dispose of in outdoor waste if the odor becomes offensive.