Synonyms: Caryomyxa elegans, Corynites elegans.
Common names: Elegant Stinkhorn, devil's dipstick.
Extract from Wikipedia article: Mutinus elegans, commonly known as the elegant stinkhorn, the dog stinkhorn, faeces carota, the headless stinkhorn, or the devil's dipstick, is a species of fungus in the Phallaceae family. A saprobic species, it is typically found growing on the ground singly or in small groups on woody debris or leaf litter, during summer and autumn in Japan, Europe, and eastern North America. The fruit body begins its development in an "egg" form, resembling somewhat a puffball partially submerged in the ground. As the fungus matures, a slender orange to pink colored stalk emerges that tapers evenly to a pointed tip. The stalk is covered with a foul-smelling slimy green spore mass on the upper third of its length. Flies and other insects feed upon the slime which contains the spores, assisting in their dispersal. Due to their repellent odor, mature specimens are not generally considered edible, although there are reports of the immature "eggs" being consumed. In the laboratory, Mutinus elegans has been shown to inhibit the growth of several microorganisms that can be pathogenic to humans.
French: Satyre élégant, German: Vornehme Hundsrute, Hungarian: Elegáns kutyaszömörcsög.
Mutinus elegans is a species of fungus that belongs to the family Phallaceae. It is commonly known as the elegant stinkhorn. The fungus produces a distinctive, elongated fruiting body with a slimy, greenish-yellow gleba at the tip and a white or pinkish stem. In East and Central Texas, Mutinus elegans has been found growing in rich soil, often in wooded areas, particularly under deciduous trees such as oak and beech. It typically fruits from June to October, with peak activity during the summer months. The fungus is widely distributed throughout the region, including counties such as Brazos, Grimes, and Houston.
Elegant stinkhorn mushrooms (Mutinus elegans, Phallaceae) growing on mulched trees on utility cutting in Lake Bryan Park. Bryan, Texas, December 4, 2012
Headless stinkhorn mushroom (Mutinus elegans) growing on mulched trees under power lines in Lake Bryan Park. Bryan, Texas, January 10, 2013
Elegant stinkhorn mushrooms (Mutinus elegans) growing on mulched trees under power lines in Lake Bryan Park. Bryan, Texas, January 10, 2013
Elegant stinkhorn mushroom (Mutinus elegans) in Bee Creek Park. College Station, Texas, November 8, 2017
Elegant stinkhorn mushroom (Mutinus elegans) from wood chips in Bee Creek Park. College Station, Texas, November 8, 2017
Close up of elegant stinkhorn mushroom (Mutinus elegans) in Bee Creek Park. College Station, Texas, November 8, 2017
Elegant stinkhorn mushroom (Mutinus elegans) in Bee Creek Park. College Station, Texas, November 16, 2017
Elegant stinkhorn mushroom (Mutinus elegans) on a lawn near Ferry Road in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, January 18, 2020
Elegant stinkhorn mushroom (Mutinus elegans) on Stubblefield section of Lone Star hiking trail north from Trailhead No. 6 in Sam Houston National Forest. Texas, September 18, 2020
Elegant stinkhorn mushroom (Mutinus elegans) on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, November 7, 2021
Side view of elegant stinkhorn mushroom (Mutinus elegans) on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, November 7, 2021
Elegant stinkhorn mushroom (Mutinus elegans) on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, November 4, 2023
Spores (in KOH) of elegant stinkhorn mushroom (Mutinus elegans) collected on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, November 4, 2023Observations of Mutinus elegans in East and Central Texas show that the fungus grows in various locations, including mulched trees, wood chips, lawns, and trails. It was found in Lake Bryan Park, Bee Creek Park, Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site, and Sam Houston National Forest. The mushrooms were observed growing under power lines, on utility cuttings, and in wooded areas. They were spotted during different times of the year, including December, January, November, and September. Some observations noted the presence of headless stinkhorn mushrooms, while others showed close-up views of the fungus. Spores of the mushroom were also collected and examined in KOH. The observations span from 2012 to 2023, indicating that Mutinus elegans is a recurring presence in these regions.
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