Yet another entry in the catalog of strange things people see that remind them of me: the Stinky Squid(Pseudocolus fusiformis), thanks to William Gulvin.
When it comes to stinky, Tingey, I’ll see your impudent phallus, and raise you a titanic shapeless phallus (Amorphophallus titanum).
William Gulvinsays
Well, Pseudocolus fusiformis IS a member (in very good standing, thank you) of the Stinkhorn Family. http://www.mushroomexpert.com/pseudocolus_fusiformis.html Its smell is loudly and profoundly fecal. It loves growing on all the wood chip mulch that so many people seem compelled to spread around their houses. If one neighbor spreads wood chips and another owns a dog, the Stinky Squid can cause much “fun” to ensue between them over the innocent dog’s bathroom habits and whether the dog is being properly cleaned up after. More info still at: http://www.bostonmycologicalclub.org/Stories/0015_Sighting_Pseudocolus_fusiformis.html
The Titan Arum mentioned above is, of course, a member of the Arum Family, which includes several offensively aromatic notables such as the Skunk Cabbage.
makhitasays
I agree with Jane Shevtsov. Fungi win!!
Mariesays
We have Phallus impudicus growing vigorously for the last 2 years at — get this! — the local elementary school bus stop. We parents just try to ignore it and think of England.
Rey Foxsays
I’ve never seen any squid plants. I have, however, seen the Octopus Tree at Cape Meares, Oregon.
And don’t forget the basket or lattice fungus, Ileodictyon, another member of the stinkhorns. It bursts out of its ‘egg’, unfolds into a giant buckyball and rolls around (but not under its own volition, of course), shedding spores. Very cool.
I took a field fungal ecology class a couple of years ago and we found a nice stinkhorn specimen. Jokes all day long! The spam filter won’t let me name the subject of the jokes, so I’ll try the scrambling trick: Vigraa.
JohnnieCanucksays
First imagine what Victorian ladies would have made of Phallus impudicus. Then go to this link:
Jane Shevtsov says
I know I’m picking a fight… but fungi are way cooler than squids!
G. Tingey says
Have you ever seen or worse still SMELT …
Phallus impudicus?
( I kid you not – the common stinkhorn )
Alpha says
I saw this squid-like plant when I was in California not too long ago…
RavenT says
When it comes to stinky, Tingey, I’ll see your impudent phallus, and raise you a titanic shapeless phallus (Amorphophallus titanum).
William Gulvin says
Well, Pseudocolus fusiformis IS a member (in very good standing, thank you) of the Stinkhorn Family. http://www.mushroomexpert.com/pseudocolus_fusiformis.html Its smell is loudly and profoundly fecal. It loves growing on all the wood chip mulch that so many people seem compelled to spread around their houses. If one neighbor spreads wood chips and another owns a dog, the Stinky Squid can cause much “fun” to ensue between them over the innocent dog’s bathroom habits and whether the dog is being properly cleaned up after. More info still at: http://www.bostonmycologicalclub.org/Stories/0015_Sighting_Pseudocolus_fusiformis.html
The Titan Arum mentioned above is, of course, a member of the Arum Family, which includes several offensively aromatic notables such as the Skunk Cabbage.
makhita says
I agree with Jane Shevtsov. Fungi win!!
Marie says
We have Phallus impudicus growing vigorously for the last 2 years at — get this! — the local elementary school bus stop. We parents just try to ignore it and think of England.
Rey Fox says
I’ve never seen any squid plants. I have, however, seen the Octopus Tree at Cape Meares, Oregon.
Snail says
And don’t forget the basket or lattice fungus, Ileodictyon, another member of the stinkhorns. It bursts out of its ‘egg’, unfolds into a giant buckyball and rolls around (but not under its own volition, of course), shedding spores. Very cool.
Jane Shevtsov says
I took a field fungal ecology class a couple of years ago and we found a nice stinkhorn specimen. Jokes all day long! The spam filter won’t let me name the subject of the jokes, so I’ll try the scrambling trick: Vigraa.
JohnnieCanuck says
First imagine what Victorian ladies would have made of Phallus impudicus. Then go to this link:
http://stephenbodio.blogspot.com/2005/07/because-of-morals-of-maids.html
The Darwin connection is enlightening. How do you find more, once you have one in your basket?
windy says
Here’s a pretty pic:
http://www.mushroomexpert.com/images/contrib/robertson_phallus_hadriani.jpg