Dune stinkhorn or Common stinkhorn

At the egg stage — a white-cream sphere 4-6 cm across with a thick, slimy skin. At the mature stage — a bell-shaped cap 4-5 cm, covered in olive-brown slimy gleba (this is the spore layer). The gleba has a honeycomb structure and feels sticky.

At the egg stage — a white or cream sphere 4-6 cm across with a thick, slimy skin. In the mature mushroom — a bell-shaped cap 3-5 cm tall, covered in dark olive or greenish-brown slimy gleba with a honeycomb structure.

The hymenophor is a slimy olive-brown gleba on the cap surface. The spores are carried not by wind but by flies attracted by the sharp smell — a typical dispersal mechanism for the stinkhorn family.

The hymenophor is a slimy gleba on the cap surface. The spores are tiny and are carried by flies drawn to the powerful carrion smell — a specialized dispersal mechanism of the stinkhorn family.

Stem 10-20 cm tall, 2-4 cm thick, cylindrical, white or cream, hollow inside. The surface is finely honeycombed and brittle. In a young "egg" the stem is not yet formed — it stretches out rapidly within 2-4 hours after the skin bursts.

Stem 12-22 cm tall, 2-4 cm thick, white or cream, cylindrical, hollow inside. The surface is spongy, delicate and brittle. It grows out of the egg in 2-4 hours — one of the fastest growth rates among fungi.

At the egg stage — white, firm, with a gelatinous greenish layer under the skin. When mature — spongy, brittle, white. Does not change color when cut.

At the egg stage — white with a greenish gelatinous layer under the skin, firm, with a delicate taste. In the mature mushroom — spongy, brittle, white. Does not change color when cut.

In the egg — faint, barely noticeable. When mature — a strong, unpleasant yeasty, carrion-like smell that attracts flies. The flesh of the egg tastes mild, reminiscent of radish.

In a young egg — faint, barely mushroomy, with a hint of radish. In the mature mushroom — extremely strong and unpleasant, reminiscent of carrion or rotting meat. The smell travels tens of meters through the air and attracts flies that spread the spores.