DSC_1463 Octopus stinkhorn, or Devils fingers (Clathrus archeri) first appear as partly buried pinkish egg-shaped structures (foreground). The fungus emerges with three to eight elongated slender arms, initially held erect and attached at the top, before unfolding to reveal a pinkish-red interior covered with lines of smelly, blackish spore-containing gleba to attract blowflies for dispersing the spores. Originally described from Tasmania, it appears to have spread around the world in wood chips and is now found in New Zealand particularly in modified habitats. Grows near woody debris, in lawns, pasture, river beds and modified forest edges. Otago Peninsula *
DSC_1413 Octopus stinkhorn, or Devils fingers (Clathrus archeri) first appear as partly buried pinkish egg-shaped structures (foreground). The fungus emerges with three to eight elongated slender arms, initially held erect and attached at the top, before unfolding to reveal a pinkish-red interior covered with lines of smelly, blackish spore-containing gleba to attract blowflies for dispersing the spores. Originally described from Tasmania, it appears to have spread around the world in wood chips and is now found in New Zealand particularly in modified habitats. Grows near woody debris, in lawns, pasture, river beds and modified forest edges. Otago Peninsula *
DSC_1498 Octopus stinkhorn, or Devils fingers (Clathrus archeri) visited here by a recently emerged European blue bottle fly (Calliphora vicina). The fungus has three to eight elongated slender arms, initially held erect and attached at the top, before unfolding to reveal a pinkish-red interior covered with a dark-olive spore-containing gleba. Grows near woody debris, in lawns, gardens, and cultivated soil. Native to Australia and New Zealand, and introduced into Europe, North America and Asia. Otago Peninsula *
