Six Freaky Fungi

The world of fungi is expansive and just as there's the common stalk and cap mushrooms that are characteristic of fungi, there are also some fungi that look like anything but.

Clathrus ruber

This freaky fungus is commonly called the red cage, which describes the way it looks pretty well. It can be found in Africa, Asia, Australia, and North and South America. It's empty center surrounded by a red lattice makes this fungus stand out.

Fistulina Hepatica

This starling fungi is commonly called the beefsteak fungus, because it looks like red meat. It can be found in North America, Europe, Australia, and North Africa. It is eaten in France and is known for it's distinctive sour, tangy taste.

Laetiporus sulphureus

This fungus looks like a bright yellow stack of pancakes growing from the side of a tree. It is found in Europe and North America and is edible when it's young. As it grows old, it can turn grey or brown.

Aseroe rubra

This nautical fungi will make you double take your surroundings. It's a sea anemone fungus, but it's often called a starfish fungus. It's pink extremeties project from a bright red center. Don't get too close to this unique find, as it smells of rotting meat and could prove to give quite the shock to an unsuspecting sniffer. It's common to Australia and Tasmania.

Clathrus Archeri

Keeping with the nautical theme is another fungus that looks like a sea monster from the deep. This fungus is casually known as the octopus fungi. Like the starfish fungi, the octopus fungi has a pinkish-red hue, and it is indigenous to Australia and Tasmania.

Mutinus caninus

This freaky fungus looks like frost-bitten neon fingertips coming out of the ground in some Tim Burton movie. It's called the dog stinkhorn, and as you can probably guess from the name, it stinks. It can be found in North America and Europe. It's easy to pick out in a forest, so keep an eye out next time you're in a deciduous or coniferous forest.

Works Cited

"Aseroe rubra." Exploring the Kaimai Bush. 25 Feb. 2011. http://www.kaimaibush.co.nz/Fungi/Aseroe.html

"Clathrus archeri." California Fungi. 25 Feb. 2011. http://www.mykoweb.com/CAF/species/Clathrus_archeri.html

"Clathrus ruber." Mushroom Expert. 25 Feb. 1982. http://www.mushroomexpert.com/clathrus_ruber.html

"Fistulina hepatica." Medicinal Mushrooms. 25 Feb. 2011. http://healing-mushrooms.net/archives/fistulina-hepatica.html

"Laetiporus sulphureus." Mushroom Expert. 25 Feb. 2011. http://www.mushroomexpert.com/laetiporus_sulphureus.html

"Mutinus caninus." University of Wisconsin. 25 Feb. 2011. http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/oct2006.html