This Sprouting, Octopus-like Fungus Is the Stuff of Nightmares
July 31, 2017 - Time-lapse video shows an
octopus-like fungus bursting from its "egg." Fittingly known as the octopus stinkhorn, or devils's fingers, this mushroom spends much of its time underground. When it’s time to reproduce, it emerges and starts to ooze a spore-filled slime that attracts flies. The flies carry the spores away, helping the strange mushroom to spread far and wide.
Read about the the creepiest plants and fungi known to science.
These tentacles bursting out of an egg do not belong to a sea creature.
They’re mushrooms known as octopus stinkhorn, or devil's fingers.
This fungus spends much of its time underground.
When it’s time to reproduce, it emerges and starts to ooze a spore-filled slime.
The dark, greenish-black slime smells like rotting flesh … and flies love it.
The flies carry the spores away, helping the strange mushroom to spread far and wide.
