Can anyone identify this fungus!? Muxia to Finisterre path

[gregdedman]

Hi there all,

I wondered if there were any fungus experts out there on the forums that could positvely identify this strange octopus-like fungus I found growing from the leaf litter last December on the trail between Muxia and Finisterre.

I have a passing interest in edible fungus' so know a little but this one I was stumped on...can anyone shed some light on it?

Thanks in advance

 

[Peter Robins]

probably Clathrus Archeri http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clathrus_archeri

 

[Corwen]

I like that Wikipedia describes it as "edible but the taste is extremely foul"! It was a brave man who tried it and found that out, especially as it stinks like rotting flesh!

 

[gregdedman]

He must've been desperate!

Peter, looks like you hit the nail on the head, thankyou, mystery solved.

 

[MichaelB10398]

Just looking at it gives me the creeps. Rotting flesh :shock: This kid is so grateful to have never seen anything similar. I am certain I would have nightmares of those red arms coming out to grab me as it takes me down to hell. The imagination of my childhood has never left. I have goosebumps! Why on earth do people put things in their mouths when they do not know what they are? Oh, that smells foul, let me taste it???

 

[gregdedman]

Just to add to the nitemareish scenario you just mentioned Michael, they were everywhere and I'd say their radius was the size of the head, encroaching from the undergrowth into the the path. I can't remember smelling anything foul, I actually thought they were actual octopus invading from the sea!!

Needless to say, I did not taste the delights.

 

[dutchpilgrim]

Hi there all,
I have a passing interest in edible fungus'

Hi,
All fungi are edible.
(but there are some you can eat only once in a lifetime) :wink:

Ultreya,
Carli Di Bortolo

 

[Corwen]

Perhaps the first taster was hoping he'd discovered a new Durian type food, which smells awful but tastes wonderful (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durian). He must have been disappointed to discover it tastes as bad as it smells...

 

[MichaelB10398]

Hi there all,
I have a passing interest in edible fungus'

Hi,
All fungi are edible.
(but there are some you can eat only once in a lifetime) :wink:

Ultreya,
Carli Di Bortolo

Yes, that is true, we call all eat it, but then again some of it will kill you. Eating wild mushrooms are the preserve of those who know which are edible and those which should be avoided.