Integrated Crop Management News Agriculture and Natural Resources
10-4-2004 Stinkhorns spotted in fields Paula Flynn Iowa State University
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Recommended Citation Flynn, Paula, "Stinkhorns spotted in fields" (2004). Integrated Crop Management News. 1554. http://lib.dr.iastate.edu/cropnews/1554
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Abstract John Holmes, extension field crop specialist, reported that farmers are finding lots of stinkhorn mushrooms in soybean fields as they harvest. These fungi do not cause disease to plants or animals, but instead live a harmless existence on dead organic matter such as crop debris. They also are commonly found on decaying mulch. A stinkhorn begins life as an egg-like structure.
Keywords Plant Pathology
Disciplines Agricultural Science | Agriculture | Plant Pathology
This article is available at Iowa State University Digital Repository: http://lib.dr.iastate.edu/cropnews/1554 Stinkhorns spotted in fields
John Holmes, extension field crop specialist, reported that farmers are finding lots of stinkhorn mushrooms in soybean fields as they harvest. These fungi do not cause disease to plants or animals, but instead live a harmless existence on dead organic matter such as crop debris. They also are commonly found on decaying mulch.
A stinkhorn begins life as an egglike structure. As the fungus develops, it expands into a 4 to 8inch tall mushroomlike body with a stalk and a slimy cap. The common name stinkhorn describes the putrid smell of the fungus.The odor attracts insects that then disperse the spores of the fungus on their bodies.
Common stinkhorns found in Iowa include Mutinus caninus and Phallus impudicus. Mutinus caninus is the stinkhorn mushroom that has been recently spotted in fields. It is about 4 inches tall and has a pinkishred stalk with a dark slimy spore mass on the tip. Phallus impudicus is about 8 inches tall with a creamcolored stalk covered at the tip by slimy dark spores, with an open depression on the very top.
Stinkhorn (Mutinus caninus).
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Stinkhorn fungi (Mutinus caninus) near Alleman, Iowa.
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Some people mistake stinkhorns for morel mushrooms. While morels are considered edible and choice, one would definitely not want to eat a stinkhorn mushroom. The aroma alone would likely keep most people at a distance.
If you would like to learn more about common mushrooms in Iowa, pick up a copy of the bulletin Mushrooms and Other Related Fungi, available for $1.50 from Iowa State University Extension. Ask for NCR 129.
This article originally appeared on page 127 of the IC492(21) October 4, 2004 issue. Source URL: http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/icm//ipm/icm/2004/1042004/stinkhorns.html
Links: [1] http://www.ent.iastate.edu/imagegal/fungi/mutinus.html [2] http://www.ent.iastate.edu/imagegal/fungi/mutinus2.html