This is one of the more interesting (some would say disgusting) fungi. A colony of them appeared here in the warmth of the first week of November and then disappeared.
Its most common name is Netted Stinkhorn, although it also is called a Wood Witch in some areas. It grows to about three inches and is one of a number of different stinkhorn fungi, all of which are more or less pungent. This one is in the “less” category; but, if you get very close to it and sniff, you’ll get the idea.
The scientific name of this Netted Stinkhorn is Phallus duplicatus, which translates from the Latin into “double penis.” It’s obvious why it would be classified in the family of fungi that look like penises (the Phallale family). Why it would be described as the species with a double penis reportedly has to do with how it uniquely reproduces.
The mushroom’s pitted cap is covered with odiferous gray-green slime that has reproduction spores imbedded therein. The slimy spores stick to insects that are attracted by the smell and they carry off the next generation of the fungus for growth elsewhere. There are indications that small mammals also like the slime and lick it off, which may have happened with this fungus after a few days:
Thanks to David Porter for pointing out the stinkhorn colony and identifying the species. (Images taken in Brooklin, Maine, on November 4 and 6, 2023.)