Can You Eat Stinkhorn Mushrooms?

How can the stinkhorn mushroom, with its foul smell, be edible? Can you eat it?

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Is The Stinkhorn Mushroom Edible? Can You Eat It?

With its pestilential smell, one might think that the stinkhorn (phallus impudicus) is toxic. But in reality, it’s a good edible. But only at its immature egg-like stage.

Indeed, at its egg-like stage, this mushroom has a delicious taste of radish. But when it comes out of its egg, its nauseating odor prohibits any consumption. But stinkhorn mushrooms aren’t poisonous at all.

BTW, This mushroom is not referenced on our Mushroom Maps. These maps allow you to discover the best mushroom spots in your state.

What Happens If You Touch A Stinkhorn Mushroom?

If you touch it, nothing will happen! Your fingers will just smell like poop. 😀

How To Identify The Stinkhorn Mushroom?

To identify this mushroom, it is necessary to distinguish between its two different stages: the egg and the mature mushroom.

Egg:

• Oblong in shape, measuring between 1.5 and 2.5 inch, it evolves on the ground and draws nutrients from the soil thanks to a small mycelial cord.
• When cut, this one describes several layers (from outside to inside): an outer layer (the peridium), then a gelatinous layer, then a dark layer (the future cap) and finally, a central layer with the stem.

Mature Mushroom:

• Cap: conical in shape, it measures between 1.5 and 2.5 inch in length and is covered with a dark, smooth gleba. Then this gleba gives way to a cap of a lighter color.
• Stem: the stem is off-white and measures between 4 and 6 inch, it is slender and has a spongy appearance.
• Flesh: it is white and porous.
• Habitat: it grows in deciduous and coniferous forest, on acid soil.
• Season: from the beginning of June to the end of November with a peak towards the end of August.

Find Mushrooms With Our Maps!

If you’re looking for information about stinkhorns, you’re probably looking for other mushrooms!

Why not discover our maps and go in search of the best spots for morels, chanterelles and porcini mushrooms? Explore our Mushroom Maps here!