Witch's Egg
This one inch (2.5 cm) diameter "egg" was growing in the woods of Distant Hill Gardens. It was one of three that were within feet of each other. Although looking quite different, thay were all the early stage of Ravenel's stinkhorn (Phallus ravenelii), a fungus native to eastern North America.
The fruit bodies of the stinkhorn may grow solitarily or in groups, and are present from July to November. The young fruit bodies are edible, and are said to taste of peas. They are considered a delicacy in Germany.
The mysterious appearance of these 'eggs' led to the widespread belief that they were witches eggs or eggs of the Devil. Stinkhorns have been used in love potions and aphrodisiacs because of their phallic appearance, and to treat epilepsy, gout and rheumatism in central Europe.
Witch's Egg
This one inch (2.5 cm) diameter "egg" was growing in the woods of Distant Hill Gardens. It was one of three that were within feet of each other. Although looking quite different, thay were all the early stage of Ravenel's stinkhorn (Phallus ravenelii), a fungus native to eastern North America.
The fruit bodies of the stinkhorn may grow solitarily or in groups, and are present from July to November. The young fruit bodies are edible, and are said to taste of peas. They are considered a delicacy in Germany.
The mysterious appearance of these 'eggs' led to the widespread belief that they were witches eggs or eggs of the Devil. Stinkhorns have been used in love potions and aphrodisiacs because of their phallic appearance, and to treat epilepsy, gout and rheumatism in central Europe.