Meaning of column stinkhorn | Babel Free

Definitions

A fungus, Clathrus columnatus, featuring two to five orange or red vertical columns joined at the top, and a fetid gleba.

Examples

“Clathrus columnatus, a k a column stinkhorn, arises the same way all stinkhorn fungi do — via a subterranean “egg” that, when mature, sprouts a fruiting body that can appear in a variety of shapes (starburst, squid, basket or wiffle ball, zombie hand, etc., but, in this case, columnlike). The fruiting body, in turn, produces an olive-colored slime and that gut-wrenching, carrionlike stench so attractive to flies.”

“Clathrus columnatus, the scientific name for the column stinkhorn, is a north Florida native which is common to many gulf coast locales. This colorful fungus has also been known by the common name “dead man’s fingers,” among other labels.”

CEFR level