Fox torch - Fox torch

A mushroom of the Basidiomycete/Gastromycete order, family Phallidae. The young mushroom is enclosed in a white or pale purple soft shell and resembles a snake egg, but the mushroom that emerges after breaking through the shell is cylindrical, 10-15 cm tall, and has a bell-shaped cap 2-3 cm deep at the top. The cap is dark red with a crepe-like wrinkled surface that is covered in a black-brown mucus with a strong foul smell. This is a mass of spores, which are carried by flies attracted by the foul smell. The body is sponge-like and fragile. It grows on the ground in areas with a lot of organic matter, such as fields, and is non-toxic. It is found in Japan and other parts of East Asia.

[Imaseki Rokuya]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

担子菌類・腹菌類、スッポンタケ目スッポンタケ科のキノコ。幼菌は白ないし淡紫色の柔らかい殻に包まれ、ヘビの卵に似るが、殻を破って出るキノコは円柱状で、高さ10～15センチメートル、上端に深さ2～3センチメートルの鐘状の帽子をかぶる。帽子は暗赤色で、表面は縮緬(ちりめん)状のしわを帯び、その表面を黒褐色で悪臭の強い粘液が覆う。これは胞子の集団で、悪臭に引かれて集まるハエによって胞子は運ばれる。胴体はスポンジ状で、もろい。畑などの有機質の多い地上に生え、無毒。日本のほか東アジアに分布する。

［今関六也］

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