Stinkhorn eggs

Scientific names: Mutinus elegans (Mont.) E.
Fischer; Phallus ravenelii Berk. & Curt.; others.   
Phylum:   Basidiomycota
Order:   Phallales
Comments: When immature, stinkhorns are found in an
"egg" or "button" stage where the nonexpanded tissues
are enclosed by a sac-like peridium. At this stage
stinkhorns may resemble puffballs. Sectioning the egg
will instantly settle the matter.

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Figure 1. White eggs (foreground) and mature
specimens of Mutinus elegans. Photo © William
Roody.

Figure 2. Unerupted and erupted "eggs" of this Mutinus sp.
Photo © Gary Emberger.

Figure 3. Dissected eggs of Mutinus elegans. The peridium,
dark spore mass on the upper stalk, and the reddish stalk are
all clearly observable. Photo © Cecily Franklin.

Figure 4. The loose, rotting bark of a birch tree was lifted away,
revealing a number of "eggs" and rhizomorphs of Phallus
ravenelii.
Photo © Gary Emberger.

Figure 5. Eggs, sectioned eggs, and mature specimen of
Phallus ravenelii.
Photo © William Roody.

Figure 6. A bisected egg of Phallus ravenelii showing the
outer pinkish-lilac peridium, the unexpanded stipe filled
with a gelatinous material in the center and the dark
olive-green spore mass associated with the skirtlike head.
Photo © Gary Emberger.

Figure 7. Egg of Phallus ravenelii. The gelatinous
glebal mass is just beginning to burst through the
pinkish peridium. Photo © Gary Emberger.