Finding a bright red-orange growth in your backyard can be an unexpected surprise. It may look like something from another planet, but it could be a red stinkhorn mushroom. These unusual fungi are known for their strange shapes, rapid appearance, and powerful odor. Although they might look alarming, they usually play a helpful role in nature by breaking down dead organic material and returning nutrients to the soil.
Red stinkhorns commonly grow in mulch, compost, fallen leaves, and decaying wood. Their bodies can be slender and upright, with shades of red, orange, or pink. Some species have a dark, sticky substance on their surface, while others emerge from a white, egg-shaped structure near the ground. Because several fungi can look similar, color and appearance alone are not enough to confirm the exact species.
The most noticeable feature of many stinkhorn mushrooms is their unpleasant smell. Some produce an odor similar to rotting meat or sewage. Surprisingly, this smell serves an important purpose: it attracts flies and other insects. When the insects land on the sticky spore-covered surface, they carry spores to new locations, helping the fungus reproduce. Although the odor can be unpleasant, it does not automatically mean the mushroom is releasing dangerous gases.
These fungi can seem to appear overnight, especially after rain or during warm, damp weather. However, the fungus may have been developing beneath the soil or mulch for weeks before its visible growth emerged. Stinkhorns generally do not pose a serious threat to a garden. In fact, they help decompose organic matter. Their presence does not necessarily mean your plants are sick or that your soil has a problem.
If the smell bothers you, wear gardening gloves and carefully remove the visible mushroom, including its base if possible. Seal it in a bag before disposing of it, and wash your hands afterward. Keep in mind that it may return because the underground fungal network can remain in place. Most importantly, never eat an unidentified wild mushroom, and keep children and pets from chewing or swallowing it. If a child or pet consumes an unknown mushroom, contact a poison-control service or veterinarian promptly.
