Identification: ID help: 'Badminton shuttle' shaped mushrooms & pics download link

Hello there,

I came across these this morning in my front yard, after 3 days of rain. I live in the Caribbean, and would love to know what kind of mushrooms they are. Any help is greatly appreciated!

By the way, if anyone wants to download the high-quality version of the 3 pics that I've posted, go to the following link and click on the 'download now' button:
http://www.4shared.com/file/145935923/e6734693/mushroom.html

Thanks!

 

Re: ID help: 'Badminton shuttle' shaped mushrooms.

Think it's a stinkhorn of some kind.

 

Re: ID help: 'Badminton shuttle' shaped mushrooms.

Yes, a Dictyophora. Trying to find species that might be growing in the Caribbean is a bit of a tough search -- perhaps Dictyophora indusiata (photographed in Costa Rica -- scroll down that page)?

More on Dictyophora via Tom Volk's Fungi site.

 

Re: ID help: 'Badminton shuttle' shaped mushrooms.

Absolutely GORGEOUS! The viel on these is so beautiful. WONDERFUL pictures!

 

Re: ID help: 'Badminton shuttle' shaped mushrooms.

badminton shuttle, eh? funny how nature seems to have done everything we do first, and better . . .

 

Re: ID help: 'Badminton shuttle' shaped mushrooms.

Wow - thank you all so very, very much for all your help and comments! I am just relieved to have satisfied my curiousity as to what type of mushroom it was, and I am glad that it is not harmful to me or my pets as they were sniffing around them.

You guys are wonderful - thanks again!

 

Re: ID help: 'Badminton shuttle' shaped mushrooms.

yes, lol. at first glace they looked like badminton shuttles strewn across the yard - and after a "what the hell?" moment, i realised what they were upon having a closer look. they were absolutely beautiful to look at :)

 

Re: ID help: 'Badminton shuttle' shaped mushrooms.

Is this a new living place for you? How many have u had so far? Fascinating! Only in the last 2 years have I been able to get 'up and close' to my local stink horns...but ours here aren't NEAR as fabulous as your 'shuttlecock' beauty! lol

 

Oh, I've lived the Caribbean for all of my life, and in the country-side too. I see various types of mushroom along the way, but it's the first time that I've seen this particular one and was curious about it.

By the way, if anyone wants to download the high-quality version of the 3 pics that I've posted in the OP, go to the following link and click on the 'download now' button:
http://www.4shared.com/file/145935923/e6734693/mushroom.html

Cheers!

 

Re: ID help: 'Badminton shuttle' shaped mushrooms & pics download ink

Thanx so much for that! I was trying to figure a way I could ask for a print....You're a blessing to share with us this beauty. THANK YOU!
...
Ok...I went and it loaded 3 of the close up from above? Not sure if that was how you meant for them to load........the lacing on these are just amazing!

 

Re: ID help: 'Badminton shuttle' shaped mushrooms.

Try playing badminton with them, and see what happens . . . ;-)

 

Re: ID help: 'Badminton shuttle' shaped mushrooms & pics download ink

OK Michael F, I get you! But really, nature is far ahead in form design. Remember the "fish-shaped swimming machines" the designers were so het up about because they were faster & more efficient?
No, really, don't play badminton with them, they're too beautiful to spoil!
[To misquote Terry Pratchett, I'll bet if I said that a face launched a thousand ships, you'd demand a certificate that she looked like a bottle of champagne!]

 

haha...I was never one for ocean sailing myself? hehe
I wonder if anyone has yet come out with a book on 'Stinkhorns: Their incredible designs'........this one would be a prime beauty to add to that story....

 

Search for the name on Youtube and see time-lapse video of one of these opening up.

Amazing.

 

I ate a couple of these last week: The flavour was alright, but I think I need to prepare them differently (I cooked them in congee) to address the texture better. I found a recipe that stuffed them with asparagus and other ingredients and I suspect that would work better.