Phallus Impudicus: The Most Disturbing Mushroom Ever?

As soon as the weather cools down — especially after some rainfall — people might discover an unexpected surprise in their yards: mushrooms with a phallic shape that seem to emerge from nowhere.

These are known as phallus impudicus — yes, you read that right. (The 16th-century botanist John Gerard referred to them as "pricke mushrooms" or "fungus virilis penis effigie" in his "General Historie of Plants.") The reason is clear: They resemble, well, a man's, um, you know. Some cultures regard these mushrooms as aphrodisiacs and even feed them to bulls before mating. Charles Darwin's daughter was famous for collecting and burning them to "protect the morals of the maids."

Phallus impudicus is simply a type of stinkhorn mushroom that appears during cool, damp weather, mostly in the fall and winter months. It begins as a white "egg" partly visible above the soil, with roots anchoring it beneath the surface. As the mushroom matures, its full stalk rapidly emerges — sometimes in less than an hour.

"The first time I encountered one, I was startled, thinking 'What is that?'" says Atlanta chef Joseph Ramaglia, who forages for mushrooms. Phallus impudicus is hard to overlook: It can grow up to 6 inches (0.15 meter) long and gives off a strong, unpleasant odor.

"It smells like — many people say dung, but it actually smells like decay. It's incredibly foul," Ramaglia says. He adds that stinkhorn mushrooms belong to a large family with other odd traits, like vibrant orange and red hues, as well as unique shapes. He prefers the varieties that resemble "alien hands" and aren’t as stinky.

Even the odor of stinkhorn mushrooms has been studied for its potential aphrodisiac effects. In Hawaii, a native variety of stinkhorns was referred to as "the women's mushroom" and thought to be a female aphrodisiac — a belief that a group of scientists decided to investigate in 2001. Their theory: The scent could induce spontaneous orgasms in women.

After testing the hypothesis with a small group of women — most of whom felt repelled rather than aroused — the researchers concluded that the mushrooms did not excite anyone to orgasmic levels. At least, not from just the smell.

What about eating them? The stinkhorn mushroom is edible, but only when it's still in its egg stage. "I don't think anyone would want to eat [the fully grown mushroom]," says Ramaglia. "It's just too stinky."

Despite their unpleasant smell and appearance, stinkhorns aren’t without their perks. They assist in decomposing wood and enriching soil. Experts suggest tolerating them if you find them in your yard and can handle the stench. If removal is necessary, the best approach is to collect the mushrooms at the egg stage, before they burst. Then, place them in a zip-top plastic bag and dispose of them. To prevent new mushrooms from sprouting, remove the mulch or dirt where they grew.