Those “fingers” are covered in a foul, slimy coating known as gleba, which emits a powerful stench of decay. It’s nature’s way of luring flies and other insects. The insects come, attracted by the smell of carrion, and carry the mushroom’s spores away—helping it reproduce.
That’s right: the smell is intentional. The fungus mimics the odor of rotting flesh to trick the very creatures that help it survive.
The Reactions of Those Who See It
It turns out I’m not the first person to be terrified by the sight of it. People across the world have mistaken the Devil’s Fingers for something far more sinister. Some have called emergency services, convinced they’ve found an animal corpse—or worse, human remains. Others have shared photos online, certain they’ve discovered an alien species.
But every time, the explanation is the same: it’s just a mushroom. A living thing, but not one that means harm. Its eerie appearance and smell are simply part of its survival strategy.
Even knowing that, I couldn’t bring myself to go near it again.
A Strange Kind of Respect
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