Overview
The Laced Stinkhorn (Clathrus crispus) is a visually arresting, geometric saprotrophic fungus native to the warm subtropical zones of the Americas and the Caribbean basin. Emerging from a subterranean gelatinous egg, it inflates into an intricate hollow spherical lattice of scarlet-red corrugated arms perforated by distinct circular apertures.
Biology and Physical Characteristics
Clathrus crispus expands from an off-white, rubbery ‘egg’ volva into an obovoid-to-spherical clathroid cage consisting of arched, interconnected spongy scarlet-to-coral branches. Characteristic of this species, each mesh opening is encircled by specialized coronal grooves or pleated margins. The interior surface of the lattice is smeared with an olive-black, mucilaginous spore slime (gleba) that releases a potent fetid scent.
Behavior and Ecology
Clathrus crispus is an active recycler of organic mulch and decaying woody debris. Its foul carrion-like odor mimics decaying flesh, attracting necrophagous flies, beetles, and wasps. These insects feast on the sugar-rich gleba, adhering millions of spores to their bodies before flying off to colonize fresh organic matter across the landscape.
Conservation and Human Impact
Evaluated as Least Concern by the IUCN, Clathrus crispus is common across its native subtropical range and readily colonizes landscaped suburban bark beds and botanical gardens across Florida and the Gulf Coast.
Interesting Factoid
The Laced Stinkhorn develops a perfectly circular, pleated border around each hole in its red lattice cage, creating a geometric hollow sphere so resilient it can bounce like a rubber ball when detached!
Last updated: October 2026