Phallus Indusiatus Facts
- This remarkably eye-catching fungus most frequently goes by the attention grabbing name of the Phallus Indusiatus. It does have several alternate titles by which it’s known, though. These include the distinctive options of the bamboo pith, veiled lady, and even crinoline stinkhorn.
- Most uncommonly, the above-mentioned term actually represent the one typically employed by the scientific community as well. Though not unknown, that’s certainly uncommon. This primarily happens due to various cultural imagery that accompanies the form of the marvel.
- The mushroom received that highly distinctive moniker due to the efforts of Etienne Pierre Ventenat. That highly respected French botanist accomplished the first official recognition of it as a separate and distinct species. He achieved that scientifically noteworthy deed in 1798.
- This creation of Nature and evolution stands out, both in the halls of science and popular culture, due to its possession of one extraordinary, if accidental, attribute. That’s due to the fact that when exposed to its inherent aroma, some women experience spontaneous orgasms!
- Thankfully, the remarkable Phallus Indusiatus appears to be maintaining a base population that’s both stable and sufficient. That pleasant state also seems to hold true throughout the entirety of its natural range. Accordingly, the IUCN does not currently place it on the Red List.
- The wonder should nevertheless be considered as facing several potential threats to its continued existence as a species. In this, it faces the same problems as all species on earth today. Most of these stem from the actions of man, including habitat loss and climate change.
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Phallus Indusiatus Physical Description
The startling Phallus Indusiatus never fails to capture the immediate attention and interest of those individuals fortunate enough to encounter it. Despite the presence of the remarkable aroma, it also merits note for other reasons, too. That’s because it also achieves a highly respectable size.
It produces a single stem, called a stipe, that’s quite variable in height between specimens. Developing as tall, cyclindrical, and hollow, this feature usually attains height ranging from between 6 – 16 in (15 – 40 cm). It’s typically white in color and smooth in texture, though sometimes fibrous.
The base of the fungus, known to science as the volva, also stands out for its unique appearance. This encases immature examples of the mushroom as it develops, much like a sac. It’s generally white to off-white in color. It’s also typically cup-shaped at the base when the species first emerges.
The cap of this wonder of Nature develops as conical or bell-shaped, often being white to pale brown. It’s also covered with a dark, sticky, olive-brown spore mass, called a gleba, at the top. This feature of the fungus emits a strong, often unpleasant odor that attracts insects for spore dispersal.
The astonishing Phallus Indusiatus further displays another characteristic that draws the eye of the observer. That’s the presence of a fragile, veil-like structure, named the Indusium. In fact, for most people, this represents one of the most visually distinctive features of this particular mushroom.
This evolved as a delicate, lace-like structure, often considered skirt-like in nature. This hangs suspended from beneath the cap, strongly resembling a delicate net. Usually appearing white, that part of the species extends downward toward the base of the stipe, sometimes reaching the ground.
- Kingdom: Fungi
- Phylum: Basidiomycota
- Class: Agaricomycetes
- Order: Phallales
- Family: Phallaceae
- Genus: Phallus
- Species: P. indusiatus
Phallus Indusiatus Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology
The breathtaking Phallus Indusiatus evolved as indigenous to an extraordinarily broad swathe of the surface of the earth. The full extent of that native zone of habitation often surprises many people who learn of it. That’s true since it inhabits portions of an amazing total of four continents.
The greatest known concentrations of this wonder of the world of mycology appear in certain portions of two of these landmasses, however. Those consist of the combination of Africa and South America. It also grows, if in smaller numbers, in parts of Asia, and even Mexico in North America.
Sadly, though, its overall numbers remain relatively low. That’s because, while it currently appears in many of our world’s regions, its density in each of them remains quite thin. It primarily appears in regions of tropical forest, but will grow opportunistically in gardens if the soil is rich enough for it.
It’s also completely edible, and in fact commonly appears in Oriental cuisine. Regrettably, it doesn’t last long once it develops, typically only appearing for about three days. Research also shows that this fungus possesses numerous chemical compounds with valuable medicinal properties, as well.
But, the compound of greatest interest to most researchers remains the one that creates its astounding effect on a portion of women. The sexually stimulating effect for which it’s best known remains inconsistent, though. In studies, only 37.5% of females experienced the amazing result.
In numerous lab tests, the Phallus Indusiatus also required strong concentrations. With smaller dosages, though it failed to create the controversial effect, it did have mange to create elevated heart rates. Men, meanwhile, found the aroma unpleasant, and experienced no physiological effects.
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