stinkhorn

stinkhorn
/stingk"hawrn'/, n.
any of various rank-smelling, brown-capped mushrooms of the genus Phallus, esp. P. impudicus.
[1715-25; STINK + HORN]

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▪ fungus order
 any fungus of the order Phallales (phylum Basidiomycota, kingdom Fungi), typified by a phalluslike, ill-smelling fruiting body. Stinkhorns produce odours that attract the flies and other insects that assist in dispersing the reproductive bodies (spores). Their appearance is often sudden; the spore-forming tissue (gleba) can erupt from an underground “egg” and burst open within an hour, becoming slimy and fetid at maturity. Genera widespread in the temperate zone include Phallus, Mutinus, Dictyophora, Simblum, and Clathrus.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Stinkhorn — Stink horn , n. (Bot.) A kind of fungus of the genus {Phallus}, which emits a fetid odor. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • stinkhorn — [stiŋk′hôrn΄] n. any of an order (Phallales) of foul smelling basidiomycetous fungi …   English World dictionary

  • stinkhorn — noun Date: circa 1724 any of various fetid basidiomycetous fungi (order Phallales, especially Phallus impudicus) having spores dispersed by insects …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • stinkhorn — noun Any fungus of the order Phallales which produce a foul scented, rod shaped mushroom …   Wiktionary

  • stinkhorn — noun a fungus with a rounded greenish brown gelatinous head that turns into a foul smelling slime containing the spores. [Family Phallaceae: many species.] …   English new terms dictionary

  • stinkhorn — stink•horn [[t]ˈstɪŋkˌhɔrn[/t]] n. fng any rank smelling, brown capped mushrooms of the genus Phallus, esp P. impudicus[/ex] • Etymology: 1715–25 …   From formal English to slang

  • stinkhorn — /ˈstɪŋkhɔn/ (say stingkhawn) noun any of various ill smelling fungi of the Phallus genus, which rely on carrion loving insects for spore dispersal …  

  • stinkhorn — n. any foul smelling fungus of the order Phallales …   Useful english dictionary

  • dog stinkhorn — noun a stinkhorn having a stalk without a cap; the slimy gleba is simply plastered on its surface near the apex where winged insects can find it • Syn: ↑Mutinus caninus • Hypernyms: ↑stinkhorn, ↑carrion fungus • Member Holonyms: ↑Phallales, ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • common stinkhorn — noun a common fungus formerly used in preparing a salve for rheumatism • Syn: ↑Phallus impudicus • Hypernyms: ↑stinkhorn, ↑carrion fungus • Member Holonyms: ↑Phallus, ↑genus Phallus …   Useful english dictionary

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