A rare and eerie fungus known as devil's fingers has been discovered on Dartmoor in Devon, drawing wildlife enthusiasts to the remote location. The specimen, which resembles a blood-red hand emerging from the ground, was found by a walker during a navigation course near Merrivale.
The fungus, scientifically named Clathrus archeri, is native to Australia and New Zealand. It is believed to have arrived in England with war supplies such as wool in 1914. Also called the octopus stinkhorn, it emits a foul smell akin to rotting flesh to attract flies that spread its spores.
Wildlife writer Charlie Elder, who tracked down the fungus after seeing a news report, described it as 'otherworldly' with spindly fingers twisted into a fist, blackened like chargrilled red pepper. He noted the putrid perfume of decay emanating from the tentacles.
The devil's fingers fungus is one of several British species with 'devil' in its name, including devil's-bit scabious and devil's matchstick lichen. However, Elder remarked that none earn the moniker more than this gruesome fungus, which appears to play dead amid the grasses.
