Why does this mushroom smell so bad?
This mushroom has an amazing peculiarity: it gives off a very strong smell, often compared to a decomposing smell of matter. But it is no coincidence and it is not a problem.
In reality, this smell attracts flies, which play a very important role: they carry the spores of the fungus elsewhere, which allows it to reproduce and spread.
So it’s a very effective natural strategy, even if for us, the smell is really unpleasant.
A fungus that is born like an egg
Another fascinating detail: at the beginning, this mushroom does not look at all like what I imagined. It begins in the form of a small white “egg” placed on the floor. Then, over time, this egg opens and the famous red shapes appear and unfold.
The transformation is quite spectacular, which is why I felt like I saw something very strange almost overnight appear in my garden.
