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Not all mushrooms have fruiting bodies consisting of a stem and a cap. Sometimes you can find unusual specimens that can even scare inexperienced mushroom pickers. These include Anturus Archera - a representative of the Veselkovye family, the Clathrus genus. The Latin name is Clathrus Archeri.
Also Known As Devil's Fingers, Archer's Flowerstalker, Archer's Clathrus, Cuttlefish Mushroom, Archer's Lattice Mushroom.
Where does Anturus Archera mushroom grow
The homeland of the mushroom is Australia
Today, this species can be found almost anywhere in the world, especially on the Eastern European continent. Anturus Archera, whose photo is presented in this article, was registered in countries such as Russia, Austria, Czech Republic, Australia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Switzerland, Kazakhstan, Poland and many others. This specimen is also common in Africa and North America.
A favorable time for fruiting is the period from July to October. It is not common, but under favorable conditions this species grows in large groups. It grows in mixed and deciduous forests, and can also be found in parks or meadows.
What does Anturus Archer mushroom look like?
This specimen is a saprophyte, which tends to feed on plant debris.
At the initial stage of ripening, the fruit body of Arthurus Archer is pear-shaped or egg-shaped, the size of which is 4-6 cm. Initially, it is covered with a white or gray shell with a brownish or pinkish tint. Under the peridium there is a slimy, jelly-like layer that exudes an unpleasant aroma, which protects the fruit from external negative influences.
In the section of Anturus Archer, at the initial stage, you can see its multilayer structure. The first top layer is the peridium, then the jelly-like shell, and under them is the core, which consists of a red-colored recipe. They are the future petals of the “flower”. In the central part there is a gleb in the form of a spore-bearing olive layer.
After the rupture of the front, the recipe develops quickly enough, representing from 3 to 8 red lobes. Initially, they are connected to each other to the top, but gradually separate and bend outward. Their color varies from cream or pink to coral red, in old specimens it fades and acquires faded tones. Subsequently, the fruiting body takes the form of a star or a flower with long petals, where the lobes reach 15 cm in length. The inner side is covered with a mucous spore-bearing mass of olive color, which dries up and turns black with age. There is no explicit leg. It emits an unpleasant scent for humans, but tempting for insects, which, in turn, are spore carriers. The pulp resembles a honeycomb in structure, soft, spongy and very fragile in consistency.
Is it possible to eat Anturus Archer mushroom
This species belongs to the category of inedible mushrooms. Not edible due to its repulsive odor and unpleasant taste.
Conclusion
Due to its peculiar appearance, Anturus Archer cannot be confused with other gifts of the forest. It used to be considered a rare specimen, but today the fruits are found more and more often in various parts of the world. However, there is no benefit from it. It has an unpleasant taste and pungent odor, and therefore does not represent nutritional value.
