This week's word was chosen by Linda Sue - I hadn't got anything planned for this, but yesterday I was uploading some photos to Flickr and thought this one would fit the bill perfectly! Any idea what this is....?
Well, this oddity with its net covering is a fungus! Phallus indusiatus to be precise - also known as the Crinoline Stinkhorn, bridal veil fungus and bamboo fungus (it grows in bamboo forests). Isn't it bizarre?! As its name suggests it has an unpleasant smell, but nevertheless is now cultivated, dried and eaten in Asia (apparently it was originally reserved for special occasions and was once served at a banquet for Henry Kissinger on his visit to China in the early 70's to reestablish diplomatic relations). I've also read that it is prized for its aphrodisiac qualities, particularly for women!! We came across this specimen whilst doing a trek in the rainforest in the Cameron Highlands. Luckily for our party there was no evident smell - they can be smelt for miles around apparently! Perhaps is was because this is a fallen specimen ( they're usually upright)!
The light was low and unfortunately, my original photo was rather blurred so I doctored it to make it more presentable and then played around a little with a cropped version. If you would like to see better photos and read more about this fungus you can click here.
Scary little holes - looking like something for Halloween!!
For more versions of 'hole' visit Linda Sue's blog for links.
Have a good weekend!
What an interesting post Caroline!
ReplyDeleteThat what I like so much about blogging, that I learn new things every time.
Wonderful pics info and links.
Thanks.
Have a nice weekend!
groetjes ;)
>M<
what a fabulous set of pics caroline (does anyone call you caro?) i like them a lot, i would love to join this, but NO i have too much to do. tee hee.
ReplyDeleteHoley moldy. What an interesting fungus. It is so pretty really. This post also goes with the Illustration Friday theme of blur.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend.
very bizzare, very interesting. I love fungus. I wonder if we should start a fungus friday?
ReplyDeleteNow that was so cool Caroline. I thought it was some kind of plastic bag.
ReplyDeleteLove Renee xoxo
rad interpretation! i love finding new blogs via weekword...
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting structure! I thought it was a shell at first.
ReplyDeleteNature never ceases to fascinate me. Wow!!
ReplyDeleteIn case you hadn't popped back over to my blog, yes this is a painting I did. It's large and looming!
I was lucky enough to sell it last year.
;)
Very interesting! Natures variety and beauty never cease to amaze me.
ReplyDeleteThis little thing is beautiful. I think it kind of looks like a type of coral I've seen in aquariums. It certainly does the job of filling the "Hole"!
ReplyDeleteI thought it was something from the sea. It really is unusual. Thanks for an intresting post, Caroline.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it great! We eat fungus! Hahahah! Good thing they come from the forest instead of the animals and humans. Hehehe.
ReplyDeleteHow are you? I am just taking a break from the oaks. I will never tire of them. I have not finished the sisterfriends and I have more nuts to draw. Haha!
Have a great week dear Caroline!
Tsup!
caroline, i have to understand this: that plastic wrapping is actually part of the fungus??
ReplyDeleteokay, i know it's not really plastic but how can it look so much like plastic? i'm with marianne (you know she is emily's best friend, right), it is so great to learn so much every day.
tonight marion and i are talking over the fence. stop by if you can, or later. you might be sound asleep at 7 pm eastern standard time, or probably into another day. but our chat will be memorialized in our comments.
ps those artsy journals are incredible. what an awesome idea.
xoxo
kj
haha, the word verf is farie. i like that just fine. :)
Love your idea and the cool shots too:)
ReplyDeleteToo beautiful!