“Devil’s Fingers” can be a startling sight in any garden. This article explores the nature of this unique fungus and offers practical solutions for managing it in outdoor spaces.
What Are Devil’s Fingers
Devil’s Fingers, scientifically known as Clathrus archeri, is a fungus in the stinkhorn family (Phallaceae). It is also called octopus stinkhorn due to its distinctive shape.
This fungus begins its life cycle as a whitish, egg-like structure, often 2-3 cm in diameter, partially buried in the soil.
As it matures, this “egg” ruptures, and four to seven finger-like arms, initially joined at the tip, emerge and unfurl. These arms are a striking pinkish-red to bright red, resembling tentacles, and can extend up to 10 cm in length. Their inner surface is covered with a dark olive-brown, slimy, spore-containing substance called gleba, which produces a strong, unpleasant odor. This scent attracts insects, particularly flies, aiding in spore dispersal.
As a saprobic fungus, Clathrus archeri obtains nutrients by decomposing dead organic matter. It thrives in environments rich in decaying plant material, such as leaf litter, wood chips, and mulch. It plays a role in the ecosystem as a decomposer.
Reasons for Removal
Homeowners often consider removing Devil’s Fingers primarily due to its unusual appearance and strong, offensive odor. The sight of red, finger-like structures can be unsettling and detract from a garden’s aesthetic.
Beyond its appearance, the putrid smell, likened to rotting meat, is a significant deterrent. This odor intensifies as the fungus matures, making outdoor areas unpleasant and attracting flies.
While Devil’s Fingers are generally considered harmless to garden plants, pets, and humans, their removal is largely a matter of personal preference to improve garden aesthetics and mitigate the foul odor.
Removing Devil’s Fingers
Physical removal is the most direct method for addressing existing Devil’s Fingers in a garden. When the fungus is still in its early “egg” stage, before the arms have fully emerged, it can be carefully dug up. This involves gently excavating the soil around the egg to remove the entire structure, which is typically 2-4 cm in diameter and attached to an underground network of mycelial threads.
For mature fruiting bodies with unfurled arms, the process also involves digging them out. It is advisable to wear gloves during removal to prevent contact with the dark, sticky gleba, as its unpleasant smell can linger on skin.
The removed fungi, whether eggs or mature forms, should be placed in a sealed plastic bag and disposed of in household trash to prevent the spread of spores.
While physical removal can eliminate the visible fruiting bodies and reduce immediate odor, it does not guarantee complete eradication, as spores or the extensive underground mycelial network may remain. Fungicides are generally not recommended or effective for this type of saprobic fungus in a garden setting, as they can harm beneficial soil fungi without providing lasting control.
Preventing Devil’s Fingers
Long-term prevention of Devil’s Fingers involves altering the environmental conditions that favor their growth. Since these fungi thrive on decaying organic matter, reducing its presence in affected areas can significantly discourage their appearance. This includes minimizing excessive accumulations of wood chips, leaf litter, and other organic debris in garden beds.
Improving soil drainage and aeration is another important strategy, as Clathrus archeri prefers moist, humid environments. Compacted soil can retain too much moisture, creating ideal conditions for fungal growth.
Incorporating organic amendments like compost to improve soil structure, or even considering alternative mulches that decompose more slowly, can help. Managing watering practices to avoid overwatering can also reduce the consistent moisture levels that these fungi require.
While completely eradicating spores from the environment is challenging, consistently maintaining drier, well-aerated conditions and reducing available organic food sources can lead to a significant reduction in the frequency and severity of Devil’s Fingers outbreaks.