Nature lovers stumble upon Devil's fingers fungus in East Sussex

Sussex Wildlife Trust members Lisa Saw and Sue Robinson snapped the spooky specimen, which looks like an egg with protruding red tentacles, in East Sussex.

The freaky fungus (Image: © Sue Robinson/ Sussex Wildlife Trust)The weird natural phenomena is actually a Devil’s fingers fungus (clathrus archeri), which is also commonly known as octopus stinkhorn.

The rare, non-native species, which could be mistaken for an extra-terrestrial creature from a sci-fi film, travelled over from Australia at the beginning of the 20th century.

Tendrils sprout from the egg (Image: © Sue Robinson/ Sussex Wildlife Trust) Although rare, the fungus is constantly spreading and is appearing in more and more areas in the South and South West of England.

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Devil’s fingers fungus starts its life in an egg-like structure, commonly called a witch’s egg. Once it has hatched it resembles more of an octopus like creature before it collapses after a few days and rots into the woodland floor.

The fungus attracts insects with its rotting meat-like odour.

When the insects land on the inner surface of the fungus, its spores attach to their feet and the fungus is able to spread in this way.

Lisa told Sussex Wildlife Trust she was thrilled to see the fungus.

The fungus gives off an unpleasant odour (Image: © Sue Robinson/ Sussex Wildlife Trust) "It might resemble an alien from a sci-fi film and has a strong, unpleasant smell, but these red tentacle-like arms belong to the aptly named Devil’s fingers fungus, which is a rare find in the UK,” she said.

“Clathrus archeri erupts from an egg and is covered in spore-containing gleba – not to be confused with melted chocolate – which flies will help to spread.

“I was thrilled to discover this colourful fungus and see a few of the eggs in East Sussex, mid to late October.

Devils fingers fungus is non native (Image: © Sue Robinson/ Sussex Wildlife Trust) “Watching the development from the egg has been amazing. I’m a newbie when it comes to fungi and have really enjoyed getting out this autumn photographing the different varieties – who knew there were so many. I also love the challenge of trying to identify them.”

A close up of the egg (Image: Lisa Saw/ Sussex Wildlife Trust) Lisa is a self-employed dance teacher with a passion for wildlife photography.

“I love nothing more than being out in nature and, like so many people, it has been a lifeline during this challenging year,” she said.

“It’s been wonderful, and a privilege, to have been able to spend more time than usual appreciating what’s on my doorstep. I’m noticing so much more these days."