Rare ‘alien-like’ fungus with ‘tentacles’ and smell like rotting flesh spotted in one of UK’s best-loved national parks

A BIZARRE “alien-like” fungus has been spotted in one of the UK’s beloved national parks.

A nature-loving woman stumbled upon a rare sight with tentactles on her walk.

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The ‘alien like’ fungi resembles an octopus with its tentacles[/caption]

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A Devon woman was out hiking on Dartmoor when she spotted a rare stinky fungus[/caption]

Becky Harrison was hiking in Dartmoor, near Merrivale, when she came across the freaky fungus, which looks straight out of Alien vs Predator movie.

The rare fungi resembles Octopus’ tentacles, which explains its name Octopus Stinkhorn.

It’s also known as the Devil’s fingers fungus for its particularly eye-catching red colour.

Becky said: “It’s incredibly rare to find.

“When we found it we couldn’t smell it, I think it’s in its early stages the long tentacles were stuck together too and I think it’s supposed to spread out more and that’s when it gets its bad stench.”

“It was about the size of my hand really, I thought they were way bigger.

“It was definitely ‘wow’, it was incredible.”

Officially known as Clathrus archeri, the fungus is rare but can be found in gardens, towns and woodlands in the UK during the summer and fall seasons.

Last year, another nature lover has shared his eerie experience with an alien-like fungus in the New Forest, Hampshire.

The same kind of fungus was also spotted in the woods in East Sussex.

The devil’s fingers produces an olive-brown sludge called “gelba” which gives out a strong and foul stench.

The smell is used to draw insects to Devil’s fingers’ spore-covered arms.

The visiting insects then get the spores stuck to their wings and bodies and spread them.

Mycologist Andrew N. Miller, Ph.D told Inverse: “Flies come to the top of the stinkhorn and they eat that mucus.

“They’re basically not only eating spores — they’re getting spores all over their wings and feet, then the fly flies off and disperses the spores for the fungus.”

The fungi is native to New Zealand and Australia and is believed to have been brought to France during the First World War in military supplies.

They first appeared in the UK more than 70 years ago, but sightings are uncommon and they are a sought-after find among mycologists.

This explains why they are commonly found in the New Forest and other areas in southern England that were used by the military in 1942.

Charlotte Targett, Living Landscape Assistant at Avon Wildlife Trust, who first spotted the fungus, said: “I didn’t know what it was when I first saw it.

“It looked like some sort of strange sea creature.”

She added that the team was “really astonished” after discovering it.

Conservation colleague Joe McSorley, whom she was with at the time was then able to identify it.

He said: “We were surprised to find devil’s fingers fungi as it’s a rare find in the UK, with only two known records from our region, both from 1999.

“Careful conservation management over the years means that Dolebury Warren is particularly rich in fungal species.”

Dangers of the fungi

The rare fungi is not believed to be toxic but people usually avoid it due to its rotting smell.

However, if you’re on a walk with your pooch, it’s best to avoid all types of fungi.

Even though not all of them are dangerous, it can be hard to distinguish safe and toxic types.

Pet nutritionist Emily Boardman at Burns Pet Nutrition told BBC: “Not all fungi are poisonous to dogs, but some are, so it’s best for your canine to avoid them as it can be hard to distinguish one from other.”

If you suspect a poisoning in your dog, it’s best to seek veterinary help right away.

It’s also recommended to bring a sample of what they’ve eaten carefully wrapped in paper.