A post featuring a fascinating fungi – Phallus impudicus or Common Stinkhorn. Despite being reputedly common – I have never had the pleasure of coming across one before – I think I would have remembered such an eye-catching specimen!  I found this one growing all on its own in ‘Shedland’ – and despite its diminutive size – its luminosity and erectness stood out in the greenness.Although Phallus impudicus is supposed to stink of putrefying flesh – this one was thankfully impotent! It had been raining earlier – and the whole wood smelled like only an English woodland can after rain – how I wish I could bottle that smell.  

My only other encounter that evening was with another speckled brown cushion of loveliness – not a fawn but a beautiful toad.