Urgent warning over rare 'Devil's Fingers' fungus that smells like rotting FLESH and looks like a 'hand reaching out from a grave'
At first glance at these photos, you'd be forgiven for mistaking them as stills from the latest series of 'The Last of Us'.
But the fungus in the photos is very much real, and was recently spotted in the New Forest.
The alien-like fungus has earned the nickname 'Devil's Fingers' thanks to its ghoulish, hand-like appearance.
What's more, it gives off a disgusting odour, which those unlucky enough to come across it have described as 'like rotting flesh.'
Julia Rosser, 67, a retired teacher who found it, said: 'This one looked more like a hand than any I have ever seen before. It looked like it was reaching out from beyond the grave. It looked very creepy.'
At first glance at these photos, you'd be forgiven for mistaking them as stills from the recent series of 'The Last of Us'. But the fungus in the photos is very much real, and was recently spotted in the New Forest
Devil's Fingers is usually found in late October, but has appeared early this year in the New Forest (pictured) due to the wet weather
Devil's Fingers is usually found in late October, but has appeared early this year due to the wet weather.
Mrs Rosser said: 'I have found Devil's Fingers in roughly the same area last year so I was on the lookout for them.
'They burst out of the ground with these red tentacles or fingers.'
The strange looking fungus is also referred to as 'octopus stinkhorn' or 'octopus fungus'.
Native to New Zealand and Australia, the fungus is believed to have been brought to France during the First World War in military supplies.
'The species is from the southern hemisphere and was first discovered in Britain in 1914,' Wildlife Trusts explained.
The fungus hatches from a slimy, gelatinous 'egg' and as it grows, the tentacle-like arms start to protrude.
While its bright red colour makes it easy to spot, it's fairly rare in the UK.
The fungus hatches from a slimy, gelatinous 'egg' and as it grows, the tentacle-like arms start to protrude. While its bright red colour makes it easy to spot, it's fairly rare in the UK
'About 5cm high, tentacles can be up to 7cm long,' Wildlife Trusts said.
'Usually there are at least 3 or 4 tentacles.
'Often found amongst leaf litter under trees or in parks and gardens.'
However, if you don't see it, you'll likely smell the fungus if it's near.
'This fungus smells like rotting flesh which attract insects to arms where the spores are found,' Wildlife Trusts added.
'The spores are then spread by the visiting insects.'
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