commonly known elegant dog devil species fungus family saprobic species typically found growing ground singly small groups woody debris leaf litter summer autumn japan europe eastern north_america fruit body begins development egg form resembling somewhat partially submerged ground fungus matures slender orange pink colored stalk emerges evenly pointed tip stalk covered foul green spore mass upper length flies insects feed contains spores assisting dispersal odor mature specimens generally considered edible reports immature eggs consumed laboratory shown growth humans taxonomy described british missionary chronicled natural history virginia early report thought account fungus north_america characterized scientifically french scientist called genus refers deity roman roman species commonly known variously elegant dog devil specific epithet derived latin word meaning graceful elegant description young fruiting bodies initially white spherical egg shaped partially submerged ground dimensions fruit body matures egg spore bearing stalk emerges fully grown long thick stalk hollow strongly overall shape cylindrical gradually narrow apex small opening tip upper half stalk bright red reddish orange color gradually loses intensity transforming pinkish white stalk straight slightly curved gelatinous greenish brown covers upper stalk newly emerged specimens remains egg forms base stalk odor foul author describes sweet metallic spores greenish brown color fruit bodies attached substrate whitish resemble plant roots american mycologist smith noted eggs slow open taking weeks stalk expands spores elliptical smooth embedded study revealed spores species family including diameter scanning electron circular end spore likely results separation attachment spore edibility immature egg forms edible recommended field guides notes eggs fungi taste like added odor mature specimens probably considered poisonous similar species dog smaller distinct oval shaped tip slender stem lacks bright coloring stalk covered portion stalk spore mass pitted compared common similar size shape distinct color upper lower parts stalk instead entire stem shows red stalk tapered clearly differentiated swollen head habitat distribution saprobic nutrients breaking dead dying organic matter commonly found gardens farm areas enriched near decayed stumps logs wood chips japanese publication mentioned occurrence november december ground paths open spaces near bamboo japanese tree common species collected eastern north_america area extending quebec florida west great lakes iowa texas europe reported netherlands asia collected japan activity study mushrooms showed species activity tested human
Mutinus elegans