Stinkhorn eggs

Scientific names: Mutinus elegans (Mont.) E.
Fischer; Phallus ravenelii Berk. & Curt.; others.   
Phylum:   Basidiomycota
Order:   Phallales
Comments: When immature, stinkhorns are found in an
"egg" or "button" stage where the nonexpanded tissues
are enclosed by a sac-like peridium. At this stage
stinkhorns may resemble puffballs. Sectioning the egg
will instantly settle the matter.

Figure 1. White eggs (foreground) and mature
specimens of Mutinus elegans. Photo © William
Roody.

Figure 2. Eggs, sectioned eggs, and mature specimen of
Phallus ravenelii. Photo © William Roody.

Figure 3. Egg of Phallus ravenelii. The gelatinous
glebal mass is just beginning to burst through the
pinkish peridium. Photo © Gary Emberger.