Related to the Stinkhorn the extremely rare Red Cage fungus found growing at Durlston Country Park. Also known in some parts of eastern Europe as Witches Heart it erupts from an “egg” like structure before collapsing in on itself 24hrs later.
The partially collapsed remains of a fairly large specimen approximately 20cm across.
A smaller, freshly emerged Red Cage growing in the leaf litter
Brown, sticky gleba produced by the fungus to attract flies.
The gleba has a distinctive smell of rotting flesh.
A picture postcard view from the visitor centre looking east towards Old Harry rocks and in the far distance Bournemouth.
Ivy Broomrape. No need for green pigment (chlorophyll) or leaves with the parasitic Broomrape stealing all the nutrients it need from the Ivy.
The far rarer Carrot Broomrape. Unfortunately flowering earlier in the season this one was well past its best.