Gemeine Stinkmorchel vs Dünen-Stinkmorchel

Phallus impudicus compared with Phallus hadriani

Key Differences

• Gemeine Stinkmorchel is Least Concern while Dünen-Stinkmorchel is Critically Endangered.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Gemeine Stinkmorchel	Dünen-Stinkmorchel
Kingdom same	Fungi (Pilze)	Fungi (Pilze)
Phylum same	Basidiomycota (Ständerpilze)	Basidiomycota (Ständerpilze)
Class same	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)
Order same	Phallales (Stinkmorchelartige)	Phallales (Stinkmorchelartige)
Family same	Phallaceae	Phallaceae
Genus same	Phallus	Phallus
Species	Phallus impudicus	Phallus hadriani

Evolutionary Relationship

Gemeine Stinkmorchel and Dünen-Stinkmorchel share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Phallus.

Conservation Status

Gemeine Stinkmorchel

LC — Least Concern

Dünen-Stinkmorchel

CR — Critically Endangered

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Gemeine Stinkmorchel	Dünen-Stinkmorchel
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Gemeine Stinkmorchel

Habitat

Typically found in forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil ecosystems.

Range

Found across Europe (7 countries) and North America (United States).

Dünen-Stinkmorchel

Habitat

Typically found in forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Gemeine Stinkmorchel

<em>Phallus impudicus</em>, commonly known as the common stinkhorn, is a basidiomycete fungus belonging to the family Phallaceae within the order Phallales. It is widely distributed across Europe and North America, typically found in deciduous and mixed woodlands, gardens, and areas with rich organic soil. The fungus emerges from an egg-like structure partially buried in the substrate, rapidly developing a spongy, white stalk topped with a dark olive-green gleba that produces a powerful fetid odor resembling rotting flesh. This smell typically attracts flies and other insects, which disperse the spores. <em>Phallus impudicus</em> is saprotrophic, obtaining nutrients by decomposing dead organic matter, and plays an important ecological role in nutrient cycling within forest ecosystems. Biological traits such as average lifespan, precise dimensions under field conditions, and detailed dietary preferences remain poorly documented in the scientific literature. The species is currently assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN, reflecting its broad distribution and apparent population stability across its native range. It has no known significant threats at the global level.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 4 countries:

🇧🇪 Belgium 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden