Mutinus caninus, commonly known as the dog stinkhorn, is a small thin, phallus-shaped woodland fungus, with a dark tip. It is often found growing in small groups on wood debris, or in leaf litter, during summer and autumn in Europe, Asia, and eastern North America. It is not generally considered edible, although there are reports of the immature 'eggs' being consumed.
Mutinus caninus
Cross section of the immature 'egg'
Image: Mutinus caninus 18
Image: Mutinus caninus 12
In Greek mythology, Priapus is a minor rustic fertility god, protector of livestock, fruit plants, gardens, and male genitalia. Priapus is marked by his oversized, permanent erection, which gave rise to the medical term priapism. He became a popular figure in Roman erotic art and Latin literature, and is the subject of the often humorously obscene collection of verse called the Priapeia.
Fresco of Priapus, House of the Vettii, Pompeii
Priapus depicted with the attributes of Mercury in a fresco found at Pompeii
Bronze Bust of Priapus, Roman 100 BC found in the Villa di Papiri in Herculaneum
Gallo-Roman bronze statuette (c. 1st century AD) of Priapus (or a Genius cucullatus?) discovered in Picardy, northern France, made in two parts, with the top section concealing a giant phallus.