Sand Stinkhorn
Phallus hadriani
Phallus hadriani, commonly known as the dune stinkhorn or the sand stinkhorn, is a species of fungus in the Phallaceae (stinkhorn) family. The stalk of the fruit body reaches up to 20 cm (8 in) tall by 4 cm thick, and is spongy, fragile, and hollow.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phallus_hadriani
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Fungi
Phylum
Basidiomycota
Class
Agaricomycetes
Order
Phallales
Family
Phallaceae
Genus
Phallus
Sand Stinkhorn belongs to the family Phallaceae, order Phallales, within the Agaricomycetes class.
Species Profile
Phallus hadriani, commonly known as the dune stinkhorn or the sand stinkhorn, is a species of fungus in the Phallaceae (stinkhorn) family. The stalk of the fruit body reaches up to 20 cm (8 in) tall by 4 cm thick, and is spongy, fragile, and hollow. At the top of the stem is a ridged and pitted, thimble-like cap over which is spread olive-colored spore slime (gleba). Shortly after emerging, the gleba liquefies and releases a fetid odor that attracts insects, which help disperse the spores. P. hadriani may be distinguished from the similar P. impudicus by the presence of a pink or violet-colored volva at the base of the stem, and by differences in odor.
The Sand Stinkhorn faces severe threats from coastal development and habitat destruction, as its specialized sandy coastal and dune ecosystems are increasingly converted for tourism and urban development. Climate change poses additional risks through sea level rise and altered precipitation patterns that affect the specific soil conditions this fungus requires for fruiting and spore dispersal.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Sandy coastal areas, stabilized sand dunes, and sandy soils near beaches and coastal grasslands, typically in Mediterranean and temperate coastal regions. The species requires well-drained sandy substrates with specific organic matter content and soil chemistry conditions.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
The Sand Stinkhorn faces severe threats from coastal development and habitat destruction, as its specialized sandy coastal and dune ecosystems are increasingly converted for tourism and urban development. Climate change poses additional risks through sea level rise and altered precipitation patterns that affect the specific soil conditions this fungus requires for fruiting and spore dispersal.
Coastal development and urbanization
Habitat fragmentation of dune systems
Sea level rise and coastal erosion
Altered soil chemistry from pollution
Trampling and recreational disturbance
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Sand Stinkhorn (Phallus hadriani). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/sand-stinkhorn