I can’t count the number of times I’ve been left stunned by the raw and, frankly, terrifying aspects of nature while watching documentaries or stumbling upon YouTube videos.

The reality is that many of us have limited knowledge about the natural world, and that’s understandable – it’s an incredibly vast and complex place.

Though this might unsettle some people, it’s crucial to recognize that the world’s hidden wonders contribute to the uniqueness of our planet. Wouldn’t it be a bit dull if everything in nature were uniform and predictable?

I’ll admit, I have a natural curiosity for all things wild, so it’s no wonder I was intrigued by a particular video about a fascinating species of fungus known as the Octopus stinkhorn.

Also called the “devil’s fingers,” this fungus has a highly distinctive appearance, and its journey to maturity is equally captivating.

Credit / Flickr – Bernard Spragg

If you weren’t aware of this fungus before reading this article, don’t worry, you’re not alone!

The fungus, native to Australia and New Zealand, has spread to other continents, including Europe and North America.

This unique fungus starts its growth from what resembles a broken egg (though it isn’t), eventually forming several elongated, pink arms.

As if its appearance weren’t unsettling enough, the Octopus stinkhorn emits a smell of rotting flesh when it matures! This is believed to be an evolutionary strategy to attract flies, which help in spore dispersal.

See more the video below:

Wow! Have you ever seen anything like this? Let us know.