Devil’s finger fungus is spotted in the New Forest

Devil’s fingers fungus is an eye-catching plant that splays red tentacles and hatches from a slimy, gelatinous ‘egg’.

Although its bright colour makes it easier to spot, the fungus is now considered rare in the UK and is not often seen by the public.

Clive Hill, 50 from Poole, has been photographing wildlife in the New Forest for the past four and a half years after he had to walk more following an operation.

He first spotted the smelly rarity - also known as octopus stinkhorn - last autumn but decided to set out early this season after a summer of cooler weather.

He found the devilish flora in the heart of the New Forest on September 18.

“Fungi season this year is ridiculously early because we’ve had such odd weather," he said.

“All the fungi started coming out in August when we had really bad weather and I think it triggered the autumn fungus to come out early.”

Clive said he was very pleased when he managed to find the fungus in the depths of the forest, as it usually appears in late October and November.

He said: “The eggs that the fungus emerges from are about the same size as a golf ball but they really do look like an alien egg because you can see the redness popping through the jelly before it pops out, and when they do come out they’re like fingers.

“The official name is octopus stinkhorn and they really do stink, if you come on a day when it’s not particularly windy, you can smell them before you can see them.”

Julia Rosser, 66 and from Bournemouth, is a fellow wildlife fanatic and has been photographing for around ten years.

“I love photographing things and sharing them, it gives you a buzz.”

Julia searched the location where Clive spotted the fungus and after a few attempts managed to see it for herself.

She said: “It wasn't smelly when I saw it, because it was still early stages but I was hoping to find one that was smelly, just to see what it was like.”

Dorset Wildlife Trust says the devil’s finger fungus - known by its latin name Clathrus archeri - can reach up to 5cm high, with its tentacles stretching up to 7cm in length.

The fungus is not said to be toxic, however, its unpleasant smell usually keeps people away.