Nature is the most unpredictable creator. It can create not only amazing plants, but also those that, frankly, terrify a person. One of her such creations is the demonic mushroom, "the fingers of the devil," as it is called by the people. What does it look like, where does it meet and is it possible to eat it? About this further.
Botanical description
Anthurus Archer is a mushroom of the genus Reshetnik (Veselkov family) capable of changing its appearance. Its initial state is the shape of an egg with a diameter of about 5 cm. 
During this period it is easy to confuse with a whitish toadstool or some kind of alien creature. Devil Fingers has a multi-layered structure:
- mucous jelly-like membrane;
- core (recipe and spore layer).
Important! Anthurus Archer is listed in the Red Book.
During the flowering period (from August to October, inclusive), the egg shell bursts and releases no more than 8 petals, the tips of which have grown together. Their length is up to 10 cm. Soon the petals are separated and become similar to the octopus tentacles or helicopter blades.
Inside, they resemble a porous sponge. The petals are quite fragile, covered with dark spots and spores, emitting a disgusting smell.
The final shape is a star (or a flower) with a diameter of 15 cm. It does not have a clear leg. The smell that is spread by the devil's fingers during flowering attracts flies so that they in turn spread the spores of the plant. 
This is a fairly effective method of distribution, which is usually not characteristic of mushrooms.
After the petals have completely emerged from the burst egg shell, Anthurus Archer lives only a few days. This is quite enough to extend the race.
Did you know? Mushrooms produce vitamin D if they have enough sunlight. This is reflected in the color of their cap.
Spread
The Devil's Fingers mushroom comes from Australia (Tasmania) and New Zealand. A little later, he became known to Africans, Asians, Americans and residents of St. Helena and Mauritius. Europeans still treat him like a stranger. There is no exact data on the appearance of the "devil's fingers" in Europe.
There is an opinion that for the first time the mushroom was introduced in 1914-1920 to the French territory from Australia in wool, which was supplied to the textile industry.
We advise to familiarize with the list of edible and poisonous mushrooms.
He passed acclimatization well and got accustomed here. A little later, information about the presence of the "devil's fingers" on the German (1937), Swiss (1942), English (1945), Austrian (1948) and even Czech (1963) territories began to appear. 
In the countries of the USSR, it appeared in 1953, in particular in 1977 in Ukraine and 1978 in Russia.
Important! The mushroom "devil's fingers" is recognized as the most terrible in the world precisely because of its appearance during the flowering period.
Its habitat is mixed and deciduous forests with humus soil and decaying wood, desert or semi-desert. These mushrooms can grow in whole groups, if climatic conditions allow it.
Edible or not
Anthurus Archer or "the fingers of the devil", despite its terrifying appearance, can be eaten. Those who still decided to try it, they say that the taste is as unpleasant as the look.
Did you know? Mushroom "Veselka" every 2 min. grows 1 cm, and therefore is included in the Guinness Book of Records.
Having appeared in the conditions of lack of other food option for a survival, you, of course, can enter Anthurus Archer into the diet. In all other cases, it is inedible. 
"Devil's fingers" is quite rare in nature. During the flowering period, it scares people with its appearance and emits an unpleasant smell to attract insects, and after 3 days it fades away.
It is an inedible mushroom, although it carries no danger to the person who ate it.
The most popular edible mushrooms are: boletus mushrooms, honey agaric, chanterelles, black milk mushrooms, boletus mushrooms and aspen mushrooms.
Do not be afraid of such a stranger, he is not harmful, but its use is questionable.
