A rare fungus, scientifically known as Clathrus ruber, listed in the Red Book, has been found growing out of season in Sochi. Resembling a netted sphere, this fungus is very rare, grows solitarily, and typically appears in the spring.
"It's definitely not May on my calendar. It's probably November for you too. But the Clathrus ruber seems to have a different idea. It has unfurled its 'balls' and is reproducing. Apparently, it was too hot and dry for it in the summer, so it decided to emerge from the ground in this cold weather," said Galina Soltani, a leading researcher at the Sochi National Park.
Clathrus ruber is inedible. It is not recommended to touch it, and hands should be washed thoroughly after contact. The fungus has a putrid smell that attracts flies, which help to disperse its spores. For the first time in many years, a mass growth of the Red Book-listed Clathrus ruber was observed in the Sochi National Park in 2023.
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