Stinkhorn or wood-witch (Phallus impudicus) is a British fungus of the family Phalloidaceae, of the order Gasteromycetes. It is at first about the size of a small egg, attached to the ground by a slender radicle. The egg contains a jelly, in which is the nucleus of the phallus. When the egg is ripe the skin breaks, and within a few hours the phallus rises. It consists of a lattice-work structure to allow quick development, most of which takes place in half-an-hour, and is surmounted by a cap covered with mucus, at first sweet smelling, but later becoming revolting. This mucus attracts flies which disseminate the fungus spores. Research Stinkhorn
Ashera was an ancient Semitic goddess symbolised by the phallus. A bountiful great mother goddess of heaven, the moon and sea. In wisdom, she was the mistress of the Deities. Research Ashera
Min was the Egyptian god of roads and travellers. He was depicted with an erect phallus and with a flail raised in his right hand. He protected travellers and was also a fertility god, protecting crops. Research Min
In Roman mythology, Ocrisia (or Ocresia) was the mother of Servius Tullius. She was said to have been a slave-woman taken at the fall of Corniculum. After seeing an image of a phallus rising from a hearth, she was made to stand before the fire dressed in a bridal gown by her master King Tarquinius Priscus of Rome, and was mysteriously impregnated and later gave birth to Servius Tullius. Research Ocrisia
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Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Phallus
