Many children cry when they see the hand-like shape and smell of rotten flesh of a unique mushroom native to Australia.

Clathrus archeri is the scientific name of the devil’s finger mushroom or octopus mushroom. Photo: errotari.com

Clathrus archeri is the scientific name of the devil’s finger mushroom or octopus mushroom. Photo: errotari.com

They are native to Australia. Photo: bio-foto.com

They are native to Australia. Photo: bio-foto.com

Initially, the octopus mushroom was shaped like an egg. Photo: asturnatura.com

Initially, the octopus mushroom was shaped like an egg. Photo: asturnatura.com

But when it comes to spawning, they often have the shape of a pinched hand. Photo: Livescience

But when it comes to spawning, they often have the shape of a pinched hand. Photo: Livescience

Many children cried when they saw these mushrooms because they were so similar to human hands. Photo: Flickr

Many children cried when they saw these mushrooms because they were so similar to human hands. Photo: Flickr

Once mature, their body will have from 4 to 8 branches that radiate like fingers and turn bright red. Experts say they call them octopus dog mushrooms because some of the branches have a black border like the tentacles of an octopus. Photo: Wikimedia

Once mature, their body will have from 4 to 8 branches that radiate like fingers and turn bright red. Experts say they call them octopus dog mushrooms because some of the branches have a black border like the tentacles of an octopus. Photo: Wikimedia

When the branches begin to split, they are usually bright red. Australians call them corpse hands. Photo: Nature Photos

When the branches begin to split, they are usually bright red. Australians call them corpse hands. Photo: Nature Photos

The fingers are usually straight up to 10 cm in length. Researchers say the length of the trunk is about 20 cm. Photo: asturnatura.com

Although analysts confirm that all ingredients in mushrooms are not toxic, people dare not try them because the smell is too rotten. Photo: Wikimedia

A few days before Halloween, people often make hand models on the graves with octopus mushrooms.