The " dog stinkhorn " ( Mutinus caninus ) is smaller , have a distinct oval or spindle @-@ shaped tip on a slender stem and lack the bright coloring of M. elegans ; it have less of the stalk covered by gleba . The portion of the stalk below the spore mass is pitted in M. caninus , compared to " pebbly " in M. elegans . M. caninus is also less common than M. elegans . Mutinus bambusinus is similar in size and shape , except it do not have a distinct color demarcation between the upper and lower parts of the stalk ; instead , the entire stem show red pigments . The stalk of M. ravenelii is less tapered than M. elegans , and it have a clearly differentiated swollen head .