Clathrus ruber of the mature fruit bodies have been identified as carotenes, predominantly lycopene and "beta"-carotene—the same compounds responsible for the red and orange colors of tomatoes and carrots, respectively. Lycopene is also the main pigment in the closely related fungus "Clathrus archeri", while "beta"-carotene is the predominant pigment in the Phallaceae species "Mutinus caninus", "M. ravenelii", and "M. elegans". Clathrus ruber Clathrus ruber is a species of fungus in the stinkhorn family, and the type species of the genus "Clathrus". It is commonly known as the latticed stinkhorn, the basket stinkhorn, or the red cage, alluding to the striking fruit bodies
Lycopene from tomatoes has been tested in humans for cardiovascular diseases and prostate cancer, no effect on any disease was found. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in rejecting manufacturers' requests in 2005 to allow "qualified labeling" for lycopene and the reduction of various cancer risks, provided a conclusion that remains in effect : "...no studies provided information about whether lycopene intake may reduce the risk of any of the specific forms of cancer. Based on the above, FDA concludes that there is no credible evidence supporting a relationship between lycopene consumption, either as a food ingredient, a component of