devil's fingers

Noun

devil's fingers pl (normally plural, singular devil's finger)

1. (archaic, plural, plural-normally, rare) A starfish, especially Asterias rubens.
   • In Ireland, and elsewhere, there exists a common species of starfish known as the “devil’s hands,” or the “devil’s fingers,” and children have a superstitious dread of touching them.1876, George L. Austin, “Poetical Zoölogy”, in Appleton’s Journal, page 144
   • Its peculiar shape has gained the starfish many names even round the coasts of Great Britain, such as “crossfish,” “sunfish,” “old five fingers,” “five-fingered Jack,” “cramps,” and “devil’s hand” or “devil’s fingers.”1902, F. Martin Duncan, “The Artful Starfish”, in The Royal Magazine, volume 10, page 327

   Synonyms:

   sea star

2. (US, informal, plural, plural-normally) The gills of various species of crabs.
   • I removed the underside of the crab called its apron. I opened it up and removed the gills or “devil’s fingers.” And I removed its eyes and mouth.1992 June 21, Rob Kasper, “To cut, or not to cut, the mustard”, in The Sun, Baltimore, Maryland, page 1G
   • Next, remove the apron from the underside of the crab. Finally, Curtis says, you’ll need to lift up each side of the shell and remove the gills or the “devil’s fingers.”2001 June 6, Patricia Talorico, “Just forget that it’s a whole crab; take a bite and enjoy that flavor”, in The News Journal, Wilmington, Delaware, page D1

   Synonyms:

   dead men's fingers, dead men

3. (plural, plural-normally) A fungus, Clathrus archeri, featuring pink or white 'arms' erupting from a white ball-like body, with a putrid odor.
   • In North America, and increasingly in gardens in southern England, the bizarre Devil’s Fingers, Clathrus archeri, is enlivening our autumns. The first sign of it is usually a horrible stink like rotten meat. A little poking around in the shrubbery should reveal its science fiction-like body...2006 October 21, Peter Marren, “Day of the fungi”, in The Daily Telegraph, page 15
   • Specimens of the aptly named devil’s fingers and the coral-like hazel gloves were spotted nestling in the undergrowth at Devon Wildlife Trust sites.2014 December 20, “Two rare fungi found on Devon wildlife sites”, in The Western Morning News, Plymouth, England, page 4

   Synonyms:

   octopus stinkhorn