Stinkhorns

Stinkhorns are a bizarre group of fungi that have strong, unpleasant odours. They produce a spore mass that smell of rotting flesh or sewage to attract flies and other insects. The flies feed on the spore mass and so act as a vector for the spread of the fungus.

The Anemone Stinkhorn, Aseroe rubra, is normally found in alpine grassland or woodland habitat or other places in rich soils. This one was in some woodchip mulch in a garden bed outside the Drouin Library (thanks Yola).

The foul-smelling spore mass is the dark material on top of the disc.

The Anemone Stinkhorn can grow to a height of 100mm with the divided arms radiating to 30-40mm. Locally they can be quite common yet seem to be restricted to the south-east corner of the continent.

 Phallus rubicundus, another member of the Stinkhorn family, has a spore mass that can vary in colour.

These odd shapes are the mature body of the fungus. They start out as gelatinous egg-shaped forms attached to the mycelium within the substrate.