Stinkhorn Fungus

Description:

A fungi often called anemone fungus or stinkhorn, blowfly fungus and other names. Red colouring, lined with white, expands and contracts with age and develops the visible (and often rotten smelling) centre of brown 'slime' that is crucial in attracting flies to help spread the spores. Often found in garden mulch as this one was, emerges a deeper shade of red and opens in a star shape.

Habitat:

Found in many areas of Australia and can be easily transported in soil and mulch accidently. A fascinating thing to observe as it changes within days.