Family: PHALLACEAE

Scientific name: Phallus rubicundus

Common Name: Stinkhorn Fungi

Distribution: Common and widespread in woodlands or forests, and on woodchip litter used as mulch. QLD, NSW, VIC, TAS, SA.

Fruiting period: Spring, summer, winter in warmer climates.

General Information: Saprobic, grows alone or in small groups on woodchips, dead organic matter. Pink to red cylindrical stem up to 20cm long, perforated, cap slightly rough, covered in olive to dark brown slime that attracts flies which spread the spores. The cap (2-4cm x 2-3 cm), sits on top of the stem "like a thimble atop a pencil".

Specimen: Walton Bridge Reserve, QLD, 22.2.09

Source: Kuo, M 2008, Phallus rubicundus, Mushroom Expert.com

Young, T, Young AM, & Smith, K 2004, A Field Guide to Australian Fungi, UNSW Press, Australia.

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