#30 Phallus rubicundus

This pink, orange or red stinkhorn fungus is shaped like a spike or rod, or as the name indicates, is phallic in shape. It grows to about 150mm high and often pops up in lawns, gardens, potplants or mulch.

The matchbox gives an indication of size

of this collapsed Phallus rubicundus

An orange specimen of Phallus rubicundus

This stinkhorn fungus can be distinguished from Mutinus elegans by having separate head holding the brown spore-bearing matter.

As with all stinkhorn fungi, Phallus rubicundus starts out as a gelatinous egg-like structure from which the fruiting body emerges. The fragile hollow stem is perforated, and if sliced horizontally, will be roughly circular. Somewhat sponge-like in texture, it is soft to the touch and will break easily. More information at Mushroom Expert.

The sponge-like texture

The slimy spore-bearing head is separate from the body -

this is an important identifying feature


The interior is hollow and roughly circular.
Notice the stinkhorn "egg" and thin strands of hyphae


The spore-bearing cap has dislodged and slipped down


My sightings of Phallus rubicundus

[This will be updated with new sightings]

Hunter Region Botanic Gardens - Heatherbrae - in mulched gardens, May.

Beresfield Crematorium - in mulched gardens and leaf litter, Dec.

Collapsed and decaying Phallus rubicundus

# 29 Pseudocolus fusiformis

Stinkhorns are amongst my favourite fungi. Yes, I know they are considered the "ugly ducklings" of the fungi world, but their offensive reputation is simply a magnet to me. I am always delighted to stumble upon these weird fungi forms, sometimes just having to follow my nose in order to locate them.

I believe this stinkhorn to be Pseudocolus fusiformis, commonly known as Stinky Squid Fungus, although I am not definite about my identification. If any fungi experts out there can confirm or deny my identification, I would be most grateful.

Pseudocolus fusiformis

I have found this stinkhorn fungus on two occasions, both in mulch at the Hunter Wetlands at Shortland, Newcastle. It is the foulest smelling stinkhorn species I have encountered, resembling the stench of a blocked or unmaintained septic sewer system. The odour emanated for quite a distance.

Arms of Pseudocolus fusiformis emerging from leaf-litter

When leaf-litter is scraped away the "eggs" can be seen

Like all stinkhorn fungi, Pseudocolus fusiformis starts out as a gelatinous egg-like form buried or semi-buried in the substrate. As it ages, the fruit body emerges from the "egg". Up to 4 arms are joined to a single "stem" and are joined at the apex.

The green/brown or brown slimy spore-bearing gleba is present on the inside surface of the arms. The foul odour attracts flies which distribute the spores.

There is more information on Pseudocolus fusiformis at Mushroom Expert.

Notice the gelatinous substance in the ruptured "egg"

My sightings of Pseudocolus fusiformis

[This will be updated with new sightings]

Hunter Wetlands (Shortland, Newcastle) - in mulch or leaf-litter - Jun, Dec.

Arms are joined at apex and gleba is presented

on the inside surface of the arms