The fungus in the photo (below) appeared on rotting, chopped-up trees used as mulch in our garden. It is about 10 centimetres in diameter and appears to feed on insects, and so has an appropriate stink of rotting flesh. What is it?
• The fungus is Aseroe rubra, literally "disgusting red", whose common names include sea anemone, starfish and stinkhorn fungus. Found in Tasmania and as far north as south-east Queensland, it has the distinction of being the first fungus from Australia to be scientifically described. It was named, no doubt after he smelled it, by botanist Jacques Labillardiere at Recherche Bay, Tasmania, in 1792.
The fungus appears to do a good job of mimicking a wound on an animal - an interesting piece of evolution, if true. It looks a bit ...
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