Fungi Aseroe rubra (Starfish Fungus)

[Howling Dingo]

Common Name: Starfish Fungus

Botanic Name: Aseroe rubra

Other Names:Anemone Stinkhorn,Sea anemone fungus

Distribution:Southeastern Qld, Eastern NSW, eastern Vic, Tasmania, and Southeastern SA.

Field Notes:A common native fungus found growing alpine,grassland and woodland habitats.A member of the stink horn family with a unpleasant rotting meat smell.The putrid smell attracts flies which in turn help spread its spores.The Aseroe rubra can sometimes be found growing in garden mulch beds.

 

[Dusty Miller]

There was one like this in the University of Queensland grounds, smelled of a cross between rotting meat and faeces. Quite spectacular.