Fungi

[Larryp]

I was looking through some old photos and found these I had taken a few years ago, of some fungi that appeared in my garden.
I have never seen this variety before, and they appeared for about a year, and I have not seen them again since.
Perhaps someone can tell me something about them?

[gts055]

Thats a fascinating looking thing, I thought it looked sea anenome like so googled "anenome like fungus" and the following links came up with many others.

I enjoy seeing your images and wonder how manage to capture so many bird ones. By the time I get my camera, the birds have flown :)

http://australianfungi.blogspot.com.au/2007/05/12-aseroe-rubra.html
http://bie.ala.org.au/species/c6f1018d-21ed-48e1-8c0c-55a385630b34

Mark

[Larryp]

Thanks for all that information, Mark! Must say I didn't notice any smell from them-fortunately!

[Regulus]

Yes, Aseroe rubra, one of the 'stink horns. And amazing little guy.
U can see it in municipal garden beds where they have used tree/bark mulch fairly regularly.

Trev

[Larryp]

Trevor, does the fungus get transported in pine bark mulch?
From memory, I think they only appeared after I mulched my garden, and after about a year, I have not seen them again.

[Regulus]

Larry, it is common for people to find odd fungi popping up in their garden mulch. Most trees have a symbiotic, or parasitic, relationship with a fungi or two. Consequently our garden mulch can carry the things, unless it is thoroughly sterilized.

Trev

[Larryp]

Thanks Trevor