Anemone stinkhorn fungus, Aseroe rubra, in Vumba, Zimbabwe

Description:

The Phallaceae are a family of fungi, commonly known as stinkhorn mushrooms. Belonging to the fungal order Phallales, the Phallaceae have a worldwide distribution, but are especially prevalent in tropical regions. They are known for their foul smelling sticky spore masses, or gleba, borne on the end of stalks called the receptaculum. The characteristic fruiting body structurea single, unbranched receptaculum with an externally attached gleba on the upper partdistinguish the Phallaceae from other families in the Phalalles. The spore mass typically smells of carrion or dung, and attracts flies and other insects to help disperse the spores. Fm...Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aseroe_rubra