Don't know anything about mushrooms but this looks like one of some sort. I have never seen anything like it before. The flies like it! So...anyone know what it is? Thanks, Maridell

Is that growing in the ground? Are there trees nearby? What kind of mulch is that?

The colors remind me of Hygrocybes.

The mulch is wood and is under a tree, there is a fabric barrior from the dirt, although it maybe breaking down so there could be a little soil. The area gets only a small amount of morning sun and is shady the rest of the day.

None of the caps were open...maybe if there are new ones tomorrow morning I can get a better photo. Hygrocybes does not quiet seem right but again without a cap open it is hard to tell.

I believe it is a stinkhorn...don't know the scientific name, but a search of stinkhorn should get you there. There are many varieties. We get them here quite often...they smell nasty which is one reason the flies like them so much.

this is what "mine" usually look like

when they first poke through the ground they kinda look like a puff ball

Went outside just a minute ago to see if these have an "odor" but they are pretty much spent. I did however pick one up out of the ground (using a couple pieces of the mulch) and this is what it looks like.



this stuff is gross

Maybe Phallus rubicundus ..

http://mushroomobserver.org/71...

http://www.mushroomexpert.com/...

Mutinus elegans is similar but not sure about the tip,

http://mushroomobserver.org/76...

http://mushroomobserver.org/im...

There's four pages of stinkhorns ..

http://mushroomobserver.org/sp...

Janet, looking at your links (thanks so very much!) I agree that Mutinus elegans was close...but the tip was a problem.

I believe the last link you gave to stinkhorns provides the correct answer (as Ginger also suspected). Phallus rubicundus seems to fit the bill. While some of the photos show the cap as being blackish, there are also some photos with the red cap. I believe we can close this one! Thanks everyone, I appreciate your help!

I know I closed this yesterday but just want to share a photo from this morning. Cap is brown/black.

It certainly does fit Phallus rubicundus ..

http://www.messiah.edu/Oakes/f...

I dare you to dissect it.

Janet, those are great photos at that link! Why would I need to dissect mine....when I can enjoy the professional photos you found