Stinkhorns!

This year we have stinkhorns in the flower bed with the elephant years! It's the first year we've had them there. (It must be the landscaping mulch!)




We almost missed them, but when we hitched up a skirt of big green hosta leaves, there they were--what a surprise!

Because of their distinct head, I think the species we have is Phallus rubicundus (based on the key at MushroomExpert.com).




Here's one that's all done and gone flaccid.




Because stinkhorns look so phallic, and because of their icky smell and attractiveness to flies, they easily draw attention to themselves. Apparently the Victorians couldn't deal with them very well.

And if you think all this is amusing, you need to see the photos on this Web page.