On Tue, 04 May 2010 18:21:15 +1000, Jeßus wrote:

Found this near the front gate yesterday arvo:
http://i40.tinypic.com/1045gcp.jpg

And yes - it certainly does stink

I've done a bit of searching in a bid to identify it, turns out to be
a fungi.

Thing is, there seems to be similar looking fungi in a variety of
genus from what I've read. Is it Aseroe rubra, pseudocolus sp, or
something else? Most likely the former, I think.
I'm located in N.E Tas.
Cheers.

OK, I think it could only be Aseroe rubra-

"This fungus is like a large, land, sea anemone with outstretched red
tentacles and an evil-smelling brown-green slime in the centre. The
fruiting body emerges from an 'egg. It has a very unpleasant odour,
like rotting meat, to attract flies (which then spread the spores).
# It grows on rich humic soils in sheltered spots. In Victoria, Aseroe
rubra occurs almost exclusively in alpine areas, but in Tasmania it
has been recorded from lowland sites close to the northern coast. It
is also in New Zealand, New Caledonia and New Caledonia, with related
forms further afield. "
From:
http://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/plant_i...EN T_ID=72342

And...

"These fungi produce spore slime, which has an intense smell of
rotting meat or sewage. They are very common on wood or bark-chip
mulch in gardens, and on deep litter on the rainforest floor. There
are a number of differently shaped species, but all are readily
recognisable by the smell of the spore slime.

Cases of human consumption are not known, but the smell is attractive
to dogs, and possibly cats. Deaths of small dogs have occurred. The
toxins are unknown, but are thought to develop during the enzymatic
liquefaction of the spore slime. They are generally gastro-irritants.
Toxicity category 2 Warning Seek urgent medical attention for any
ingestion."

from:
http://www.health.qld.gov.au/poisons...khornfungi.asp

Cheers