Lysurus mokusin (L.) Fr.

Common name: None.

Description: The fungus first appears as a white, gelatinous-textured egg up to 3 cm in diameter which splits open to produce a white, fluted stem up to 15 cm long and 12 cm thick. The egg remnants form a volva at the stem base. At the apex of the stem are 46 arms which remain strongly pressed together. The arms are bright orange or orange-red and are usually rough on the outer surface. The olive-brown, foul-smelling, spore-bearing slime is carried on the inner surfaces of the arms.

The spores measure 46 × 23 µm, are ellipsoidal or cylindrical, smooth and colourless.

Substratum: Grows in Rich humus or compost-rich soil in rainforests and eucalypt forests; found singly or in small groups.

Distribution: Known from Queensland and New South Wales.

Notes: The foetid odour of the spore-carrying slime is highly attractive to blow flies which feed on the slime and then carry the spores off on their feet. The first Australian records appear to be those of F.M.Bailey who recorded the species from Brisbane in 1895.