Stinkhorn fungi
These fungi produce a dark brown to black slime containing spores on their surface, 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.
Toxicity category: 2
Warning: Seek urgent medical attention for any ingestion.
Common name: Stinkhorn fungi
Botanical name: Aseroe rubra, Phallus rubicundus and others
Other common names: –
Family: –
General description: These fungi produce a dark brown to black slime containing spores on their surface, 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.
Flowers: –
Leaves: –
Fruit/Berries: –
Other: –
Symptoms: 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.
