During the past week I have made few visits to the Cooks River to see if any more stinkhorns have appeared. I thought it would be likely after recent rain.
Phallus rubicundus
I was not disappointed. Lots more have appeared. They are growing in the bush area near the river at Ewan Park and a few others under one of the trees on the south side of the river opposite the Boat Harbour. Most of the ones I saw were the phallic stinkhorn – Phallus rubicundus. This is a red – range colour with a dark head (or a red head). The head is covered with something smelly that attracts insects. the insects then spread the spores.
Notice the fungi gnats on the cap
I also found quite a few of the “Starfish Fungus” – Aseroe rubra. These also have a nasty smell that attracts flies.
Nearby where a group of Inky Caps (Coprinus atramentarius). These are interesting in that the caps autodigest after a short period of time, a day or so, and end up as an inky liquid.
Inky Caps
Stinkhorns like to grow in areas where wood chips have been deposited. And near Cup and saucer Creek there has been a lot of recent riverbank restoration work – which has included wood chips being placed. But I found no stinkhorns in that area. Perhaps there has not been time for the nutrients that stinkhorns like to leach out?
Anyway, it has been an fascinating experience to observe these interesting fungi.