Colus hirudinosus group

Image © Ian R. McCann Reproduced by permission Common Name: None

The Colus hirudinosus group (includes C. pusillus). A stinkhorn with horizontally wrinkled, red arms united at apex, which can form a lattice. Anthurus archeri has arms which although joined at apex, almost always become free. RARE.

• Fruit Body

  Consists of red wrinkled arms which may be joined or form a lattice at the top, expanding from a white-skinned gelatinous egg-like receptacle. When mature, the fungus smells foetid and disgusting.

• Lamellae/gills

• Stipe/stem

  The 'arms' are fused together at the base and held within the 'egg.'

• Volva

• Ring

• Smell

• Spores

  The spores are found within a dark, olive brown slime found inside the 'arms'. They are spread on the feet of insects which are attracted by the smell and crawl over the fungus.

• Habitat

• References

  Bougher, N & Syme, K. Fungi of Southern Australia, pp 114-115

Distribution map

Last modified on 28 May 2001

Maintained by Mike McBain

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