This 'unusual' fungus belongs in the morphological group called 'stinkhorns'. The brownish slime in the centre contains the spores which are consumed by flys and other insects. In a number of stinkhorns this spore mass smells very strongly of rotting meat and other aromas that attract flys etc. It is a saprotrophic (decomposer) fungus and is often found in wood chip and other mulch. This is a significant fungus in the mycological history of Australia as it was the first fungus described from Australia. It was collected from Recherche Bay in Tasmania, just south of Hobart by Labillardiere on 1st May 1792. Lovely clear image.
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