Forest Flora – Yellow Bridal Veil

#ForestFlora – Did you know that the Daintree Rainforest is home to a diverse array of colourful, unique fungi species? Rainforest fungi come in all shapes, colours and sizes and they flourish in the hot, wet summers of Tropical North Queensland. Pictured here is a Phallus multicolor, commonly referred to as Yellow Netted Stinkhorn or Yellow Bridal Veil, a species of fungus in the family Phallaceae or “stinkhorns”.

It is similar in overall appearance to Phallus indusiatus – the fruit body of the fungus is characterised by a cone or bell-shaped cap on a stalk and a delicate “lace skirt” (indusium) that hangs from beneath the cap almost reaching the ground – but Phallus multicolor has a more brightly coloured cap, stipe and indusium, and it is usually smaller. Fun Fact – This ‘lace skirt’ grows mostly through the night, and spends around 10 to 15 hours fully unfolding.

This #ForestFungi can be found within the leaf litter on the Rainforest floors of Australia, Sumatra, Guam, Papua New Guinea, Java, Borneo, Tobago, Zaire, Hawaii and New Caledonia.They are considered common in Queensland and can be found all year round.

Just remember, if you do see one, look but do not smell! Phallus multicolor are often smelt before they’re seen. The foul smell is caused by slime (or gelatinous gleba) which attracts insects that help disperse spores and is usually described as foetid, like rotting meat. They are, afterall, part of the Stinkhorn family!

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