Oh yes. A very interesting fungus.

The only time I saw something like this fungus was when someone posted a photo on the New England Gardening forum. No one could identify it then.

I hope someone here knows what it is.

Claire

I'd love to have that emerge here. Would get every kid within blocks over to see it. So interesting. Thanks for taking the time to share.

Rosie, Sugar Hill, GA

That's one of the many species of stinkhorn fungus. Yep, attractive to flies and kids. I was going to say that this one is commonly called the Octopus Stinkhorn but if that's as far as it opens, I'm not so sure. There is great variation, even with the same species, however.

I'm surprised that you didn't say anything about the delightful aroma wafting from the fungus.

Thanks for the ID rhizo_1. Octopus Stinkhorn is a wonderful name for a wonderful fungus that really belongs in a Halloween decoration (upwind of the house, of course).

Claire

Oops, I should have said downwind of the house, not upwind. Good thing the windows will be closed around Halloween.

Claire

..
Thanks for the ID. It seems there's a broad family of stinkhorns and after a cursory look, it would seem this one is a Lysurus mokusin, common in southern California.

I found this web searching: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/lysurus_mokusin.html

I had noticed a smell before when there were a few under the pine tree but there's a steady breeze around here and the one pictured was all by itself in the open and close to the street.

Thanks again
..