Gross Fungus

While putting children in vans this afternoon I noticed a foul odor. I saw this in one of the flower,( I use that term loosely) beds. It was very nasty looking and it smelled worse. In the first picture you can see that there are bugs all over it. In the 2nd one there is some nasty looking "stuff" in it. Does anyone have any idea that this is. I'm sure it is some type of fungus. Just wondering. I would hate for one of the kids to get hold of it. We would never get the smell off.

Ellen,
I have seen some (I thought it was some type mushroom) here. Did not notice any smell, however. Not sure what they are, unless it is a mushroom.??

Ellen,

Chances are pretty good that this is what you saw. http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~news/story.php?id=3265
Dog vomit slime mold or often called dog barf fungus.

Bill

Ellen,
This is the closest thing I've found so far.

http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/forums/showthread.php?t=11907

the smell is to attract flies to pollinate it. just think of it as foot funk on steroids

After some research I think it is a stink horn. It sure does stink and I have no way of avoiding it. It stinks so bad that I can smell it even when I get home in the evening. PPPPPPUUUUUU

Years ago there was a saying.

There is a fungus among us

That stuff is what thrives in ROTTING MULCHES of all kinds!---nother reason to NOT use mulch around anything! thanks; sonny

That stuff is what thrives in ROTTING MULCHES of all kinds!---nother reason to NOT use mulch around anything! thanks; sonny

Yep, the school opened in 01 and those wood chips have been there ever since. A few new ones are added to the top but the old ones are never taken up.