Amazing red Starfish Fungus - Clathrus archeri

An amazing, huge red "Stinkhorn" fungus found on the Wombeyan Caves Road (Between Wombeyan Caves and Taralga). It is called Clathrus archeri (Also known as Anthurus archeri)

I have seen small "Starfish Fungi" which resemble this one. But I was not prepared for the huge size of these things (note the hand for size comparison).

As with all Stinkhorns", the sticky "gleba" smells like "poo" - to attract flies, to carry the spores away. to start new colonies.

 Several old ones had dried and shrunk. But two were more or less "fresh".

Strangely, it is apparently Australian in origin, but has spread to North America and Europe. Serves them right for the Rabbit, the Sparrow and thousands of  weedy plants.

But you have to admit it is weird - world class weird.
Variously called Devil's Fingers, Octopus Stinkhorn, Helicopter Stinkhorn.
http://www.kew.org/.../clathrus-archeri-devils-fingers