Aseroe

Aseroe is a genus of fungi in the family Phallaceae. It is monotypic, containing a single species, Aseroe rubra, commonly known as the starfish stinkhorn. Like other stinkhorns, it produces a distinctive, odorous fruiting body designed to attract insects for spore dispersal.

The fruiting body emerges from a whitish egg-like base; at maturity it forms a star-shaped structure with six to a dozen radiating, reddish-orange arms around a central stalk. The arms are hollow and spongy, with a slimy, olive-brown gleba on their surfaces that emits a foul odor reminiscent of rotting meat or decaying organic matter. This odor lures flies, which transport the spores.

Distribution and habitat: Aseroe rubra is found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. It commonly appears in gardens, mulched borders, wood-chips, and other decomposing organic matter, especially in warm, moist conditions. It is a saprotroph, feeding on decaying plant material.

Ecology and life cycle: Fruiting bodies emerge rapidly after rain or moisture; the egg forms in soil or mulch, then expands into the star-shaped receptaculum. Spore dispersal depends on visiting insects rather than wind. The fungus is generally not considered edible due to its odor and texture.