Lysurus

Lysurus is a genus of fungi in the family Phallaceae, within the order Phallales of the Basidiomycota. Members of this genus are commonly known as lantern stinkhorns due to the distinctive lantern-like receptaculum that surrounds the spore-bearing interior.

Like other stinkhorns, Lysurus species are saprotrophic, feeding on decaying organic matter in soil, leaf litter, or rotting wood. The fruiting bodies develop from subterranean structures known as eggs and, upon maturation, emerge as a stalk topped by a hollow lantern or cup-like formation. The inner surfaces of the lantern produce a slimy gleba that emits a strong odor analogous to rotting flesh, attracting flies that help disseminate the produced spores. Appearance can vary by species, with colors ranging from orange to brown and lanterns that may be lattice-like or cup-shaped.

Distribution is broad, spanning tropical to temperate regions. Lysurus species have been recorded in Asia, Africa, Australia, the Americas, and Europe, typically in habitats such as forests, gardens, or other nutrient-rich soils where organic material is abundant.

Notable species include Lysurus mokusin, commonly called the Chinese lantern stinkhorn, which forms a tall stalk with a lantern-like cap, and Lysurus cruciatus, known as the cruciform stinkhorn, which features a cross-shaped arrangement of slender arms around the lantern. Other described Lysurus species occur in tropical regions and share a similar life cycle, though taxonomy continues to be refined. Like many stinkhorns, Lysurus fruit bodies are short-lived, often appearing after rain and disappearing within days.