Answers

17 answer(s)

<< First   < Prev   [1]   [2]   [3]   [4]   Next >   Last >>

Reply	MacLir says: Is it actually feeding on insects, or attracting them for propagation? I would expect the second is more likely. Carnivorous plants typically capture prey as a supplement in nitrogen-poor soils like bogs. I also do not recall a carnivorous fungus which preys on insects; their typical prey is nematode worms.This is probably a flower which uses carrion scent to attract polinators, that being a common reproductive strategy. Many of them do resemble fungi, as they have fleshy petals to augment the illusion. I did a quick search, but was unable to find a match for the appearance.  (no votes) Tags: unanswered, animals, human body, plants.
	posted on 2008-02-21 00:34:00 | Report abuse

Reply	markush says: It is a fungi that that uses the carrion smell to disperse its spores with the help of insects.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aseroë_rubra  (no votes) Tags: unanswered, animals, human body, plants.
	posted on 2008-02-21 05:39:00 | Report abuse

Reply	Anonymous says: The common term for this organism is: "dead man's fingers." Very aptly named, don't you think?  (no votes) Tags: unanswered, animals, human body, plants.
	posted on 2008-02-22 16:44:00 | Report abuse

Reply	Brian says: This is a fairly unusual tropical member of the ornate stinkhorn family (Clathraceae) known the starfish fungus (Aseroe rubra). Like other stinkhorns, this peculiar fungus emerges from a subterranean "egg" stage. At maturity it has five to ten radiating arms, each divided into two slender "tentacles." A slimy, black spore mass occurs in the center and at the bases of the radiating "tentacles." The spore slime has a fetid odor resembling rotten meat. Interestingly, the only other picture of it I have ever seen was taken on the island of Maui.Brian Kiernan  (1 vote) average rating:5 Tags: unanswered, animals, human body, plants.
	posted on 2008-02-26 13:07:00 | Report abuse

Reply	Anonymous says: http://fungimap.rbg.vic.gov.au/fsp/sp003.htmlthis would most likely be the case as brian said as it seems to fit the bill. we have a few of these in billinudgel which is near Byron bay and they have a tendency to be somewhat smaller than the 10cm in girth. However things do grow differently in different climates. I did a few searches on the term "dead mans fingers" and found that it most probably is not thathttp://botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/apr2000.htmlhowever i could be wrong as i am not a botanist just an enthusiastDanny  (no votes) Tags: unanswered, animals, human body, plants.
	posted on 2008-02-27 14:54:00 | Report abuse

<< First   < Prev   [1]   [2]   [3]   [4]   Next >   Last >>