A mushroom stinking of rotting-flesh has popped up around Mackay

A foul-smelling mysterious mushroom, sprouting in water-logged yards, has given North Qld homeowners a rude shock. But experts say a more common kind of fungus poses the real threat.

Stinkhorn mushroom in Mackay CBD, February 10, 2025

A mysterious yellow stalk, smelling of rotten flesh, has sprouted in residents’ back yards and around Mackay CBD.

Decorated with a lacy veil which resembles an egg yolk, Yellow Netted Stinkhorn mushrooms have been smelling up a storm since heavy rain soaked the region in recent days.

“I know when they are in the garden by their stink, which is produced to attract flies so they either walk over or eat the spore coating to then fly off and distribute the spores to other places,” Mackay Botanical Gardens volunteer, Maya Harrison said.

According to the Queensland Poisons Information Centre, Stinkhorns which come from the Phallaceae family are not considered to be toxic with no recorded human fatalities resulting from their consumption.

However, according to the QPIC, there is unpublished anecdotal veterinary evidence that suggests that, “at least in some dogs, Stinkhorn fungi will cause symptoms including gastric irritation and nervous system impairment”.

Commonly found on decaying wood and deep litter on the rainforest floor, Stinkhorns come in a range of shapes and colours, from a dark brown and black slime colour to an egg-yolk yellow.

Ms Harrison said that like all mushrooms, which tended to only last one day, the Stinkhorn plays a vital role in replenishing the soil.

“Nothing needs to be done to remove the Stinkhorn fungi as they play an important role in breaking down organic matter, thus enriching soil,” they said.

The smell attracts flies and other insects to walk on their fruiting bodies and spread the Stinkhorn spores.

But while they might attract the most attention, Stinkhorns aren’t the only mushrooms making a return to the tropical climate.

Ms Harrison said these moist conditions created by the recent monsoonal rains make the perfect environment for a range of fungi to thrive.

“Fungi are in the soil all the time, but we only really notice them when they produce their spore bearing ‘fruits, popping up in our gardens,” she said.

The Purple Pinwhee mushroom at the Mackay Botanical Gardens

“I was at the Botanic Gardens yesterday and noticed some tiny gill fungi, identified as Purple Pinwhee.

And not all the fungi appearing out of the monsoonal rain is good for the region.

Mould removalists have been receiving a significant increase in cases around Mackay.

Simon Ramke, Director of Mould Pro sayid he’d seen cases pop up in government buildings, houses, cars and restaurants and the trend was having an effect on people’s health.

“Most properties that have got mould in them, we get notified that quite a lot of people are suffering in some kind of way,” he said, explaining the warm tropics tend to get a lot more moisture around this time of year creating the perfect climate for mould to spread.

“The prevention is to help houses to be ventilated better.”

Originally published as A mushroom stinking of rotting-flesh has popped up around Mackay