This magnificent veiled stinkhorn fungus, probably the genus Dictyophora, produces a sticky, syrupy spore mass on the surface of its cap (top). As its name implied it produces a carrion-like odor attracting flies (top) who become the spore producers. Most fungi disperse their spores by wind. This particular specimen is nearly 25 cm tall. The emergent cap and stalk erupts from an egg-like structure (right) reaching full size in a matter of hours.
Fungi play an important role in tropical forest where decay of wood and leaves is quite rapid. Organic matter accumulates in temperate forests, but no such layer is found in tropical forests. Nutrients released by decomposers are quickly reabsorbed into by the vegetation leaving the tropical soils nutrient poor. Clearing the forest results in removal of the nutrients.