Many thanks to Georgie Sharp@Flickr for once again sharing a photograph with us (original image via Flickr BPotD Group Pool). This is part of Georgie's photo set from the Outback.
If you read the comments on the original Flickr image, you'll note that this fungus was tentatively identified as Phellorinia herculanea by Pam Catchside of the Plant Biodiversity Centre in Hackney, South Australia. Browsing the very few photographs of this genus online, it seems these fruiting bodies are not yet fully mature, hence the difficulty in confirming their identity. At maturity, they should be more club-shaped. The tops of these fungi will eventually produce a powdery mass of spores.
The Aboriginal Use of Fungi page from the Australian National Botanic Gardens notes that Phellorinia herculanea was used for body decoration.
Incredible photo
Great community shot.
Reminds me of how the skunk cabbage emerges in our area.
Not at all for similarity of course, but how the scattered growth emerges together in an area.
Thanks for the submission.
You forgot the important information, How does it taste?
Considering the Aboriginal uses didn't include food, I suspect it's not edible. Though called a puffball, it isn't closely related to puffballs.
thanks for sharing. I just discovered this site and look forward to regularly checking in as well as browsing what is here. great photos.
I think this is not Phellorinia herculeana, but immature fruitbodies of Podaxis pistillaris by their shape and peridium. Great Photo, though.