[cromag_rickmanus]

For the past two years I've owned my home, I've noticed a strange mushroom that grows towards the back in the latter part of the summer every year. It's been in the same relative area both years, and during around the same time of the summer, namely right now. I'm posting a photo of it to help describe it, but it seems to be some kind of fungus stalk that grows straight up about 4 or 5 inches, has a white shaft with a darker tip. The tip is moist, and smells horrible. Flies seem to gravitate toward it, although that may just be because of the smell. It grows extremely fast (I mowed two of them over yesterday at 6pm, and today at 5pm there is a fresh one grown back to full size), and seems to be impossible to dig out. I'm worried that it might be damaging the rest of my lawn, and the effects it might have on my dogs if they were to get into one without my knowledge. Does anyone know what the heck this thing is and how to get rid of it? I live in Billings MT, and I'm sorry I don't know what type of grass I have. Any suggestions would be very helpful! thank you!
Daniel

[Lake Geneva Wisconsin]

ORDER: PHALLALES Stinkhorn Family

Probably Phallus hadriani

Does it smell like Hyacinth and rotting vegetables?

Is it growing in sandy soil?

Believe it or not, it is edible when young. It won't hurt your dog or your grass.

[cromag_rickmanus]

Thank you for the quick reply! I don't think I have sandy soil, it's dry and cracks where there's not grass so I would assume it's more like clay based soil. I don't know if I could place the smell, but rotten veggies sounds like an apt description :P Would you have any advice on how to get rid of them? They are kind of an eye (and nose) sore. Perhaps just a regular lawn weed killer? THanks again!
Daniel

[Botanica Wisconsin]

Fungi are an essential component of living soil. They act as a conduit between your soil and the plants' roots, increasing the surface area of the roots many fold, transferring nitrogen and other nutrients to the plant in exchange for sugar.

Mushrooms won't hurt your lawn. Pets, particularly well-fed ones, won't eat them. You should relax, and appreciate the natural world's miraculously complex inter-dependencies.

And the bottom line is, short of nuclear warfare, you can't get rid of the mycelium in the soil that gives rise to the mushrooms.

[cromag_rickmanus]

I will try to appreciate the mushrooms for who they are :P Thank you for all the advice!!
Daniel