Clathrus

The genus Clathrus belongs to the order Phallales, commonly known as stinkhorns. These fungi are characterized by their distinctive, often phallus-like fruiting bodies that emit unpleasant odors. This smell serves to attract insects, which then help disperse the fungus's spores.1

A key feature of Clathrus and its family, Clathraceae, is that the spore-bearing tissue is enclosed within or situated between the arms of a latticed receptacle. This distinguishes them from other stinkhorns where the spore-forming tissue might be more exposed. The fruiting bodies can develop rapidly, sometimes emerging from an underground "egg" and becoming slimy and fetid within an hour.21