I think the surest sign that there is intelligent life out there in the universe
is that none of it has tried to contact us.
~Bill Watterson
Today’s mystery comes to us courtesy of Beth Howard, a friend and teacher extraordinaire in the Wilmington area. She found this in her yard and sent me a pic hoping I could help her figure out what it is and whether she needed to sell her house. In her message she asked – “What the heck is this? Is it some kind of alien life form or a carnivorous plant? That is a tunnel down through it.”
So, what do you think, and why? I’ll give you one clue…it smells a bit bad.
Alien life form or…? (click photo to enlarge) (photo by Beth Howard)
Melissa and I are happy to try to help solve your natural history mysteries (especially if you will allow me to post about it in this blog), so feel free to send me pictures of your alien life forms to roadsendnaturalist@gmail,com.
Roads End Naturalist 
Now that is funny – but so true!
‘Fraid so, especially these days.
via Google Lens, this is an Anemone Stinkhorn (Aseroe Rubra)
You got it Anne…
Stinkhorn Fungi – but I see someone beat me to it. I loved your quote today!!! We had a good laugh!!
Thanks, Mary Kay.
Is it the flower that blooms only every so many years and smells like a corpse?
Sally G
>
Oh, I have that bad boy (and its cousins) in my mulched flower beds! Octopus Stinkhorn smells like rotting flesh, sending me searching for a dead animal until I located the offending parties.
That one was not so difficult. It seems that everyone who replied recognizes it.
ew! Stinkhorn!
Ew, indeed, (although still very cool) but not one I have ever seen…
You sure it’s Anthurus archeri,?