The photo here is after the button cap has expanded and fallen off (this stem is what’s left). These fungi have an odor that is “nauseous to fetid” and can be detected from a couple yards away sometimes.
Flies are attracted to the order (big surprise!) and feed and walk all over the spore surface, helping to disseminate the sticky spores.
There’s not much to say about stinkhorns. The first time I ever spotted one (mutinus elegans), next to my compost pile, I was pretty shocked.
