The basidiomata of this family resemble the animal corals. Since these grow on soil, earth stars is a good common name. The outer layers fold back in wet or humid conditions. There are no images of the basidiomata of the Family Phallaceae. These fungi are commonly called stinkhorns because of their awful odor.
Flies disperse the spores.
The final two images show two general characteristics of the Basidiomycota. The Phylum Basidiomycota shares this characteristic with the Phylum Ascomycota. Members of the Basidiomycota participate in mycorrhizae. The light pinka areas of the root tips is the location of the fungus.