This image of a Veiled Lady fungus is perhaps my last photo from Costa Rica. We found it along the roadside at the Laguna del Lagarto Lodge in northern Costa Rica. Although we lack the expertise to determine the species, this fungus is classified with the stinkhorn mushrooms in the genus
Phallus, obviously an appropriate name (unless you are describing a lady). Most of this genus have a white veil, which may serve as a ladder for insects attracted to the fetid odor that the stinkhorn emits. The insects spread spores that pass through their digestive systems. We do not know if this mushroon’s yellow veil is typical for this species.
Not knowing much about whether more colored-skirted Phallus have been described, I'd suspect it's either a particularly pale specimen of Phallus cinnabarinus, more maybe an integrade/hybrid form with P. duplicatus or P. indusiatus.
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