''Laternea triscapa'' is a

species A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. It is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), ...

fungus A fungus (: fungi , , , or ; or funguses) is any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and mold (fungus), molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as one ...

in the family

Phallaceae Phallaceae is a family of fungi, commonly known as stinkhorns, within the order Phallales. Stinkhorns have a worldwide distribution, but are especially prevalent in tropical regions. They are known for their foul-smelling, sticky spore masses ...

. The species was first described by French botanist

Pierre Jean François Turpin Pierre Jean François Turpin (11 March 1775, Vire – 1 May 1840) was a French botanist and illustrator. He was considered as one of the greatest floral and botanical illustrators during the Napoleonic Era and afterwards. As an artist, Turpin was ...

in 1820. It is found in Central and South America, and the

West Indies The West Indies is an island subregion of the Americas, surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, which comprises 13 independent island country, island countries and 19 dependent territory, dependencies in thr ...

References

Gallery

File:Laternea triscapa 2.JPG, Individual fruiting body growing on pine bark mulch of unknown origin. File:Laternea triscapa mature form.JPG, Several puffballs on pine bark mulch. File:Laternea spores 1000x.JPG, Spores of Laternea triscapa magnified 1000x in Nikon microscope. Phallales Fungi described in 1820 Fungi of Central America Fungi of South America Fungus species {{Phallales-stub