Appears on mulch after rain

Grows alone or gregariously in gardens, woodchips and cultivated areas. Readily appears on mulch after plenty of rain and then warm or hot days. Mature fruiting body is spike-like, to about 20 cm; with a 3 to 4.5 cm, fragile cap which is attached to the top of the stem (like a dark brown slimy thimble on a finger). Reddish to orangish or pinkish, hollow stem, about 1.5 cm thick and coarsely pocked with elongated potholes (nearly reticulate); with a whitish to pale brown volva clinging to the stem and around the base; with one or more whitish rhizomorphs at the base.

Photo: Robert Whyte