Identification: what's this "alien" fungus in my mulch?

What are these things? Sorry I don't have a photo, but I can describe them well enough. First off, I'd noticed a very distinctive, strong "mushroom" smell outside my windows. So strong, in fact, that the smell was literally unbearable to deal with and I had to close my windows. The fungus/mushroom like growth that is emitting these horrible odors are like nothing I've ever seen before. The stalks are yellowish in color, growing out of the ground/mulch from egg-shaped bases that are covered with a membrane-like casing that is beige with a crackled appearance that resembles brain matter. The casing easily slips away, uncovering a slimy yellow "bulb" of sorts. The stalks are approximately 4-6 inches high and 1/2" to 1" in diameter. They are capped by a close fitting olive/army green head with a small oval shaped -opening at the center of the cap that is rimmed like a small mouth in yellow. I believe that the odor is actually released through this opening. They are really ugly looking and I have bagged them up and thrown them out. But, what are they?? I've never seen anything like them before. Will they continue to come back and how can I get rid of them for good?

 

Definetly a stink horn. Browse through this STINKHORN search to see which species you might have. http://images.google.com/images?sou...LR:2006-25,GGLR:en&q="stink horn"&sa=N&tab=wi

Previous people on this board have dumped ammonia on their lawn to kill the mycelium and the mushrooms, and claimed that this worked. I imagine it killed damn near anything else and might not be quite dog or kid friendly, either, and of course i don't recommend it. If you need to take care of them, go to Lowes or Home Depot and get a Fungicide in a little spray bottle.

Give us an update & good luck ...

 

Thanks, MycoRob. That's definitely right on. The link was a great help. I have the version shown in the 9th photo. I also apparently have the tentacled version. Time for a trip to Home Depot. Just glad to know they're not from outer space!