Clathrus transvaalensis

Fruitbodies of Clathrus transvaalensis originate from a smooth, whitish, egg-shaped structure measuring up to 4.5 cm (1.8 in) in diameter. The egg is attached to the ground by one or more thick mycelial strands. As the receptacle emerges, it causes an irregular tearing of the tissue at the top of the egg, and the peridium ultimately forms a loose volva at the base of the receptacle. The broadly egg-shaped receptacles reach a size of 8 cm (3.1 in) tall by 5 cm (2.0 in) wide. The lattice structure of the receptacle typically contains about 21 meshes. One mesh is situated at the top, encircled by 5 meshes, followed by a circle of 7 meshes and then 8 vertically elongated meshes in the lower half. The tubular "arms" of the receptacles are pale yellow near the base, gradually changing to pinkish in the upper third. They are 3.5–11 mm (0.14–0.43 in) wide, with a rounded triangular shape when viewed in cross-section. The outer surface of the arms is flat with rounded edges, and features transverse wrinkles; the inner surface is even more strongly wrinkled. The context, or tissue, of the arms comprises roughly 11 regularly arranged, non-interconnecting tubes. Gleba is secreted by glebiferous organs that are mostly located at intersection of the arms. These organs resemble a cushion-like swelling that is itself meshed. The gleba is slimy, and coloured dark olive-green to brown. …

Clathrus transvaalensis is a saprophytic fungus that fruits in clumps on the ground in grass. It is one of six Clathrus species known to occur in South Africa.