Others, however, were fascinated by the ‘decaying’ find.

Xylia polymorpha aren’t the only nightmare-inducing mushrooms out there.

The ‘Octopus Stinkhorn’ is a nightmarish mushroom featuring long red tendrils that release an oozing black coloured slime.

An Aussie mum spotted one in her backyard recently, prompting a similar reaction online.

The woman, who lives in Sydney’s affluent northern beaches was shocked to find the ugly, red ‘thing’ in the middle of her yard.

Green-thumbed Aussies were quick to inform her that the little red, extra-terrestrial looking sprout was in fact a ‘stinkhorn fungus’ that spreads quickly after rain.

Stinkhorn fungus are known to ‘smell like rotting flesh’ and typically pop up in Sydney between February and May.