Pisolithus tinctorius  (Mont.) E. Fisch. (1900)                              *Collections from California
aka. "Dead Man's Foot"

This is one of the strangest fungal organisms. The mature fruitbodies take very peculiar forms when above the ground. To get there they are capable of pushing aside layers of asphalt or other hard surfaces. Fairly common in Suburbia, seems to be mycorrhizal with hardwoods. I've seen it near Oaks, as well as Eucalyptus.

Asphalt buster

The dead man has risen in a park near by... Strange formation. Sometimes it looks like horse dung.