The odour released from the flower of the voodoo lily Sauromatum guttatum Araceae and the odour of the mushroom Phallus impudicus Phallaceae were analysed. The two species had the major constituents dimethyl disulphide and dimethyl trisulphide in common. Other major components of the S. guttatum excretion were beta caryophyllene, dimethyl sulphide, dimethyl tetrasulphide, indole and skatole. Linalool, trans-ocimene, and phenylacetaldehyde were released by P. impudicus.