a toxic messenger: this one comes with a story and a question

An “intuitive” friend recently told me to be on the lookout for a message to come to me through an encounter with an animal. He just had an encounter with a coyote and received some kind of personally valuable information.  Okay.  Instead, the message came to me through the arrival of this alien, toxic-looking plant in the breezeway behind my home.  I am the only person who observed it growing, blooming and then dying all in a matter of about a week.

At first, a large green, spotted pod emerged from the ground. It was about the size of a toy football. I don’t know why I didn’t photograph it but I decided to just watch it happen. Almost like I didn’t believe in its existence.  In a couple days, the pod opened into this plant. I have no idea what it is and nobody I know in Florida seems to recognize it either. I think it must be some kind of mushroom, perhaps brought here by a bird.  I should add that the “leaf”(?) at the base was about 14”-16” in diameter. 

As soon as it bloomed, it immediately began to die. 

Anybody out there recognize this plant?

What’s the message?