Can you possibly post a photo? You sound as though you are describing the spadix of some sort of aroid. Aroids (philodendrons, anthuriums and many other species) in general produce a spathe (flower) which is composed of a spathe and spadix. The spathe may be white, green, purple or many other colors. A "Peace lily" is a common example. The spadix somewhat resembles an ear of corn without and corn. Once it is pollinated the spadix can produce seed berries which may be yellow, red, orange, purple or a combination of those colors. Those berries are often eaten by birds and then the tiny seeds deposited in the bird's droppings on the branches of trees or throughout the forest so the aroid can reproduce. Since there are thousands of species it would be virtually impossible to ID what you are describing without some sort of a photo. Normally it should have some sort of leaves.

Here is a link that might be useful: The Exotic Rainforest

Hi Mango-princess,
difficult to find out without a picture, but I try to guess:
Maybe it is the seed head of an Arum maculatum:
http://www.botanik.uni-karlsruhe.de/garten/fotos-knoch/Arum%20maculatum%20Gefleckter%20Aronstab%201.jpg
Bye
hermann

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:381459}}

Hi Hermann, that is it!! I can't find any website in English that tells me anything about it. Just a plain stalk with those orange beadlets. I couldn't take a photo of it, because it isn't blooming right now. I am in CA zone 10 by the ocean. Can it be transplanted elsewhere in the yard? It borders my neighbor's property and mine, but would be interested in moving it. Any more info you have, would be appreciated.

Mango Princess

Hi Mango Princess,
though I have this plant in my garden (in zone 6a), I don't know very much about it. It is growing in a semi-shaded spot, deep humous soil with lime ( we have everywhere in the ground ), doesn't need extra water or fertiliser.( Maybe you should grow it in your climate in a more shady spot and irrigate. ) The leaves are attractive but not more than 10'' high and of course the infructescences, the flowering is not striking, greenish to yellow. About 6' besides the next path I never have smelled it ( it is attracting flies to pollinate them, not bees! ).
Have a look at some more information here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arum_maculatum

( "...All parts of the plant can produce allergic reactions in many people and the plant should be handled with care ..." ) and it is toxic as well, one should pay attention with children because of the attractive berries.

http://www.the-tree.org.uk/EnchantedForest/WoodlandFlowers/lordsandladies.htm

You may find more information when searching on google uk for pages from UK, where the plant is common as well.
Bye
hermann

Here is a link that might be useful: Lordsandladies

Did you notice the last sentence of the article on 'Lords and ladies' that you can grow more--to start it somewhere else as you asked--by sticking a leaf in damp soil? That's an interesting bit of information--never heard of propagating any aroid that way! Love those little extra bits of information! Wonder how many others would prop like that.