John Miller
Giant mushrooms do exist, and some are even larger than blue whales and dinosaurs! The Armillaria ostoyae, or the honey mushroom, is considered the largest and oldest organism on Earth. It covers 3,726,563 square meters of the Malheur National Forest in Oregon, USA, and is estimated to be around 8,650 years old. It is a sprawling organism that covers acres of forest floor, and while it may appear as individual mushrooms, they are all genetically identical and are in communication with each other via their rhizomorphs. Other giant mushrooms include the termite mound mushroom in Africa, which is bigger than a lot of humans, and the giant puffball, which can be so large that some specimens won't even fit in a wheelbarrow.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Largest organism on Earth | Armillaria ostoyae, commonly known as the honey mushroom |
| Location | Oregon's Blue Mountains, Malheur National Forest |
| Size | 2,384 acres (965 hectares) or 3.5 square miles (2,200 acres; 9.1 km2) |
| Weight | 35,000 tons (about 31,500 tonnes) or equivalent to 3 blue whales |
| Age | Estimated to be 2,400 years old, possibly up to 8,650 years old |
| Characteristics | Decurrent gills, a well-developed ring, and cream-brown colors with prominent cap scales |
| Growth Pattern | Horizontal and subterranean expansion, including wide and thin gills |
| Spores | Dispersed by wind or animals, requiring contact with a complementary mating type for fusion |
| Other Giant Mushrooms | Prototaxites, Boletus edulis, Termite mound mushroom in Africa, Giant puffball |
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What You'll Learn
The world's largest mushroom
Giant mushrooms do exist, and they are truly fascinating organisms. The largest mushroom in the world is the Armillaria ostoyae, also known as the "humongous fungus". This single organism covers an area of 2,384 acres (965 hectares) in Oregon's Blue Mountains, which is roughly the size of 1,665 football fields or nearly four square miles (10 square kilometres).
Discovered in 1998, this giant fungus is estimated to be 2,400 years old, with a possible maximum age of 8,650 years, which would make it one of the oldest living organisms on Earth. The Armillaria ostoyae is a pathogenic species of fungus, invading the sapwood of trees and spreading through black rhizomorphs ("shoestrings"). It grows and spreads primarily underground, so the bulk of the organism is not visible from the surface. In the autumn, it blooms "honey mushrooms" as surface fruits.
The sheer size of the Armillaria ostoyae is a result of the low competition for land and nutrients in its environment, allowing it to grow to huge proportions. Its ability to exist as a single organism across such a vast area sets it apart from other giants in the natural world. This fungus is of particular interest to forest managers due to its pathogenicity to commercial softwoods, and studying its growth and spread helps scientists understand how fungi contribute to forest health and landscape.
Another notable giant mushroom is the Armillaria gallica, discovered in 1992 in Crystal Falls, Michigan. Covering 37 acres (15 hectares), this fungus is celebrated annually at a "fungus fest" in the nearby town.
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Giant mushrooms of the past
The first mention of a giant mushroom takes us back to the discovery of Prototaxites, an extinct genus of large eukaryote organisms dating from the Late Silurian to the Late Devonian periods. Prototaxites fossils reveal that these organisms formed trunk-like structures, reaching impressive heights of up to 8 meters (26 feet) and widths of up to 1 meter (3 feet). They were the largest land-dwelling organisms of their time, towering over most land plants of the Silurian Period. The mystery surrounding Prototaxites' true identity puzzled scientists for years until isotopic analyses in 2007 confirmed its classification as a giant fungus.
Moving forward in time, we encounter the massive Armillaria bulbosa, discovered in 1992 by Myron Smith and colleagues in the hardwood forests near Crystal Falls, Michigan. This fungus spanned an impressive 37 acres (15 hectares) and was later renamed Armillaria gallica. The discovery of this giant fungus sparked an annual celebration called "Fungus Fest" in Crystal Falls, honouring the impressive size and uniqueness of Armillaria gallica.
However, the record for the world's largest known organism belongs to another specimen of the Armillaria family, specifically Armillaria ostoyae, discovered in 1998 in Oregon's Blue Mountains. This humongous fungus covers approximately 2,384 acres (965 hectares) or nearly four square miles (10 square kilometres), surpassing the size of 1,665 football fields. Armillaria ostoyae's estimated age ranges from 2,400 to 8,650 years old, making it one of the oldest living organisms on Earth.
While these giant mushrooms of the past no longer exist in their former glory, they leave us with a sense of wonder and a deeper understanding of the diverse and fascinating world of fungi.
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Why giant mushrooms no longer exist
Giant mushrooms once existed, and some relatively large ones still exist today. However, the giant mushrooms of the past, such as Prototaxites, no longer exist. Prototaxites was a giant fungus that grew on land, consuming large amounts of carbon in the form of cellulose. It is believed that Prototaxites went extinct due to herbivores (fungivores) and the lack of available food sources.
The giant mushrooms of the past had large mycelial networks and an abundant food source in the form of cellulose, which they were able to degrade with their enzymes. However, over time, these pools of carbon were depleted, and mushrooms evolved to form symbiotic relationships with trees and grasses, obtaining sugars in exchange for metals. This made it more advantageous for mushrooms to grow smaller fruiting bodies instead of one large trunk, as there was less risk of the fruiting body being eaten.
Additionally, in prehistoric times, there was a higher oxygen content in the atmosphere, which allowed many living things to grow bigger. However, the change in atmospheric composition may have contributed to the decrease in the size of mushrooms.
Today, some large mushrooms still exist, such as the Armillaria ostoyae, or honey mushroom, which is considered the largest and oldest organism on Earth. This fungus covers thousands of acres of forest floor and is estimated to be thousands of years old. Other large mushrooms include the Boletus edulis, the termite mound mushroom in Africa, and the giant puffball. While these mushrooms are impressive in size, they are not as large as the giant mushrooms of the past.
In conclusion, the giant mushrooms of the past no longer exist due to a combination of factors, including the depletion of food sources, the evolution of symbiotic relationships, changes in atmospheric composition, and the advantages of smaller fruiting bodies. While some large mushrooms still exist today, they are not as massive as their prehistoric counterparts.
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Giant mushrooms in popular culture
Giant mushrooms have been a part of popular culture for centuries, often associated with mystical experiences and shamanic rituals. The use of psychoactive mushrooms, commonly known as "magic mushrooms" or "shrooms", has been documented in various cultures worldwide, including among the Koryaks, where individuals would consume the urine of the wealthy who had ingested the mushrooms. The practice of recycling urine containing psychoactive compounds was also observed in Siberia.
In the story of Vahiyinin ("Existence"), the deity's saliva becomes the warts on a mushroom, known as wapaq. The Raven, exhilarated by the power of the wapaq, wishes for it to grow forever on earth so that his children, mankind, could learn from it. This tale underscores the cultural significance of mushrooms in certain societies.
One notable giant mushroom species is the Armillaria ostoyae, discovered in Oregon's Blue Mountains in 1998. Covering 2,384 acres (965 hectares) of soil, this fungus is believed to be the largest known organism on Earth, surpassing the size of the blue whale. Armillaria ostoyae is also celebrated at an annual "fungus fest" in Crystal Falls, Michigan, where a 37-acre (15-hectare) specimen, Armillaria gallica, was discovered in 1992.
Another giant mushroom species, Amanita muscaria, has a long history of consumption and plays a role in various cultural narratives. Its red-and-white spotted toadstool appearance is a common image in popular culture, often depicted in children's picture books, garden ornaments, and paintings. R. Gordon Wasson proposed that A. muscaria was the soma mentioned in the Rigveda of India, a claim that received widespread support. Amanita muscaria is also associated with the flying reindeer of Santa Claus, possibly influenced by its use in shamanic traditions.
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Giant mushrooms discovered by scientists
Giant mushrooms have been discovered by scientists in various locations. In 1992, a team of microbiologists led by Myron Smith, a PhD candidate in botany at the University of Toronto, discovered a 37-acre (15-hectare) giant fungus in the hardwood forests near Crystal Falls, Michigan. This fungus, originally identified as Armillaria bulbosa, was later renamed Armillaria gallica. It is celebrated annually at a "fungus fest" in the nearby town of Crystal Falls.
Another notable discovery of giant mushrooms was made in 1998 in Oregon's Blue Mountains. A team of forestry scientists found a sprawling fungus, identified as Armillaria ostoyae, covering an area of approximately 2,384 acres (965 hectares) or nearly four square miles (10 square kilometers). This fungus is estimated to be between 2,400 and 8,650 years old, making it one of the oldest living organisms known.
In terms of weight, a specimen of Armillaria ostoyae in northern Michigan, United States, reached a remarkable mass of 440 tons (4 x 10^5 kg), equivalent to the weight of three blue whales. Additionally, a giant fungus in northeastern Oregon's Malheur National Forest is estimated to weigh around 35,000 tons (about 31,500 tonnes), further showcasing the immense size of these fungal discoveries.
Beyond modern discoveries, the extinct genus Prototaxites, dating from the Late Silurian to Late Devonian periods, is believed to have been a giant fungus. The fossils of Prototaxites indicate a diameter of up to 1 meter (3 feet 3 inches) and a height reaching 8.8 meters (29 feet). The interpretation of Prototaxites as a giant fungus has been a subject of debate, but recent research provides increasing evidence to support this classification.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, giant mushrooms exist. Armillaria ostoyae, commonly known as the honey mushroom, is bigger than most animals and is considered the largest and oldest organism on Earth.
Armillaria ostoyae covers 3.5 square miles (2,200 acres; 9.1 km2) and weighs as much as 35,000 tons (about 31,500 tonnes). It is believed to be around 2,400 to 8,650 years old.
Giant mushrooms are found in various locations around the world. Armillaria ostoyae is native to the Blue Mountains in Oregon and the forests of British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest in North America. It also grows in parts of Asia. Another giant mushroom species, Boletus edulis, has been found in Oregon, with a size comparable to a 5-gallon bucket.
Giant mushrooms, such as Armillaria ostoyae, can grow to huge proportions due to low competition for land and nutrients. In prehistoric times, higher oxygen levels in the atmosphere also contributed to the larger size of many organisms, including fungi.
Yes, Prototaxites is a genus of giant fungi that became extinct in the Late Devonian period. While its exact nature is still debated, recent evidence suggests that it was a complex fungal rhizomorph with a varied growth pattern, including horizontal and subterranean expansion.
