Emily Johnson
Honey mushrooms, or Armillaria ostoyae, are not your average fungi. They are parasitic mushrooms that infect trees and entire swaths of woods, and can grow to be absolutely massive. The largest honey mushroom colony in the world, found in Oregon, spans an area of 3.5 square miles (9.1 square kilometres) and is estimated to be 8,000 years old. It is believed to have survived by digesting living tree roots and may weigh as much as 35,000 tons, making it one of the largest known organisms in the world.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Honey Mushroom |
| Scientific Name | Armillaria ostoyae (synonym A. solidipes), Armillaria mellea, Armillaria gallica |
| Cap Diameter | 3 to 15 cm (1 to 6 inches) |
| Cap Colour | Honey-coloured, Yellow, Brown |
| Gill Colour | White, Pinkish-Yellow |
| Flesh Colour | Whiteish |
| Stipe Length | Up to 20 cm (8 inches) |
| Stipe Diameter | 3.5 cm (1+1⁄2 inches) |
| Weight | 440 tons (4 x 105 kg) |
| Age | 2,500 years old |
| Location | Malheur National Forest, Oregon, USA |
| Area Covered | 3.5 square miles (9 square kilometers), 2,200 acres (910 hectares) |
| Lifespan | 8,000-10,000 years |
| Habitat | Underground, Forest Floor |
| Edibility | Edible when cooked |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Honey mushrooms are the world's largest organism
Honey mushrooms, or Armillaria ostoyae, are the world's largest organism. This single fungal organism, found in the Malheur National Forest in Oregon, covers an area of 3.5 square miles or 9 square kilometres. That's equivalent to 2,240 acres or 910 hectares. To put that into perspective, this giant fungus would encompass 1,665 football fields or nearly four square miles.
The honey mushroom got to be so big because it can survive by digesting living tree roots. It has wiped out many trees in its path, but the Pacific Northwest has plenty more, allowing the fungus to survive in about the same spot for nearly 10,000 years. It's survived by making more of itself and spreading its spores to start a new generation.
The honey mushroom is mostly underground for most of the year. It only pops up when it's time to reproduce. The mushroom cap is the part of the fungus that we're most familiar with, but it's only one specific part of the fungus and, in most species, it's the only part that appears above ground. It's called a fruiting body and it's a reproductive organ.
The honey mushroom is also known as Armillaria solidipes or Armillaria mellea. It is a pathogenic species of fungus in the family Physalacriaceae. It has decurrent gills and the stipe has a ring. The mycelium invades the sapwood of trees and can disseminate over great distances under the bark or between trees in the form of black rhizomorphs, which can grow up to 1 metre (39 inches) long per year.
Honey mushrooms are edible but must be cooked properly to avoid gastric upset. They are widely distributed in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere and typically grow on hardwoods. They are commonly found in the autumn, producing mushrooms with notched gills, a ring near the cap base, and a white to golden colour.
Chaga Mushrooms: Theanine and Its Benefits
You may want to see also
They can cover 3.5 square miles
Honey mushrooms (Armillaria mellea) are remarkable fungi, not just for their golden color and edible qualities but for their ability to form massive underground networks. These fungi are notorious for their expansive colonies, and a single honey mushroom can cover an astonishing 3.5 square miles (9 square kilometers). This makes it not just the largest mushroom but one of the largest and oldest organisms on the planet. To put this into perspective, this is equivalent to about 2,278 acres or roughly 1,067 football fields. Imagine a continuous carpet of honey mushrooms stretching as far as the eye can see—this is what 3.5 square miles of these fungi would look like.
This species achieves this impressive spread through its unique growth habit. Honey mushrooms are parasitic, feeding on the roots of trees, and they can infect and colonize the roots of multiple trees, connecting them together in a vast underground network. This network, known as a mycelium, allows the fungus to spread over a large area, taking advantage of the nutrients and resources available in the root systems of its host trees. The mycelium can grow and spread for miles, connecting different colonies and forming a continuous, interconnected system.
While the individual mushrooms that we see above ground may appear to be separate entities, they are all connected to this vast underground network. The mycelium acts as a single organism, coordinating the growth and resource allocation of the entire colony. This means that the honey mushroom can efficiently distribute nutrients and water across its vast expanse, ensuring the survival and proliferation of the entire colony. This ability to share resources and act as a unified organism gives the honey mushroom a significant advantage in terms of its size and longevity.
The size and interconnectedness of honey mushroom colonies have important ecological implications. Their vast networks play a crucial role in the health and connectivity of forest ecosystems. By colonizing the roots of trees, these fungi form mutualistic relationships, helping the trees access water and nutrients while obtaining food for themselves. This network also facilitates communication between trees, allowing them to share resources and signals of distress. Additionally, the extensive mycelial network contributes to the overall resilience of the forest ecosystem, enhancing its ability to withstand disturbances and promoting the regeneration of vegetation.
The honey mushroom's impressive size and unique growth habit make it a fascinating subject of study for mycologists and ecologists alike. Its ability to form vast, interconnected colonies offers insights into the complex and dynamic relationships between fungi, trees, and forest ecosystems. Through further research and understanding, we can better appreciate the vital role these fungi play in the natural world and the extraordinary ways they have adapted to become some of the largest and most long-lived organisms on Earth. So, the next time you spot a honey mushroom, remember that it is just a small part of a much larger, hidden network that stretches far beyond what meets the eye.
Mushroom Tops: The Ultimate Guide to This Funky Hairstyle
You may want to see also
They can weigh 35,000 tons
Honey mushrooms, or Armillaria ostoyae, are not just big—they're huge. In fact, they are some of the largest organisms on Earth. While a single mushroom cap may be small, the entire fungus can be massive.
A honey mushroom in Oregon's Blue Mountains, for example, covers 965 hectares of soil. That's the equivalent of 1,665 football fields or nearly four square miles. This particular fungus was discovered in 1998 and is believed to be around 2,400 years old, though some estimates place it as ancient as 8,650 years old.
Another specimen, Armillaria gallica, was discovered in 1992 in Michigan and is celebrated annually at a "fungus fest" in the town of Crystal Falls. This fungus covers 15 hectares, or about 37 acres.
But the true giant among honey mushrooms may be the one found in Oregon's Malheur National Forest in the Strawberry Mountains. This fungus covers an area of 3.5 square miles or 9.1 square kilometers (2,200 acres). It is estimated to be around 8,000 years old and may weigh as much as 35,000 tons. That's right—35,000 tons. To put that into perspective, that's the equivalent weight of about 28 blue whales.
This particular honey mushroom is the world's largest single living organism and possibly covers more total geographical area than any other single living organism. It is believed to have survived for so long because it can digest living tree roots, though this has resulted in the destruction of many trees in its path.
Mushrooms: Carbohydrates or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
They are edible but can cause gastric upset
Honey mushrooms (Armillaria mellea) are known for their distinctive appearance and unique characteristics. While they are considered edible, it is important to exercise caution as consuming them may lead to gastric upset in some individuals.
Honey mushrooms are a good source of nutrients and have a unique, distinctive flavor that contributes to their popularity in the culinary world. However, it is important to properly identify them before consumption, as confusing them with similar-looking, toxic mushrooms can have serious consequences. Even though honey mushrooms are generally considered safe, some people may experience digestive problems after eating them.
The potential for gastric upset is an important consideration when it comes to honey mushrooms. This is because they contain a sugar molecule called xylose, which can be difficult for some people to digest. Those who have a sensitivity to xylose may experience symptoms such as bloating, gas, cramps, diarrhea, and nausea. The severity of these symptoms can vary depending on the individual and the amount of honey mushrooms consumed.
To minimize the risk of gastric upset, it is recommended to introduce honey mushrooms in small quantities to allow your body to adjust to the xylose content. Cooking the mushrooms thoroughly can also help, as it breaks down some of the complex sugars, making them easier to digest. If you experience any discomfort or adverse reactions after consuming honey mushrooms, it is advisable to discontinue their consumption and consult a healthcare professional.
Additionally, honey mushrooms can sometimes be contaminated with a toxin-producing bacteria called Clostridium botulinum. This bacteria can cause a serious illness called botulism, which leads to muscle weakness, blurred vision, difficulty speaking, and even respiratory failure in severe cases. Properly cooking the mushrooms can help destroy the bacteria and prevent botulism. Therefore, it is crucial to follow safe handling and cooking practices when preparing honey mushrooms for consumption.
Microdosing Mushrooms: A Mental Health Routine
You may want to see also
They are also known as Armillaria ostoyae
Honey mushrooms, or Armillaria ostoyae, are a species of pathogenic fungus in the family Physalacriaceae. They are also known as Armillaria solidipes, a name given to them by Charles Horton Peck in 1900, predating the name Armillaria ostoyae Romagn., given by Henri Romagnesi in 1970. The name Armillaria ostoyae was approved by the Nomenclature Committee for Fungi in 2011 and is the most commonly used name today.
Armillaria ostoyae is mostly found in the cooler regions of the northern hemisphere, particularly in the forests of British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest in North America, as well as in parts of Asia. This species of fungus grows along tree roots via hyphae, or fine filaments that mat together and excrete digestive enzymes. Armillaria ostoyae has the unique ability to extend rhizomorphs, flat, shoestring-like structures that bridge gaps between food sources and allow the fungus to expand its reach. This ability, combined with a stable environment, has allowed Armillaria ostoyae to grow to massive sizes over millennia.
The honey mushroom is known for causing Armillaria root disease, which kills large numbers of conifers in the United States and Canada. The disease is more common in stands in interior regions, but its virulence is often greater near the coast. The infection rates can be much worse in coastal regions, even though the mortality rate from the root disease is lower. The pathogenicity of Armillaria ostoyae is correlated with rhizomorph production, and infections are generally established by rhizomorph strands.
Armillaria ostoyae is notable for its enormous size, with some specimens covering vast areas of land. In 1998, a specimen of Armillaria ostoyae in Oregon's Blue Mountains was discovered to cover an area of 2,384 acres (965 hectares) or nearly four square miles (10 square kilometers). This specimen is believed to be the largest known organism on Earth, surpassing the size of the blue whale. The fungus was estimated to be approximately 2,400 years old, but it could be as ancient as 8,650 years, which would make it one of the oldest living organisms. Another notable specimen of Armillaria ostoyae was found in northern Michigan, weighing 440 tons, equivalent to the weight of three blue whales.
The Ultimate Guide to Mushroom Farming in Minecraft
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Honey mushrooms, or Armillaria, are parasitic mushrooms that infect trees and swaths of woods. They can grow to huge sizes, with some reports of honey mushrooms covering areas of 2,384 acres (965 hectares) or 3.5 square miles (9.1 square kilometres).
Honey mushrooms grow by digesting living tree roots. They can survive on the trees they live beneath, and they spread primarily underground, so they are not easily spotted.
Honey mushrooms are estimated to be several thousand years old. Some estimates put them at 2,400 years old, while others suggest they could be as ancient as 8,000-10,000 years old.
