Michael Davis
The tallest mushroom in the world is a matter of debate, with various definitions of what constitutes a mushroom. The largest identified fungal fruit body in the world is a specimen of Phellinus ellipsoideus, but this may not fit the definition of a mushroom with a cap and stem. The Termitomyces Titanicus is a mushroom with a cap and stem and is one of the largest in the world. However, the largest single living organism in the world is the Armillaria fungus, also known as the honey mushroom, which covers 3.5 miles of Oregon's Malheur National Forest.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tallest Mushroom | Termitomyces Titanicus |
| Other Large Mushrooms | Macrocybe Titans, Armillaria |
| Largest Fungal Fruit Body | Phellinus Ellipsoideus |
| Weight of Largest Fungal Fruit Body | 400-500 kilograms |
| Circumference of Previously Largest Recorded Fungal Fruit Body | 425 cm |
| Width of Large Polypore Found in 1903 | 2 meters |
| Height of Polypore Found in 1903 | 1 meter |
| Weight of Armillaria | 7,500-35,000 tons |
| Age of Armillaria | 2,000-8,000 years old |
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What You'll Learn
The tallest mushroom species
If we focus on the more traditional notion of a mushroom with a cap and stem, the Termitomyces titanicus is a strong contender for the tallest species. This fungus produces extremely large sporocarps, or fruit bodies, that can reach impressive sizes. However, it is worth noting that the definition of a "mushroom" can vary, and some may argue for a broader definition that includes other types of fungi beyond the cap-and-stem variety.
Another notable mention is the Macrocybe titans, which also produces large sporocarps. While it may not rival the Termitomyces titanicus in terms of sheer size, it is still considered one of the tallest mushroom species.
In terms of weight, a specimen of Phellinus ellipsoideus (formerly Fomitiporia ellipsoidea) discovered in China is believed to be the largest. It weighed between 400 and 500 kilograms, significantly more than the previously recorded fungal fruit body, Rigidoporus ulmarius, found in the United Kingdom with a circumference of 425 cm.
The discussion of the tallest mushroom species also brings to light the honey mushroom, or Armillaria ostoya, which has been weaving its black filaments through forests for an estimated 2,400 years. While its height may not be the focus, its impact on the forest ecosystem is notable, as it stretches across multiple acres and kills trees in its path.
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The definition of a mushroom
The broadest definition of a mushroom is that it is the reproductive body of certain kinds of fungus, namely basidiomycetes and some ascomycetes. More specifically, a mushroom is an enlarged, complex, aboveground fleshy fruiting body of a fungus, typically consisting of a stem bearing a pileus or cap, and gills on the underside of the cap. The gills produce microscopic spores, which help the fungus spread across the ground or its occupant surface.
Mushrooms are typically classified according to their macroscopic structure, and the standard methods for identification involve considering the presence of juices upon breaking, bruising reactions, odours, tastes, shades of colour, habitat, habit, and season. However, modern identification is quickly becoming molecular.
While the standard definition of a mushroom is based on the morphology of the cultivated white button mushroom, there are many fungi that deviate from this standard morphology, and these often have more specific names, such as "bolete", "truffle", "puffball", "stinkhorn", and "morel". The term "mushroom" is also used to refer to these deviants, and to other polypores, jelly fungi, coral fungi, bracket fungi, cup fungi, and so on.
The largest mushroom in the world is a specimen of Phellinus ellipsoideus, discovered in 2008 in Fujian Province, China. It was estimated to weigh between 400 and 500 kilograms.
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The largest fungal fruit body
The species was discovered in 2008 by Bao-Kai Cui and Yu-Cheng Dai in Fujian Province, China. In 2010, Cui and Dai were performing fieldwork in tropical woodland on Hainan Island, China, studying wood-rotting fungi. They uncovered a very large P. ellipsoideus fruit body on a fallen Quercus asymmetrica log, which turned out to be the largest fungal fruit body ever documented. The fruit body was found at an altitude of 958 metres (3,143 ft), in old-growth forest. They were initially unable to identify the specimen as P. ellipsoideus due to its large size, but tests revealed its identity after samples were taken for analysis.
The discovery was formally published in Fungal Biology in September 2011, but it gained attention in the mainstream press worldwide prior to this. The fruit body was 20 years old, up to 1,085 cm (35.60 ft) long, between 82 and 88 cm (32 and 35 in) wide, and between 4.6 and 5.5 cm (1.8 and 2.2 in) thick. The total volume of the fruit body was somewhere between 409,000 and 525,000 cubic centimetres (25,000 and 32,000 in3). It was estimated to have an average of 49 pores per square millimetre, roughly equivalent to 425 million pores.
Nicholas P. Money, the executive editor of Fungal Biology, in which the findings were published, praised the pair for not removing the fruit body, thereby allowing it "to continue its business and to marvel visitors to Hainan Island".
The largest mushrooms and conks are the largest known individual fruit bodies. These are known as sporocarps, or, more specifically, basidiocarps and ascocarps for the Basidiomycota and Ascomycota respectively. These fruit bodies have a wide variety of morphologies, ranging from the typical mushroom shape to brackets (conks), puffballs, cup fungi, stinkhorns, crusts, and corals. Many species of fungi, including yeasts, moulds, and the fungal component of lichens, do not form fruit bodies in this sense but can form visible presences such as cankers. Individual fruit bodies need not be individual biological organisms, and extremely large single organisms can be made up of a great many fruit bodies connected by networks of mycelia.
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The weight of the tallest mushroom
While there is no direct information about the weight of the tallest mushroom, there are a few instances of giant mushrooms and their weights. The largest individual fruit body in the world is a specimen of Phellinus ellipsoideus, weighing between 400 and 500 kilograms. This is significantly larger than the previous record holder, a specimen of Rigidoporus ulmarius found in the United Kingdom.
Another giant mushroom is the Armillaria ostoya, popularly known as the honey mushroom. This fungus has been growing for an estimated 2,400 years, killing trees in its path. While its weight has not been estimated, it covers an area of 3.5 miles and extends an average of three feet into the ground. It is considered the largest living organism on Earth.
Writer and naturalist Ivan T. Sanderson also reported a species of fungi that "weigh a ton and upheave large trees". This species has not been identified, but it is mentioned in the writings of James Brooke.
Additionally, two large mushroom specimens are notable, although they are not included in official lists. One is a polypore photographed in 1903 in Brisbane, Australia, which was sturdy enough to support the weight of two average women. The other is a Termitomyces Titanicus, which is speculated to be one of the largest mushrooms.
While the weight of the tallest mushroom may not be specifically mentioned, these examples showcase the impressive sizes and weights that certain mushrooms can attain.
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The age of the tallest mushroom
However, if we consider only the visible, reproductive body of the fungus, namely the mushroom cap and stem, then the Termitomyces Titanicus may be the tallest mushroom species. This species produces extremely large sporocarps, or fruit bodies, that can grow to impressive sizes. Unfortunately, specific information about the age of this species is not readily available, but it is likely that individual mushrooms of this species have a shorter lifespan compared to the millennia-long existence of the Armillaria fungus.
The challenge in determining the age of the tallest mushroom is further complicated by the fact that mushrooms do not have growth rings like trees, which would allow for age estimation through ring counting. Additionally, the life cycle of a mushroom involves the rapid growth and decay of the fruiting body, which can last only a few weeks or months. Therefore, the age of a mushroom is more accurately described as the lifespan of its fruiting body rather than the age of the entire fungus, which can continue to grow and spread underground for centuries.
While the Armillaria fungus may not produce the tallest mushroom caps, its extensive underground network and longevity make it a significant contributor to the ecosystem. Its ability to kill trees and spread over vast areas highlights the impact that fungi can have on their surroundings. Additionally, the discovery of ancient fungi like Armillaria provides valuable insights into the longevity and resilience of certain fungal species.
In summary, the age of the tallest mushroom depends on the definition of a "mushroom" and the specific species being referenced. While the Termitomyces Titanicus may produce taller mushroom caps, the Armillaria fungus, or honey mushroom, is the oldest and most extensive fungal organism known, with an estimated age ranging from 2,000 to 8,000 years. The complexity of fungal growth and the varying definitions of "mushroom" make it challenging to pinpoint the exact age or height of the tallest mushroom, but the Armillaria fungus stands as a testament to the ancient and dynamic nature of the fungal kingdom.
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Frequently asked questions
The tallest mushroom-like fungus is the Armillaria ostoya, popularly known as the honey mushroom. It stretches 3.5 miles across and extends an average of 3 feet into the ground.
The tallest mushroom, Armillaria ostoya, was found in Oregon, United States.
According to Merriam-Webster, a mushroom is "an enlarged complex aboveground fleshy fruiting body of a fungus (such as a basidiomycete) that consists typically of a stem bearing a pileus, especially: one that is edible".
