John Miller
When it comes to mushrooms, size is relative. While button mushrooms may seem tiny, a large mushroom farm can produce up to one million pounds of them in a year. But some mushrooms are massive. The largest individual mushroom in the world is a specimen of Phellinus ellipsoideus, which was estimated to weigh between 400 and 500 kilograms. But if we're talking about the biggest fungus, that title goes to a specimen of Armillaria solidipes in eastern Oregon, which covers 3.5 square miles and weighs as much as 35,000 tons. This particular fungus, also known as the “shoestring fungus or “honey mushroom,” is a parasitic species that sucks the life out of trees.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Largest individual fruit body | Phellinus ellipsoideus |
| Estimated weight | 400-500 kilograms |
| Circumference of the previously largest recorded fungal fruit body | 425 cm |
| Weight of a 2,500-year-old Armillaria ostoyae specimen | 440 tons |
| Area covered by the Armillaria ostoyae specimen | 38% of the estimated land area of the Oregon "humongous fungus" |
| Area covered by the Oregon "humongous fungus" | 3.5 square miles |
| Weight of the Oregon "humongous fungus" | 35,000 tons |
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What You'll Learn
The world's largest mushroom weighs 400-500kg
The world's largest mushroom, a specimen of the species Poria cocos, also known as the 'Fu Ling' or 'Hoelen' mushroom, is an extraordinary find. This particular fungus was discovered in China and weighed an impressive 400 to 500 kilograms, a true giant among mushrooms. To put this into perspective, the average button mushroom weighs around 5 to 10 grams, meaning this colossal fungus is the equivalent of over 40,000 to 50,000 regular mushrooms. This species is known for its extensive underground root systems, which can spread out over vast areas, but typically, the above-ground fruiting bodies are not particularly large. So, what caused this particular specimen to grow to such an enormous size?
The answer lies in the unique conditions in which it was found. The mushroom was discovered in an area of China known for its rich, loamy soil and humid climate, ideal for fungal growth. The specific location provided an abundant source of nutrients, allowing the fungus to thrive and grow to an unprecedented size. The age of the specimen is also a contributing factor, as Poria cocos mushrooms can live for many years, and the larger specimens are often the oldest. Over time, with the right conditions, these mushrooms can continue to grow and expand, reaching weights and sizes far beyond what is typically expected of them.
While most mushrooms tend to have a short fruiting period, with the above-ground structures appearing and disappearing within weeks or months, Poria cocos is an exception. The enormous size of this fungus is a testament to the species' longevity and ability to persist and grow given the right environmental conditions. This discovery has provided valuable insight into the potential of fungal growth and the importance of mycorrhizal networks in ecosystems. The find also highlights the need to protect and preserve diverse habitats, as even common species can surprise us with their potential for immense growth given the right conditions and time.
The world's largest mushroom is not only a fascinating discovery but also a reminder of the hidden potential within the fungal kingdom. While most mushrooms we encounter are relatively small, this giant among them showcases the ability of certain species to grow to remarkable sizes. It is a testament to nature's surprises and the importance of continued exploration and research into the biodiversity that surrounds us. This record-breaking fungus will surely inspire further interest in mycology and a deeper appreciation for the hidden world of mushrooms and their vital ecological roles.
This discovery of the massive Poria cocos mushroom also raises questions about the potential for even larger fungal specimens yet to be discovered. If a 400 to 500-kilogram mushroom was found, what other gigantic fungi might be waiting to be uncovered in remote ecosystems around the globe? The search for larger mushrooms and the study of their growth patterns and environmental needs will undoubtedly continue to fascinate mycologists and enthusiasts alike. The quest to understand the intricacies of fungal biology and ecology has never been more intriguing.
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Armillaria bulbosa, the first giant mushroom discovered
Armillaria bulbosa, also known as Armillaria gallica, is a species of honey mushroom. It was the first giant mushroom discovered, found in 1992 by Myron Smith, a PhD candidate in botany at the University of Toronto.
Smith and his colleagues came across this massive fungus while working on a side project in the hardwood forests near Crystal Falls, Michigan. They were using genetic tests to study the boundaries of fungal individuals, and they soon realised that they had stumbled upon something extraordinary. The Armillaria bulbosa they discovered weighed over 100 tons (90.7 metric tons) and was estimated to be roughly 1,500 years old.
The discovery of this giant mushroom sparked excitement in the mycology community and brought attention to the field. Soon after, larger fungi were discovered in Washington and Oregon, but the Armillaria bulbosa remains significant as the first of its kind to be found. Today, the town of Crystal Falls even celebrates this monumental find with an annual "fungus fest".
The Armillaria bulbosa is a common and ecologically important wood-decay fungus, often found in temperate regions of Asia, North America, and Europe. It can live as a saprobe or as an opportunistic parasite in weakened tree hosts, causing root or butt rot. The species forms fruit bodies singly or in groups in soil or rotting wood. The discovery of this giant fungus also led to a better understanding of the boundaries of fungal individuals and the development of new techniques to distinguish between closely related species.
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Armillaria ostoyae, the world's largest single living organism
Armillaria ostoyae, commonly known as the honey mushroom, is a single fungal organism found in the Malheur National Forest in Oregon. It is believed to be the largest single living organism in the world. This humongous fungus covers an area of three and a half square miles or 9 square kilometres, which is equivalent to 2,200 acres or 910 hectares. It is estimated to weigh about 35,000 tons, which is the weight of more than 200 grey whales.
The honey mushroom derives its name from the amber-coloured fruit that emerges in the fall. It is also sometimes called the shoestring fungus due to its appearance when it travels underground from tree root to tree root. Armillaria ostoyae grows under the bark of trees and is visible for only a few weeks in the fall. It has a unique ability to extend rhizomorphs, flat shoestring-like structures, that bridge gaps between food sources and expand its perimeter.
This fungus is a parasite that can survive by digesting living tree roots. It grows along tree roots via hyphae, fine filaments that mat together and excrete digestive enzymes. Certain types of trees die when infected with the fungus. The trees fight back, oozing out of holes in the bark, but the fungus can grow around the base of the tree and kill all the tissues.
The Armillaria ostoyae fungus was first discovered in 1998 and is believed to be between 2,400 and 8,650 years old. It is found in the forests of British Columbia, the Pacific Northwest, and parts of Asia. It is both present in the interior regions and along the coast, although infections are more common and virulent in coastal regions.
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Honey mushrooms, the largest ever measured in Oregon
Honey mushrooms, or Armillaria ostoyae, are the largest mushrooms ever measured in Oregon. They are located in the Blue Mountains within the Malheur National Forest in Eastern Oregon. This enormous organism has been dubbed the "Humongous Fungus" by scientists. It is estimated to weigh at least 7,500 tons and maybe up to 35,000 tons, which is the weight of more than 200 gray whales. This fungus is believed to be between 2,400 and 8,650 years old, making it one of the oldest living organisms as well.
Honey mushrooms derive their common name from the amber-colored fruit that emerges in the fall. They have yellow-capped and sweet fruiting bodies. Unlike most mushrooms, which grow in mushroom houses and are cultivated by growers, honey mushrooms grow in the wild and can reach massive proportions. The giant Armillaria ostoyae in Oregon was discovered in 1998 and is believed to be the world's largest known organism. It occupies approximately 2,384 acres (965 hectares) of soil, which is equivalent to 1,665 football fields or nearly four square miles (10 square kilometers).
Honey mushrooms are not just impressive for their size but also for their unique ability to extend rhizomorphs. These are flat, shoestring-like structures that allow the fungus to bridge gaps between food sources and expand its sweeping perimeter. This ability, combined with a stable environment, has allowed this particular honey mushroom to creep and spread over the millennia. The largest concentration of the "Humongous Fungus" was measured at 3.5 square miles of forest in 2015, and it is believed to have grown even larger since then.
The honey mushroom is a parasite that invades the root structures of trees and inserts itself into their bodies. It spreads its filaments through the roots of the coniferous forest, and it can take years for a tree to die while the fungus feeds off its life. The trees fight back by oozing out of holes in the bark, but it is often a lost cause. This insidious nature of the honey mushroom has earned it the title of "Shoestring Fungus." Despite its destructive nature, the honey mushroom is also a part of the ever-changing ecosystem, creating habitats for birds and insects as trees rot and die.
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Macrocybe titans, the species with the heaviest single fruiting body
The largest individual fungal fruit body in the world is a specimen of Phellinus ellipsoideus. However, when it comes to the species with the heaviest single fruiting body, Macrocybe titans, or "giant head", takes the crown.
This mushroom species was first discovered in Gainesville, Florida, in 1973, on submerged wood near a parking lot. The original specimens were found in central and north central Florida, and the species was first described in 1980. It has since been observed in several other states in the US, as well as in the Caribbean, Central America, and parts of South America.
The mushrooms of M. titans are pale buff to cream in colour. They can grow alone or in small clusters of 2-3 mushrooms, but sometimes form dense clusters of up to 10 fruiting bodies. The cap of this mushroom species ranges from 8 cm to a whopping 100 cm in diameter, and 30-40 cm in height. The caps usually start off convex and become more flattened as the mushroom ages, with inrolled or scalloped edges. The stipe (stem) of M. titans ranges from 7-20 cm and is the same colour as the cap. It is fibrous and usually scaly, and there is no ring around it. The lamellae (gills) are white to pale brown, sinuate (wavy or notched), and crowded.
The odour of M. titans is generally mild and nondescript, and the species has creamy-white-coloured spores. It is a saprobic (decay) fungus, and is usually found in disturbed habitats, such as near buildings or roads.
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Frequently asked questions
The biggest mushrooms in the world are the Armillaria ostoyae, also known as the honey mushroom.
The Armillaria ostoyae mushrooms are found in Oregon's Blue Mountains in the US.
The Armillaria ostoyae covers an area of 3.5 square miles (2,200 acres or 9.1 square kilometres) and weighs 35,000 tons.
Yes, a 20-year-old specimen of Phellinus ellipsoideus found in China in 2008 weighed between 400 and 500 kilograms.
Yes, the Armillaria ostoyae is bigger than a blue whale. In fact, it is the largest single living organism in the world.
