Emily Johnson
The heaviest mushroom ever recorded was a specimen of Armillaria ostoyae (also known as Armillaria solidipes or honey mushrooms) found in the Malheur National Forest in Oregon's Strawberry Mountains, weighing in at approximately 35,000 tons. This particular species of mushroom is a pathogenic fungus that spreads through black rhizomorphs, or shoestrings, infecting and killing living trees over several decades. The discovery of this giant fungus in 1998 marked a new record, surpassing the blue whale as the world's largest known organism.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Armillaria ostoyae (synonym A. solidipes) |
| Common Name | Honey Mushroom |
| Weight | 440 tons (4 x 105 kg) or 35,000 tons |
| Area Covered | 3.5 square miles (9.1 km^2) or 2,240 acres (910 ha) or 2,384 acres (965 ha) |
| Age | 2,500 years or 2,400 years or 8,000 years |
| Location | Malheur National Forest, Strawberry Mountains, Cascade Mountains, Oregon, USA |
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What You'll Learn
Armillaria ostoyae, or honey mushrooms, are the heaviest
The Armillaria ostoyae is most commonly found in the cooler regions of the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in the forests of British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest of North America. It also grows in parts of Asia. This species of mushroom grows and spreads primarily underground, with the bulk of the organism often unseen from the surface. In the autumn, the subterranean parts of the organism bloom into honey mushrooms as surface fruits.
The Armillaria ostoyae was first discovered in 1992 in Washington State, covering 1,500 acres near Mount Adams. In 1998, another discovery of this species was made in Oregon's Blue Mountains, occupying 965 hectares of soil. This particular mushroom is estimated to be around 2,400 years old, with the ability to encompass 1,665 football fields or nearly four square miles.
The Armillaria ostoyae found in Michigan, United States, is another notable specimen. This mushroom originated from spores of a parent fungus in Ontario, Canada, and grew over millennia into a mass of 440 tons, equivalent to three blue whales. The discovery of this mushroom demonstrated the immense size and weight that Armillaria ostoyae can attain.
The Armillaria ostoyae, or honey mushroom, stands out as the heaviest mushroom species. Its ability to grow underground, coupled with its wide geographical reach, contributes to its impressive size and weight. These mushrooms, often unseen, showcase nature's wonders by achieving massive proportions that rival even the largest animals on Earth.
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They can weigh as much as 35,000 tons
Honey mushrooms in the genus Armillaria are the heaviest mushrooms in the world. They are also the largest known organisms on Earth. A mushroom of this type, found in the Malheur National Forest in the Strawberry Mountains of eastern Oregon, is believed to be the largest fungal colony globally, spanning an area of 3.5 square miles (2,200 acres or 9.1 square kilometres). This organism is estimated to be about 8,000 years old and may weigh as much as 35,000 tons. If this colony is considered a single organism, it is one of the largest known organisms in the world by area.
The honey mushroom, also known as Armillaria ostoya, started from a single spore too small to be seen without a microscope. It has been weaving its black shoestring filaments through the forest for an estimated 2,400 years, killing trees as it grows. The subterranean parts of the organism bloom honey mushrooms as surface fruits. Low competition for land and nutrients often allow this fungus to grow to huge proportions. It possibly covers more total geographical area than any other single living organism.
The Armillaria ostoya found in Oregon's Blue Mountains occupies about 965 hectares (2,384 acres) of soil. This humongous fungus would encompass 1,665 football fields, or nearly four square miles (10 square kilometres) of turf. The discovery of this giant fungus in 1998 heralded a new record holder for the title of the world's largest known organism. Based on its current growth rate, the fungus is estimated to be 2,400 years old but could be as ancient as 8,650 years, which would earn it a place among the oldest living organisms.
The weight and area of honey mushrooms in the genus Armillaria beat those of blue whales many times over. A new analysis of the original “humongous fungus” in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula shows that the massive mushroom is much bigger and much older than researchers first believed. About 25 years ago, researchers discovered that an Armillaria gallica mushroom near Crystal Falls, Michigan, covered about 91 acres, weighed 110 tons, and was about 1,500 years old, setting a new record for the largest organism at the time.
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They are found in Oregon's Blue Mountains
The giant puffball, Calvatia gigantea, is a remarkable fungus that can reach impressive proportions. While it may not be the heaviest mushroom species, it certainly vies for the title, with mature specimens often weighing several pounds. These giant puffballs are found in a variety of habitats, including the famed Blue Mountains of Oregon, where they emerge as a unique feature of the local mycoflora.
The Blue Mountains, part of the larger Rocky Mountain range, span eastern Oregon and offer a diverse landscape of forests, grasslands, and high alpine terrain. This varied geography creates a multitude of microhabitats that are ideal for a wide array of fungi, including the giant puffball. These mushrooms thrive in open areas with rich, well-drained soil, often appearing in meadows, clearings, and along roadsides where their presence is hard to miss.
The giant puffballs found in Oregon's Blue Mountains typically fruit during late summer and autumn, taking advantage of the cooler, moist conditions. They are saprobic, deriving their nutrients from decomposing organic matter, particularly the remains of grasses and other herbaceous plants common in the area. As they break down this organic material, these fungi play a vital ecological role, returning nutrients to the soil and contributing to the overall health of the ecosystem.
Foragers and mushroom enthusiasts are naturally drawn to the giant puffballs of the Blue Mountains. When young, these mushrooms are edible and highly sought after for their mild flavor and versatile texture. However, as they age, the flesh turns from white to olive-green, eventually becoming brown and releasing billions of spores. This transformation is nature's way of ensuring the fungus' survival, as the mature spores are carried by the wind to disperse and colonize new areas.
Beyond their culinary and ecological significance, the giant puffballs of Oregon's Blue Mountains hold cultural importance for the region's residents. Their impressive size and unique life cycle have likely sparked curiosity and wonder for generations, fostering a deeper appreciation for the natural world and the intricate relationships that exist within it. Whether admired from a distance or studied up close, these mushrooms stand as a testament to the beauty and diversity of Oregon's fungal flora.
As a safety precaution, it is important to properly identify mushrooms before consuming them, as misidentification can lead to serious health risks. The giant puffball, despite its edibility when young, can be confused with immature button stages of toxic puffball species. Correct identification, therefore, ensures a safe and enjoyable foraging experience in the majestic setting of Oregon's Blue Mountains.
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The fungus is estimated to be 2,400 years old
The Armillaria ostoyae, more commonly known as the Honey Mushroom or Shoestring Fungus, is a giant fungus that was discovered in 1998 in the Blue Mountains within the Malheur National Forest in Eastern Oregon. It occupies some 2,384 acres (965 hectares) of soil, which is nearly four square miles (10 square kilometers) of turf. This giant fungus is believed to be the largest known organism, even larger than the 110-foot-long, 200-ton blue whale.
Based on its current growth rate, this fungus is estimated to be 2,400 years old but could be much older, with estimates ranging from 8,000 to 8,650 years. If these older estimates are correct, this fungus would be one of the oldest living organisms on Earth.
The Honey Mushroom got its name from its yellow-capped and sweet fruiting bodies it produces. It is a pathogenic species of fungus, meaning it grows and spreads primarily underground, invading the sapwood of trees and disseminating over great distances under the bark or between trees in the form of black rhizomorphs ("shoestrings"). Due to low competition for land and nutrients, this fungus was able to grow to enormous proportions.
The Armillaria ostoyae is not the only giant fungus that has been discovered. In 1992, a 37-acre (15-hectare) Armillaria bulbosa, later renamed Armillaria gallica, was found in the hardwood forests near Crystal Falls, Michigan. This fungus is celebrated annually at a "fungus fest" in the nearby town. Another giant fungus, a specimen of Armillaria ostoyae found in southwestern Washington in 1992, covered about 1,500 acres (600 hectares) or 2.5 square miles (6.5 square kilometers).
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It is the largest known living organism
The largest known living organism is a specimen of Posidonia australis seagrass, or "Poseidon's ribbon weed", located in Shark Bay off Western Australia. Covering an area of 200 square kilometres (77 square miles), it is the largest single living organism based on area.
However, the largest living organism by mass is a specimen of Armillaria ostoya, or \"honey mushroom\", growing in the Malheur National Forest of Oregon, USA. Covering 965 hectares (2,385 acres) or 3.5 square miles, it is the largest fungal colony in the world and is estimated to weigh as much as 35,000 tons. This makes it the largest organism in the world by weight and earns it the nickname "Humongous Fungus".
The honey mushroom got its name from the yellow-capped and sweet fruiting bodies it produces. It was first discovered in 1998 and is believed to be around 2,400 years old, though some estimates place its age at 8,000 to 8,650 years. The enormous fungus grows wide and thin gills that leave a white spore print. It spreads through black rhizomorphs, or "shoestrings", that can cover acre upon acre in search of wood to consume.
The honey mushroom is not only massive in size but also in impact. It infects and kills living trees, continuing to feed on them after they are dead. This has led to concerns among forest scientists and the Forest Service about controlling the fungus. However, it is important to recognize that the honey mushroom also serves a purpose in nature, contributing to the complex dynamics of forest ecosystems.
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Frequently asked questions
The heaviest mushroom ever recorded was a specimen of Armillaria ostoyae (also known as Armillaria solidipes or honey mushrooms) found in Oregon's Blue Mountains. It weighs approximately 35,000 tons and covers an area of 3.5 square miles (2,200 acres or 9.1 square kilometres).
Honey mushrooms are fungi in the Armillaria genus. They are characterised by their yellow-capped and sweet fruiting bodies. They are also known for their ability to grow to massive sizes.
Honey mushrooms are typically found in the cooler regions of the Northern Hemisphere, including North America and Asia. In North America, they are commonly found in the forests of British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest.
Honey mushrooms grow and spread primarily underground through a mass of underground tendrils called mycelium. Their subterranean growth allows them to access a large area with minimal competition for land and nutrients, enabling them to grow to huge proportions over time.
