Sarah Brown
The honey mushroom, or Armillaria ostoyae, is a fascinating species of fungus. It was first discovered in 1992 by Myron Smith, a PhD candidate in botany at the University of Toronto. This particular species of fungus is notable for its immense size, holding the record for the world's largest known organism. The honey mushroom is also known for its distinctive appearance, with yellow-capped and sweet fruiting bodies, as well as its ability to cause root rot in trees, making it a destructive forest pathogen. Honey mushrooms are considered a delicacy in some parts of the world, but must be thoroughly cooked as they can be mildly poisonous when consumed raw.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Honey Mushroom |
| Scientific Name | Armillaria ostoyae, Armillaria solidipes, Armillaria mellea, Armillaria bulbosa, Armillaria gallica |
| Discoverer | Greg Whipple, Dan Omdal, Myron Smith |
| Year of Discovery | 1988, 1992, 1998 |
| Location of Discovery | Malheur National Forest, Oregon, USA; Crystal Falls, Michigan, USA; Cascade Mountains, Oregon, USA |
| Size | 2,200-2,240 acres (3.4-3.5 square miles or 8.8-9.1 km2) |
| Weight | 440 tons, 7,500-35,000 tons |
| Age | 2,000-8,650 years |
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What You'll Learn
- Armillaria ostoyae, a synonym for A. solidipes, is a species of fungus in the family Physalacriaceae
- Honey mushrooms are considered a delicacy in Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Germany and other European countries
- The discovery of a giant Armillaria ostoyae in 1998 set a new record for the world's largest known organism
- The honey mushroom is also known as the shoestring fungus due to its black shoestring-like filaments
- The species was originally named Agaricus melleus by Danish-Norwegian botanist Martin Vahl in 1790
Armillaria ostoyae, a synonym for A. solidipes, is a species of fungus in the family Physalacriaceae
The Armillaria ostoyae fungus, like most parasitic fungi, reproduces sexually. The life cycle begins with spores, which are released into the environment by a mature mushroom. These spores have two mating types, which are not male and female but have a similar effect. When spores of complementary mating types and the same species come into contact, they fuse together to form coalesced colonies. Armillaria ostoyae produces mycelial cords, or rhizomorphs, which allow the fungus to obtain nutrients and spread over large areas.
This species of fungus is particularly notable for its ability to grow to huge proportions. Armillaria ostoyae typically grows underground, and its above-ground fruiting bodies develop into mature mushrooms that spread spores to start a new generation. The fungus is commonly found in the cooler regions of the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in coniferous forests of North America and parts of Asia. In the autumn, the subterranean parts of the organism bloom honey mushrooms as surface fruits. Low competition for land and nutrients allows Armillaria ostoyae to grow extensively, and it may cover more total geographical area than any other single living organism.
The discovery of a giant Armillaria ostoyae colony in 1998 in the Cascade Mountains of central Oregon, near Cultus Lake, sparked interest in the species. This colony, also referred to as the "humongous fungus," covers approximately 2,384 acres (965 hectares) of soil, making it the world's largest known organism at the time. Subsequent findings of other large Armillaria ostoyae colonies, such as the 8,000-year-old colony in Malheur National Forest, Oregon, estimated to weigh 35,000 tons, further emphasised the impressive size and longevity of this fungus.
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Honey mushrooms are considered a delicacy in Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Germany and other European countries
Honey mushrooms, or Armillaria, are considered a delicacy in Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Germany, and other European countries. They are also known as "shoestring fungus" due to their black shoestring-like appearance. They are highly regarded and ranked above morels and chanterelles, with only the cep/porcini being more highly prized. However, they must be thoroughly cooked as they are mildly poisonous when raw.
Honey mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of the fungus Armillaria, which grows on wood, typically in small, dense clumps or tufts. The caps of these mushrooms are typically yellow-brown and sticky to the touch when moist. Depending on their age, they can range in shape from conical to convex to depressed in the centre. The stipe (stalk) may or may not have a ring. Honey mushrooms produce white spore prints and lack a volva (cup at the base).
The Armillaria fungus is a pathogenic organism that affects trees, shrubs, woody climbers, and rarely, woody herbaceous perennial plants. It is a plant pathogen and can cause Armillaria root rot in many plant species. The initial symptoms of honey fungus infection include leaf dieback or a shortage of leaves in the spring. Rhizomorphs, also called mycelial cords, appear under the bark and around the infected tree. The mushrooms grow in clusters from the infected plant in autumn and die back after the first frost.
Honey mushrooms are widely distributed in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, where they typically grow on hardwoods. They can also be found on other living and dead wood or in open areas. The Armillaria fungus grows and spreads primarily underground, and as a result, most of the organism is not visible from the surface. In autumn, the subterranean parts of the organism bloom honey-coloured mushrooms as surface fruits.
The discovery of honey mushrooms can be traced back to 1992 when Myron Smith, a PhD candidate in botany at the University of Toronto, and his colleagues discovered a massive fungus in the hardwood forests near Crystal Falls, Michigan. This particular fungus, later identified as Armillaria gallica, covered 37 acres (15 hectares) and sparked a debate about what constitutes an individual organism.
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The discovery of a giant Armillaria ostoyae in 1998 set a new record for the world's largest known organism
In 1998, a team of forestry scientists discovered a giant Armillaria ostoyae in the Malheur National Forest in the Strawberry Mountains of eastern Oregon. This fungus, also known as the honey mushroom, was found to be the largest fungal colony in the world, spanning an area of 3.5 square miles (2,200 acres; 9.1 km2). The discovery set a new record for the world's largest known organism.
The Armillaria ostoyae is a pathogenic species of fungus in the family Physalacriaceae. It invades the sapwood of trees and spreads through black rhizomorphs ("shoestrings") that grow under the bark and between trees. The fungus grows primarily underground, and in the autumn, it blooms honey mushrooms as surface fruits. This particular specimen was estimated to be 2,400 to 8,600 years old and may weigh as much as 35,000 tons.
The discovery of this giant fungus sparked a debate about what constitutes an individual organism. It is composed of genetically identical cells that communicate and coordinate with each other, fitting the definition of an individual organism. However, it is also a colony of fungi, with each fungus being a genetically unique entity called a "genet."
The Armillaria ostoyae is not the only huge fungus that has been discovered. In 1992, a 37-acre Armillaria gallica was found in Michigan, and in 2003, a 2,384-acre Armillaria ostoyae was discovered in Oregon. These discoveries highlight the impressive size and growth of certain fungal species.
The Armillaria ostoyae in Oregon is a remarkable example of the vastness and complexity of fungal organisms. Its discovery as the largest known organism showcases the importance of continued research and exploration in the field of mycology.
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The honey mushroom is also known as the shoestring fungus due to its black shoestring-like filaments
The honey mushroom, scientifically known as Armillaria ostoyae or Armillaria solidipes, is a fascinating species of fungus. It is often regarded as a delicacy in many parts of the world, particularly in Europe. However, it is important to cook them thoroughly as they can be mildly poisonous when consumed raw or alongside alcohol.
The honey mushroom has earned the nickname "shoestring fungus" due to its distinctive appearance. As the fungus grows and spreads, it forms black shoestring-like filaments, scientifically known as rhizomorphs or mycelial cords. These filaments are intricate structures that serve a crucial purpose: they enable the fungus to conduct water and transport food materials within its thallus. The rhizomorphs are black, fibrous, and slender, resembling shoestrings as they spread along tree roots underground.
The honey mushroom is a master of concealment, growing mostly underground and beneath the bark of trees. This stealthy behaviour allows it to infect and spread between trees without being easily detected. The subterranean parts of the organism bloom into "honey mushrooms" in the autumn, revealing their golden caps and earning their sweet moniker.
The discovery of the honey mushroom's massive colonies has sparked awe and curiosity. In 1988, Greg Whipple, working for the forest service, estimated that a colony of this fungus in Oregon's Malheur National Forest covered 400 acres. A decade later, in 1998, it was declared the world's largest known organism, spanning 3.5 square miles (9.1 km2) and weighing an estimated 35,000 tons.
The honey mushroom's ability to form vast underground networks and its preference for growing in cool, northern regions contribute to its reputation as a destructive forest pathogen. Its black shoestring-like filaments are both an impressive adaptation and a subtle warning of the fungus's potential impact on the trees it infects.
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The species was originally named Agaricus melleus by Danish-Norwegian botanist Martin Vahl in 1790
The honey mushroom, scientifically known as Armillaria mellea, was originally named Agaricus melleus by Danish-Norwegian botanist Martin Vahl in 1790. It was later transferred to the genus Armillaria in 1871 by Paul Kummer.
Armillaria mellea is commonly known as the honey fungus, as well as the stump mushroom, stumpie, pipinky, or pinky. It is an edible basidiomycete fungus and a plant pathogen. It is part of a cryptic species complex of closely related and morphologically similar species. It causes Armillaria root rot in many plant species and produces mushrooms around the base of infected trees.
The honey mushroom is widely distributed in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It typically grows on hardwoods but may also be found on other living and dead wood or in open areas. The most prominent sign of infection is honey-coloured mushrooms at the base of the infected plant. Additional signs include white, fan-shaped mycelia and black rhizomorphs. The symptoms of infection include discoloured foliage, reduced growth, dieback of the branches, and death.
The honey mushroom is considered a delicacy in Ukraine, Russia, Poland, Germany, and other European countries. However, it must be thoroughly cooked as it is mildly poisonous when raw. When consuming this mushroom, it is advisable not to drink alcohol for 12 hours before and 24 hours after to avoid any possible nausea and vomiting.
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Frequently asked questions
The honey mushroom was first discovered by Greg Whipple in 1988.
The honey mushroom was discovered in Oregon's Malheur National Forest.
Armillaria ostoyae (synonym A. solidipes) is the scientific name of the honey mushroom.
Covering 3.5 square miles (9.1 km2), the honey mushroom in Oregon is the largest single living organism in the world.
Yes, honey mushrooms are also found in Michigan, Germany, and Washington.
