Hidden Marvels: Unraveling the Secrets of the World’s Largest Fungi
Mushrooms are usually associated with something small and having a characteristic shape. However, the largest mushroom in the world weighs hundreds of kilograms. And it doesn’t really resemble the typical appearance of a mushroom, such as a button mushroom or a porcini.
Scientists have described about 150,000 species of mushrooms so far. Some researchers even believe that there are around 5 million species of these organisms on Earth. They occur in all climate zones, not only on land but also in aquatic environments. They are relatives of animals but also share many characteristics with plants.
Mushrooms began to colonize land as microscopic organisms. Then, during evolution, they increased in size. In the Devonian period, they reached heights of up to 9 meters! Then they gave way to plants and went underground. Today, the giants of the mushroom kingdom are much more modest.
In seeking the answer to the question of what is the largest mushroom in the world, one must consider the structure of these organisms. They are composed of filamentous mycelium. Often, it is hidden in the substrate on which the…
