December 22, 2007: Pub in a Tree

[Karenv]

Originally Posted by Gravdigr

Concerning the "largest living thing on earth"...

I remember reading a few years ago about a fungus that was found in Wisconsin (I think) that covered (above and below ground) something like over 400 acres. One continuous (contiguous?) fungus type thingy. But, I guess it's all in how you measure "the largest living thing on earth".

There is an armillaria fungus in the Malheur Forest in Oregon that is bigger than the armillaria fungus in the Great North Woods at an estimated 2,200 acres. Hard to measure though, as it is mostly underground. (Mycelium is the fungus, the mushrooms are like fruit.) Apples and oranges. Or fungii and trees.

Oh and a fungal tidbit:
Moreover, while humans and most species are divided into only two sexes, mushrooms contain over 36,000 sexes.

There's an orgy goin' on in them woods.