Most edible mushrooms are relatively small, but in West Africa as well as Zambia, there’s one particularly enormous species that outgrows all the rest of them.
Most edible mushrooms are relatively small, but in West Africa as well as Zambia, there’s one particularly enormous species that outgrows all the rest of them.
While the largest fungus (and organism) in the world is of the genus Armillaria and is currently consuming Oregon on 1,000 hectares, Termitomyces тιтanicus is the world’s largest edible mushroom, with a cap that can measure a little more than three feet (one meter) across.
Interestingly, this giant mushroom species was unknown to Western science prior to 1980, despite its size and the fact it was a common item in native markets.
This family living in Zambia purchased this giant specimen on the road to Lusaka, the capital city. Image credit: Words from the Wild
Decayed mushroom tissue is another food source for the termites.In turn, the fungi ᴀssociated with termites receive a steady supply of plant material, in a location with fine-tuned temperature and moisture content optimal for growth.
The mushrooms are connected to the heart of a colony of fungal breeding termites. Image credit: Aanen and de Beer
In low producing savanna ecosystems, the distribution of termite mound may be quite patchy. So, to ensure that it gets a good chance at finding a suitable substrate, the fungus has evolved one of, if not the, largest mushrooms on the planet. The larger the mushroom, the more spores it produces, making it easier for initial termite foragers to actually find them.
A Termitomyces тιтanicus found in a village outside Upemba National Park. Image credit: Blimeo
And a single cap can provide a full meal for an entire family…
Source
