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New Species of Giant Fungus Discovered in China Grows up to 20 Inches Tall
Researchers have identified a giant fungus in China’s Yunnan province, with fruiting bodies reaching 20 inches tall and weighing nearly five pounds. It belongs to a previously unknown biological family, highlighting how much fungal diversity may remain undiscovered in the region.
The fungus, named D. rex, was found in Nanban tropical rainforest near dying trees. DNA analysis suggests it diverged from other species about 65 million years ago; researchers propose it may live inside healthy trees before feeding on dead plant matter, though this remains unconfirmed. Its height may help spread spores above forest undergrowth, but building such large structures requires substantial energy.
In short
- A newly identified Chinese fungus grows up to 20 inches tall.
- Its fruiting bodies can weigh nearly five pounds.
- Researchers think its height may aid spore dispersal.
Explained simply
Fungi are a diverse group of organisms that includes mushrooms, moulds and yeasts. The visible part of a mushroom is its fruiting body: it produces and releases spores, which can grow into new fungi.
Yunnan, in south-west China, contains tropical rainforest and a wide range of plant and fungal life. Some fungi live in or on trees, while others break down dead wood and other plant matter; researchers are still learning how different species live and how they are related.
The newly identified fungus is notable for its size and for belonging to a family not previously known to science. Finding it adds to understanding of fungal diversity and raises questions about how it grows and spreads in forest habitats.