Most mushrooms known to us are modest in size. But in Africa, there is a gigantic mushroom called Termitomyces titanicus whose hat can measure up to one meter in diameter.
the largest mushroom in the world is a Armillaria gallica located in Oregon, which covers 8.9 km2 (890 hectares) and weighs 400 tons. But this gigantic filamentous network gives mushrooms inedible. The largest edible mushroom in the world is called Termitomyces titanicus. From the family of Lyophyllaceae, its hat can reach one meter in diameter and its foot is more than 50 centimeters high. It is found in West Africa, where it grows in symbiosis with termites (hence its name). the Termitomyces titanicus has a smoky and savory taste, with a meaty texture. Rich in protein (24%), it is also used dried in sauces and stews.
A symbiotic relationship with termites
Termitomyces titanicus develops in the termite moundswhere it benefits from temperatures and a level of humidity perfectly adapted to its growth, as well as materials fecal termites. In return, it breaks down plant matter to feed the termites. A win-win association that allows the fungus to have a huge amount of resources, termite colonies can exceed one million individuals. The other reason for the huge size of Termitomyces titanicus is that it must shed a large number of spores to have a chance of being found by the appropriate termite species. However, the more mushroom is larger, the more spores it produces.
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