Armillaria ostoyae (Humongous Fungus)

Honey fungus whose Oregon colony spans nearly ten square kilometres — the largest known organism by area.

Core Principles & Analysis

• A single genetic individual in Oregon’s Blue Mountains covers roughly 9.6 km² and may be thousands of years old.
• It spreads by bootlace-like rhizomorphs under bark and soil, killing conifers as a root pathogen.
• The genus is famous for foxfire — faint bioluminescence from decaying wood laced with its mycelium.

Specifications & Metrics

• ACTIVE COMPOUNDS: Melleolides