In the Malheur National Forest of eastern Oregon, a vast oak mushroom, identified as a root pathogen of the genus Araceae, has been spreading for thousands of years. It covers nearly 10 square kilometers but exists mostly underground as a network of mycelium, with only visible fruiting bodies appearing briefly each fall.
First discovered in 1988 by Forest Service employee Greg Whipple, the initial estimate of its range was significantly underestimated. Genetic testing later confirmed that what seemed to be multiple organisms was, in fact, a single entity known as Genet D, covering approximately 2,385 acres (about 9.6 square kilometers).
The fungus attacks tree roots, resulting in dead and dying trees that indicate its spread. Estimates of its age range from 1,900 to 8,650 years old, based on its rate of expansion. Its weight is also difficult to quantify, with estimates ranging broadly from thousands to possibly 35,000 tons.
Though often cited as the largest living organism on Earth, the title is more nuanced. Other contenders, such as a seagrass clone in Australia covering 200 square kilometers and a poplar clone in Utah, challenge its ranking based on different measurement criteria. Nonetheless, the Malheur fungus remains one of the largest single organisms by area.
Ultimately, the debate centers on the definitions of what constitutes a single organism. While its specific title may be contested, the fact remains that this interconnected entity has thrived and expanded underground for millennia, playing a significant role in its ecosystem.
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