Newfound giant fungus D. rex stands nearly 2 feet tall
Scientists have identified a new, giant fungus species named Dianjunus rex in China's Yunnan province. The fungus, which can grow up to 20 inches tall, belongs to a family that emerged following the mass extinction event that ended the dinosaur era.
Why it matters
The discovery provides new insights into fungal evolution and biodiversity in the aftermath of major planetary extinction events.
As the reign of the dinosaurs crumbled about 65 million years ago, new royalty rose from the ashes: a king among fungi. Scientists recently identified Dianjunus rex, a gigantic species of fungus in what’s now China that shares part of its name with Tyrannosaurus rex, the renowned dinosaur “king.” D. rex belongs to a family of fungi that appeared following the extinction event that wiped out all non-avian dinosaurs, along with roughly 75% of all plant and animal life on Earth. D. rex dwarfs its fellow fungi with its upright, pale yellowish reproductive structures, or fruiting bodies, called stromata that can grow to be 20 inches (50 centimeters) tall — about the height of an airplane carry-on suitcase — and weigh nearly 5 pounds (2.2 kilograms).
Also covering this story
One other newsroom covered this event. We read that version too.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in