Termitomyces titanicus
| Termitomyces titanicus | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Agaricomycetes |
| Order: | Agaricales |
| Family: | Lyophyllaceae |
| Genus: | Termitomyces |
| Species: | T. titanicus |
| Binomial name | |
| Termitomyces titanicus Pegler & Piearce | |
Termitomyces titanicus
Termitomyces titanicus (common name Chi-ngulu-ngulu) is a species of fungus in the Lyophyllaceae family. Found in West Africa (as well as Zambia and the Katanga Province of DR Congo), it has a cap that may reach 1 metre (3 ft) in diameter on a stipe up to 22 inches (57 cm) in length [1] [2] and is reputed to be the largest edible mushroom in the world. [3] Termitomyces is symbiotic with termites of the genus Macrotermes who raise the hyphae upon partially digested leaves as their primary foodstuff. T. titanicus was unknown to science prior to 1980, even though it was a common item in the native markets. Pegler and Piearce made no attempt to explain its late discovery.[4]
References
- ↑ David N. Peglar and G. D. Piearce, "The Edible Mushrooms of Zambia", KEW BULLETIN Vol. 35 # 3 (1980) pp.479-482.
- ↑ Guy Parent and Daniel Thoen,"Food Value of Edible Mushrooms from the Upper Shaba Region", ECONOMIC BOTANY Vol. 31 # 4 ((Oct-Dec 1977) p. 436.
- ↑ "The funga". Retrieved 2009-06-27.
- ↑ Pegler and Piearce KEW BULL. loc. cit.
External links
- Termitomyces titanicus in Index Fungorum
- www.spirit-of-the-land.com/photographer.htm (a good photograph of T. titanicus).
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