Fossils of giant fungi called Prototaxites suggest they covered the Earth before trees. They reached 24m in height, while trees were only 7.3m. The first fossils were found in Canada in 3, but it wasn’t until 0.9 that they were identified as giant mushrooms. There are over 5 million mushroom species in the world, and truffles are considered a delicacy.
Scientists believe some fossils are evidence that giant fungi, called Prototaxites, covered the Earth before trees and other land plants became common. It is thought that from 420 to 350 million years ago there were fungi that reached a height of 24 m, while none of the few newly evolved trees were no more than about 7.3 m tall. The first prototaxite fossils were discovered in Canada in 3, but it wasn’t until 0.9 that it was accepted that the fossils came from giant mushrooms. Prior to this, there were theories that the fossil was a plant or lichen, or some type of algae and fungus combination that grows on rocks.
Read more about mushrooms:
One of the largest organisms in the world is an Oregon mushroom that spans over 2,200 acres (880 hectares).
Researchers estimate that there may be more than 5 million mushroom species in the world.
Truffles, mushrooms that grow underground, are considered a delicacy in many countries and were often dug up by female pigs because the mushrooms smell like male pig pheromones.
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