AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST FUNGI By Miss C 2014

The largest mushroom in Australia is called the Phlebopus marginatus. In Western Australia it is known as the Salmon Gum Mushroom. This mushroom can be found in moist areas of Australia, and surprisingly is edible.

This mushroom can be ginormous with one specimen weighing in at 29kg. That is the same weight as 6 bags of potatoes.

One creature that loves this mushroom greatly is called the Toadstool Fly. The male Toadstool Fly calls the giant Phlebopus Marginatus mushroom home. He guards it with his life. If another male Toadstool Fly lands on his mushroom he will approach it and fight it, using his front legs in a boxing motion. Females will lay their eggs on the mushroom and after a little while, baby flies appear and begin feeding off the mushroom. Eventually the mushroom will die and turn into a gooey mess.

On the weekend, Miss C was fortunate enough to find a few of these amazing mushrooms. This one in the photo, was found in parklands near the Dandenong Creek in Heathmont. It measured about 50cm in length and weight 7.5 kilograms.

SURPRISE! Have a look at the big mushroom!