Fungi
KNOWN SPECIES
146,154
6.20% of our world's living things are fungi
CHARACTERISTICS
- cell walls have a tough, semi-transparent substance called chitin
- fungi have tiny, root-like extensions, called hyphae, which secrete enzymes for digesting the remains of plants and animals
SIZE RANGE
less than 0.4 inch to 3.5 sq. miles (1 millimeter to 9 square kilometers)
WHERE THEY LIVE
- everywhere, but mostly on land
- on or in dead and living things
Here are just SOME of the world’s fungi:
![Sticker about size](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_size_sticker/5943363-2-eng-US/fungi_size_sticker_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_size_sticker/5943363-2-eng-US/fungi_size_sticker_full_990.png 600w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_size_sticker/5943363-2-eng-US/fungi_size_sticker_full_1468.png 600w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_size_sticker/5943363-2-eng-US/fungi_size_sticker_full_1980.png 600w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_size_sticker/5943363-2-eng-US/fungi_size_sticker_full_2475.png 600w)
woolly chanterelle
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Turbinellus floccosus
![Two orange fungi with brown spots](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_wooly_chanterelle/5940929-1-eng-US/fungi_wooly_chanterelle_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_wooly_chanterelle/5940929-1-eng-US/fungi_wooly_chanterelle_full_990.png 990w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_wooly_chanterelle/5940929-1-eng-US/fungi_wooly_chanterelle_full_1468.png 1468w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_wooly_chanterelle/5940929-1-eng-US/fungi_wooly_chanterelle_full_1980.png 1980w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_wooly_chanterelle/5940929-1-eng-US/fungi_wooly_chanterelle_full_2475.png 2120w)
the sickener
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Russula emetica
![Mushroom with bright red top](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_the_sickener/5940917-1-eng-US/fungi_the_sickener_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_the_sickener/5940917-1-eng-US/fungi_the_sickener_full_990.png 990w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_the_sickener/5940917-1-eng-US/fungi_the_sickener_full_1468.png 1220w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_the_sickener/5940917-1-eng-US/fungi_the_sickener_full_1980.png 1220w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_the_sickener/5940917-1-eng-US/fungi_the_sickener_full_2475.png 1220w)
jelly bellies
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Leotia lubrica
![Grouping of several yellow fungi](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_jelly_bellies/5940913-1-eng-US/fungi_jelly_bellies_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_jelly_bellies/5940913-1-eng-US/fungi_jelly_bellies_full_990.png 990w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_jelly_bellies/5940913-1-eng-US/fungi_jelly_bellies_full_1468.png 1468w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_jelly_bellies/5940913-1-eng-US/fungi_jelly_bellies_full_1980.png 1980w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_jelly_bellies/5940913-1-eng-US/fungi_jelly_bellies_full_2475.png 2400w)
witch's butter
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Tremella mesenterica
![Yellow fungus that resembles mucus](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_witchs_butter/5940925-1-eng-US/fungi_witchs_butter_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_witchs_butter/5940925-1-eng-US/fungi_witchs_butter_full_990.png 990w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_witchs_butter/5940925-1-eng-US/fungi_witchs_butter_full_1468.png 1468w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_witchs_butter/5940925-1-eng-US/fungi_witchs_butter_full_1980.png 1980w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_witchs_butter/5940925-1-eng-US/fungi_witchs_butter_full_2475.png 2120w)
turkey tails
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Trametes versicolor
![organic-shaped mushroom with bands of color](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_turkey_tail/5940921-1-eng-US/fungi_turkey_tail_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_turkey_tail/5940921-1-eng-US/fungi_turkey_tail_full_990.png 990w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_turkey_tail/5940921-1-eng-US/fungi_turkey_tail_full_1468.png 1468w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_turkey_tail/5940921-1-eng-US/fungi_turkey_tail_full_1980.png 1600w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_turkey_tail/5940921-1-eng-US/fungi_turkey_tail_full_2475.png 1600w)
Penicillium
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Penicillium chrysogenum
![Petri dish with fuzzy yellow fungus](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_penicillium/5943229-2-eng-US/fungi_penicillium_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_penicillium/5943229-2-eng-US/fungi_penicillium_full_990.png 990w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_penicillium/5943229-2-eng-US/fungi_penicillium_full_1468.png 1200w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_penicillium/5943229-2-eng-US/fungi_penicillium_full_1980.png 1200w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_penicillium/5943229-2-eng-US/fungi_penicillium_full_2475.png 1200w)
hygroscopic earthstar
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Astraeus hygrometricus
![Star-shaped fungus](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_hygroscopic_earthstar/5940909-1-eng-US/fungi_hygroscopic_earthstar_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_hygroscopic_earthstar/5940909-1-eng-US/fungi_hygroscopic_earthstar_full_990.png 990w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_hygroscopic_earthstar/5940909-1-eng-US/fungi_hygroscopic_earthstar_full_1468.png 1220w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_hygroscopic_earthstar/5940909-1-eng-US/fungi_hygroscopic_earthstar_full_1980.png 1220w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_hygroscopic_earthstar/5940909-1-eng-US/fungi_hygroscopic_earthstar_full_2475.png 1220w)
giant puffball
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Langermannia gigantea
![Big round white mushroom](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_giant_puffball/5940905-1-eng-US/fungi_giant_puffball_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_giant_puffball/5940905-1-eng-US/fungi_giant_puffball_full_990.png 990w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_giant_puffball/5940905-1-eng-US/fungi_giant_puffball_full_1468.png 1220w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_giant_puffball/5940905-1-eng-US/fungi_giant_puffball_full_1980.png 1220w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/fungi/fungi_giant_puffball/5940905-1-eng-US/fungi_giant_puffball_full_2475.png 1220w)
Guess what?
The largest known fungus, a honey fungus, is thought to be over 8,000 years old.
Image Credits:
Giant puffball, hygroscopic earthstar, the sickener, turkey tails, woolly chanterelle, Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College/© California Academy of Sciences; jelly bellies, © Holger Krisp/CC BY-3.0; Penicillium chrysogenum, © Mary Gillham Archive Project; witch's butter, © Jean-Pol Grandmont/CC BY-3.0.