fungi · GBIF taxon 3347409
Termite-hill Mushroom
Termitomyces titanicusAlso known as Chitoto, Titan Termite Mushroom, Giant Termitomyces
Termite-hill mushrooms produce the largest caps of any gilled fungus on Earth, sometimes expanding to a meter across. These giants emerge directly from the massive earthen mounds of Macrotermes termites, anchored by a long, root-like pseudorhiza that extends deep into the nest. Their brief appearance coincides with the onset of the rainy season, providing a spectacular display of rapid fungal growth.
SymbioticGiantTropical
Licensed referenceBlimeo / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
- diet
- Symbiotic (mutualist with termites)
- family
- Lyophyllaceae
- threats
- Habitat loss and the destruction of termite mounds
- life Span
- Fruiting bodies last 2 to 4 days; underground mycelium lives for decades
NE
Many edible mushrooms have toxic look-alikes; never eat wild fungi based on app identification alone.
- Locate the mounds: Look for these giants growing directly out of or at the base of active Macrotermes termite mounds.
- Observe the pseudorhiza: Notice the long, tough, root-like structure that anchors the mushroom deep into the nest.
- Time the rains: Search during the early weeks of the rainy season when moisture triggers their sudden emergence.