Honey guide
Honey Fungus is a common name given to several different species of fungus that all share similar characteristics. The most well-known species is Armillaria mellea, but others include Armillaria gallica, Armillaria ostoyae, and Armillaria tabescens. These fungi are found in forests and woodlands worldwide, and are known for their ability to cause root rot in a variety of trees and shrubs.
Characteristics[edit | edit source]
Honey Fungus is named for the golden-yellow color of its fruiting body, which typically grows in clusters on the trunks of infected trees. The fruiting body is a mushroom that can reach up to 15 cm in diameter, with a cap that is convex when young but flattens with age. The underside of the cap features gills that are white to cream in color.
The fungus is saprophytic, meaning it feeds on dead or decaying organic matter. However, it can also behave as a parasite, infecting living trees and causing root rot. The fungus spreads through rhizomorphs, which are root-like structures that grow through the soil and can infect neighboring trees.
Impact on Ecosystems[edit | edit source]
Honey Fungus plays a significant role in forest ecosystems by decomposing dead wood and recycling nutrients. However, when it behaves as a parasite, it can cause significant damage. Infected trees may show symptoms such as reduced growth, yellowing leaves, dieback of branches, and eventually death.
In some cases, Honey Fungus can cause large-scale tree mortality, leading to significant changes in forest composition and structure. The largest known organism in the world is a colony of Armillaria ostoyae in Oregon, USA, which covers an area of 3.8 km² and is estimated to be over 2,400 years old.
Control[edit | edit source]
Controlling Honey Fungus can be challenging due to its ability to spread through rhizomorphs and survive in the soil for many years. Methods include removing infected trees and stumps, applying fungicides, and planting resistant species.
See Also[edit | edit source]
 | This fungus-related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
