Termitomyces titanicus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Basidiomycota
Class: Agaricomycetes
Order: Agaricales
Family: Lyophyllaceae
Genus: Termitomyces
Species:
T. titanicus
Binomial name
Termitomyces titanicus
Pegler & Piearce (1980)

Termitomyces titanicus (common name chi-ngulu-ngulu) is a species of fungus in the Lyophyllaceae family. Found in West Africa (as well as Zambia and the Katanga Province of DR Congo), it has a cap that may reach 1 metre (3 ft) in diameter on a stipe up to 22 inches (57 cm) in length.[1][2][3] Termitomyces is symbiotic with termites of the genus Macrotermes who raise the hyphae upon partially digested leaves as their primary foodstuff. T. titanicus was unknown to Western science prior to 1980, even though it was a common item in the native markets. Pegler and Piearce made no attempt to explain its late discovery.[4]

References

  1. ^ David N. Pegler and G. D. Piearce, "The Edible Mushrooms of Zambia", KEW BULLETIN Vol. 35 # 3 (1980) pp.479–482.
  2. ^ Guy Parent and Daniel Thoen,"Food Value of Edible Mushrooms from the Upper Shaba Region", ECONOMIC BOTANY Vol. 31 # 4 (Oct-Dec 1977) p. 436.
  3. ^ Jessica Groenendijk, "Titan of the Forest" at https://www.jessicagroenendijk.com/single-post/2016/04/19/Titan-of-the-Forest-1 Accessed August 8, 2017.
  4. ^ Pegler and Piearce KEW BULL. loc. cit.


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