Dianjunus rex giant fungus species discovered in China

Scientists have identified a new species of giant fungus, named Dianjunus rex, in the Yunnan Province of southwestern China. The discovery was made during fungal diversity surveys conducted throughout 2024 and 2025 and was formally published in the journal Frontiers in Fungal Biology on September 28.

Named in part after the Tyrannosaurus rex, the fungus belongs to the newly established family Dianjunaceae. Genetic analysis suggests this lineage emerged approximately one million years after the mass extinction event that ended the Cretaceous Period. The species is notable for its massive reproductive structures, known as stromata, which can reach heights of 50 centimeters and weigh nearly 2.2 kilograms.

Local farmers had previously observed the pale yellowish, finger-like structures growing near dead trees. While some local residents reported tasting the fungus without immediate adverse effects, researchers note that toxicity levels have not yet been scientifically tested.