# Oudemansiella gigaspora

*Oudemansiella gigaspora*

True to its name 'gigaspora', this species produces microscopic spores that are significantly larger than those of its close mushroom relatives.

- **Taxonomy:** Fungi › Basidiomycota › Agaricomycetes › Agaricales › Physalacriaceae › Oudemansiella
- **IUCN Red List status:** Least Concern
- **Population trend:** stable
- **Biome:** forest
- **Habitat:** Temperate and subtropical deciduous forests, growing on decaying logs and fallen hardwood branches.
- **Diet:** Saprotrophic, absorbing nutrients from decomposing wood, cellulose, and lignin.
- **Range:** China, Japan, South Korea, Russian Far East
- **Size:** Cap diameter of 3 to 8 cm; stem height of 5 to 12 cm.
- **Lifespan:** The underground mycelium network can live for decades, while the visible mushroom cap lasts only 5 to 10 days.
- **Active:** nocturnal
- **Threats:** Habitat loss, intensive forestry management that removes deadwood, and microclimate drying.
- **Safe to approach?:** This mushroom is harmless to touch, but should never be consumed as wild fungi require expert identification. Safe to observe up close. If accidentally ingested, seek medical attention immediately.

## Sources

- Plate: https://gaia-dex.com/species/971c821b-ffc2-4b4f-a80a-bec910c8ff9a
- iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/548825

- Conservation status: IUCN Red List category, as recorded by Gaia-Dex
- Photo: https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/168593100/medium.jpg (Rod Lowther, CC-BY, via iNaturalist)

Habitat, diet, size and similar notes are AI-written summaries; check them against the linked sources before relying on them.