Chinese scientists discover giant fungus D-rex in Yunnan forests
Scientists in China discovered a new giant fungus species named Dianjunus rex growing in Yunnan forests on October 26, 2026.
New fungal family identified
Researchers found the upright reproductive structures of this species reach 50 centimeters in height. The fungus weighs nearly five pounds and belongs to the phylum Ascomycota. This discovery establishes a new family called Dianjunaceae within the scientific classification system.
Ancient evolutionary lineage
The evolutionary history of D-rex traces back approximately 65 million years. Its lineage emerged shortly after the extinction of dinosaurs according to the study authors. The findings suggest that much fungal biodiversity remains hidden in East Asian forests.
Study publication details
The research team published their results in the journal Frontiers in Fungal Biology. Dr Indunil C Senanayake served as the corresponding author for this project. The study highlights how extreme fungal body forms evolved over deep time.
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