Spirit Magazine - November 2013 - (Page 43)

The Numbers There is a mushroom that covers 5.8 square miles. PHOTOGRAPHY BY DARREN BRAUN A fungus is among us, and it spans the length of 35 football fields. Still, you may have walked right by it. That's because this imposing organism, which was discovered in 1998 in Oregon's Malheur National Forest, is entirely underground. "It's thousands of years old," says Greg Filip, a pathologist with the USDA Forest Service, "and it expands every year." The humongous fungus is classified as Armillaria ostoyae, or honey mushroom, yet it's anything but sweet. In fact, it's zapping nutrients from conifer root systems and killing off trees. "Even wildfires can't penetrate deep enough to kill it," Filip says. "Removing it would mean destroying the entire forest." Supersized 'shrooms: Can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em. NOVEMBER 2013 SPIRIT 43

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Spirit Magazine - November 2013

Spirit Magazine - November 2013
Contents
Gary’s Greeting
Gary’s Greeting en Español
Star of the Month
Freedom Story
From the Editor
Your Words
Your Pictures
Media Center
Eat Drink Sleep
The Numbers
Wise Guide
Business
Winter to the Ultimate Degree
The Every Day Action Hero
Your Adventure In Memphis
Life Adventure In Memphis
Promotional Series: Spirit of Reno Tahoe
Calendar
Fun!
Spotlight
Community Outreach
Products & Services
Flight Service
Terminal Maps
Information
Rapid Rewards and A+ Rewards Partners
Route Map
The “If” List

Spirit Magazine - November 2013