Honey Fungus

Whilst I was out and about in Hockeridge Woods last weekend I came across this impressive clump of Honey Fungus Armillaria growing, as is typical, near an old infected tree stump. It is the fruiting body of the most destructive fungal disease found in British gardens, spreading underground, attacking and killing the roots of trees and woody perennial plants. Unlike most parasites, Honey Fungus does not have to control its growth to avoid killing its host, as it can feed and thrive off the dead plant material. Honey Fungus is the bane of gardeners as there is no way of killing it or controlling its rapid spread. In some of the gardens I have worked in over the years I have seen fruit trees, beautiful hedges and mature shrubs destroyed, and sadly there is nothing that can be done except to dig up the infected plant and burn it. No plants are immune to attack from Honey Fungus and only a few, such as Taxus (Yew) have any resistance at all.

Honey Fungus is actually a common name given to several species of Armillaria fungi of which seven are found in Britain. I was amazed to find that Armillaria are very long lived and form some of the largest living organisms on the planet. The largest single organism, of the species Armillaria ostoyae, which is found occasionally in Britain, is a thousand years old and covers an area of over three square miles in size. Quite mind boggling!

Honey Fungus Armillaria (03/10/10)