Did you know: about the Aspen Grove, largest organism in the world?
the Pando aspen clone in Utah's Fishlake National Forest is considered the world's largest living organism:
Size: Pando is estimated to weigh 13 million pounds and covers 106 acres. Origin: Pando is believed to have grown from a single seed at the end of the last ice age, about 2.6 million years ago. Structure: Pando is made up of over 40,000 individual aspen trees that are genetically identical and connected by a single root system. Name: The name "Pando" comes from the Latin word pando, which means "I spread". Location: Pando is located in central Utah, a mile east of Mallard Bay in Fishlake National Forest. Threats: Pando is threatened by overgrazing from deer and cattle, as well as pests and diseases. Pando is a keystone species that supports a diverse community of plants and animals. Aspen trees have several unique characteristics, including: Fire resistance: Aspens are more resistant to fire than other native trees. Photosynthesis: Aspens can photosynthesize through their white bark, even after their leaves have fallen. Cloning: Aspens can clone themselves, with roots sprouting new trees that share the same genetic makeup.
The root systems of unrelated trees are pretty incredible as well. Inter-dependent and mutually supporting in ways we are only just beginning to understand. Healthy trees will try to support a sick tree because if one tree falls there is a large gap in the ecosystem.
@SunshineGirl they are amazing i love following roots i can see in the woods. I admit. Its gotten me almost lost couple times. I'll jump around. See one. See another start following it. Ohhh look at that one! Lol
"Approximations of the land area of the Oregon "humongous fungus" are 3.5 square miles (9.1 km2) (2,240 acres (910 ha), possibly weighing as much as 35,000 tons [70,000,000 lbs] as the world's most massive living organism."
