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Armillaria
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<p><i>Armillaria</i> is a <a href="/facts/Genus/m8EFjSms">genus</a> of <a href="/facts/Fungi/BHo5DP59">fungi</a> that includes the <i><a href="/facts/Armillaria_mellea/n354VMGP">A. mellea</a></i> species ('honey fungus') that live on trees and woody shrubs. It includes about 10 species formerly categorized summarily as <i>A. mellea</i>. <i>Armillaria</i> sp. are long-lived and form the <a href="/facts/Largest_organisms/F3HjLlq7">largest living fungi</a> in the world. The largest known specimen (an <a href="/facts/Armillaria_ostoyae/1kvv4g7J"><i>A. ostoyae</i></a>) covers more than 3.4 square miles (8.8 km2) in <a href="/facts/Oregon/4Uq446Ko">Oregon</a> and is estimated to be 2,500 years old. Some species of <i>Armillaria</i> display <a href="/facts/Bioluminescence/IlzgyV4E">bioluminescence</a>. </p><p><i>Armillaria</i> can be a destructive <a href="/facts/Forest_pathology/5X6z1PlJ">forest pathogen</a>. It causes <a href="/facts/Armillaria_root_rot/qoR2yfwa">"white rot" root disease</a>. As it feeds on dead plant material, it can kill its host with little negative effect to itself. </p>