About Bridgeoporus kanadii:
- It is a new species of fungi discovered in Arunachal Pradesh.
- It has exceptionally large fruiting bodies that can hold the weight of a person. Some fruiting bodies measured over three meters in radius.
- The species is named in honor of Indian mycologist Kanad Das for his contributions to Indian macrofungi.
- The only other known species in Bridgeoporus, B. nobilissimus, is native to North America and has fruiting bodies up to about 1.5 meters. B. kanadii doubles that in size.
- Bridgeoporus fungi play a vital role in forest regeneration by helping to decompose dead wood.
- Most of the B. kanadii the researchers spotted in Arunachal Pradesh were growing on dead fir trees.
- Though the fungus is massive and visually striking, it is inedible and offers no direct economic use.
