4 Mile Long Fungus Is Alive And Eating In Soil West Of Boise

A four-mile span of mountains west of Boise, Idaho, is home to the largest single living organism in the world, and it's slowly getting bigger.

Something very interesting has been occurring underground for decades in the Blue Mountains of Eastern Oregon, which extend to the Idaho border. Scientists have been closely monitoring a field of mushroom fungus that was last measured to be nearly four miles long deep under the soil.

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This Fungus Is Alive And Eating Under The Feet Of Hikers West Of Boise

Before you head out there with a shovel and Ziploc bags, know that this fungus does not contain psilocybin, which is found in magic mushrooms and causes hallucinatory reactions. Eating wild mushrooms or fungi in nature is not advised and can have fatal consequences.

This organism gives off big-time Tremor vibes, but those who visit these mountains don't have to worry about being swallowed whole from beneath, at least not yet. It would take nearly 300 semi trucks to remove the fungus, according to opg.org.

READ MORE: Poisonous Things Found In Nature In Idaho

There is a large number of mushroom species that grow in the Pacific Northwest, according to inaturalist.com. It's uncommon, however, to find a connected fungus strain that spans this much territory. This fungus is alive and eating under the feet of hikers west of Boise.

The Blue Mountains of Oregon span 15,000 square miles, according to oregonencyclopedia.com. Communities such as Baker City and John Day can be found within the boundaries of the mountains.