WorldWEIRD NEWS

Scientists Uncover D. Rex: Gigantic New 'King' Fungus From China

The fruiting bodies were found in the forests of Yunnan Province and stand as tall as a traffic cone; a mushroom with serious ambitions.

On air: Hank Ledger and Vera Bullock on The Five O'Clock
Published 5:20 PM ET, Thursday, October 15, 2026

At a glance

First reported by ScienceAlert: “Scientists Uncover D. Rex: Gigantic New 'King' Fungus From China Traces Its Roots to 65 Million Years”.
Covered on BBN on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 5:20 PM ET on The Five O'Clock, by Hank Ledger and Vera Bullock.
Topics: China.

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

ScienceAlertScientists Uncover D. Rex: Gigantic New 'King' Fungus From China Traces Its Roots to 65 Million Years

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorAs promised, the fungus. Scientists have named a new species D.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorRex after fruiting bodies turned up in the forests of Yunnan Province in China, and the research traces its roots back sixty-five million years.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorIt's tall as a traffic cone, Hank, which makes it the only thing in the forest that is also a road hazard.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe study ran in Frontiers in Fungal Biology this year. Crown-shaped, dinosaur-named, pure fungal royalty.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorSixty-five million years of waiting for a promotion, and it finally got the title of king.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorTraffic cone.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorOrange, loud, and always in your way. Hank, you've found your people.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorChip has the news from across America, featuring a story about a strip mall.