World's Oldest Known Disease-Causing Fungus Named After Beatrix Potter

Potteromyces

What they found

Potteromyces asteroxylicola, a fossil fungus from over 407 million years ago found in Scotland, is the earliest known plant disease-causing fungus.

The number

over 407 million years ago

How solid is it?

Field study

Field/ecology

Evidence ladder: Lab dish → Animal → Early human → Strong human. Reviews summarize earlier research.

At a glance

Latin name

Potteromyces asteroxylicola

Published in

Shroomer

Covered in Shroom Scan

Dec 6, 2023

Section

As it ran in Shroom Scan

Beatrix Potter’s Namesake Fungus

The discovery of the world’s earliest disease-causing fungus was unveiled with a name in honor of author Beatrix Potter. The discovery of Potteromyces asteroxylicola, a fossilized fungal plant pathogen from the Devonian period (over 407 million years ago), marks a significant advancement in our understanding of early terrestrial life and fungal evolution.

Shiitake mushrooms can reduce the effects of aging in new study

Read the original study ↗

Get Shroom Scan

Next study

Scientists Decode Genetics of Over 100 Magic Mushroom Strains ›

Shroom Scan · Every Friday

Get Studies Like This, Translated, Every Week

Ten new studies a week, each boiled down to what it found and why it matters to you. Free, and one click to leave.

See what's inside →