Before trees towered over landscapes, giant fungus-like organisms rose several meters high. These early decomposers dominated some terrestrial ecosystems. Fungi were not merely background recyclers — they were visible pillars of early land life. These massive organisms—likely related to Prototaxites—may have stood over 6–8 meters tall. In a world still learning how to grow upward, fungi briefly held the skyline.
Fungal Giants of the Devonian
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Fungal Giants of the Devonian
~420 MYA (+/- 20 million)
Large upright fungal structures (e.g., Prototaxites)
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About 420 million years ago, fungi stood taller than trees.
Subject: Fungal Evolution.
By 420 million years ago, the first giants on land were not plants — but fungi. Giant fungi as tall as 30 feet (9 meters) thrived during the Devonian
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