Spongiforma squarepantsii

Spongiforma squarepantsii is a species of fungi in the Boletaceae family and genus Spongiforma. Found in Malaysia, it was described as new to science in 2011. It produces sponge-like, rubbery orange fruit bodies that have a fruity or musky odor; however, it is not a sponge. The fruit bodies reach dimensions of 10 cm (3.9 in) wide by 7 cm (2.8 in) tall. Like a sponge, they will resume their original shape if water is squeezed out. The spores, produced on the surfaces of the hollows of the sponge, are almond-shaped with rough surfaces, and measure 10–12.5 by 6–7 micrometers.

The name of the fungus is derived from the cartoon character SpongeBob SquarePants as the character is said to bear a resemblance to the fungus. Additionally, the fungus' spore-bearing surface has been described as a "seafloor covered with tube sponges, reminiscent of the fictitious home of SpongeBob. The name was originally rejected for being "frivolous," but the scientists writing about it stated that "we could name it whatever we liked."

External links

• Spongiforma squarepantsii on Wikipedia