| Spongiforma squarepantsii | |
|---|---|
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| Two halves of the orangish sponge-like fungus, with a ruler shown at the bottom for scale. | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Agaricomycetes |
| Order: | Boletales |
| Family: | Boletaceae |
| Genus: | Spongiforma |
| Species: | S. squarepantsii
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| Binomial name | |
| Spongiforma squarepantsii Desjardin, Peay & T.D.Bruns (2011)
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| Map of Sarawak, Malaysia, location of Lambir Hills National Park | |
Spongiforma squarepantsii is a species of fungus in the family Boletaceae, 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 odour. 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 μm by 6‑7 μm. The name of the fungus derives from the Nickelodeon cartoon character SpongeBob SquarePants from the show of the same name. S. squarepantsii is one of two species in Spongiforma; it differs from S. thailandica in its color, odour, and spore structure.
- ^ Ngadin, A.A. (2019). "Spongiforma squarepantsii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T155269816A155269858. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T155269816A155269858.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.