Meet the Largest Plant on Earth

Many plants vie for the title of largest on Earth, and deciding which is the winner comes down to whether you are considering single-stem plants, clonal populations, or both.

When talking about “the largest tree in the world,” the answer is always giant sequoia, a member of the conifer family. It is not the tallest tree — the coast redwood is a bit taller — but giant sequoias have a significantly larger diameter. The largest one, “General Sherman,” has an estimated volume of 52,500 cubic feet, weighs 4.2 million pounds, and is 275 tall and 35 feet in diameter. An absolute giant! It is 35% larger than its rival, a coast redwood named “Grogan’s Fault.” The advantage is obvious.

The comparison is based on one primrose: between single-stemmed trees. But if we introduce a huge monster to this competition, clonal colonies, the result of the game will be very different.

Clonal colonies have an entirely different anatomy than single-stem plants. These plants come in a multitude of varieties, each of which appears to be a system of multiple plants at first. For instance, clonal tree species can sprout multiple trunks from different ground locations. While these plants will appear as a group of distinct individuals, they all share identical DNA and connect to one another using the same root system.

There is a clonal species with the scientific name of Populus tremuloides. A grove of this species, known commonly as quaking aspen that lives in Utah, is the largest plant in the world on another track. This grove, which has the nickname Pando, comprises over 40,000 trunks, and covers an area of more than 100 acres. The estimated weight of “Pando” is about 13 million pounds, more than three times heavier than “General Sherman.”

However, there are a few other noteworthy contenders who come quite close to earning recognition as the largest plant on Earth. Another clonal species, giant marine plant, grows in the Mediterranean region and may be as much as five miles long. The issue is no one has yet proven that this plant is entirely connected along that span, which is why we cannot call it the largest. However, samples taken from this plant have proven to share identical DNA thus far. Additionally, this plant, Posidonia oceanica, is the frontrunner for the oldest living organism in the world today.

Knowing what plant is the largest on earth is a matter of semantics. By sheer volume, the giant sequoia known as “General Sherman” is the largest. However, if you are interested in the tallest tree, that title goes to the Hyperion Tree, which is a coast redwood. Still, the conversations become more complete as soon as you are aware of clonal colonies. With those in consideration, a grove of quaking aspen stands out as the largest organism in the world. So if you are thinking about which plant is truly the largest of any other, know that the answer comes down to the definition you use.