Pilobolus crystallinus

Pilobolus Crystallinus, also known as the Dung Cannon or Hat Thrower, is a fungus belonging to the Mucorales order. It is unique in that it adheres its spores to vegetation, so as to be eaten by grazing animals. It then passes through the animals' digestive systems and grows in their feces. Although these fungi only grow to be 2-4 centimeters tall, they can shoot their sporangium, containing their spores, up to 2 full meters away. Due to an increase of pressure in the vesicle, the sporangium can accelerate 0-45 mph in the first millimeter of its flight and can even be shot over a full-grown cow. Using a mucus-like substance found in the vesicle of the fungus, the sporangium can adhere itself onto whatever it lands., thus completing its life cycle.

References

* [http://www.mycolog.com/CHAP3b.htm Mycolog.com]