Ophiocordyceps sinensis, formerly classified as Cordyceps sinensis and colloquially known as caterpillar fungus, is an insect-pathogenic fungus in the family Ophiocordycipitaceae, found primarily in high-altitude regions of the Tibetan Plateau. It parasitizes the larvae of ghost moths and produces a fruiting body valued in traditional Chinese medicine and Nepalese medicine as an aphrodisiac, though naturally harvested fruiting bodies often contain high levels of arsenic and other heavy metals that can make them toxic; as a result, their sale has been strictly regulated by China's State Administration for Market Regulation since 2016.
Facts
Classification
Living or ExtinctDerived from this species' own Conservation Status: this atlas's IUCN category list has no Extinct value, so a set conservation-status is itself evidence of living status (w-bfill-g5-0924 browse backfill). Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceThe stroma varies from dark brown or black, but can be yellow when fresh, and is longer than the caterpillar itself, usually 4-10 cm 1 Scientific NameOphiocordyceps sinensis 1 Conservation Status Sources
1. Ophiocordyceps sinensis, Wikipedia
Introductory paragraph
Ophiocordyceps sinensis, formerly Cordyceps sinensis and colloquially known as caterpillar fungus, is an insect-pathogenic fungus in the family Ophiocordycipitaceae.
Morphological features
The stroma varies from dark brown or black, but can be a yellow color when fresh, and longer than the caterpillar itself, usually 4-10 cm.
View the Source2. Ophiocordyceps sinensis, IUCN Red List assessment (redlist.info)
Assessment notesQuote, Assessment notes
As a result the species is here assessed as Vulnerable under criteria A2bcd+3bcd+4bcd.
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