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Medicinal
Lookalike Danger
1 / 5
Habitat
🌱 Buried insects
Season
Jul – Sep
"Orange club rises from a buried caterpillar or beetle. Parasitic fungus. Traditional Chinese medicine."
This species is found with or partners with the following hosts. Ectomycorrhizal hosts (green border) form a root-level partnership; ericoid / arbutoid shrubs (purple border) share the same mycorrhizal networks.

Cordyceps and Ophiocordyceps parasitize insect larvae — the fruiting body erupts from the buried, mummified host.
Parasitic fungi that infect insects — famous "zombie fungus" that controls its host's behavior. Traditional Tibetan medicine uses Ophiocordyceps sinensis (yartsa gunbu) harvested from caterpillar hosts. Commercial Cordyceps militaris is cultivated and widely sold.
Species-specific to insect hosts worldwide. Wild O. sinensis only at 3,000-5,000m in the Himalayas.
Min Soil Temp
55°F
Moisture Need
rain 0.5in 7d
Drought Tolerance
moderate
Elevation Range
0–4,784 ft
All Cordyceps are non-toxic.
Buried insects
Photograph it and log your observation on iNaturalist. The community can help confirm your ID — always get confirmation before eating.