Taiwanofungus camphoratus (Niu Chang Chih, Stout Camphor Fungus, Antrodia) — Species | WeMush Taxonomy

Taiwanofungus camphoratus

Niu Chang Chih, Stout Camphor Fungus, Antrodia

Taiwanofungus camphoratus (M. Zang & C.H. Su) Sheng H. Wu, Z.H. Yu, Y.C. Dai & C.H. Su (syn. Antrodia camphorata, Antrodia cinnamomea) grows only inside the hollow trunks of the endemic Taiwanese tree Cinnamomum kanehirae. Its orange-red, camphor-scented fruit bodies are among the most expensive medicinal fungi, and wild harvest has damaged its host. It is now produced by solid-state culture, submerged fermentation and cultivation on host-wood logs.

Edibility: Medicinal only; bitter. Extensively studied for triterpenoids (antcins), with hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activity in preclinical research.

Habitat: Inner heartwood cavities of Cinnamomum kanehirae (stout camphor tree), 450-2,000 m elevation.

Difficulty: EXPERT

Growth: slow

Contam Risk: high

Cultivation Suitability

Preferred Substrates

Cinnamomum kanehirae wood

Grain-based solid-state media

Distribution

Endemic to Taiwan.

Known Strains (0)

No strains cataloged yet for this species.

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