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Scarlet Caterpillar Club, Orange Caterpillar Fungus
6 public strains
The scarlet caterpillar club, an insect-parasitic ascomycete (Cordycipitaceae) and the type species of Cordyceps. Orange to red club-shaped fruit bodies grow from dead pupae buried in soil. It is grown commercially in Asia on grain, silkworm pupae or liquid media and produces cordycepin.
Edible when cooked; eat only cultivated product. North American field guides rate wild specimens inedible or 'probably edible', but it is cooked in soups and hot pot in Asia and is approved as a novel food in China. It contains the protein CMP18 and may be toxic raw; cooking destroys it. Supplement quality and labeling vary.
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Mycology is an evolving science: names, classifications and safety information change as research advances. Entries are compiled from cited sources and reviewed, but may be incomplete or out of date — check the sources, and never rely on this library alone to identify or eat a mushroom.
