Cordyceps pruinosa

Pruinose Cordyceps

Cordyceps pruinosa is an entomopathogenic fungus of slug-moth (Limacodidae) pupae inside their cocoons. It produces erect red stromata that branch at the tip, and it is valued in East Asian folk medicine.

Species profile

Edibility

Edibility not assessedMedicinal

No food use documented. Used in folk medicine; edibility unknown.

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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 Entries are compiled from cited sources and reviewed, but may be incomplete or out of date — check the sources, and never rely on this library alone to identify or eat a mushroom.

Habitat

Parasitic on pupae of slug moths (Limacodidae, e.g. Iragoides fasciata) in their cocoons.

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Characteristics

Stromata: single, erect, cylindrical, branched at the apex, red with a pale yellow base, fleshy, with white hyphae on the upper surface. Asexual morph: phialides 11-30 x 1.2-1.6 µm; conidia hyaline, smooth, 1.8-4.8 x 0.9-2.7 µm, in slimy chains. Culture: slow-growing on PDA, yellow and floccose; forms orange, finger-like synnemata in vitro.

Species profile

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