It is commonly marketed as a dietary supplement for various health benefits but lacks sufficient scientific evidence for safety or effectiveness, and quality can vary due to inconsistent processing and labeling.
Description
The fungus forms 1–8 centimetres (1⁄2–3+1⁄4in) high, club-shaped[4] and orange/red fruiting bodies, which grow out of dead underground pupae. The club is covered with the stroma, into which the actual fruit bodies, the perithecia, are inserted. The surface appears roughly punctured. The inner fungal tissue is whitish to pale orange.
Microscopic features
The spores are smooth, hyaline, long-filiform, and often septate. They decompose to maturity in 3–7μm × 1–1.2μm sub pores. The asci are long and cylindrical. Sometimes an anamorphic state, which is Isaria, is found. Masses of white mycelia form around the parasitized insect; however, these may not be of the same species.
Similar species
There are over 400 wild Cordyceps species.[5] Some similar species include C.sobolifera, Elaphocordyceps capitata, and E.ophioglossoides.[4]
Distribution and habitat
Many authors consider C. militaris quite common, spread throughout the Northern Hemisphere,[6] and fruiting bodies appear in Europe from August to November.
C. militaris can be cultivated in a variety of media, including silkwormpupae, rice, and liquid nutrition.[citation needed] It is cultivated in China, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Indonesia.[7]
It is considered inedible or "probably edible" by North American field guides.[8][4] In Asia the fruiting body is cooked as a mushroom in dishes like chicken soup,[9] pork bone soup[10] and hot pot. It is approved as a novel food in China.[citation needed]
It is commonly marketed as a dietary supplement for various health benefits but lacks sufficient scientific evidence for safety or effectiveness, and quality can vary due to inconsistent processing and labeling.[11]
C. militaris crops can be affected by pathogenic molds that parasitize and kill the fungus.[12][13]
For cordycepin to accumulate, the fungus also produces pentostatin to protect cordycepin from adenosine deaminase. Pentostatin (Nipent) is used in chemotherapy for people with hairy cell leukemia.[15]
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