Cordyceps militaris
Cordyceps militaris is a species of fungus in the family Cordycipitaceae, and the type species of the genus "Cordyceps". It was originally described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753 as "Clavaria militaris". Description. Macroscopic characteristics. The fungus forms 1–8 cm high, club-shaped 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 3–7 μm × 1–1.2 μm subpores. The asci are long and cylindrical. Sometimes an anamorphic state, which is "Isaria", is found. Masses of white mycelia form around the parasitised insect; however, these may not be of the same species. Ecology and dispersal. "Cordyceps militaris" is a entomopathogenic fungus, meaning it parasitizes insects. Many authors consider it quite common, spread throughout the northern hemisphere, and fruiting bodies appear in Europe from August to November. Cultivation and use. "C. militaris" can be cultivated in a variety of media, including silkworm pupae, rice, and liquid nutrition. It is considered  inedible or "probably edible" by North American field guides. In Asia the fruiting body is cooked as a mushroom in dishes like chicken soup, pork bone soup and hot pot. "C. militaris" is a potential harbourer of bio-metabolites for herbal drugs and there is evidence from ancient times for its applications for revitalization of various systems of the body. In traditional Chinese medicine, this fungus can serve as a cheap substitute for "Ophiocordyceps sinensis". Both contain cordycepin. "C. militaris" contains a protein CMP18 which induces apoptosis "in vitro" via a mitochondrion-dependent pathway. It is thought that it might  be toxic when eaten. Cooking destroys this protein. Distribution area. In June 2019, researchers discovered Cordyceps militaris at an altitude of 2500m in Hoàng Liên National Park Sa Pa- Lao Cai, Vietnam. Similar species. Cordyceps in the wild has more than 400 different species. Similar species include "Cordyceps sobolifera", "Elaphocordyceps capitata", and "Elaphocordyceps ophioglossoides".