The genus has a worldwide distribution and most of the approximately 600 species that have been described are from Asia (notably Nepal, China, Japan, Bhutan, Korea, Vietnam, and Thailand). Cordyceps species are particularly abundant and diverse in humid temperate and tropical forests.
Long used in traditional Chinese medicine, cordyceps is available in the United States as a dietary supplement. There are 400 species of cordyceps, most of which are native to Bhutan, China, Korea, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam. The most well-known medicinal species is Cordyceps sinensis (now known officially as Ophiocordyceps sinensis ).
What is Cordyceps in biology?
Cordyceps / ˈ k ɔːr d ɪ s ɛ p s / is a genus of ascomycete fungi (sac fungi) that includes about 600 species. Most Cordyceps species are endoparasitoids, parasitic mainly on insects and other arthropods (they are thus entomopathogenic fungi); a few are parasitic on other fungi.
Is Cordyceps an endoparasitoid?
Most Cordyceps species are endoparasitoids, parasitic mainly on insects and other arthropods (they are thus entomopathogenic fungi); a few are parasitic on other fungi.
What is Cordyceps sinensis?
The traditional Cordyceps Sinensis grows naturally on caterpillars high in the mountains of China. There are hundreds of different species of Cordyceps found all over the world. There are two main species, however, that are of interest for human consumption- Cordyceps sinensis and Cordyceps militaris.
Give the substrate continuous light and 70-80% humidity. Place the jar or tube under a grow light or lamp. Keep the container at 20 °C (68 °F) so the cordyceps can grow . Place a thermometer near the jar or tube so you can monitor the temperature. Allow your cordyceps to incubate for 60 days. Leave your cordyceps undisturbed while they’re growing. Harvest your cordyceps when they reach the top of the jar or after 60 days.
Is Cordyceps sinensis safe to eat?
Cordyceps is generally considered safe. Cordyceps sinensis belongs to a genus of more than 400 species of Ascomycete (sac fungi) found worldwide. It is a black, blade-shaped fungus found primarily in the high altitudes of the Tibetan plateau in China that parasitizes moth caterpillars.
You might be wondering “How do you grow Cordyceps sinensis from seed?”
Place cereal grain, such as rye, in a dry plastic bag or glass jar. Make sure to sterilize with hot water or other method beforehand. While cordyceps sinensis grows on moth larva in the wild, it can also be grown in other hosts such as rye grain, millet or rice.
Can Cordyceps sinensis be grown on rye grain?
While cordyceps sinensis grows on moth larva in the wild, it can also be grown in other hosts such as rye grain, millet or rice. Rye or millet produces a higher quality product than rice.
How to make Cordyceps from scratch?
Cordyceps cultivation methods: step by step process. 1 1 gallon water 2 1/2 cup starch 3 1/4 cup nutritional yeast 4 2 tbsp sugar 5 2 tbsp azomite 6 5 scoops baby food.