Ophiocordyceps sinensis
Chinese caterpillar fungus ( Ophiocordyceps sinensis)
The Chinese caterpillar fungus ( Ophiocordyceps sinensis), also Tibetan caterpillar fungus or Tibetan caterpillar fungus lobe, is an ascomycete ( Ascomycota ) from the group of nuclear lobes. It is endemic in the highlands of Tibet. The fungus plays in traditional Chinese medicine has a role and is a prized medicinal mushroom. The secondary fruit shape is Paecilomyces hepiali.
- 7.1 Literature
- 7.2 Notes and references
Features
The Chinese caterpillar fungus forms stemmed multiple fruit body ( stroma ). These are slender club-shaped, brown in color and are 8-15 cm high. In this case, the size, likely due to the nature of the infected bead vary. The fruiting body is about twice, rarely up to four times as long as the infected caterpillar. The spore-bearing parts ( perithecia ) are formed in the upper third of the stroma.
Ecology and phenology
The Chinese caterpillar fungus is found in grass and shrub land which at least 350 mm, but usually receives less than 400 mm of precipitation per year. In Habitat predominantly occur shed harrows. The infested caterpillars feed on young roots of the buckwheat family, Fabaceae, sour grass plants ( including dandruff harrows ), Grasses and Liliaceae. By grazing in the highlands of Tibet, the habitat of the fungus was significantly enlarged. It grows at altitudes between 3,000 and 5,000 m above sea level. NHN. Locally it occurs in a range of 500 meters above sea level to the tree line.
The fungus infects caterpillars of the genus Thitarodes which belongs to the family of butterfly rootworm ( Hepialidae ). This includes 30 species of about 40 known from the highlands of Tibet species of this butterfly species. The infected caterpillars survive the winter in the soil, where they are less deep than uninfested animals. In the spring of the fruiting body emerges from the head of the stick above the soil surface. During the development of the fungus, the substrate is progressively degraded until only the soft outer shell is left filled with the mycelium of the fungus.
The fruiting bodies appear in spring from May, on the eastern slopes even in mid-April. The fructification lasts until mid-June to mid-July at higher altitudes. In some regions, the fungus can be found at various altitudes for nearly two months. About Permanent copies can last into August.
The fructification is to be favored by high rainfall in the monsoon occurring previously. A similar effect have large amounts of snow in winter, especially in mild spring. However, long resistant snow cover have a decay of many fruiting result.
Dissemination
The Chinese caterpillar fungus is endemic in the highlands of Tibet. In this field, he is widely distributed in the south-west and slightly less dense in the south. The area runs along the entire southern border of the Tibet Autonomous Region and extends to the core area of distribution over the entire eastern part of Tibet and throughout the southeastern Qinghai Province and the entire North West of Sichuan Province, also on the extreme southwest and the extreme northwestern provinces of Gansu and Yunnan. The southern foothills extend into the northern Nepal, Bhutan and India. In addition, the fungus from the Tian Shan and the Altai in Xinjiang is reported.
Endangering
So far, no decline is observed in the presence of the Chinese caterpillar fungus. The collectors of a reduction in the per capita yield is reported, which is attributed to the ever-increasing competition. Also part of traders no decrease of the available quantities is observed. Studies on long-term effects of intensive collecting activity not previously exist. According to estimates of the potential hazard to the fungus is moderate.
Importance
Cultural History
The Chinese caterpillar fungus is likely to be collected and have been used for at least 1,000 years. The first mention is made of the fungus in the Traditional Tibetan Medicine in the 15th century by the physician Surkhar Nyamnyi Dorje ( 1439-1475 ). In traditional Chinese medicine, it is first recorded in 1694 by Wang Ang. In the literature of the western world we find the first evidence in 1736 by the Jesuit priest you stockpile, which was treated by an imperial doctor with the fungus. The trade of the Chinese caterpillar fungus between Tibet and China goes back to at least the 17th century. Tibetans, he served as barter for tea and silk. In part, the fungus is still used as currency.
Today, the fungus is especially appreciated in the People's Republic of China and other parts of East Asia. He has become a sign of prosperity and is often used as a gift. In addition, he has developed in China to a culinary status symbol, which is mainly the Chinese New Year celebration is important. In addition, the fungus is popular in Japan and Korea. On the western markets of Chinese caterpillar fungus is not yet widespread in unprocessed form. The products offered are usually pills from the mycelium of the fungus, which is artificially bred.
Accomplished through the rewarding source of income for the collectors of Chinese caterpillar fungus in the last 15 years profound changes in the social and economic conditions in the region. The income promotes the access to health care, to education, to transportation ( esp. motorcycles), consumer and bank bonds. In addition, goods and services are increasingly being paid within the rural population through cash as, for example, by barter. In particular, the population in the core area of the distribution area of Chinese caterpillar fungus are now heavily dependent on income from the collection activity.
Etymology
The Tibetan name, Jartsa Gunbu ( anglicized form also " Yartsa Gunbu ") literally means " summer grass winter worm". His dong chong xia cao Chinese name is a (reversed) literal translation of the Tibetan name; it literally means " winter worm summer grass ". His style name sinensis received the Chinese caterpillar fungus by Miles Joseph Berkeley, because he was found by Europeans first in Chinese markets.
Foraging activity
Between 1956 and 1981 the collection of Chinese caterpillar fungus was enacted by the state, where certain quotas were observed. These were usually three specimens that were passed on to the authorities; other findings were traded.
Due to the high demand participation in the commercial collection activity is very high today. In some circles (eg Dengqen ) this is more than half the total population. Every year hundreds of millions of copies of Chinese caterpillar fungus is collected in its natural habitat. Exact data on quantities collected are missing for many areas; It is estimated a total of 140 to 150 tons per year. The collectors are shepherds and farmers, as well as sporadically city dwellers who camp out during the collection season in the distribution area of the fungus. Larger bearings are located mostly on roads and are often equipped with shops for groceries, restaurants and entertainment facilities such as pool tables. Often the mushrooms are sold directly from the camps.
The daily yield of a collector is between a few to several dozen, usually 5 to 10 copies. A Fund contributes about 8 to 16 yuan, which is about half a day's work in road construction. On a day can be as three to seven times the normal wage in the region or even the content of a whole month can be achieved.
In most regions of Tibet a permit is awarded for collecting the fungus. The cost is for residents between 10 and 300 yuan per person per season. For immigrants, including inhabitants of neighboring districts include, the price is significantly higher; in 2006 there were up to 4,000 yuan. In some districts, such as Riwoqe or Dengqen collection prohibitions were issued to outsiders. This led to unrest and even riots with some deaths in the years 2004 and 2005.
In large parts of the highlands of Tibet is made by collecting the Chinese caterpillar fungus, the most important source of income in the Tibet Autonomous Region of the trade is with the fungus 8.5% of gross domestic product and thus the most important economic sector in the region ( 2004). In the rural population of this region (93% ), the proportion of the total per capita income in cash by collecting 25%; the proportion of total income amounts to at least 40 %. In the districts Qamdo and Nagqu, which are among the main collections, the collection activities account for 70 to 90 % of household income.
Value
The Chinese caterpillar fungus is a valued for centuries fungus that is still used as currency. During the Cultural Revolution, 1966-1976, the market of the fungus collapsed. At this time the cost of a kg 21 yuan. From the 1980s, prices rose very quickly. The value of Chinese caterpillar fungus has about nine-fold between 1997 and mid-2008. In mid-2008, he scored depending on the quality, for example in Lhasa a price 60000-160000 yuan per kg. In Shanghai, high-quality copies were sold at that time for up to 320,000 yuan per kg. The pills obtained from the mycelium achieve only a fraction of these prices.
The quality of the caterpillar fungus is mainly determined by the size of the infested caterpillar but also by the size ratio of the stroma and the caterpillar, and the strength of the bead. The latter two characteristics are indicative of the age of the fungus and depends on the time including the collection. The highest price thus obtain specimens whose stromata are about as long as the Caterpillar. At this stage, the potency of the fungus is considered to be the highest, so they are particularly sought after. From the Tibetans he is called nga bu, which means as much as " formerly Jartsa Gunbu ". At this time, the reproductive organs ( perithecia ) have not yet been developed. Its development is stopped by the removal of the fungus in the soil. Older specimens in which the caterpillar has been severely decomposed, however, remain at the site, as they are almost worthless. In Tibetan, the fungus is then tshar called bu, which means " completion Jartsa Gunbu ".
Use and medical effects
The Chinese caterpillar fungus is often cooked with chicken or duck.
In traditional Chinese and Tibetan medicine, the Chinese caterpillar fungus is seen as a tonic and aphrodisiac. After the success of China at the 1992 Summer Olympics, the Chinese athletes claimed to have previously taken the Chinese caterpillar fungus. It is also used against lung, liver and kidney and cardiovascular disorders and back pain.
Research indicates that the fungus is effective against tumors, including cancer, and viruses. In addition, immune- and cholesterol- regulating, antioxidant effects and an increase in stamina and libido were observed.
Movies
- The miracle mushroom from Tibet, France, 2008