Cicada Flower (The insect body is oblong and resembles Cicada Slough. The head has several grayish-black sporophore bundles.)
【Naming】
【Source】
Illustrated Materia Medica
【Common Usage Level】
F
【Origin】
It is the dried body of the larva of Cryptotympana pustulata Fabricius, Isaria cicadae Miq., Cordyceps cicadae Shing, Cicada flammata Dist., Cicada Flower Cordyceps sobolifera (Hill) Berk et Br. Isaria sp., which are fungi of the Clavicipitaceae family, and the conidial stage is Cicada Isaria japonica and its host, the larva of Cicada flammata.
【Characteristics】
The dried insect body with the fungus is oblong and slightly curved, about 3cm long and 1-1.4cm in diameter, resembling Cicada Slough. The head has several grayish-black or grayish-white sporophore bundles, which are long and strip-shaped or curled, or branched, about 2-5cm long, and brittle and easily broken. The surface of the insect body is brownish-yellow, mostly covered by grayish-white mycelium. After being broken, the inside of the insect body is filled with powdery white or off-white loose material. It has a faint fragrance.
【Identification】
The best quality is characterized by sporophore bundles, large size, completeness, white flesh, and fragrant odor.
【Category】
Fungi and Algae