Scarlet caterpillar club - Cordyceps militaris
- The Foraging Course Company
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Edible mushroom - beginner Season - autumn to winter
Common names Scarlet caterpillar club, caterpillar fungus, caterpillar club
Scientific name meaning: From the Greek words Kordyle, a type of headress or bump, and the Latin Ceps, meaning head. Miltitaris is Latin for solider or warlike
Habitat and growth  The scarlet caterpillar club is an entomopathogenic fungus (zombie fungus) that feeds on caterpillars, which it parasitises and kills. It is most often found as individual fruit bodies emerging from mossy ground. |
Fruit body  The fruit body is up to 5cm tall, orange to orange red, and is covered in several small bumps at the upper end. It is more swollen at the tip than the base. |
Underground  The portion of the fungus that is underneath the soil is erupting out of the mummified remains of the caterpillar it parasitised. |
Possible lookalikes  There are many club fungi - including within the genera Clavaria and Clavulinopsis - that could be confused with the scarlet caterpillar club. These lack bumbs on the upper aspect of their fruit bodies and will not have a caterpillar corpse at their base. |
Use as a food Not particularly valued for its culinary use, the scarlet caterpillar club is used for its functional and medicinal properties Hazards None known
Use in herbal medicine and medicine Various studies show this fungus' use as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immune system supporter. There is some evidence of potential anti-cancer and anti-aging benefits. It is also used to boost energy due to it containing the ATP mimic Cordycepin
If you are suffering from any ailment or need medical advice, please see your General Practitioner Other uses None known Importance to other species None known
Always stay safe when foraging. You need to be 100% sure of your identification, 100% sure that your foraged item is edible, and 100% sure that you are not allergic to it (it is good practice to always try a small amount of any new food you are consuming). If in doubt, leave it out!
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