Key takeaways
- “Cordyceps” covers several fungi that grow on insects in the wild.
- Most products today use Cordyceps militaris, which can be cultivated.
- The rare Himalayan caterpillar fungus is Ophiocordyceps sinensis, and isn’t commercially cultivated.
- Cordycepin is a compound particularly associated with C. militaris.
- Always check the species and the part used on the label.
“Cordyceps” is one of the most confusing names in the world of functional mushrooms. It can refer to a rare fungus from the Tibetan Plateau, a bright orange relative that grows wild in Britain, or a laboratory-grown mycelium sold under an old name. This guide untangles them, explains how cultivated Cordyceps is grown and what it contains, looks honestly at the research, and sets out what to look for in a Cordyceps product.
At a glance
- Scientific name: today usually Cordyceps militaris
- Relative: Ophiocordyceps sinensis, the Himalayan caterpillar fungus, formerly Cordyceps sinensis
- British name: scarlet caterpillarclub (for C. militaris)
- Appearance: slender, club-shaped, bright orange fruiting bodies a few centimetres tall
- Part used: the fruiting body, or in some products the mycelium
A fungus that grows on insects
In the wild, Cordyceps and its relatives are parasitic fungi that infect insects, most often the larvae or pupae of moths and butterflies. The fungus grows inside its host and eventually sends up a fruiting body. It sounds dramatic, but it is one of many specialised relationships in the fungal kingdom. These fungi are highly adapted to particular insect hosts and don’t infect people. See Parasitic and Wood-Decaying Fungi Explained.
Two species, often confused
Ophiocordyceps sinensis, the Himalayan caterpillar fungus, grows at high altitude on the Tibetan Plateau and in the Himalayas. It has long been prized in Tibetan and Chinese culture, is collected by hand and is extremely expensive. It is not practical to cultivate it on a commercial scale, and heavy demand has raised concerns about over-collection in the regions where it grows.
Cordyceps militaris is a close relative with small, club-shaped orange fruiting bodies. It grows wild in Britain and across the Northern Hemisphere, and, crucially, it can be cultivated. It is the species used in most modern Cordyceps products, including ours. Read Cordyceps militaris vs Ophiocordyceps sinensis.
Cordyceps in the wild in Britain
The scarlet caterpillarclub appears in late summer and autumn in grassland and woodland, rising from moth pupae buried in the soil. Its bright orange clubs are small and easy to overlook. It’s a fascinating find, but there’s no reason to collect it: the cultivated form is what products use.
History
That history relates to O. sinensis. C. militaris has become widely used much more recently, largely because it can be cultivated. See Cordyceps Through History.
How Cordyceps militaris is cultivated
Cultivated C. militaris is grown in controlled conditions, without needing wild insects. Producers usually grow it in jars or trays on a nutrient-rich medium, often grain-based; some use silkworm pupae instead. The mycelium colonises the medium, and under light and the right humidity it sends up its bright orange fruiting bodies, which are cut away from the medium, then dried.
That last point matters: harvesting the fruiting bodies is quite different from grinding up the whole colonised medium, which is how many mycelium-on-grain products are made. Read How Cultivated Cordyceps Is Grown.
What’s inside Cordyceps?
- Cordycepin, a compound structurally related to adenosine and particularly associated with C. militaris. See Cordycepin Explained.
- Adenosine and other nucleosides.
- Polysaccharides, including beta-glucans.
- Carotenoid pigments, which give the fruiting bodies their orange colour.
The amounts vary with the strain and the growing conditions. For more, see Cordyceps Compounds and Chemistry Explained.
What does the research say?
Read Cordyceps Research: What Does the Evidence Show?
Common myths
- “Cordyceps is made from caterpillars.” Wild O. sinensis grows on caterpillars, but cultivated C. militaris is usually grown without insects.
- “All Cordyceps is the same.” Species, part used and growing method all differ between products.
- “It’s the fungus from the zombie films.” The ant-infecting fungi that inspired popular fiction belong to a different group and, like all their relatives, are specialised to insects. They don’t infect people.
- “Rare means better.” The rarity and price of the Himalayan species reflect scarcity, not a proven difference in effect.
How to choose a Cordyceps product
- Check which species is named: C. militaris, O. sinensis or something else.
- Check the part used: fruiting body or mycelium.
- Look for the extraction method.
- If it matters to you, ask whether insects were used in cultivation.
- Be wary of products implying specific effects.
See How to Choose a Cordyceps Extract.
Questions people ask
Is Cordyceps vegan?
It depends on how it was grown. Wild O. sinensis grows on caterpillars, and some cultivated C. militaris is grown on silkworm pupae. Our tinctures are suitable for vegans.
What is cordycepin?
A naturally occurring compound, structurally related to adenosine, particularly associated with C. militaris. See Cordycepin Explained.
Why is the Himalayan species so expensive?
It is wild-collected by hand in remote, high-altitude regions, it can’t practically be cultivated, and demand is high.
Does Cordyceps grow in the UK?
Yes. C. militaris, the scarlet caterpillarclub, grows wild here, and it is also cultivated. Ours is UK-grown.
Is Cordyceps safe?
Follow the label and don’t exceed the stated amount. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, speak to a healthcare professional before use.
How we make our Cordyceps tincture
Our Cordyceps tincture is made from UK-grown Cordyceps militaris fruiting bodies, extracted in hot water using ultrasonic extraction and in plant-derived ethanol, then combined and prepared in small batches in Dorset, with nothing else added.