Thank you for your patience while we retrieve your images.
Visitors 60


14 of 16 photos
Thumbnails
Info
Photo Info

Dimensions4608 x 3456
Original file size1.41 MB
Image typeJPEG
Cordyceps sinensis (JPEG)

Cordyceps sinensis (JPEG)

Collected from the Tibetan Plateau in November of 2012, this is an example of a fungus, Cordyceps sinensis (latterly known as Ophiocordyceps sinensis) that is parasitic on insects and other arthropods. Once infected, the fate of the host is gruesome to say the least, with the fungus feeding and growing on its tissues. The host eventually dies and soon after, a long, infectious fruiting body emerges from the head as shown in the image. Cordyceps is highly-valued, particularly in Chinese medicine, where it is used to treat a variety of complaints. See:

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2014/06/gold-rush-nepal-himalayan-viagra-2014620955981588.html