Gray-ash cordyceps (Ophiocordyceps entomorrhiza)
- Department: Ascomycota (Ascomycetes)
- Subdivision: Pezizomycotina (Pezizomycotins)
- Class: Sordariomycetes (Sordariomycetes)
- Subclass: Hypocreomycetidae (Hypocreomycetes)
- Order: Hypocreales (Hypocreales)
- Family: Ophiocordycipitaceae (Ophiocordyceps)
- Genus: Ophiocordyceps (Ophiocordyceps)
- Type: Ophiocordyceps entomorrhiza (Ash gray cordyceps)
- Cordyceps entomorrhiza
Photo by: Piotr Stańczak
Description:
The body (stroma) is 3-5 (8) cm high, 0,2 cm thick, capitate, rigid, with an uneven curved twisted stalk, black-brown, gray-brown at the top gray, black at the base, the head is round or oval, with a diameter of about 0,4 cm, gray-ash, lilac-black, black-brown, rough, pimply, with dull light, yellowish, cream projections of perithecia. Germinated perithecia 0,1-0,2 cm long, finger-shaped, narrowed upwards, sharp club-shaped, finely pubescent, whitish, pale beige with an oblong pale ocher tip. Lateral club-shaped perithecia on the stalk are possible.
Spread:
Gray-ashy Cordyceps grows from August (June) to autumn on insect larvae, in grass and on the soil, singly and in a small group, is rare.
Evaluation:
Edibility is not known.