caterpillar fungus

English edit

 
caterpillar fungus, Ophiocordyceps sinensis, growing on two caterpillars

Noun edit

caterpillar fungus (plural caterpillar fungi or caterpillar funguses)

  1. A fungus indigenous to the Tibetan plateau, Ophiocordyceps sinensis, which parasitizes various caterpillars.
    Synonym: vegetable caterpillar
  2. Any fungus of closely related species in genera Ophiocordyceps and Cordyceps, both in order Hypocreales.
  3. The O. sinensis fungus and host caterpillar body used in traditional Chinese medicine.

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