[Explanation] 20,000 specimens, 8,000 strains, and 500 species of Cordyceps are the most complete Cordyceps herbarium and the largest gene bank of Cordyceps strains.
Recently, the reporter visited the Yunbaicao Laboratory of Yunnan University to take you into the physical Encyclopedia of Cordyceps and reveal the past and present of Cordyceps.
[Explanation] When it comes to Cordyceps, many people think of Cordyceps, but it is only one of more than 600 species of Cordyceps known to have sex structures.
In fact, Cordyceps is a complex formed by some fungi parasitizing invertebrates, a few fungi and slime molds.
It has insects and "grass", but it is not insects or weeds. It can be regarded as a "mushroom" that grows from insects.
[Concurrent] Tang Dexiang, staff member of Yunbaicao Laboratory
Our team was mainly created under the leadership of Yu Hong.
After so many years of hard work, a total of Cordyceps biodiversity resources collected, there are about 20,000 specimens, and more than 8,500 strains, nearly 500 species.
[Explanation] Cordyceps culture has a long history in China. The earliest application record is the Cordyceps funerary unearthed from the tomb of Haihunhou in the Western Han Dynasty.
At the same time, Yunbaicao Laboratory analyzed the genetic structure and pedigree pattern of Cordyceps sinensis, and found that the Hengduan Mountain area is the center of genetic diversity of Cordyceps sinensis, and the Hengduan Mountain area in northwestern Yunnan is the origin center of Cordyceps sinensis.
There are about 350 species of Cordyceps in China and nearly 300 species of Cordyceps in Yunnan.
It can be seen that Yunnan is not only the "kingdom of animals and plants", but also the "kingdom of Cordyceps".
[Concurrent] Tang Dexiang, staff member of Yunbaicao Laboratory
Cordyceps is actually a very precious resource for the entire ecology, whether it is used in medicine or in biological control, as well as in the (maintenance) aspect of the ecosystem, it plays a very important role.
【Explanation】The insects are small and the universe is big, and there are many bodhi in the grass.
In addition to collecting samples of Cordyceps, Yunbaicao Laboratory also conducts research on the classification, phylogeny and evolution of Cordyceps. These studies are of great significance to the protection of the species diversity and genetic diversity of Cordyceps.
Chang Shuyu reports from Kunming, Yunnan
Editor in charge: [Li Yuxin]