Black Fungus from Puxian

Black Fungus from Puxian

　　Black fungus from Puxian is a specialty of Puxian County, Linfen City, Shanxi Province. The black fungus produced in Puxian grows on decaying wood, resembling human ears in shape, and appears black or dark brown—hence the name “black fungus.” It is also known as wood mushroom or tree chicken.

　　Puxian is located in the southwestern part of Shanxi Province, at the western foothills of the southern end of the Lüliang Mountains, and is the county with the highest elevation in Linfen City. The total land area is 1,510.61 square kilometers, of which arable land covers 396,800 mu, accounting for 17.5% of the total area; forested land covers 1.07 million mu, accounting for 42.5%; grassland covers 120,000 mu, accounting for 5.5%; and developable “wasteland” totals 590,000 mu. The terrain is complex, generally divided into earthen and stony mountainous areas and loess plateau gully regions. It is surrounded by mountains to the north and south, crisscrossed by rivers from east to west, with seven plateaus spread out and eight rivers running through, featuring intertwined gullies and an average elevation of 1,300 meters. The highest peak, Wulu Mountain, reaches 1,946.3 meters above sea level. Puxian has a warm temperate continental climate influenced by monsoons, with distinct seasons. Annual precipitation is 586 millimeters, the frost-free period lasts 171 days, and the area enjoys unique advantages for developing modern, distinctive agriculture.