Caterpillar fungus from Xiaojin

Caterpillar fungus from Xiaojin

　　Caterpillar fungus: A unique fusion of plant and animal, also known as dong chong xia cao (winter worm, summer grass), it has a light yellow color and grows in high-altitude meadows with abundant sunlight. The stalk is about 6 cm long, while the caterpillar part is around 4 cm. It is a precious traditional Chinese medicinal herb and premium tonic native to China, known for its benefits such as nourishing lung and kidney, stopping bleeding, resolving phlegm, and relieving cough. It typically sprouts at the end of the third lunar month, with abundant yields in April, and the stalks wither around mid-May. It is mainly distributed across my county at elevations of 3,100–4,500 meters in areas including Chongde Township, Xinqiao Township, Mupo Township, Fubian Township, Lianghe Township, Jiesi Township, Meiwu Township, and Rilong Town, among which Chongde Township produces the highest yield and best quality. According to recorded data, the county's total production reached 1,311.5 kg in 1959, with an annual average output of 200–600 kg.

　　Source: Xiaojin County Information Office