Diversity of Cordyceps Fungi in Nepal

Abstract

Fungi are a part of the biodiversity that play a significant role in daily livelihood of the local communities. Yarsagumba (Ophiocordyceps sinensis) is one of the highly valued medicinal fungi that grow in the Tibetan Plateau of China and alpine grasslands of Nepal, Bhutan and India. Genus Cordyceps was recently revised and divided into four genera: Cordyceps, Elaphocordyceps, Metacordyceps and Ophiocordyceps, based on molecular phylogeny and morphology. The recent revision has consequently changed the scientific name of Yarsa gumba from Cordyceps sinensis (Berk.) Sacc. to Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Berk.) Sung et al. In Nepal, scientific study of Cordyceps species started about 60 years ago. During last 30 years, different Cordyceps species have been reported from Nepal. In this paper, Cordyceps species reported from Nepal have been discussed along with their synomyms, morphological characters, hosts and distributions in the global context.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njst.v12i0.6487 Nepal Journal of Science and Technology 12 (2011) 103-110