Laricifomes officinalis

This mushroom is also known as Fomitopsis officinalis. DNA analyses showed that this species has genetical distance from Fomitopsis, and the name Laricifomes officinalis is favored. The species epithet officinalis denotes an organism associated with herbalism or medicine. == Description ==

These distinctive conks can be found growing out the side of or hanging off the branches of the host tree as high as off the ground. These conks grow in a hoof-like shape or columnar, sometimes exceeding in length and nearly in girth, and can weigh up to . Similar species It can resemble members of Phellinus which are blacker and prefer hardwood. Fomitopsis mounceae and its relatives may be similar, in addition to Ganoderma brownii. ==Distribution and ecology==

Lariciformes officinalis resides predominantly in old-growth forests, growing in Eurasia, Morocco, and North America. It commonly prefers various Larix species, however it has been observed on certain species of coniferous trees in genus Pinus and Cedrus, for example. ==Conservation==

Because the species is found mainly in old-growth forests, The preservation of the forests is necessary to prevent the fungus's extinction. Though there have been suggestions of researching ex situ cultivation for the purpose of preserving the species, few locations actually protect the forests from logging and conservation laws have been put in place for the fungus only in Germany, Lithuania, Poland, and Slovenia. ==Uses==

Ethnomycology Laricifomes officinalis, referred to as "bread of the ghosts" in local languages, was important both medicinally and spiritually to indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast of North America, such as the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian. The fruiting bodies were carved into masks, most likely with ritualistic purposes, and frequently marked the graves of tribal shamans. In addition, there is evidence that the mycelium growing in the rotting wood was being processed into textiles within these same peoples, creating a material similar in texture to leather. Medicinal use L. officinalis was used by the Ancient Greeks to treat consumption (tuberculosis) according to the writings of Pedanius Dioscorides in 65 CE, and by some indigenous people to treat smallpox. Later on, the conks were collected extensively for production of medicinal quinine, hence the name "quinine conk", which they were thought to contain because of the bitter taste of the powdered conk. In fact, they do not possess anti-malarial properties. Mycologist Paul Stamets has performed numerous investigations of the species' biological activities; its extracts have demonstrated antiviral activity against a range of viruses in vitro. ==References==