''Inonotus hispidus'', commonly known as shaggy bracket, is a North American

fungus A fungus (: fungi , , , or ; or funguses) is any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and mold (fungus), molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as one ...

and

plant pathogen Plant diseases are diseases in plants caused by pathogens (infectious organisms) and environmental conditions (physiological factors). Organisms that cause infectious disease include fungi, oomycetes, bacteria, viruses, viroids, virus-like orga ...

Description

The fruit bodies are generally semicircular and lumpy, measuring across. They are orangish with a lighter margin when fresh, blackening in age. The flesh is orangish and the

spore print 300px, Making a spore print of the mushroom ''Volvariella volvacea'' shown in composite: (photo lower half) mushroom cap laid on white and dark paper; (photo upper half) cap removed after 24 hours showing warm orange ("tussock") color spore print. ...

is brown.

Similar species

'' Inonotus quercustris'' is more frequent to the south, with '' Ischnoderma resinosum'' and '' Laetiporus persicinus'' also being similar.

Habitat and distribution

It is found on oak and other hardwoods through eastern North America.

Uses

This fungus has been used in eastern Asia as a popular remedy for many illnesses like

cancer Cancer is a group of diseases involving Cell growth#Disorders, abnormal cell growth with the potential to Invasion (cancer), invade or Metastasis, spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. Po ...

diabetes Diabetes mellitus, commonly known as diabetes, is a group of common endocrine diseases characterized by sustained high blood sugar levels. Diabetes is due to either the pancreas not producing enough of the hormone insulin, or the cells of th ...

, and other stomach ailments. In modern

pharmacology Pharmacology is the science of drugs and medications, including a substance's origin, composition, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, therapeutic use, and toxicology. More specifically, it is the study of the interactions that occur betwee ...

, it has aided in lowering

blood glucose The blood sugar level, blood sugar concentration, blood glucose level, or glycemia is the measure of glucose concentrated in the blood. The body tightly blood sugar regulation, regulates blood glucose levels as a part of metabolic homeostasis ...

levels, showing anti-tumor responses and improving overall health in mice.

References

External links

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Index Fungorum

USDA ARS Fungal Database
Fungal plant pathogens and diseases hispidus Fungi of Europe Fungi described in 1880 Fungus species {{Agaricomycetes-stub