Identification
A tall columnar white conk on living conifers, bitter taste; grows for decades — specimens can be a century old.
History and research
Used since antiquity (Dioscorides, "against consumption" — possibly tuberculosis); modern screens by Stamets' team found antiviral activity in vitro (smallpox-family and influenza viruses). No human trials establish efficacy.
Status
Wild populations are endangered across much of Europe — it is protected; do not harvest wild conks.
In practice
- Bitter white conk on larch/old conifers = agarikon.
- Supplements exist; clinical evidence does not yet.