Yarsagumba (Cordyceps sinesis)

Yarsagumba is considered as a herb and grows in grasslands above 3500m. The larva live underground feeding on the roots of the grass until the fungus grows in the live larva, kills it and then a stalk emerges above ground from the head of the mummified larvae around spring.  

People travel long distances to the mountains every year around May to pick this fungus and sell it in the market where it commands a high price. This fungus is considered to have medicinal properties and has been used for centuries in traditional medicine.