Laricifomes officinalis
| Laricifomes officinalis | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Agaricomycetes |
| Order: | Polyporales |
| Family: | Laricifomitaceae |
| Genus: | Laricifomes Kotl. & Pouzar (1957) |
| Species: | L. officinalis |
| Binomial name | |
| Laricifomes officinalis | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Boletus officinalis Vill. (1789) | |
| Laricifomes officinalis | |
|---|---|
| Pores on hymenium | |
| No distinct cap | |
| Hymenium attachment is irregular or not applicable | |
| Lacks a stipe | |
| Ecology is parasitic or saprotrophic | |
| Edibility is inedible | |
Laricifomes officinalis, also known as agarikon, eburiko, or the quinine conk, is a wood-decay fungus that grows in large conks on the trunks of trees. It causes brown heart rot on conifers in Eurasia, Morocco, and North America. This fungus is the only member of the genus Laricifomes.
There has been a history of human use of the fungus, from textiles, to ritualistic masks, and medicinal use; the name "quinine conk" refers to its bitter taste. There is recent scientific evidence of it having potency against several viruses.