The Cordyceps mushroom got its German name "Chinesischer Raupenpilz" from its origin in the Tibetan uplands, in addition to areas in China and India, where it has a highly unusual breeding ground.
Before winter falls, the mushroom infects a certain type of caterpillar underground, which it kills and uses as nourishment.
At the start of spring, it emerges with a club-shaped brown fruiting body, which reaches only about 5-15 cm in height.
Due to its high demand and popularity, especially in TCM and Tibetan folk medicine, Cordyceps sinensis is currently the most expensive mushroom.