[[3] DNA analysis supports L. officinalis as distinct from the genus Fomitopsis.[4]]The conks were once collected extensively for production of medicinal quinine, which they were thought to contain, because of the bitter taste of the powdered conk. However, they do not contain quinine, and have no anti-malarial properties.[1]
The distinctive conks can be large, as much as two feet long, hoof-shaped or columnar. They are soft, yellow-white when young, soon becoming white and chalky throughout. The decay is brown, cubically cracked, with thick white felts in large cracks. The taste of both conks and felts is bitter and distinct for this species. A single conk usually indicates complete cull. Infected trees can be habitat for snag-nesting species.[2]
Medicinal use
L. officinalis was used by the Ancient Greeks to treat consumption (tuberculosis) according to the writings of Pedanius Dioscorides in 65 AD,[3] and by some indigenous people to treat smallpox.[3] The presence of Agarikon at burial sites may indicate that its use was once widespread.
Mycologist Paul Stamets has performed numerous investigations of the biological activities of Agarikon. Agarikon extracts have demonstrated antiviral activity against a range of viruses in vitro.[4] This activity has been specifically observed against pox family viruses,[5] HSV-1 and HSV-2, Influenza A, Influenza B, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vitro.[6]
Other researchers have identified novel chlorinated coumarins in the organism which demonstrated notably low minimum inhibitory concentrations against the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex.[7]
Conservation
Wild Agarikon is only found in old-growth forests {{Citation needed|reason=multiple anecdotal accounts on Mushroom ID forums indicate this species is not limited to old growth forest.|date=February 2018}}, and grows on conifers, particularly Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga) and larch (Larix). Conservation of wild populations of L. officinalis is a concern because of loss of ancient forest habitat. Because it is difficult to maintain long-term genetic integrity of laboratory-grown strains, it is necessary to preserve the mushroom in the wild.
Ethnomycology
Laricifomes officinalis was important both medicinally and spiritually to indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast of North America, such as the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian. L. officinalis was referred to as the "bread of ghosts" in local languages, and carved fruiting bodies marked the graves of tribal shamans.[13]References
1. ^{{cite book |author=Arora, David |title=Mushrooms Demystified |publisher=Ten Speed Press |year=1986 |page=580}}
2. ^Hagle, Gibson, Tunnock. A Field Guide to Diseases & Insect Pests of Northern & Central Rocky Mountain Conifers. USDA Forest Service: 2003, pg 29
3. ^{{cite journal|last=Walker|first=Brett|title=The Early Modern Japanese State and Ainu Vaccinations: Redefining the Body Politic 1799-1868|journal=Past & Present|date=May 1999|volume=163|issue=1|pages=121–61|pmid=22049584|jstor=651171|doi=10.1093/past/163.1.121}}
4. ^{{cite journal|last1=Stamets|first1=Paul|title=Medicinal Polypores of the Forests of North America: Screening for Novel Antiviral Activity|journal=IntJMedMushrooms|date=2005|volume=7|issue=3|pages=362|doi=10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.v7.i3.210|url=http://www.dl.begellhouse.com/journals/708ae68d64b17c52,0d0f121956dd501b,68ee03ef1a9aac59.html}}
5. ^{{cite journal|last1=Stamets|first1=Paul|title=Antipox Properties of Fomitopsis officinalis (Vill.: Fr.) Bond. et Singer (Agarikon) from the Pacific Northwest of North America|journal=IntJMedMushr|date=2005|volume=7|issue=3|pages=495–506|doi=10.1615/IntJMedMushr.v7.i3.60|url=http://www.dl.begellhouse.com/journals/708ae68d64b17c52,0d0f121956dd501b,0a3878105512f782.html}}
6. ^{{cite web|last1=Stamets|first1=Paul|title=[Patent] Antiviral and antibacterial activity from medicinal mushrooms|url=https://www.google.com/patents/us8765138|website=Google Patents}}
7. ^{{cite journal|last1=Hwang|first1=Chang|title=Chlorinated Coumarins from the Polypore Mushroom Fomitopsis officinalis and Their Activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis|journal=J Nat Prod|date=2013|volume=76|issue=10|pages=1916–1922|doi=10.1021/np400497f|pmid=24087924|pmc=3851412}}
8. ^1 {{cite journal| first=Andrzej| last=Chlebicki| first2=Viktor A.| last2=Mukhin| first3=Nadezhda| last3=Ushakova| year=2003| title=Fomitopsis officinalis on Siberian Larch in the Urals| journal=Mycologist| volume=17| pages=116–120| doi=10.1017/S0269915X03003057| issue=3}}
9. ^1 {{cite journal| journal=Mycologia| volume=97| year=2005| pages=812–822| title=Evaluation of the monophyly of Fomitopsis using parsimony and MCMC methods| doi=10.1080/15572536.2006.11832773| first=Kyung Mo| last=Kim| first2=Yuh-Gang| last2=Yoon| first3=Hack Sung| last3=Jung| issue=4| pmid=16457351}}
10. ^1 2 {{cite journal| journal=International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms| volume=7| issue=3| year=2005| title=Medicinal Polypores of the Forests of North America: Screening for Novel Antiviral Activity| authorlink=Paul Stamets| last=Stamets| first=Paul| page=362| url=http://www.dl.begellhouse.com/download/article/68ee03ef1a9aac59/IJM%200703%20(362).pdf| format=PDF| doi=10.1615/intjmedmushr.v7.i3.210}}
11. ^1 {{cite journal| title=Nineteenth Century Shaman Grave Guardians Are Carved Fomitopsis officinalis Sporophores| first=Robert A.| last=Blanchette| first2=Brian D.| last2=Compton| first3=Nancy J.| last3=Turner| first4=Robert L.| last4=Gilbertson| journal=Mycologia| volume=84|date=Jan–Feb 1992| pages=119–124| jstor=3760412| issue=1| doi=10.2307/3760412}}