Tuckahoe

A genus of 250 species of fungi, which live on tree roots and wood in Asia and temperate N America. Wolfiporia cocos is usually in being distributed in both region, which has resulted in a long history of use in both Chinese and native N American medicine. Fruiting bodies can be wild-collected from the base of hardwood or coniferous trees (often pines), providing expert identification is available. The fungus favors sandy loam.

Subterranean fungus with large, globose to elliptic, tuber-like bodies, which have a hard, wrinkled, dark brown surface, and a granular, pale pink interior. Found on the roots of hardwoods and conifers, often up to 60cm (24in) below the surface.

Common Name:	Tuckahoe
Other Names:	Indian Bread
Botanical Name:	Wolfiporia cocos syn. Poria cocos, Sclerotium cocos
Genus:	Wolfiporia
Family:	Polyporaceae
Cultivation and Propagation:	Information is not available on Chinese techniques for cultivation.
Harvest:	Fungi are collected in winter and dried for decoctions and tinctures
Height:	5-15cm (2-6in)
Width:	10-30cm (4-12in)
Hardiness:	Z5-9
Parts Used:	Whole plant (fu ling)
Properties:	A sweet, sedative herb that is diuretic, regulates fluid metabolism and calms the heart energy.
Medicinal Uses:	Internally for palpitations, insomnia, emotional disturbances, abdominal bloating, urinary dysfunction, and diarrhea. Used in many classic Chinese formulas, such as si jun zi tang ("soup of four noble things"), combining W. cocos with Atractylodes macrocephala (See, Chinese Thistle), Glycyrrhiza uralensis (See, Chinese Licorice), and Panax ginseng (See, Ginseng).
Bibliography:	The Encyclopedia or Herbs by Deni Bown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited. pg. 408