Basidiomycete Antrodia malicola, SEM

Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of Antrodia malicola is a basidiomycete bracket fungus in the family Meripilaceae. Shown here is the vegetative hyphae of the mycelium possessing distinct septae. Antrodia species have fruiting bodies that typically lie flat or spread out on the growing surface, with the hymenium exposed to the outside. The edges may be turned so as to form narrow brackets of these bracket fungi. Most species are found in temperate and boreal forests, and cause brown rot. Some of the species in this genus are have medicinal properties. The genus Antrodia includes some medicinal fungi such as Antrodia camphorata ; this species in particular is a well-known medicinal mushroom in Taiwan (known as Niu-Chang). It is commonly used as an anti-cancer, anti-itching, anti-allergy, anti-fatigue and liver protective drug. Magnification: x535 when shortest axis printed at 25 millimetres.