What's the name of the fungus in The Last of Us?
Cordyceps is the fungus at the centre of The Last of Us, the HBO series based on the hit video game. Here, more than ever, reality and fiction intermingle – so let's explain.
In the series, twenty years ago a Cordyceps fungus infected humanity, causing a global pandemic. Those infected have turned into zombie-like creatures, and a small number of survivors – grouped around FEDRA and the Fireflies – struggle to survive, with hope resting on one of the main characters, Ellie.
Fiction and reality
Cordyceps really exists. As the BBC documentary that inspired the game's creator shows, there are many species of this parasitic fungus, each specialised in a particular type of insect – usually ants or caterpillars.
Let's clear up any doubts: Cordyceps parasitises insects, but it cannot infect humans. It is not adapted to our species and does not survive at human body temperature. The story is pure fiction.
How many types of Cordyceps are there?
Cordyceps belongs to a large group of around 1,200 insect-parasitising (entomopathogenic) fungi, and the genus includes some 500 species, among them Cordyceps sinensis. PubMed lists more than 2,000 scientific articles mentioning Cordyceps.
How was Cordyceps sinensis discovered?
According to Tibetan tradition, herders noticed that their livestock seemed livelier after grazing on a 'brown grass' in the high mountains – later identified as Cordyceps.
Cordyceps sinensis
Cordyceps sinensis naturally contains compounds such as beta-glucans, ergosterol (a precursor of vitamin D2), amino acids, cordycepin, cordycepic acid (mannitol) and adenosine.
How Cordyceps supplements are made
Wild Cordyceps sinensis is scarce and overharvested, so responsible producers grow Cordyceps mycelium in bioreactors under controlled conditions. The resulting powder can be added to smoothies or yoghurt, or used in capsules.
What to look for
- Sustainable cultivation – mycelium grown in bioreactors under controlled conditions.
- The right species – in Great Britain, Cordyceps militaris is not currently authorised without novel food approval; Cordyceps sinensis mycelium has a documented history of consumption.
- Transparent labelling – the quantified content of characteristic compounds such as cordycepin, cordycepic acid, adenosine and ergosterol.
Read more in our article 10 fascinating facts about Cordyceps sinensis.