Poria Cocos

Poria cocos, also known as pine sponge, is also referred to as Indian bread or coconut fungus due to its appearance. It thrives in the heartwood of pine trees, where it grows underground like a potato or truffle. As the fruiting body cannot yet be industrially cultivated, the mycelium of the mushroom cultivated on a millet substrate is used. Due to its high nutrient density, it used to be an emergency food for the indigenous people to protect themselves from starvation.