commonly known brain skull shaped species fungus family found asia australia north_america grows ground open woods derived latin root alludes resemblance animal brain skull shaped fruit body broad tall white tan initially smooth skin develops matures cracking age eventually away exposing yellow brown greenish yellow spore mass edible white firm matures yellow brown mature specimens traditional folk china japan wound dressing agent compounds isolated identified brain taxonomy species described transferred newly genus setting type species colleagues suggest synonymous published moses published berkeley published form published originally elevated distinct species monograph set type species grouping related species containing species large sterile base persistent species included transferred authorities commonly known brain shaped skull shaped specific epithet derives ancient greek words meaning brain form description fruit bodies grow dimensions tall wide form ranging pear shaped flattened spherical roughly egg shaped like inverted cone thick base attached cord like surrounding soil developed cut longitudinal section reveal distinct tissues outer layer central core thin fragile outer layer skin whitish gray gray initially smooth divided cracks areas base extends half way tapering point initially whitish yellow green finally brownish green older specimens mature spores spores spherical hyaline translucent measure diameter thick walled short extension tiny spines roughly threads long hyaline branched measuring thick occasionally pits walls comprises thick walled inflated hyphae mixed spherical cells tightly interwoven thick walled hyphae hyphae central core times thick surrounding light spores generally indistinguishable electron reveals distinctive spore ornamentation features small separated projections tall rounded tips comparison larger tall irregularly arranged development fruit bodies arise tips lateral branches new fruit bodies exterior thick hyphae similar found core contrast hyphae interior originate core unlike species differentiate distinct outer layer develops features tightly organised tissue tightly packed cells resemble plant radial hyphae time falls expose underlying similar species brain like surface mature olive brown characteristic younger developed characteristics difficult identify species edible grows similar dimensions purple brown mature smaller pink purple mature smaller confused younger specimens species spores lacks distinct roughly similar appearance unlike develops opening reveal olive brown distinct slits threads uses edible species young firm white mild odor pleasant taste early 20th century mycologist noted century ago change yellow makes bitter versatile cooking united_states agent staunch flow spore powder nostrils known practice lead disease causes symptoms similar pneumonia agent chinese japanese folk habitat distribution generally considered saprobic species controlled laboratory conditions fungus american reported publication chinese study showed readily form soil later research unable establish similar association brain grow singly groups fields open woods hardwood forests wet areas asia recorded china india indonesia japan malaysia south_korea brain recorded australia north_america range includes eastern southern united_states mexico michigan found regularly black plantations fruit bodies serve food source species flies research extracts strong activity mouse models protein bound compounds thought act immune response killing cells originally reported compound compounds identified fungus compounds isolated identified tested ability growth plants compound significantly suggesting presence required growth cited literature arizona fungi
Calvatia craniiformis