also known as the fan-shaped, this gorgeous lil' thing that grows on rotting wood can help keep drinks from spoiling 🤯

a master at decomposing wood (as a brown-rot fungus, it breaks down the cellulose and hemicellulose in rotting wood), Dacryopinax spathularia is also cultivated commercially to produce natural antimicrobial compounds (long-chain glycolipids) used as a preservative in beverages (eg Nagardo®).

its yellow-orange pigmentation comes from carotenoids that protects it against ultraviolet radiation, and it's actually an edible species! known in Chinese cuisine as sweet osmanthus ear, including Buddha's delight.

early lab + animal studies indicate interesting medicinal potential: acetylcholinesterase inhibition (the same enzyme targeted by the Alzheimer's medication donepezil), antioxidant activity, inhibition of enzymes associated with inflammation and starch digestion, and improvements in liver injury markers (ALT, AST, ALP, and bilirubin) in rats.

no demonstrated medicinal benefits in humans just yet, but what a biochemical resume for this beautiful little orange fungus! 🍄