Bamboo Fungus, Dried

Often misrepresented as the pith of bamboo, this is in fact a fungus which grows on the ground of bamboo groves in Yunnan and other provinces in western China. About 7.5–15 cm (3–6 in) long and 2.5 cm (1 in) wide, the dried fungi, beigey in colour, have hollow tubes with tapering closed ends. Some of them carry a ‘fish-net parasol’ at the top end. When reconstituted in water, they look rather like condoms, while the fish-net parasols give a rather spectacular appearance. Spongy and crisp in texture, they are regarded by the Chinese as one of the most delicate and delicious fungi.