i gave this specimen to Daniel Winkler when he was in town last week. So maybe he will find out exactly what it is. He thought it was Elaphocordyceps capitata.

So there is probably Elaphomyces present in the area.

In your area Western Red cedar probable. Western Red cedar one of the very few trees which doesn’t associate with mycorrhizal fungi. So Douglas-fir probable host tree here.

After looking carefully at the sectioned Elaphomyces, I can’t even tell it is Elaphomyces. Does not appear to have visible spores. Very unusual.

So maybe (just maybe) the host is not Elaphomyces here.

May Elaphocordyceps appear to be species-specific to the Elaphomyces. While the Elaphocordyceps is likely going to have altered to Elaphomyces to the point of non-recognition to species, still it should be possible to either state the E. muricatus or E. granulatus “group”.

there was both yellow rhizos and white rhizos so its really hard to say. i will be looking into your suggestion though, thanks so much for looking!