Polypore lacquered (Reishi mushroom) (Ganoderma lucidum) photo and description

Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum)

Polypore lacquered, or Ganoderma lacquered (lat. Ganoderma lucidum) is a mushroom of the genus Ganoderma (lat. Ganoderma) of the Ganoderma family (lat. Ganodermataceae).

Polypore lacquered found in almost all countries of the world at the base of weakened and dying trees, as well as on dead hardwood, very rarely on coniferous wood. Occasionally varnished tinder fungus is found on living trees, but more often fruiting bodies are found on stumps, not far from the soil surface. Sometimes basidiomas that have grown on tree roots immersed in the ground can be found directly on the soil. From July to late autumn.

head 3-8×10-25×2-3 cm, or almost, flat, very dense and woody. The skin is smooth, shiny, uneven, wavy, divided into many concentric growth rings of various shades. The color of the cap varies from reddish to brown-violet, or (sometimes) black with a yellowish tint and clearly visible growth rings.

Leg 5-25 cm in height, 1-3 cm in ∅, lateral, long, cylindrical, uneven and very dense. The pores are small and round, 4-5 per 1 mm². The tubules are short, ocher. Spore powder is brown.

Pulp color, very hard, odorless and tasteless. The flesh is first spongy, then woody. The pores are whitish at first, turning yellow and brown with age.

The mushroom is inedible, used exclusively for medical purposes.

Distribution

Lacquered polypore – saprophyte, wood destroyer (causes white rot). It occurs in almost all countries of the world at the base of weakened and dying trees, as well as on dead hardwood, very rarely on coniferous wood. Occasionally varnished tinder fungus is found on living trees, but more often fruiting bodies are found on stumps, not far from the soil surface. Sometimes fruiting bodies that have grown on the roots of trees immersed in the ground can be found directly on the soil. During growth, the mushroom can absorb twigs, leaves and other rubbish into the hat. In Our Country, varnished tinder fungus is distributed mainly in the southern regions, in the Stavropol and Krasnodar Territories, in the North Caucasus. It is less common in temperate latitudes than in the subtropics.

Recently, it has spread widely in Altai, in areas of predatory felling.

Season: from July to late autumn.

Cultivation

The cultivation of Ganoderma lucidum is carried out exclusively for medical purposes. The raw material for obtaining biologically active substances is traditionally fruiting bodies, much less often the vegetative mycelium of this fungus. Fruiting bodies are obtained by extensive and intensive technologies. Vegetative mycelium of Ganoderma lucidum is obtained by submerged cultivation.

Reishi mushroom is highly valued and cultivated in the countries of Southeast Asia.