Contents
Ganoderma southern is a typical representative of the tinder fungus from the Polypore family. In total, in the genus to which this fungus belongs, there are about 80 of its closely related species. They differ from each other mainly not in appearance, but in their distribution area. Like all tinder fungi, southern ganoderma has a different appearance, depending on the substrate on which it grows.
What does southern ganoderma look like?
The fruiting body of the fungus is of the cap type. Their sizes can be very large. The diameter of the southern Ganoderma cap reaches 35-40 cm, and its thickness reaches 13 cm.
The shape of the fruiting body is flat, slightly elongated. The sessile hat adheres to a solid base with a wide side.
The surface of the fungus is even, but small furrows may be located on it.
The colors of the caps are the most diverse: brown, gray, black, etc. Often its surface is covered with a layer of spores, from which the color of the fruiting body can turn brown.
The flesh of the mushroom is dark red. The porous hymenophore is white.
Where and how to grow
It prefers to grow in areas with a warm climate (hence the name), but is distributed to the central and northwestern regions of Our Country. Cases of detection of southern ganoderma in the east of the Leningrad region were recorded.
The fungus grows mainly on deadwood or stumps, but is sometimes found on living deciduous trees.
When this species appears on plants, it provokes “white rot” in the latter. But this is not the classic sclerotinosis caused by marsupials. The mycelium of the tinder fungus is of the corresponding color, so the affected leaves and shoots have similar symptoms.
Oak, poplar or linden can become potential objects of infection. This species is a perennial. It exists in one place until it completely absorbs the available substrate.
It is recommended to dispose of plants located in cultivated areas in order to avoid further spread of the fungus.
Is the mushroom edible or not?
Ganoderma southern refers to inedible species. The main reason why it should not be eaten is the very hard pulp characteristic of most tinder fungi.
Twins and their differences
All representatives of the genus to which Ganoderma southern belongs are very similar to each other. Differences between species at first glance are not striking, however, upon careful study, there are several differences in appearance, by which one can easily determine the species affiliation.
The maximum degree of similarity of the species under consideration is observed with Ganoderma flatus (another name is the artist’s mushroom or the flattened tinder fungus). There are differences in appearance and internal structure. The former include the large size of the flat tinder fungus (up to 50 cm in diameter) and its glossy sheen. In addition, the upper part of the cap has a more uniform color.
The surface of the flattened tinder fungus has a monochromatic color
Similar to the southern Ganoderma, the flat one is also inedible and also causes rot in plants. But the color of her mycelium will not be white, but yellowish. Another important difference lies in the internal structure of the spores and the structure of the cuticle.
Conclusion
Ganoderma southern is a common representative of perennial tinder fungi. This is a typical decomposer involved in the decomposition of dead wood and deadwood. In some cases, it leads a parasitic lifestyle on trees, slowly but systematically eating the host organism. It is impossible to cure the plant, it should be destroyed as soon as possible in order to avoid the spread of infection. The southern tinder fungus is inedible due to its high hardness.
