Lingzhi mushroom

Habitat

It is part of a species complex that encompasses several fungal species. The most common and closely related species are "Ganoderma lucidum" and "Ganoderma tsugae". There are multiple species of lingzhi encompassed within the "Ganoderma lucidum" species complex and mycologists continue researching the differences among species within this complex."Ganoderma lucidum" and its close relative, "Ganoderma tsugae", grow in the northern Eastern Hemlock forests. These two species of bracket fungus have a worldwide distribution in both tropical and temperate geographical regions, growing as a parasite or saprotroph on a wide variety of trees. Similar species of "Ganoderma" have been found growing in the Amazon.

In the wild, lingzhi grows at the base and stumps of deciduous trees, especially that of the maple. Only two or three out of 10,000 such aged trees will have lingzhi growth, and therefore it is extremely rare in its natural form. Today, lingzhi is effectively cultivated on hardwood logs or sawdust/woodchips.

Uses

Lingzhi mushroom is used in traditional Chinese medicine. In nature, it grows at the base and stumps of deciduous trees, especially that of the maple. Only two or three out of 10,000 such aged trees will have lingzhi growth, and therefore its wild form is extremely rare. Today, lingzhi is effectively cultivated on hardwood logs or sawdust/woodchips.