Sarah Brown
Referred to as the mushroom of immortality in traditional Chinese medicine, reishi mushrooms are one of the most well-known medicinal mushrooms. They have been used for thousands of years in China, Japan, Korea, and other Asian countries. Reishi mushrooms are relatively easy to identify due to their unique appearance. They have a distinct varnish and colour gradient, with fan-like or kidney-shaped caps that range in colour from reddish-brown to deep mahogany red. They are saprotrophic, meaning they grow on dead or decaying hardwood trees such as oak, elm, beech, and maple. While they can be found in various locations, they are most commonly associated with wooded areas and are more likely to be spotted during the autumn season.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Names | Reishi, Lingzhi, "Mushroom of Immortality", "10,000-year mushroom" |
| Scientific Name | Ganoderma lucidum |
| Appearance | Deep mahogany red, reddish-brown, shiny, zoned bracket fungus |
| Shape | Kidney-shaped, semicircular, fan-shaped |
| Size | 2-8 inches in diameter, rarely over 12 inches |
| Texture | Hard, shiny, zoned |
| Pores | Circular to angular, whitish to brown |
| Spore Print | Brown |
| Spores | Elliptical, with double wall |
| Stalk | Rarely present |
| Age | Older reishi have tough flesh and dull caps due to dust and spores |
| Host | Found on dead or dying trees, stumps, logs, roots; prefers hardwood trees, especially oaks |
| Region | Found in North America and Asia |
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What You'll Learn
Reishi mushrooms have a fan or kidney shape
Reishi mushrooms are known for their fan or kidney shape. They are also admired for their elegant and glossy fruiting bodies. The caps of reishi mushrooms are reddish-brown with a wet, lacquered appearance when young. The shiny cap is one of the main identifying features of this mushroom. Young reishi mushrooms look like knobs or ladles with long handles. They are soft and oddly shaped and only take on their full fan shape after a few weeks. The growth shape of the reishi mushroom is largely determined by where it is growing. For example, reishi growing on the side of a tree will grow horizontally outwards. On the other hand, specimens fruiting on logs often develop stems that arch to allow them to grow horizontally.
Reishi mushrooms are polypore mushrooms, meaning they release their spores from the pale, porous underside. The fruiting bodies are typically 2–8 inches in diameter. However, variations in their shape and size are influenced by environmental factors and genetics specific to the strain. Reishi mushrooms are saprotrophic, meaning they feed on dead organic matter. They can be found on dead or dying trees, old stumps, or logs. The different species are particular about their host tree. Species that prefer hardwoods rarely use conifers and vice versa. Some types even limit themselves to just one or two tree types within the hardwood or conifer families.
Reishi mushrooms are also known as the "mushroom of immortality" and have been used medicinally in Asian cultures for thousands of years. They are believed to have various health benefits, such as supporting vitality, promoting relaxation, and encouraging whole-body wellness. In ancient China, they were even reserved exclusively for royalty and nobility. Today, reishi mushrooms are widely available and embraced by people worldwide.
Identifying reishi mushrooms is not very difficult. Their deep mahogany red caps with a shiny, lacquered appearance make them stand out in the woods. However, it is important to note that there are several species of reishi mushrooms, and they all look very similar. Therefore, it can be challenging to tell them apart.
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They grow on dead or decaying hardwood trees
Reishi mushrooms are saprotrophic, meaning they feed on dead organic matter. They grow on dead or decaying hardwood trees, stumps, fallen logs, and branches. They are particularly fond of oaks and are rarely found on the ground or in fields.
The caps of reishi mushrooms are kidney or fan-shaped, with a reddish-brown, shiny top and a lacquered appearance. The caps are typically 2-8 inches in diameter, although some can grow up to 14 inches. The caps may or may not have a stem, and their growth shape is determined by where they are growing. For example, reishi growing on the side of a tree will grow horizontally, while those on logs may develop arched stems to facilitate horizontal growth.
Reishi mushrooms are easy to identify due to their distinct appearance. They start as creamy tan or white nubs and gradually develop a deep mahogany red or reddish-brown colour. Dust and spores may gather on top of the caps, giving them a dull appearance, but brushing this off will reveal a shiny surface underneath.
Reishi mushrooms are prized for their medicinal properties and have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. They are believed to promote longevity, relaxation, and overall health and wellness. However, it is important to exercise caution when consuming wild mushrooms, as some can be toxic or cause adverse reactions.
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Their caps are reddish with a varnished appearance
Reishi mushrooms are polypore mushrooms that grow on wood, most commonly on dead stumps or fallen logs of deciduous trees, especially oaks. They are saprotrophic, meaning they feed on dead organic matter. Reishi mushrooms have been used medicinally in Asian cultures for thousands of years and also grow in the wild in North America.
The caps of reishi mushrooms are kidney or fan-shaped. Their caps are reddish with a varnished appearance, and their topsides are glossy, almost lacquered, especially when wet. Young reishi mushrooms have a wet, lacquered appearance, while older reishi caps are reddish-brown. The caps are also zoned, with colour bands of red, yellow, and white. The caps are hard and flat, with a shiny, red-brown top. They are typically 1-14 inches wide and rarely get larger than a foot across.
Reishi mushrooms are easy to identify due to their distinct appearance. They start out as creamy tan or white nubs, but as they mature, dust and spores gather on top of the caps, making them look dull. However, if you brush off the grime, you will find a shiny surface underneath.
It is important to note that while reishi mushrooms have medicinal qualities, there are also many wild mushrooms that can be dangerous or even deadly. Therefore, it is crucial to correctly identify any wild mushrooms before consuming them.
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They have a white underside when fresh
Reishi mushrooms are known for their medicinal qualities and distinct appearance. They are polypore mushrooms, meaning they release spores from their undersides. When fresh, the undersides of reishi mushrooms are whitish, and this is an important identifying feature.
The underside of a reishi mushroom is not always white, however. As the mushroom matures, dust and spores gather on top of the caps, and if left undisturbed, these spores can make the underside appear brown. Brushing off this dust layer can reveal a shiny, white surface underneath.
Reishi mushrooms are also characterised by their reddish-brown caps, which have a varnished or lacquered appearance, especially when wet. The caps are kidney or fan-shaped, and the mushrooms are typically found on dead or dying trees and old stumps or logs. They are saprotrophic, meaning they feed on dead organic matter.
Reishi mushrooms are prized for their medicinal properties and have been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine. They are believed to promote longevity and good health and are often incorporated into wellness routines. While reishi mushrooms are widely celebrated for their health benefits, it is important to exercise caution when consuming wild mushrooms. Proper identification is crucial, and even then, it is recommended to start by consuming only a small amount to avoid any adverse reactions.
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They are most in season from summer to fall
Reishi mushrooms are most in season from summer to fall, although you may find older mushrooms on trees all year round. They fruit in warmer weather, from spring through fall. In nature, they are quite rare, with only two or three out of 10,000 hardwood trees estimated to have reishi mushrooms growing on them. They are saprotrophic, meaning they feed on dead organic matter, so you will mostly find them on dead or dying trees, particularly old logs or stumps.
Reishi mushrooms prefer to grow on hardwood trees like oak, elm, beech, and maple. However, some species prefer conifers, especially hemlock. They do not grow on the ground or in fields. Instead, they are always attached to some type of wood, most often a dead stump or fallen log.
Reishi mushrooms are slow growers and are determined, strong mushrooms that will burst through bags in search of air. They require specific climatic conditions for optimal growth and thrive in environments with high humidity and low light, typically preferring shaded areas with minimal exposure to direct sunlight.
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Frequently asked questions
Reishi mushrooms have a distinct fan or kidney shape, with a reddish cap that may have shades of orange, yellow, and white toward the outer edge. They grow on dead or decaying hardwood trees, such as oak, elm, beech, and maple, and are most commonly found during the autumn season.
Reishi mushrooms are saprotrophic, meaning they feed on dead or decaying organic matter. They do not grow on the ground but are always attached to some type of wood, typically old stumps or fallen logs. Their caps have a shiny, varnished appearance and may be covered in dust and spores, giving them a dull look.
Analyzing the spore print is an effective method to distinguish reishi mushrooms from their look-alikes. Reishi mushrooms produce a white spore print, while false reishi mushrooms and varnished conks have brown spore prints. Additionally, reishi mushrooms are larger, with caps reaching up to 10 inches in diameter, while false reishi mushrooms tend to be smaller.
