Michael Davis
Reishi mushrooms, also known as lingzhi, are polypore fungi native to East Asia. They are revered for their health benefits and have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. The mushrooms grow on the roots or base of hardwood trees, such as oak and maple, and are distinguished by their fan or kidney-shaped caps. While the colour of reishi mushrooms can vary depending on the species, climate, and weather conditions, they are typically associated with shades of red, orange, yellow, and white.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Names | Lingzhi, Ganoderma sichuanense, Reishi, Ganoderma lingzhi, Mannentake, Kadodetake, Hijiridake, Magoshakushi, Yeongji, Yeongjibeoseot, Bullocho, Jicho, Ganoderma lucidum, Ganoderma tsugae, Ganoderma oreganese, Ganoderma sessile, Ganoderma capense, Ganoderma resinaceum, Ganoderma carnosum, Red Belted Conk, Chicken of the Woods, Turkey Tail, Yunzhi, Agarikon, Artist's Conk, Velvet-Top Fungus |
| Colors | Red, Black, White, Purple, Blue, Green, Yellow, Brown, Orange, Grey, Beige |
| Cap Colors | Red, Reddish-Brown, Brown, Tan, White, Grey, Beige |
| Cap Appearance | Fan-shaped, Kidney-shaped, Lacquered, Varnished, Wet, Shiny, Smooth, Dull, Woody, Fuzzy, Shellacked, Scalloped |
| Cap Underside | White, Yellowish, Brown, Beige |
| Growth | On dead or dying trees, especially deciduous trees like maple and oak |
| Seasonality | Summer to Fall |
| Harvest | Reishi mushrooms can be harvested repeatedly until the wood they grow on completely rots |
| Spore Print Color | Dark Brown |
| Medicinal Benefits | Support healthy function of internal organs like the liver, lungs, and heart; relief for side effects of chemotherapy; antimicrobial properties; immune-supportive and anti-inflammatory |
| Ancient Beliefs | Connected to the "Herb of Spiritual Potency", the "Mushroom of Immortality", the "Numinous Mushroom", and the "divine mushroom" |
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What You'll Learn
Reishi mushrooms are typically red
The red reishi mushroom, also known as Ganoderma lingzhi or lucidum, is the most popular species. It is native to East Asia and grows at the base and stumps of deciduous trees, especially maples. The red variety is also found in North America, with species such as Ganoderma tsugae and Ganoderma oreganese. The red reishi mushroom is known for its smooth, varnished, kidney-shaped cap with bands and a peripherally inserted stem, giving it a distinct fan-like appearance. Young reishi mushrooms have a wet and shiny look to them, almost as if they have been varnished. As they age, the caps become duller in colour and may fade to brown.
The red reishi mushroom is highly sought after for its medicinal properties. It is believed to support the healthy function of internal organs, such as the liver, lungs, and heart. In 2010, Ganoderma sinense tablets, derived from the red reishi mushroom, were approved by the Chinese State Food and Drug Administration as a relief for the side effects of chemotherapy. Additionally, the red reishi mushroom is known to have immune-system-supporting health benefits. Many Chinese herbalists carry these fungi as they are known to support healthy lung function.
While there are look-alikes, such as the red belted conk (Fomitopsis pinicola) that can be mistaken for reishi mushrooms, there are distinct features that can help with identification. For example, the underside of a reishi mushroom will bruise if scratched, whereas the red belted conk will not. Additionally, the red belted conk has a white or yellowish spore print, while the reishi mushroom will leave a dark brown spore print.
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They can also be purple, black, white or yellow
Reishi mushrooms are most commonly known for their reddish-brown caps, but they can also be purple, black, white, or yellow. In fact, during the Ming Dynasty, the Ben Cao Gang Mu (Compendium of Materia Medica) noted six different colours of Reishi Mushroom: red, black, white, purple, green/blue, and yellow. These colours were related to the Five Elements Theory in Traditional Chinese Medicine, with each colour connected to a specific organ system within the body.
Purple Reishi, for example, is considered to have similar healing properties to Red Reishi, but it is less potent due to lower levels of certain compounds. It is often used for its immune-supportive and anti-inflammatory qualities and is sometimes sold as Black Reishi. White Reishi, or Agarikon, is one of the earliest known medicines, even dating back to Ancient Greece. It has been traditionally used to treat lung conditions, as a laxative, and to aid digestion.
While the red variety is the most well-known and popular, the different colours of Reishi mushrooms are believed to offer varying levels of triterpenes, phenolic compounds, and branching patterns of beta-d-glucans, resulting in a range of potential healing benefits. However, it's important to note that the colour of Reishi medicinal mushrooms can change depending on the season and weather conditions.
Reishi mushrooms are typically distinguished by their fan or kidney-shaped caps, which may exhibit shades of orange, yellow, and white towards the outer edge. They are shiny and wet-looking when young, gaining a duller appearance as they age. The underside of the cap should be white, grey, or beige, and the mushrooms lack gills on their undersides.
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The caps of Ganoderma sessile mushrooms are soft and bendable
Reishi mushrooms, also known as Ganoderma mushrooms, have been used for their medicinal qualities for thousands of years. They are often referred to as the "mushroom of immortality" and are believed to confer longevity. With over 80 different species of reishi mushrooms worldwide, they can be found growing on dead or dying trees in Asia, North and South America, Australia, and Southern Europe.
The caps of Ganoderma sessile mushrooms stand out from other reishi varieties as they are notably soft and bendable. Ganoderma sessile is an annual fungus, typically found on oak, maple, and other hardwood trees. It is characterised by a red, laccate (lacquered) cap, which can range from 3 to 16 inches in diameter. The flesh of the Ganoderma sessile is soft, rubbery, and flexible, and when cut or damaged, it exudes a resinous liquid resembling tree sap once dried.
In contrast, Ganoderma applantum, another variety of reishi mushroom, presents as a hard and woody fungus. Its cap tends to be brown and dull in colour, and it often requires the use of a saw for cutting. Ganoderma applantum can be found on various tree species, both hardwood and softwood, and its size can vary significantly, ranging from 2 to 30 inches wide.
The distinct features of the Ganoderma sessile mushroom, particularly its soft and bendable cap, set it apart from other reishi species. Its medicinal properties, shared by all reishi mushrooms, make it a valuable find for those seeking the health benefits associated with this ancient fungus.
Reishi mushrooms, with their fan or kidney-shaped caps, are easily recognisable. While their colours can vary, they are often reddish-brown with shades of orange, yellow, and white towards the edges. Young reishi mushrooms have a wet, shiny appearance, while older specimens tend to become duller in colour. The caps of reishi mushrooms may also exhibit tree-like rings, further enhancing their unique visual appeal.
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Ganoderma applantum is a woody variety with a brown underside
Reishi mushrooms, also known as lingzhi, are polypore fungi that are native to East Asia. They are often reddish-brown with bands and a peripherally inserted stem, giving them a distinct fan-like appearance. The colour of the mushroom's cap may vary, ranging from shades of red, orange, yellow, and white towards the outer edge.
Ganoderma applantum, also known as the artist's fungus, is a variety of reishi mushroom that is particularly woody and hard. Its colour tends to be more brown and dull compared to other reishi mushrooms, and it is often so dry and hard that a saw is required to cut it. The underside of G. applantum is creamy white and can be scratched with a sharp object to reveal brown marks, creating artistic images. This unique characteristic gives the fungus its common name.
G. applantum is a wood-decay fungus, causing rot in the heartwood of various tree species, including beech, poplar, alder, apple, elm, buckeye, horse chestnut, maple, oak, live oak, walnut, willow, western hemlock, Douglas fir, olive trees, and spruce. It is widespread in Britain, Ireland, and mainland Europe, particularly in central and northern regions.
The medicinal properties of G. applantum have been recognised for thousands of years, especially in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine. It has been used to treat conditions such as rheumatic tuberculosis, oesophageal carcinoma, indigestion, pain relief, and phlegm reduction. The fungus contains compounds with potent antitumor, antibacterial, and antifibrotic properties, making it a valuable medicinal crop.
In addition to its medicinal uses, G. applantum is also employed as a flavour enhancer in Asian cuisine, particularly in hot herbal soups or as a tea. It is non-digestible in its raw form due to its toughness. The fungus is also utilised in the production of amadou, a leathery and flammable material used for fire-making, medicinal, and clothing purposes.
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Reishi mushrooms are often shiny
Reishi mushrooms, also known as lingzhi, are polypore fungi native to East Asia. They are highly revered in traditional Chinese medicine and have been for over 2,000 years. They are often referred to as the "'mushroom of immortality".
Reishi mushrooms are distinctive in appearance and are characterised by their shiny, varnished caps. The caps are fan or kidney-shaped and can be reddish-brown in colour, with bands and a white, grey or beige underside. The caps may also display varying shades of orange, yellow and white toward the outer edge.
Young reishi mushrooms have a particularly shiny appearance, almost as if they have been varnished or lacquered. This shiny quality is a distinct feature of the species and can be used to identify reishi mushrooms in the wild. The caps of older mushrooms tend to become duller and may fade to brown, making them harder to identify.
While there are no poisonous mushrooms that resemble reishi mushrooms, there are other fungi with similar appearances. The red belted conk, for example, has a red centre that lightens to white around the edges, similar to the reishi mushroom. However, the underside of a reishi mushroom will bruise if scratched, whereas the red belted conk will not.
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Frequently asked questions
Reishi mushrooms are typically red, but they can also be purple, black, white, blue, green, or yellow.
Yes, there are over 200 known species of reishi mushrooms, but only a small number have been scientifically studied. The most common species is Ganoderma lingzhi (or lucidum).
Yes, reishi mushrooms are known for their numerous health benefits and are often used in traditional medicine. They are believed to support the healthy function of internal organs, such as the liver, lungs, and heart.
Reishi mushrooms are shelf mushrooms that grow horizontally out of the trunks of trees. They have a distinct fan-like or kidney-shaped cap with a reddish-brown or reddish color that may lighten to orange, yellow, or white towards the edges. They are shiny and smooth, with white pores on the underside.
