Monograph of Ganoderma Lucidum

1.0 Definition

Ganoderma luicidum can be described as Gano – brightness or sheen and derma – skin (Greek). While lucidum means shining in Latin. It is a polypore mushroom which is from the family Polyporaceae. [1]

2.0 Synonyms

Reishi, Lingzhi, Ling Chi, Lacquered Bracket, Mannentake, and “Mushroom of Immortality”. [1]

3.0 Selected vernacular names

Reishi or Mannentake (Japan), Ling Chi, Ling Chih, or Ling Zhi (Chinese and Koreans). [1]

4.0 Geographical Distribution

Widely found and cultivated in temperate zones throughout the northern hemisphere from USA, Canada, Europe, Asia to Japan. It can also be found in the mountains of Central Africa. [1]

5.0 Description: Plant Morphology

Ganoderma lucidum has a pileus which varied from reniform to subcircular, and also from convex to concave (A-1 – A-4). The length of stipe can be very short which is shorter than the pileus radius (B-1) or quite long which is longer than the pileus radius (B-2). The stipe is attached to the pileus either laterally (C-1) or nearly centrally (C-2). The surface of pileus is radial furrows (D-1), or sometimes it appears with concentrically sulcate zones (D-2). The thickness of pileus varied from one layer (E-1) to several layers (E-2). Some of the pore surface has whitish colour (C-2, F-1), but there are also pore surface with yellowish colour (C-1, F-2). [2]

Figure 1: Morphology of Ganoderma lucidum

6.0 Description of plant material of interest

6.1 Macroscopic Characteristics

Stipe: very short stipe length; attachment of stipe to pileus from lateral to nearly central. Pileus: shape varied from subcircular to reniform and from concave to convex also; thickness of pileus showed from one layer (very thin) to several layers (very thick); pileus’s surface appeared in radial furrows or with concentrically sulcate zones. Pore surface have the colour varied from whitish to yellowish brown. Length of tube layer showed from very short to long. [2]

6.2 Organoleptic properties...