Ganoderma

Ganoderma is a genus of polypore fungi in the family Ganodermataceae that includes about 80 species, many from tropical regions. They may be called shelf mushrooms or bracket fungi and have a high genetic diversity. Ganoderma can be differentiated from other polypores because they have a double-walled basidiospore. They are used in traditional Asian medicine.

Ganoderma is a genus of polypore fungi in the family Ganodermataceae that includes about 80 species, many from tropical regions. They may be called shelf mushrooms or bracket fungi and have a high genetic diversity. Ganoderma can be differentiated from other polypores because they have a double-walled basidiospore. They are used in traditional Asian medicine. Ganoderma sichuanense (=G. lingzhi) - Also known as lingzhi or reishi; used extensively in traditional Asian medicine. Ganoderma sinense - Also known as black reishi or zizhi. Ganoderma tsugae - A polypore which grows on conifers, especially hemlock, giving it its common name, hemlock varnish shelf. Similar in appearance to Ganoderma lucidum and a close relative, which typically grows on hardwoods. Ganoderma microsporum - A polypore found in Taiwan with a very small spore size. ==Distribution and ecology== Ganoderma are wood-decay fungi with a cosmopolitan distribution, often tropical. They can grow on both coniferous and hardwood species, causing a white rot. Some species can cause major long-term crop losses, especially with trees: G. orbiforme (= G. boninense), G. zonatum and G. miniatocinctum are responsible for basal stem rot disease in Asian oil palm plantations. G. philippii and G. pseudoferreum are responsible for the root rot of cacao, coffee, rubber and tea trees. This genus is a favorite food of some pleasing fungus beetles (family Erotylidae). Species recorded from Ganoderma include Dacne quadrimaculata which eats it occasionally, and Megalodacne fasciata which might depend on fungi of this genus to survive. For centuries, Ganoderma species have been used in traditional medicine in many parts of Asia. These species are often mislabeled as G. lucidum ', although genetic testing has shown this to be multiple species such as G. sichuanense (=G. lingzhi), and G. multipileum. There is, however no high-quality evidence that Ganoderma or its phytochemicals are medicinally effective in humans, e.g. for treating cancer. Several species of Ganoderma contain diverse phytochemicals with undefined properties in vivo, such as triterpenoids and polysaccharides, an area of investigation under basic research. The species have enzymes that allow them to break down wood components, such as lignin and cellulose. There has been significant research interest on the wood-degrading enzymes of Ganoderma species for industrial applications, such as biopulping and bioremediation. ==References==

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