A reddish-brown polypore with a glossy lacquered surface, native cousin to Asian medicinal reishi. Grows on dying or dead hemlocks.

Also called: Reishi

Native status: Native; widespread

§ Quick facts

SizeFruiting body 5–25 cm across
WeightVariable
LifespanFruiting body persists 2-5 years
OrderPolyporales
FamilyGanodermataceae

§ Encyclopedia

Lingzhi, also known as reishi, is a polypore fungus native to East Asia belonging to the genus Ganoderma.

Source: Wikipedia — Lingzhi (mushroom) Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Reddish-brown polypore with glossy lacquered surface.

Similar species. Other Ganoderma species.

Voice. N/A

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Saprotrophic — decomposes hardwood.

Behavior. Long-lived shelf fungus. Used in traditional medicine.

§ Range

Northeastern North America

§ Habitat

Dead and dying eastern hemlock trees

§ Threats

Hemlock decline due to woolly adelgid (their host tree), forest fragmentation.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the reishi (hemlock varnish shelf) is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Support hemlock adelgid treatment. Leave dead hemlocks standing where safe. Buy ethically sourced reishi only.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • Mycological Society of America
  • North American Mycological Association