Ganoderma tsugae

Ganoderma tsugae, also known as Hemlock varnish shelf, is a flat polypore mushroom of the genus Ganoderma.

Ganoderma tsugae
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Fungi
Division:	Basidiomycota
Class:	Agaricomycetes
Order:	Polyporales
Family:	Ganodermataceae
Genus:	Ganoderma
Species:	G. tsugae
Binomial name
Ganoderma tsugae

Ganoderma tsugae
float Mycological characteristics
	pores on hymenium
	cap is flat
	hymenium is adnate
	stipe is bare
	spore print is brown
	ecology is saprotrophic or parasitic
	edibility: inedible

Habit

In contrast to Ganoderma lucidum, to which it is closely related and which it closely resembles, G. tsugae tends to grow on conifers, especially hemlocks.[1]

Properties

Like G. lucidum, G. tsugae is said to have medicinal properties including use for dressing a skin wound.[2] Phylogenetic analysis has begun to better differentiate between many closely related species of Ganoderma;[3] however, there is still disagreement as to which have the most medicinal properties. In addition, variations within the same species as well as the growth substrate and environmental conditions all the way through to preparation can have a substantial effect on the medicinal value of the product.

Edibility

Like G. lucidum, G. tsugae is non-poisonous but generally considered inedible,[4] because of its solid woody nature; however, teas and extracts made from its fruiting bodies allow medicinal use of the compounds it contains. A hot water extraction or tea can be very effective for extracting the polysaccharides; however, an alcohol or alcohol/glycerin extraction method is more effective for the triterpenoids.[5]

Medicinal use

Studies in mice has shown that G. tsugae shows several potential medicinal benefits including anti-tumor activity through some of the active polysaccharides found in G. tsugae[6][7] G. tsugae has also been shown to significantly promote wound healing in mice as well as significantly increase the proliferation and migration of fibroblast cells in culture.[8]

References

1. Kuo, M., MushroomExpert.Com, Ganoderma tsugae. (2004, February). Retrieved June 15, 2007.
2. Ching-Hua Su1, et al., Taipei Medical University, Sacchachitin, a Skin Wound Dressing Material from Ganoderma tsugae Archived 2007-07-17 at the Wayback Machine, 2004. Retrieved June 16, 2007.
3. Soon Gyu Hong, Hack Sung Jung, Phylogenetic analysis of Ganoderma based on nearly complete mitochondrial small-subunit ribosomal DNA sequences, Mycologia July/August 2004 vol. 96 no. 4 742–55.
4. Meuninck, Jim (2017). Foraging Mushrooms Oregon: Finding, Identifying, and Preparing Edible Wild Mushrooms. Falcon Guides. p. 56. ISBN 978-1-4930-2669-2.
5. Gary Emberger, Messiah College, Ganoderma tsugae, 2006. Retrieved June 16, 2007.
6. Mizuno T, Wang G, Zhang J et al: Reishi, Ganoderma lucidum and Ganoderma tsugae: bioactive substances and medicinal effects. Food Rev Intl 1995; 11(1):151-166
7. Mayuzumi I, Okamoto H & Li J: Antitumor active protein-containing glycans from the Chinese mushroom songshan lingzhi, Ganoderma tsugae mycelium. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 1994; 58(7):1202-1205.
8. Su CH, Sun CS, Juan SW et al: Development of fungal mycelia as skin substitutes: effects on wound healing and fibroblast. Biomaterials 1999; 20(1):61-68.