Lingzhi (Ganoderma lucidum or Ganoderma sinense, more commonly referred to as Reishi) is an edible mushroom with an extensive medical history in eastern Asian countries, dating back over 2000 years. Studies have demonstrated its antitumor, antidiabetic, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective properties as well as having antiviral, antioxidant and antifibrotic effects1.1

Reishi tea has long been used as an effective means to promote both health and longevity. Used extensively throughout China and Japan as traditional medicine ingredients, today Reishi can also be found as an herbal supplement available here in the US.

No research exists that verifies Reishi health claims; some chemicals in Reishi may even be toxic at higher concentrations and others provide no benefit at all. Furthermore, Reishi supplements are unregulated and contain different quantities of key chemicals; the fungus itself can also be costly and difficult to find, especially in nature.

Reishi may be an well-known fungus, but not everyone knows about its wild cousin: Ganoderma Tsugae. This mushroom can be found throughout Appalachia on eastern hemlock bark and other conifers – though sometimes misunderstood for Reishi Lucidum which grows more commonly and less hardily on hardwoods east of the Rockies. Hemlock varnish shelf mushrooms usually grow alone or in groups; however they can sometimes grow gregariously as seen below.

This fungus gets its name from its fruiting bodies which are dark reddish brown with glossy surfaces resembling varnish, appearing shiny when fresh but turning tan-white as they age and have the texture of suede leather when aged. Their caps typically take the form of kidney bean or fan shapes and range in width from 5-30 cm wide; their smooth undersurface becomes tan to white in age while their pores can be felt easily with your fingernail when freshly harvested and slowly turn slightly spongy with ageing. When young, their caps may feel sticky before becoming less sticky over time as their surfaces age further mature spongy.

Hemlock varnish shelf is both parasitic and saprobic, meaning that it benefits from decaying wood in its host trees while contributing to further decay. You may come across this fungus year-round in our region; its activity typically peaking during fall and spring seasons.

Ganoderma tsugae can often be found growing together with Ganoderma oregonense, an equally rare but similar hemlock varnish shelf species. They share many similar traits; one way they differ are larger spores in G. oregonense than in G. tsugae. Up until recently, researchers thought these two species coexisted on wood from various conifers across California and Oregon, however this theory has yet to be proven by current research studies.

When harvesting hemlock varnish shelf, wait until the fruiting bodies become maroon in color and their white edges have disappeared to indicate they have released their spores. Take only small portions from each cap as this ensures plenty of spores remain for future growth in the forest.