Ganoderma oregonense
Ganoderma oregonense (also known as the west-coast reishi, western varnished conk, lacquer fungus, and/or American ling-chi) is a species of bracket fungus that causes root and butt white rot in conifers in northwestern coastal North America.
Taxonomy
This species was originally described by W. A. Murrill as:
Description
Western varnished conk has a shiny brown-red-orange and sometimes cream-colored upper surface (often appearing as a color gradient), and white- or cream-colored pores. It can be shaped like a kidney or a fan or a hoof, or like a plate or stack of plates jammed into the side of a log. It fruits annually (rather than perennially), and usually shows up in the fall. They can grow up to
10–50 centimetres (4–19+1⁄2 in) wide, sometimes with a stem 2.5–10 cm (1–4 in) long and0.5–4 cm (1⁄4–1+1⁄2 in) thick.Similar species
G. oregonense is very similar to Ganoderma tsugae, but G. tsugae is associated with east coast Tsuga (hemlock) rather than west coast conifer. Its been speculated that G. oregonense and G. tsugae might actually be one species. Additionally, G. polychromum usually grows on the ground.
Distribution and habitat
It can be found in northwestern coastal North America, including California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, Yukon, and Alaska. It can be found year-round but is freshest from July to November.
Trees inoculated with G. oregonense end up with spongy, soft insides. It prefers dead red fir but will also accept dead or alive Douglas fir, spruce, hemlock, and pine. When this reishi is found on living trees it is usually consequent to tree wounds, such as bear marks.
Uses
According to Paul Stamets, this fungus is edible. This is unusual for a Ganoderma, specimens of which are usually far too tough to be eaten. (Reishi is often dried, powdered and consumed as a mushroom tea.)