Ganoderma lucidum
Ganoderma lucidum
Common Names: Reishi, Varnished conk
Type: Medicinal
Reishi is arguably one of the most beautiful mushrooms in the world.
It starts in “antler” form, with tiny finger like projections that eventually spread out and transform into large, shiny-red “conks.”
This mushroom is definitely not a good choice for the kitchen. It is as tough as the wood it grows on, and insanely bitter.
However, Reishi has powerful medicinal properties which make it a prime candidate for cultivation all over the world.
Traditionally, this mushroom is prepared by making a tea, using hot water to extract the beneficial compounds.
Reishi is typically grown on hardwood sawdust indoors, or on buried hardwood stumps outdoors. It’s a slow growing warm weather species, and requires much less humidity than most other species.