''Ganoderma tornatum'' is a

fungal A fungus ( : fungi or funguses) is any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, separately from th ...

plant pathogen Plant pathology (also phytopathology) is the scientific study of diseases in plants caused by pathogens (infectious organisms) and environmental conditions (physiological factors). Organisms that cause infectious disease include fungi, oomyc ...

in the genus ''

Ganoderma ''Ganoderma'' is a genus of polypore fungi in the family Ganodermataceae that includes about 80 species, many from tropical regions. They have a high genetic diversity and are used in traditional Asian medicines. ''Ganoderma'' can be differenti ...

''. It is a species of

basidiomycete Basidiomycota () is one of two large divisions that, together with the Ascomycota, constitute the subkingdom Dikarya (often referred to as the "higher fungi") within the kingdom Fungi. Members are known as basidiomycetes. More specifically, Basi ...

fungi in the family

Polyporaceae The Polyporaceae are a family of poroid fungi belonging to the Basidiomycota. The flesh of their fruit bodies varies from soft (as in the case of the dryad's saddle illustrated) to very tough. Most members of this family have their hymeniu ...

(members are also known as bracket fungi, or polypores). Like other polypores, its physical characteristics include a rigid and tough texture and a shelf-like appearance. Most specimens of G. tornatum have a dark brown upper surface, though the ones found in the northwest of India and Pakistan have a lighter appearance. Ganoderma tornatum also have thin, shiny horn-like layers, distinguishing them from

Ganoderma applanatum ''Ganoderma applanatum'' (the artist's bracket, artist's conk, artist's fungus or bear bread) is a bracket fungus with a cosmopolitan distribution. Description This fungus is parasitic and saprophytic, and grows as a mycelium within the wood o ...

. It does not have a long and thin stipe like Ganoderma cochlear. It is distributed widely throughout the tropics, appearing to be one of the most common species of Ganoderma there. Some places it occurs is south of the Sahara desert, the shores of the Pacific Ocean in Canada, and the north west of India and Pakistan, and from the Philippines to New Caledonia and Papua. It is not clear if this species occurs in South America, as few specimens are available. Physiologically, their mode of transmission is likely primarily through air-borne

spores In biology, a spore is a unit of sexual or asexual reproduction that may be adapted for dispersal and for survival, often for extended periods of time, in unfavourable conditions. Spores form part of the life cycles of many plants, algae, f ...

, as no

rhizomorphs Mycelial cords are linear aggregations of parallel-oriented hyphae. The mature cords are composed of wide, empty vessel hyphae surrounded by narrower sheathing hyphae. Cords may look similar to plant roots, and also frequently have similar function ...

have been found. While temperature increases decrease their spore size its spore size was found to be 7.5-8.35-9.5 X 5-5.8-7 micrometers in one sample. In addition to parasitizing

oil palms ''Elaeis'' () is a genus of palms containing two species, called oil palms. They are used in commercial agriculture in the production of palm oil. The African oil palm ''Elaeis guineensis'' (the species name ''guineensis'' referring to its cou ...

, the Ganoderma tornatum has a variety of hosts, in comparison to other Ganoderma species. References

External links

USDA ARS Fungal Database
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ganoderma tornatum Fungal plant pathogens and diseases Ganodermataceae Fungi described in 1828 Taxa named by Christiaan Hendrik Persoon