''Ganoderma tsugae'', also known as hemlock varnish shelf, is a flat
polypore
Polypores are a group of fungi that form large fruiting bodies with pores or tubes on the underside (see Delimitation for exceptions). They are a morphological group of basidiomycetes-like gilled mushrooms and hydnoid fungi, and not all polyp ...
mushroom of the genus ''
Ganoderma''.
Habitat
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.
Properties
Like ''G. lucidum'', ''G. tsugae'' is purported to have medicinal properties including use for dressing a skin wound.
Phylogenetic analysis
In biology, phylogenetics (; from Greek φυλή/ φῦλον [] "tribe, clan, race", and wikt:γενετικός, γενετικός [] "origin, source, birth") is the study of the evolutionary history and relationships among or within groups o ...
has begun to better differentiate between many closely related species of ''Ganoderma''; 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, because of its solid woody nature; however, teas and extracts made from its fruiting bodies supposedly allow medicinal use of the compounds it contains, although this is controversial within the scientific community. 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
triterpenoid
Triterpenes are a class of chemical compounds composed of three terpene units with the molecular formula C30H48; they may also be thought of as consisting of six isoprene units. Animals, plants and fungi all produce triterpenes, including squal ...
s.
The fresh, soft growth of the "lip" of ''G. tsugae'' can be sautéed and prepared much like other edible mushrooms. While in this nascent stage it is not woody, it can still be tough and chewy.
Medicinal use
Studies in mice have shown that ''G. tsugae'' shows several potential medicinal benefits including anti-tumor activity through some of the active polysaccharides found in ''G. tsugae'' ''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.
[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.
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q5521451
Ganodermataceae
Dietary supplements
Inedible fungi
Medicinal fungi