Dongchang Ganoderma

Dongchang Ganoderma

　　Also known as wood ganoderma, red ganoderma, or red mushroom. It belongs to the class Basidiomycetes and the family Polyporaceae. Revered as the "herb of immortality" and the "king of all herbs." The *Erya Shuzhu* states: "When a ruler is benevolent, ganoderma grows," hence it is also called the "auspicious herb." The cap of the ganoderma is kidney-shaped, reddish-brown on top with a glossy sheen and cloud-like ring patterns; underneath it is pale yellow with many fine pores. The stem is long, reddish-brown, and glossy. Ganoderma thrives in environments with high temperature and humidity, strong diffused light, and good ventilation, often growing near the stumps of broadleaf trees, dead tree roots, and fallen logs, and it grows vigorously after the summer and autumn rainy seasons. Ganoderma is warm in nature, sweet in taste, and has medicinal properties such as nourishing vitality and strengthening bones and muscles. Wild ganoderma in the Changbai Mountain area is rare and highly prized. Cultivated ganoderma takes about 50–60 days for its fruiting body to mature.