sinense

Black Reishi

Ganoderma sinense is a distinct species known as 'Black Reishi' or 'Zi Zhi' in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is characterized by its deep purple to nearly black, glossy, varnished cap surface. The fruiting bodies are generally harder and more woody than Red Reishi. It lacks the yellow pore surface found in G. lingzhi, instead having a pale or brownish pore surface. Biologically, it is a wood-decaying fungus found on broadleaf trees. It is highly valued in TCM, often considered to have slightly different medicinal properties than Red Reishi (tonifying the kidneys rather than the heart/lung focus of Red Reishi). Cultivation is similar to other Ganoderma species but may require slightly warmer temperatures.