A PHARMACOGNOSTICAL STUDY OF THE CHINESE DRUG LINGZHI (GANODERMA)

Lingzhi has been used in Chinese medicine since ancient times and was described practically in all Chinese Herbals, in which it is represented by many plants. The botanical source of Lingzhi are chiefly mature sporophores of Gctnoderrna lucidum(Leyss. ex Ft.) Karst. and G. japonicum (Ft.) Lloyd., family Polyporaceae.Owing to the ignorance of the collectors, this Chinese medicine has been found sometimes to be substituted or grossly adulterated by the sporophores of Polyporus montanus (Quel.), P. gramnocephalus Berk., Polysticus vernicipes (Berk.) Cke., Ganoderma capense (Lloyd.) Teng. and G. lobatum (Schw.) Atk.A brief account of their botanical sources and detailed description of their sensory, macroscopical, microscopical characters, physical and chemical reactions are given. Comparative and morphological studies on the abnormalities of these natural sporophores are also described.