False lingzhi unmasked: Scientists crack the 245-year mystery behind a medicinal mushroom mix-up

Scientists at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew clarified a 245-year taxonomy mix-up between Ganoderma lucidum, a European fungus, and Ganoderma lingzhi, the East Asian medicinal mushroom known as lingzhi or reishi. The study argues that misidentification has distorted research, labeling, and quality control in a major traditional medicine and supplement market.