The name can bring to mind Chinese emperors, and ancient forests. Not surprising, as reishi has been used in china for over 2,000 years! This mushroom has a long history of use as an herbal medicine. Modern research is now confirming its healing power in the body. There are six different types of Ganoderma lucidium: red, purple, green, white, yellow, and black. The red mushroom is the most well-studied and is said to possess the most healing properties Reishi is known as ling zhi (mushroom of immortality) in China and mannentake (10,000 year mushroom) in Japan. It is sometimes also referred to as the “herb of spiritual potency.” This kit contains the red mushroom variety and will inoculate a 40” long log. Reishi appear shiny and brilliant when wet and dry to a dull, dusty color. All species of Ganoderma are defined as polypore. This means they have no gills on their undersides and release spores through small pores. If you flip a reishi mushroom over you will see the flat, corky area where spores are released. Younger growth on the mushroom emerges as white ring around the edge. Originally found in China, Japan, and Korea, reishi now grown on hardwood throughout the world. They are very rare to find in the wild. Most will have a red or brown cap with a roughly oval or kidney shape. However, if carbon dioxide levels are high enough a cap will not form and the mushrooms will look like long “antlers” or “fingers” instead.