Ganoderma lucidum biophysical composition and description

Ganoderma lucidum growth is divided into three phases; the stages of spores, mycelium and the fruiting body. Its life cycle starts after the ripened fruiting body release spores. These spores would land on dead, decaying woods and in adequate condition will germinate into mycelium. Mycelia will then undergo into three stages, from primary to secondary to tertiary mycelia and eventually the fruiting body will sprout out and in its late phase, basidium is formed and basidiosphores will be produced.

Basidiosphores – Ganoderma lucidum's reproductive body, these single cell spores is oval in shape and brown in color. Its dimension is approximately 8-12 micrometers by 5-7 micrometers. Its outer covering is a double layered cell wall. Outer wall is smooth, colorless, and transparent. Pits and holes are seen under electron microscope. Dark brown is the color of the inner layer and inside the double layered cell wall is a cavity filled with thick cytoplasm with a nucleus and a yellow to bright yellowish-green oil droplet floating in the center.

To learn more about Ganoderma in the Philippines and its roots to Chinese Culture, please read Mycelium