Reishi mushrooms are a type of medicinal mushroom that is native to East Asia. In recent years, they have become popular for their purported health benefits, which include reducing inflammation, boosting energy levels, and aiding in the fight against cancer. While Reishi mushrooms can be found in many parts of the world, do reishi mushrooms grow in California?
Do Reishi Mushrooms Grow in Califronia?
There is a sub-specis that has been found to grow in California. Ganoderma oregonense: found in Oregon, Washington, and California, it has larger pores than Ganoderma lucidum.
It may be a decomposer or a parasitic fungus. The researchers are still debating whether this mushroom is a “facultative parasite,” but it appears to be one. The Reishi mushroom could be merely a opportunist if it is allowed to survive as a parasite on a living tree and will do so if the tree dies… it will live on the dead tree as a decomposer if it survives as a parasite on a living tree… It will be fine as a decomposer if only given decaying wood to harvest nutrients from.
There have been a few reports of people finding Reishi mushrooms in the wild in California, but it is unclear if these are actually wild-grown mushrooms or if they were brought there by humans. There are also no records of Reishi mushrooms being cultivated commercially in California. So, while it’s possible that Reishi mushrooms may grow in California, it’s likely that they are not found in large enough quantities to be harvested for commercial use. If you’re looking to add Reishi mushrooms to your diet, your best bet is to purchase them from a reputable retailer.
