Fungus · GBIF taxon 2549725
golden reishi
Ganoderma curtisiiAlso known as Curtis's Reishi, Golden Ganoderma, Yellow Reishi Shelf
Golden reishi forms striking bracket-like shelf mushrooms characterized by a shiny, varnished cap blending shades of yellow, orange, and cream. Found throughout eastern North American forests, it feeds primarily on decaying oak stumps and subterranean hardwood roots. As a key saprotrophic fungus, it breaks down tough wood fibers and recycles essential nutrients back into forest soil.
FungusBracket FungusWood Decay
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Saprotrophic (decaying wood)
Predators
- Fungus gnats
- Fungivorous beetles
- Slugs
ThreatsHabitat loss, deforestation
HabitatsDeciduous forests, oak stumps, decaying hardwood roots
Life spanPerennial or persistent annual fruit bodies
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderPolyporales
- FamilyPolyporaceae
- GenusGanoderma
- SpeciesGanoderma curtisii
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Many wild mushrooms have toxic look-alikes; never ingest wild fungi based on app identification alone.
Responsible observation
- Observation: Look near the base of hardwood trees or decaying oak stumps.
- Identification: Check for a pale yellow to reddish shell with a distinct varnished lacquer look.
- Handling: Leave the woody fruit body attached to allow continued spore dispersal.
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