Medicinal Fungi Taxonomy
The Society for Integrative Phytomedicine (SIPM) is an international organization dedicated to the development of standards for phytomedicine, medicinal fungi, and related natural health products. The work of preparing SIPM Standards is carried out through technical committees composed of experts from academia, industry, regulatory bodies, and healthcare practice.
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This document was prepared by Technical Committee TC 2, Fungi and Lichens.
This is the first edition of SIPM 0002.
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1. Introduction
Medicinal fungi have been used for therapeutic purposes across cultures for millennia. In recent decades, scientific research has validated many traditional uses and identified bioactive compounds with significant pharmacological properties. As the medicinal fungi industry grows, accurate taxonomy and standardized nomenclature become essential for quality control, safety, and regulatory compliance.
This document establishes standards for the taxonomic classification and nomenclature of medicinal fungi used in phytomedicine and natural health products. It addresses the unique challenges of fungal taxonomy, including the distinction between anamorph and teleomorph states, the complexity of fungal species complexes, and the need for consistent naming across scientific, commercial, and regulatory contexts.
The standards presented here are designed to:
Ensure accurate identification of medicinal fungi species
Promote consistent nomenclature in scientific and commercial contexts
Facilitate communication between researchers, manufacturers, and regulators
Support quality control and traceability throughout the supply chain
Contribute to the conservation of medicinal fungi biodiversity
This document is intended to be used in conjunction with SIPM-0001 (Terminology for Phytomedicine) and relevant analytical standards in the SIPM-0300 series.
2. Scope
This document specifies requirements for the taxonomic classification and nomenclature of medicinal fungi used in phytomedicine and natural health products.
It is applicable to:
Scientific research and publication involving medicinal fungi
Cultivation, collection, and trade of medicinal fungi raw materials
Manufacturing and quality control of medicinal fungi products
Regulatory submissions and compliance
Education and training in mycology and phytomedicine
This document covers:
Basidiomycetes (mushrooms, bracket fungi)
Ascomycetes (morels, truffles, Cordyceps)
Other fungi used for therapeutic purposes
This document does not cover:
Detailed cultivation methods (addressed in SIPM-0200 series)
Specific analytical methods (addressed in SIPM-0300 series)
Clinical protocols (addressed in SIPM-0400 series)
Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
3. Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply. Terms defined in SIPM-0001 also apply where relevant.
3.1. medicinal fungus
alt:[medicinal mushroom]
fungal species that contains substances which can be used for therapeutic purposes or which are precursors for the synthesis of useful drugs
3.2. basidiomycete
member of the phylum Basidiomycota, characterized by the production of spores on a basidium
Note | Common medicinal basidiomycetes include Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), Shiitake (Lentinula edodes), and Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor). |
3.3. ascomycete
member of the phylum Ascomycota, characterized by the production of spores in an ascus
Note | Common medicinal ascomycetes include Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis), Morel (Morchella spp.), and Chaga (Inonotus obliquus). |
3.4. fruiting body
alt:[sporocarp] alt:[mushroom]
reproductive structure of a fungus that produces and disperses spores
3.5. mycelium
vegetative part of a fungus, consisting of a network of fine white filaments (hyphae)
3.6. sclerotium
compact mass of hardened fungal mycelium containing food reserves, capable of remaining dormant for extended periods
Note | The sclerotium of Poria cocos (Fu Ling) is used medicinally. |
3.7. spore
reproductive unit of a fungus, capable of developing into a new organism
3.8. anamorph
asexual reproductive state of a fungus
Note | Some medicinal fungi are primarily known by their anamorph names. |
3.9. teleomorph
sexual reproductive state of a fungus
3.10. holomorph
complete fungus including both anamorph and teleomorph states
3.11. species complex
group of closely related species that are difficult to distinguish morphologically
Note | Species complexes are common in medicinal fungi and may have different bioactive profiles. |
3.12. strain
genetically distinct isolate or subpopulation within a fungal species
Note | Different strains of the same species may vary in their production of bioactive compounds. |
4. Taxonomic classification
4.1. General requirements
The taxonomic classification of medicinal fungi shall follow the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN).
4.2. Taxonomic hierarchy
Medicinal fungi shall be classified according to the following taxonomic hierarchy:
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species
4.3. Scientific names
4.3.1. Latin binomial
The scientific name of a medicinal fungus shall be expressed as a Latin binomial consisting of genus name (capitalized) and species epithet (lowercase).
4.3.2. Author citation
When first mention of a species is made in a document, the author citation shall be included.
4.3.3. Taxonomic authorities
Taxonomic nomenclature shall be verified against recognized databases:
Index Fungorum
MycoBank
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility)
UNITE database for molecular identification
4.4. Synonyms and deprecated names
4.4.1. Synonym handling
When a species has known synonyms, the currently accepted name shall be used as the primary identifier. Common synonyms may be listed for reference.
4.4.2. Deprecated names
Names that have been taxonomically rejected or superseded shall be marked as deprecated and shall not be used as primary identifiers.
4.5. DNA-based authentication
DNA barcoding shall be performed when morphological identification is inconclusive or when verification of species identity is required for quality control purposes.
4.5.1. ITS region as primary barcode
The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of nuclear ribosomal DNA shall be used as the primary DNA barcode for fungal identification.
Note | The ITS region is formally recognized as the universal DNA barcode for fungi by the Consortium for the Barcode of Life [Schoch C.L. et al.]. |
4.5.2. Required elements for DNA barcoding
DNA barcoding analysis shall include the following elements:
a) Primer pair: ITS1/ITS4 (or equivalent universal fungal primers) <1> b) Reference database: UNITE (https://unite.ut.ee) <2> c) Sequence similarity threshold: ≥99% for species-level identification <3> d) Documentation: GenBank accession number for reference sequences
Universal primers such as ITS1 (5'-TCCGTAGGTGAACCTGCGG-3') and ITS4 (5'-TCCTCCGCTTATTGATATGC-3') provide coverage for >99% of ascomycete and basidiomycete taxa [Tooming-Klunderud A. et al.].
UNITE is the primary reference database for fungal ITS sequences with curated species hypotheses [Nilsson R.H. et al.].
A threshold of 99% sequence similarity is suitable for distinguishing species in most fungal lineages using the entire ITS region [Riik T. et al.].
4.5.3. Quality control requirements
DNA barcoding for quality control shall meet the following criteria:
DNA extraction: Use validated extraction methods yielding high-quality DNA (A260/A280 ratio 1.8-2.0)
PCR amplification: Positive control (known species) and negative control (no template) shall be included
Sequencing: Bidirectional sequencing with minimum 2x coverage
Data analysis: BLAST comparison against curated reference sequences
Reporting: Sequence identity percentage, alignment length, and E-value shall be documented
4.5.4. Species complexes
For species within taxonomically complex groups (e.g., Ganoderma lucidum complex, Cordyceps sinensis complex), ITS sequencing alone may be insufficient for definitive identification. In such cases, multilocus phylogenetic analysis using additional markers (e.g., EF1-α, RPB2, nLSU) shall be performed [Zhou L.W. et al.].
[Adotey G. et al.] (review of Ganoderma systematics and molecular identification)
| Accepted name | Common synonyms | Common name | Key bioactive compounds |
|---|---|---|---|
Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) P. Karst. | G. lingzhi, G. sichuanense | Reishi, Lingzhi | Triterpenes (ganoderic acids), β-glucans, polysaccharides |
Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Pegler | Lentinus edodes | Shiitake | Lentinan (β-glucan), eritadenine, ergosterol |
Trametes versicolor (L.) Lloyd | Coriolus versicolor, Polyporus versicolor | Turkey Tail, Yun Zhi | Polysaccharopeptide (PSP), polysaccharide-K (PSK) |
Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Berk.) G.H. Sung et al. | Cordyceps sinensis | Caterpillar fungus, Yartsa Gunbu | Cordycepin, adenosine, polysaccharides |
Inonotus obliquus (Ach. ex Pers.) Pilát | Fuscoporia obliqua | Chaga | Betulinic acid, inotodiol, polysaccharides, triterpenoids |
Hericium erinaceus (Bull.) Pers. | Hydnum erinaceus | Lion’s Mane, Yamabushitake | Hericenones, erinacines (neurotrophic compounds) |
Note | The taxonomic status of Ganoderma lucidum remains complex; molecular studies indicate that the name has been applied to multiple distinct species. The name "G. lingzhi" is commonly applied to cultivated Asian strains, while European "G. lucidum" represents a different taxon [Zhou L.W. et al.]. For commercial products, DNA-based authentication is strongly recommended [Adotey G. et al.]. |
| Species | Primary bioactive compounds | Evidence-based applications |
|---|---|---|
Ganoderma lucidum | Triterpenes (ganoderic acids A, B, C, D, H); β-(1→3)-D-glucans; polysaccharide-protein complexes | Immunomodulation, hepatoprotection, anticancer (adjuvant therapy); systematic reviews support immunomodulatory effects [Wang L. et al.] |
Lentinula edodes | Lentinan (β-(1→3)-D-glucan with β-(1→6) branching); eritadenine; ergosterol (provitamin D2) | Immunomodulation, cholesterol reduction; clinical evidence for adjuvant cancer therapy [Chakraborty A. & Beura S.] |
Trametes versicolor | Polysaccharide-K (PSK), polysaccharopeptide (PSP); β-glucans | Adjuvant cancer therapy (breast, colorectal); immunomodulation; clinical trials demonstrate improved survival outcomes [Fisher A.L. et al.] |
Ophiocordyceps sinensis | Cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine); adenosine; polysaccharides; ergosterol | Renal function, exercise performance, respiratory function; limited clinical data due to rarity and cost [Li X. et al.] |
Inonotus obliquus | Betulinic acid, inotodiol, lanostane triterpenoids; polysaccharides; melanin complexes | Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotection; preclinical evidence primarily [Glamo M. et al.] |
Hericium erinaceus | Hericenones (fruiting body), erinacines (mycelium); NGF-inducing compounds | Cognitive function, mood support; clinical trials show modest improvements in mild cognitive impairment [Saitsu Y. et al.] |
5. Nomenclature standards
5.1. General requirements
This clause establishes standards for the use of nomenclature in scientific publications, product labels, and regulatory documents.
5.2. Documentation requirements
5.2.1. Required elements
The following elements shall be included in all references to medicinal fungi:
a) Scientific name (genus and species) b) Authority citation (on first mention) c) Part of fungus used (fruiting body, mycelium, sclerotium, etc.) d) Source (wild-collected or cultivated)
5.2.2. Recommended elements
The following elements are recommended for comprehensive documentation:
Strain identifier (if applicable)
Geographic origin
Cultivation method
Harvest date
5.3. Product labeling
5.3.1. Standard format
Product labels shall include the scientific name of the fungal ingredient.
5.3.2. Common names
Common names may be included alongside scientific names but shall not replace them as the primary identifier.
5.4. Quality control documentation
5.4.1. Voucher specimens
Voucher specimens shall be preserved for all medicinal fungi used in research or commercial production.
Note | See SIPM-0001 for requirements for voucher specimens. |
5.4.2. Identification records
Records shall be maintained documenting the taxonomic identification process, including:
Morphological characteristics observed
Reference materials used for comparison
Name and qualifications of the identifier
Date of identification
5.5. Species-specific requirements
5.5.1. Ganoderma species
Due to taxonomic complexity within the Ganoderma genus, identification shall include:
Macroscopic characteristics of the fruiting body
Microscopic characteristics of spores and hyphae
Geographic origin information
DNA barcoding using ITS region (mandatory for commercial products)
Note | The Ganoderma lucidum species complex contains multiple cryptic species. Molecular identification is essential as morphological characteristics overlap significantly between species [Zhou L.W. et al.]. Asian cultivated "Lingzhi" is typically G. lingzhi (syn. G. sichuanense), not European G. lucidum sensu stricto [Du Z. et al.]. |
5.5.2. Ophiocordyceps/Cordyceps species
Ophiocordyceps sinensis (formerly Cordyceps sinensis) products shall specify:
Species identity (O. sinensis, C. militaris, or other)
Whether the product contains the natural complex (fungus + host) or cultured mycelium
Authentication method used (DNA barcoding recommended)
Note | O. sinensis is endangered in the wild and subject to CITES regulations in some jurisdictions. Cultured alternatives (C. militaris) are commonly used. Adulteration with other species is a significant quality concern; HPLC-MS/MS methods have been developed for authentication [Li X. et al.]. |
5.5.3. Trametes/Coriolus species
Products derived from Trametes versicolor (syn. Coriolus versicolor ) shall specify:
Bioactive compound type: PSK (polysaccharide-K), PSP (polysaccharopeptide), or crude extract
β-glucan content (minimum percentage dry weight)
Strain information if applicable
Note | PSK (Krestin) is approved as an adjuvant cancer therapy in Japan, with clinical evidence from randomized controlled trials demonstrating improved survival in colorectal and breast cancer patients [Fisher A.L. et al.]. |
5.5.4. Hericium species
Products derived from Hericium erinaceus shall specify:
Source material: fruiting body, mycelium, or combined
Preparation method: hot water extraction, ethanol extraction, or other
Erinacine content (for mycelium-based products) or hericenone content (for fruiting body products)
Note | Erinacines (from mycelium) and hericenones (from fruiting body) are the primary neurotrophic compounds. These compounds promote nerve growth factor (NGF) synthesis through different mechanisms [Contato A.G. & Conte-Junior C.A.]. |
5.5.5. Inonotus species
Products derived from Inonotus obliquus (Chaga) shall specify:
Source: wild-harvested or cultivated
Host tree species (wild-harvested): birch (Betula spp.) is the primary host
Extraction method: hot water, ethanol, or dual extraction
Betulinic acid and inotodiol content where applicable
Note | Chaga’s bioactive profile varies significantly with host tree species and extraction method. Betulin and betulinic acid are derived primarily from birch bark and accumulate in the fungal sclerotium [Glamo2022023]. |
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