The genus Ganoderma is widely recognized for its medicinal properties and ecological significance, particularly in traditional East Asian medicine. Despite extensive global research on its taxonomy and nomenclature, studies on Ganoderma species in Sri Lanka remain limited.
In a groundbreaking study, researchers from the Genetics and Molecular Biology Unit at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura identified three Ganoderma species—Ganoderma angustisporum, G. ellipsoideum, and G. orbiforme—for the first time in Sri Lanka. These findings, based on comprehensive morphological analysis and rDNA-ITS sequence-based phylogeny, contribute to expanding the understanding of fungal diversity in the country.
This study not only enriches the knowledge of Sri Lanka’s fungal biodiversity but also paves the way for further research on the medicinal and ecological potential of Ganoderma species.
