摘要
Lignosus rhinocerus is one of the most valuable medicinal fungi used throughout South East Asia,and South China.The polypore is characterized by a stipitate basidiomata with orbicular pileus,and an underground sclerotium,a trimitic hyphal system bearing generative hyphae with clamp connections,and globose to subglobose basidiospores.Basidiomata,including the sclerotia of L.rhinocerus are used to treat various ailments.L.rhinocerus is rarely encountered in the wild and has a very restricted geographic distribution.Because of its rarity and importance,domestication and commercial cultivation of the fungus has been attempted.During study of the polyporoid fungi in forests of Kerala State,India,some interesting specimens were collected.Detailed taxonomic study of the collected specimens identified them as L.rhinocerus,with a distribution record new to India.Taxonomic account of the species is presented.
