Nomenclature of the Beeswax bracket (Ganoderma pfeifferi), a European wood decay fungus with medicinal properties

Ganoderma is a large and diverse, cosmopolitan fungal genus in the Basidiomycota, comprises species with prized medicinal properties, valuable biotechnological applications and of significant phytopathological interest. In Europe, the number of Ganoderma species is low compared to North America, East Asia or the tropics. Among the seven accepted Ganoderma species in Europe, only one has a perennial basidiome with a resinous layer on the pileus surface and dark brown context. In the scientific literature, this species appears under the name G. pfeifferi or G. cupreolaccatum. However, Quelet provided a detailed watercolour painting of a single basidiome under the name Fomes advena in 1872, which shows similar morphological features. Considering that F. advena was validly and effectively published well before G. pfeifferi and Polyporus cupreolaccatus, the nomenclatural status of this forgotten and overlooked name is discussed.

Automated summary

Ganoderma is a globally distributed fungal genus with medicinal properties, biotechnological applications, and phytopathological interest. In Europe, the number of Ganoderma species is low compared to other regions, with only a few species recognized and a previously overlooked and forgotten name discussed.