The Genus Ganoderma in Iran: A Comprehensive Survey of Taxonomic Studies and Its Impact on Forest Trees

Ganoderma Karst. is widely acknowledged within the Ganodermataceae for its exceptional healing properties for humans, but it also can cause diseases in plants. This study aims to compile all original articles and texts published on the morphological identification, phylogeny, host relationships, and dispersal of the Ganoderma species in Iran until 2024. The species predominantly inhabit Angiosperm trees, with occasional occurrences on gymnosperms. Recentstudies showed that more trees have been infected with these species in Iran. According to the literature, nine Ganoderma species were reported in various provinces of Iran, including East Azerbaijan, Guilan, Mazandaran, Golestan, Khuzestan, and others. However, recent studies have revealed discrepancies in the previously reported species. One species (G. australe (Fr.) Pat.) was misidentified, while two other species (G. manoutchehrii Steyaert and G. kosteri Steyaert) have not been encountered during recent field studies conducted by recent Iranian mycologists. Although a herbarium sample of G. kosteri was found in the Meise Herbarium, no recent field collections have mentioned the existence of this species in Iran. Furthermore, this article discusses the presence of another reported species in Iran, Ganoderma vanheurnii Steyaert. Recent morphological and molecular studies in Iran have confirmed the existence of five species in recent years, which have had significant implications for trees and the ecosystem.This review assists environmental researchers in comprehending the forest destruction caused by the Ganoderma species. Additionally, it can assist taxonomists in precisely distinguishing similar species and properly introducing them to scientists engaged in pharmaceutical research on Ganoderma.