Some medicinally and nutritionally important wood-decaying fungi

During an extensive survey of macrofungi in and around Allahabad, 22 genera and 32 species, belonging to Basidiomycotina and Ascomycotina were collected, of which some were dangerous root parasites, a few weak parasites and others sap-rophytes. Genus Ganoderma is one such macrofungus, damaging standing trees and ultimately killing them. Among others Armilleria, Crepidotus, Fomes, Laetiporus and Schizophyllum are also wood decaying fungi. A few are medicinally very important and are being used for their medicinal values since time immemorial, such as Ganoderma having wide range of medicinal properties. It is used as energy drink in treatment of dreaded diseases like cancer and tumour. Fomes and Calvatia are used as styptic and to cauterize wounds. Daldinia, commonly known as cramp ball is still being used by elderly people as a remedy against cramps. Schizophyllum and Laetiporus are known for their nutritional properties.