Introduction of Zhu Ling: Chuling, Umbellate Polypore
✵The article records the herb Chuling (Umbellate Polypore), including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavors, and botanical source — a single fungal species: (1) Polyporus umbellatus (Pers.) Fr. It provides a detailed introduction to the botanical features of this fungus, its growth characteristics and ecological environment, the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the dried sclerotium (the medicinal part), its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Polyporus (Chuling, Umbellate Polypore)
Pinyin Name: Zhū Línɡ
English Name:Chuling, Umbellate Polypore Latin Name:Polyporus Properties and Flavor: Neutral; bland (tasteless), sweet
Brief Introduction:Polyporus is the dried sclerotium of the fungus Polyporus umbellatus (Pers.) Fr. (family Polyporaceae). It is used clinically as a diuretic for edema and oliguria, and to resolve dampness in cases of leukorrhea. Common vernacular names include Polyporus, Chuling, Umbellate Polypore, Agaric, and Zhū Línɡ.
Botanical source: Classical herbal works define Polyporus (Chuling, Umbellate Polypore) as the dried sclerotium of Polyporus umbellatus (Pers.) Fr., a fungus belonging to the genus Polyporus, family Polyporaceae (bracket fungus family), and order Polyporales. This commonly used species is described below:
(1) Polyporus umbellatus (Pers.) Fr.
Botanical Description:Polyporus umbellatus (Pers.) Fr. is also known as Grifola umbellata (Pers.) Pilát (syn. Grifola umbellatus). The sclerotium is irregularly shaped, occurring as solid, firm, block-like masses of variable size. Its surface is purplish-black (atropurpureus), deeply wrinkled and uneven; the interior is white. Dimensions typically range from 3–5 cm × 3–20 cm. The fruiting body emerges from the buried sclerotium on a distinct stipe and repeatedly branches, forming a clustered, umbrella-like arrangement of pilei; the overall diameter may reach up to 20 cm. Individual pilei are round, 1–4 cm in diameter, with an umbilicate (navel-like) depression at the center, covered with pale yellow fibrous scales, and colored creamy-white to sandy beige (light brown). They are zonate, with a thin, sharp, often involute (inward-rolled) margin; fresh pilei are succulent but become hard and brittle upon drying. The context (flesh) is thin and white. The pore layer (hymenophore) is approximately 2 mm deep, white (matching the context), and decurrent. Pore openings are circular to polygonal, with 3–4 pores per linear millimeter. Spores are hyaline, smooth, cylindrical (terete), rounded at one end and slightly curved at the other, measuring (7–10) μm × (3–4.2) μm.
The life cycle of Polyporus comprises four stages: spore, mycelium, sclerotium, and fruiting body. Basidiospores — sexual spores produced by the fruiting body — are oblong-ovoid, pointed at one end, hyaline, and smooth, measuring 7–10 × 3–4 μm. Upon germination, they form primary (monokaryotic) mycelium. Secondary (dikaryotic) mycelium develops via nuclear fusion and forms dense, interwoven hyphal mats. The sclerotium functions primarily as a nutrient reservoir and exhibits high tolerance to extreme temperatures and drought. Under unfavorable conditions, it remains dormant for extended periods; under suitable temperature, humidity, and nutrient conditions, any portion of the mycelium may initiate germination and produce new hyphae.
Growth typically resumes in late March when the upper 5 cm soil temperature reaches 8–9 °C (46.4–48.2 °F), initiating sclerotial germination — visible as numerous white spots on the sclerotium surface. As temperatures rise, these spots enlarge and coalesce, forming plump, glossy white sclerotia that gradually emerge toward the soil surface. From August to September, when soil temperature ranges between 12–20 °C (53.6–68 °F), sclerotial growth enters its most vigorous phase: volume and weight increase rapidly, and color shifts from white to yellow, progressing basally upward. During prolonged rainy periods with elevated air humidity, fruiting bodies begin to differentiate and release spores. As soil temperature declines, fruiting bodies rapidly wither and decompose. After October, when temperatures fall back to 8–9 °C (46.4–48.2 °F), fungal activity ceases and the organism enters dormancy. Germination of new sclerotia resumes the following spring. In this cyclical manner, sclerotia aggregate to form characteristic "nests." In fertile, nutrient-rich soils, sclerotia are large and few-branched — colloquially termed "pig-dung ling"; in infertile, nutrient-poor soils, sclerotia are smaller, highly branched — commonly called "chicken-dung ling." Under severe environmental stress, growth halts, sclerotia age, darken in color, develop cavities, and ultimately decay. Polyporus umbellatus engages in a complex nutritional interaction with Armillaria mellea: while historically described as parasitic or anti-parasitic, current understanding emphasizes a dynamic, context-dependent relationship that may include elements of competition, partial parasitism, and facultative symbiosis.
Ecological Environment: The fungus grows on the ground near the roots of forest trees or near saprophytes and rotten wooden stakes.
Growth Characteristics: The fungus grows wild in secondary forests of mountainous areas at altitudes of 1,000–2,000 meters above sea level. In the rainy southern region, it mostly grows on sunny slopes; in the northern region, it mostly grows on shady or semi-sunny slopes. The sclerotium begins to germinate at a ground temperature of 8–9 °C (46.4–48.2 °F); at an average monthly ground temperature of 14–20 °C (57.2–68 °F), new mycelial growth accelerates and germination increases; fruiting bodies form at 22–25 °C (71.6–77 °F). It thrives in loose, well-ventilated sandy loam soil with high humus content and slightly acidic pH; soil moisture content should be 30%–50%. It forms a symbiotic relationship with Armillaria mellea; thus, its associated plant species are those commonly colonized by A. mellea—both saprophytic and parasitic tree species—often co-occurring with oak, birch, maple, elm, willow, and privet.
Characteristics of the Herb: The sclerotium is irregular in shape—appearing as blocky masses, elongated strips, quasi-circular (nearly round) or flattened blocks—and sometimes branched, measuring 5–25 cm in length and 2–6 cm in diameter. The surface is black, grayish-black, or brownish-black, with wrinkled or nodular protrusions. The herb is lightweight, hard in texture, and exhibits an off-white or yellowish-white fracture surface that is slightly granular. It has a faint odor and a mild taste.
Pharmacological Actions: (1) Diuretic effect; (2) Antibacterial effect: the ethanolic extract of Umbellate Polypore inhibits Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli; (3) Immune-enhancing and antitumor effects; (4) Hepatoprotective effect in mice with toxic hepatitis; (5) Antiradiation effect.
Medicinal efficacy: Promotes diuresis and resolves dampness. Indicated for dysuria (difficulty in urination), edema, abdominal distension and fullness, diarrhea, strangury with turbid urine, pathological leukorrhea, and beriberi.
Administration of Polyporus (Zhū Líng):
Reference:
Administration Guide for Polyporus (Zhū Líng)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally: 6–12 grams; (2) Internally: water decoction, 2–4 qián (≈6–12 grams), or prepared as pills or powder; (3) Internally: water decoction, 10–15 grams, or prepared as pills or powder.
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1.Introduction of Zhu Ling (Chuling, Umbellate Polypore).
✵The article records the herb Chuling (Umbellate Polypore), including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavors, and botanical source — a single fungal species: (1) Polyporus umbellatus (Pers.) Fr. It provides a detailed introduction to the botanical features of this fungus, its growth characteristics and ecological environment, the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the dried sclerotium (the medicinal part), its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Zhū Línɡ
Botanical Description: Polyporus umbellatus (Pers.) Fr. is also known as Grifola umbellata (Pers.) Pilát (syn. Grifola umbellatus). The sclerotium is irregularly shaped, occurring as solid, firm, block-like masses of variable size. Its surface is purplish-black (atropurpureus), deeply wrinkled and uneven; the interior is white. Dimensions typically range from 3–5 cm × 3–20 cm. The fruiting body emerges from the buried sclerotium on a distinct stipe and repeatedly branches, forming a clustered, umbrella-like arrangement of pilei; the overall diameter may reach up to 20 cm. Individual pilei are round, 1–4 cm in diameter, with an umbilicate (navel-like) depression at the center, covered with pale yellow fibrous scales, and colored creamy-white to sandy beige (light brown). They are zonate, with a thin, sharp, often involute (inward-rolled) margin; fresh pilei are succulent but become hard and brittle upon drying. The context (flesh) is thin and white. The pore layer (hymenophore) is approximately 2 mm deep, white (matching the context), and decurrent. Pore openings are circular to polygonal, with 3–4 pores per linear millimeter. Spores are hyaline, smooth, cylindrical (terete), rounded at one end and slightly curved at the other, measuring (7–10) μm × (3–4.2) μm.
Growth typically resumes in late March when the upper 5 cm soil temperature reaches 8–9 °C (46.4–48.2 °F), initiating sclerotial germination — visible as numerous white spots on the sclerotium surface. As temperatures rise, these spots enlarge and coalesce, forming plump, glossy white sclerotia that gradually emerge toward the soil surface. From August to September, when soil temperature ranges between 12–20 °C (53.6–68 °F), sclerotial growth enters its most vigorous phase: volume and weight increase rapidly, and color shifts from white to yellow, progressing basally upward. During prolonged rainy periods with elevated air humidity, fruiting bodies begin to differentiate and release spores. As soil temperature declines, fruiting bodies rapidly wither and decompose. After October, when temperatures fall back to 8–9 °C (46.4–48.2 °F), fungal activity ceases and the organism enters dormancy. Germination of new sclerotia resumes the following spring. In this cyclical manner, sclerotia aggregate to form characteristic "nests." In fertile, nutrient-rich soils, sclerotia are large and few-branched — colloquially termed "pig-dung ling"; in infertile, nutrient-poor soils, sclerotia are smaller, highly branched — commonly called "chicken-dung ling." Under severe environmental stress, growth halts, sclerotia age, darken in color, develop cavities, and ultimately decay. Polyporus umbellatus engages in a complex nutritional interaction with Armillaria mellea: while historically described as parasitic or anti-parasitic, current understanding emphasizes a dynamic, context-dependent relationship that may include elements of competition, partial parasitism, and facultative symbiosis.
Growth Characteristics: The fungus grows wild in secondary forests of mountainous areas at altitudes of 1,000–2,000 meters above sea level. In the rainy southern region, it mostly grows on sunny slopes; in the northern region, it mostly grows on shady or semi-sunny slopes. The sclerotium begins to germinate at a ground temperature of 8–9 °C (46.4–48.2 °F); at an average monthly ground temperature of 14–20 °C (57.2–68 °F), new mycelial growth accelerates and germination increases; fruiting bodies form at 22–25 °C (71.6–77 °F). It thrives in loose, well-ventilated sandy loam soil with high humus content and slightly acidic pH; soil moisture content should be 30%–50%. It forms a symbiotic relationship with Armillaria mellea; thus, its associated plant species are those commonly colonized by A. mellea—both saprophytic and parasitic tree species—often co-occurring with oak, birch, maple, elm, willow, and privet.
Characteristics of the Herb: The sclerotium is irregular in shape—appearing as blocky masses, elongated strips, quasi-circular (nearly round) or flattened blocks—and sometimes branched, measuring 5–25 cm in length and 2–6 cm in diameter. The surface is black, grayish-black, or brownish-black, with wrinkled or nodular protrusions. The herb is lightweight, hard in texture, and exhibits an off-white or yellowish-white fracture surface that is slightly granular. It has a faint odor and a mild taste.
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