Pleurotus tuber regium cultivation in China common name 虎奶菇
About Pleurotus tuber regium cultivation in China , a hidden treasure trove! The benefits of Pleurotus tuber regium are recorded in the Compendium of Materia Medica as a tonic for health, and modern laboratory research has confirmed that its sclerotium polysaccharides can boost immunity by 300%. This rare fungus, native to the rainforests of Southeast Asia, is becoming a hot topic of research in the global health sector. In China, the common name for Pleurotus tuber regium is 虎奶菇, It is commonly known in Japan as Nanyang side ear or Nanyang poria 南洋侧耳.
Pleurotus tuber regium 虎奶菇 与 tiger milk mushroom 虎乳芝 are two different types of fungi and need to be distinguished.
Pleurotus tuber regium（虎奶菇）：Also known as nuclear ear mushroom, sclerotium oyster mushroom, Poria oyster mushroom, Pleurotus tuber regium, and South Sea Poria, it belongs to the Basidiomycota subphylum, Agaricomycetes class, Agaricales order, Pleurotaceae family, and Pleurotus genus.
菌核侧耳，又名茯苓侧耳、核平菇、虎奶菌、具核侧耳，侧耳科食用兼药用真菌。 维基百科
Tiger milk mushroom (Lignosus rhinocerus)虎乳芝：Fungi, Basidiomycota, Agaricomycetes, Polyporales, Polyporaceae, Lignosus, species L. rhinocerus.
虎乳芝当成是马来西亚的国宝。 维基百科
In Tengchong, Yunnan, there is a popular saying: “When Pleurotus tuber regium appears, all illnesses disappear.” It is said that an old farmer accidentally ate wild Pleurotus tuber regium and his long-standing stomach ailment was cured without medication. After this story spread, Pleurotus tuber regium became known as the “treasure of the mountain” in the local area.
2. From the Compendium of Materia Medica to Modern Scientific Research: The “Miraculous Herb”
The Compendium of Materia Medica records its effects as “tonifying qi and nourishing blood, moistening the lungs and nourishing the heart.”
The Thousand Gold Prescriptions states that it can treat “stomach pain, asthma, and edema.” During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Pleurotus tuber regium was listed as a tribute item, reserved exclusively for the royal nobility of Southeast Asia.
The “Treasure” of Modern Science
In the 1990s, a Chinese research team discovered wild Pleurotus tuber regium in Fuzhou, Jiangxi Province. After a decade of effort, they successfully achieved artificial cultivation, filling a domestic空白. Today, its sclerotium polysaccharides have been proven to inhibit tumor cells and regulate immunity, making it a hotspot in cancer research.
The “Delicate Guest” of the Tropical Rainforest A “Picky” Growing Environment
Pleurotus tuber regium is a typical tropical fungus that thrives in high-temperature, high-humidity environments. The optimal temperature for mycelial growth is 35°C, and growth ceases below 15°C. It relies on decaying wood or underground sclerotia from broad-leaved trees (such as eucalyptus and maple) to complete its life cycle. Sclerotia require moist soil at temperatures between 25°C and 35°C to develop fruiting bodies.
Pleurotus tuber regium cultivation in China，China’s “Golden Production Areas”
Yunnan Tengchong: Located in broadleaf forest areas at elevations of 1,500–2,000 meters, it accounts for 60% of national production. The sclerotia here are plump like eggs, earning it the title of “the hometown of Pleurotus tuber regium.”
Fuzhou, Jiangxi: Using log-based cultivation techniques, year-round production is possible, with thick stems and polysaccharide content as high as 45%.
Malaysia: Wild sclerotia in rainforest depths can reach 30 cm in diameter, with dried products commanding prices rivaling gold.
4. The “dual charm” of sclerotia and fruiting bodies
Sclerotia: Underground “golden nuggets”
Appearance: Oval or block-shaped, 10-25 cm in diameter, dark brown surface covered with tuberous protrusions, hard as stone.
Interior: Milky white flesh, with radiating patterns visible when cut open. Light as cotton after drying, does not rot easily when stored for long periods.
Fruit Body: The “White Jade Bowl” Above Ground
Cap: Funnel-shaped, 8–20 cm in diameter, with a depressed center, varying in color from grayish-white to reddish-brown, with inward-curving edges densely covered in fine scales.
Stem: Cylindrical, 3–13 cm in length, medullary, with a swollen base,脆嫩 in texture, and a cross-section as white as jade.
5. Authentic vs. Counterfeit Pleurotus tuber regium: “Four Tips to Spot the Imposter”
Examine the sclerotium: Authentic sclerotium is hard, with prominent tumor-like protrusions on the surface, and becomes light and airy when dried; counterfeit products (such as ordinary Poria cocos) have a soft texture and lack tumor-like structures.
Smell the aroma: Pleurotus tuber regium has a faint almond-like fragrance, while counterfeit products often have an earthy or moldy odor.
Taste the texture: The stem is crisp, tender, and slightly sweet, while the cap is soft and smooth with no grit; inferior products have a coarse texture and a sour or astringent taste.
Examine the color: Wild mushroom bodies have a grayish-brown surface, while artificially cultivated ones appear milky white due to abundant nutrients.
The “Divine Eating Method” of Medicinal and Dietary Therapy
Classic Dietary Therapy Recipes
Pleurotus tuber regium Stomach-Nourishing Soup: 50g mushroom tuber + 20g Chinese yam + pork stomach, simmered for 2 hours, specifically for chronic gastritis.
Pleurotus tuber regium 养胃汤：菌核50g+淮山20g+猪肚，炖煮2小时，专治慢性胃炎。
Pleurotus tuber regium Pine Nut and Fritillaria Soup: 15g mushroom tuber + 6g almonds + 3g fritillaria, moistens the lungs, stops coughing, and alleviates asthma.
Pleurotus tuber regium 松仁川贝汤：菌核15g+杏仁6g+川贝3g，润肺止咳，缓解哮喘。
Pleurotus tuber regium Stir-Fried Beef: Sliced mushroom stems stir-fried with beef, crisp, tender, and aromatic, with complementary proteins.
Pleurotus tuber regium 炒牛肉：菌柄切片与牛肉快炒，脆嫩鲜香，蛋白质互补。
Creative Eating Methods
Pleurotus tuber regium Jelly: Mushroom powder + coconut milk + gelatin, chilled into a jelly, a refreshing summer treat.
Pleurotus tuber regium 冻：菌核粉+椰奶+吉利丁，冷藏成冻，是夏日解暑佳品。
Pleurotus tuber regium Energy Bar: Mushroom powder + nuts + honey, a natural protein supplement for fitness enthusiasts.
Pleurotus tuber regium 能量棒：菌核粉+坚果+蜂蜜，健身人士的天然蛋白补给。
7. Benefits of Pleurotus tuber regium for children
A “mushroom ingredient” that is more nourishing than bird’s nest
Ingredient Content (per 100g) Main benefits
Protein 25.1g Contains 18 amino acids, including 7 essential amino acids
Polysaccharides 38.6g Boosts immunity, inhibits tumors
Dietary fiber 12.3g Promotes intestinal health, regulates blood sugar
Minerals Potassium 1130mg, Calcium 120mg Maintains electrolyte balance, strengthens bones
Vitamins Vitamins B and D Improves nerve function, promotes calcium absorption
Pleurotus tuber regium, once hidden deep within the rainforest, is now soaring into ordinary households with the wings of technology. In Yunnan’s smart mushroom farms, it grows year-round; in laboratories, scientists are decoding its anti-cancer secrets; in the symphony of nature’s bounty and technological cultivation, this once-buried “tiger claw” is quietly meeting modern people’s health needs.
Fun Facts
Did you know? The mycelium of Pleurotus tuber regium can secrete special enzymes that break down lignin three times faster than ordinary mushrooms! Next time you make soup, add a handful of Pleurotus tuber regium—your immunity might just get a quiet boost~
Authoritative Statement: The data in this article is provided by the “Mushroom Detective” research team from the Forestry, Pharmacy, and Mycology Research Team at Tongren University. Exploring more natural gifts requires rational understanding; for medicinal use, please consult a professional physician.
信息来源
蘑菇侦探
铜仁学院林药菌研究团队
