Multi-origin analysis of the traditional Chinese medicine Leiwan

Abstract

This study investigates the taxonomic identity of Leiwan (雷丸), a traditional medicinal fungus used in Chinese herbal medicine. Over the past two decades, 21 specimens were collected from herbal markets and through extensive field surveys across multiple provinces in China. Both morphological and phylogenetic analyses reveal that Leiwan originates from multi-evolutionary lineages, represented by at least three distinct species: Gerronema brunneosquamulosum (雷丸老伞), G. sinense sp. nov. (中华老伞) and Moniliophthora sclerotium sp. nov. (菌核丛梗霉皮伞). We confirm that G. brunneosquamulosum is a valid name for the traditional Chinese medicine Leiwan and propose G. lapidescens as its synonym. Furthermore, M. sclerotium is the first report of a sclerotium-forming species within this genus, marking a significant expansion of its known ecological and morphological diversity. This study provides a taxonomic framework for Leiwan, establishing a scientific basis for future mycological and pharmacological research.