A peculiar and potentially rare fungal growth has been discovered in the basement of a residential building in the Gatchina district of the Leningrad region. The discovery, made public on June 11th, has sparked interest from mycologists and the local community.

The “Mushrooms and Mushroom Pickers St. Petersburg” community initially shared photos and videos of the unusual object. Experts from the Mycological Society of St. Petersburg believe the growth is a mushroom belonging to the Ganoderma family.

The mushroom is suspected to be a Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum), also known as lingzhi, which is listed in the Red Book of Russia as a protected species. Despite this tentative identification, the specimen’s appearance deviates significantly from typical Reishi mushrooms.

This atypical appearance is likely attributed to the mushroom’s growth environment: a confined space beneath the floor with limited or no light exposure. This unique setting has seemingly influenced its morphology.

Efforts are underway to carefully collect the fungal specimen. The goal is to add it to the collection of the Museum of Mushrooms, currently under development in St. Petersburg.