Characterization of Sclerotial Formation from Hyphae of Grifola umbellata

Grifola umbellata (Pers.) Pilat is a fungus whose sclerotium has potent pharmaceutical values.The present study shows that its sclerotia can be reproduced from the hyphae, in addition to its traditionalmode of reproduction from sclerotia. On a culture medium, the hyphae first become swollen and enlargedfollowed by differentiation to form a highly organized structure, sclerotia. We demonstrate that at amicroscopic level, sclerotia derived from hyphae and sclerotia obtained in the field are similar, both havingcortex and medullary substances.