Multi-origin analysis of the traditional Chinese medicine Leiwan

This study investigates the taxonomic identity of Leiwan (), 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 (), G. sinense sp. nov. () and Moniliophthora sclerotium sp. nov. (). 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.