grows on roots and stumps of pine, fir, spruce, and occasionally oak across the Northern Temperate Zone — Europe, North America, Japan, Korea, and China. fruiting bodies can reach 50 cm across and several kilograms. a white-rot fungus involved in significant conifer decay ecology.

fruiting bodies contain protein, lipid, carbohydrate, ash, and dietary fiber. vitamin D₂ content is 0.17 mg per 100 g dry weight — higher than most other mushrooms. contains a relatively large amount of glucosyl ceramide (~0.2%) — a glycoside of ceramide with skin and gut barrier significance.

sparassol (methyl-2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-6-methylbenzoate) is the primary species-specific antibiotic compound — responsible for suppression of Bacillus subtilis growth. two additional antifungal compounds identified: methyl-2,4-dihydroxy-6-methylbenzoate and methyl-dihydroxy-methoxy-methylbenzoate, both showing higher antifungal activity than sparassol against Cladosporium cucumerinum.

broad range of reported curative effects includes anti-tumour, anti-cancer, immune-enhancing, hematopoietic, anti-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, wound-healing, antioxidant, anti-coagulant, and anti-hypertensive properties. most studies concentrated on immunomodulatory and anticancer activities.

SCG is notable within the beta-glucan family for its unique branching structure. higher branching frequency than lentinan (Lentinula edodes) or schizophyllan (Schizophyllum commune), which correlates with stronger receptor binding at Dectin-1 and CR3 on immune cells.

SCG stimulates hematopoietic stem cell proliferation in bone marrow — directly relevant to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression. in murine tumor models, SCG administration accelerated bone marrow recovery after cyclophosphamide treatment, increased NK cell and macrophage activity, and reduced tumor volume through immune activation rather than direct cytotoxicity. anti-angiogenic activity additionally documented — tumor blood supply suppression.

glucosyl ceramide plays a role in epidermal barrier repair and skin hydration (skin health).

sparassol suppresses Bacillus subtilis growth on agar media. submerged culture produces sparassol and two related antifungal benzoates with activity against Cladosporium cucumerinum — a plant and food spoilage pathogen.

UV light exposure of fresh mushroom significantly increases D₂ content, consistent with all edible mushrooms.