The genus Ganoderma is one of the most important group of Basidiomycetes due to their medicinal effects and also because they cause decay in a very wide range of tree species all over the world. Opportunistic sampling was used to collect 57 samples of Ganoderma from oil palm and other hosts for identification using comparative morphology and supported by molecular studies of the ITS and mtSSu gene regions. The objectives were to identify the species associated with different hosts, and to generate a checklist of species of Ganoderma in south western Cameroon. Morphological and molecular characterization of the 57 specimens showed that they belonged to 17 species of Ganoderma. Two species, Ganoderma tornatum and Ganoderma chalceum are known records for Cameroon. Four species, Ganoderma weberianum, Ganoderma cupreum, Ganoderma steyaertanum and Ganoderma zonatum are new records for Cameroon. The remaining 11 species Ganoderma ryvardense, Ganoderma lobenense, and Ganoderma species 1–9 with different affinities might be new to science. Six plant species were identified as hosts to different species of Ganoderma. They are Elaeis guineensis, Cassia sp., Acacia sp., Pinus sylvestris, Avocado sp. and unidentified hardwoods, with E. guineensis, hosting the highest number of species. With supplementary literature survey, a check-list of 23 species was established.

 

Key words: Host tree species, morphology, mushroom, taxonomy.