Crude polysaccharide and triterpene levels were determined in the fruit bodies of eleven Lingzhi samples,designated as Ganoderma lucidum,G.capense and G.tsugae,harvested at four different stages of development: budding,elongation,maturation and senescence.In most cases,crude polysaccharide levels were highest at the budding stage,decreased during the elongation stage,increased again at maturation and were lowest at senescence.Triterpene levels generally remained relatively high during the first three developmental stages but were markedly lower at senescence. Crude polysaccharide and triterpene levels were determined in the fruit bodies of eleven Lingzhi samples, designated as Ganoderma lucidum, G. capense and G. tsugae, harvested at four different stages of development: budding, elongation, maturation and senescence. Most cases, crude polysaccharide levels were highest at the budding stage, decreased again at maturation and were lowest at senescence.Triterpene levels generally remained relatively high during the first three developmental stages but were markedly lower at senescence.