The Truth About Lion’s Mane vs NZ Lion’s Mane (Pekepeke-Kiore)
As New Zealanders become increasingly interested in natural health and cognitive wellbeing, many have turned to mushroom supplements as a way to support focus, energy, and mental clarity.
In today’s mushroom supplements market, Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) stands out as one of the most recognised functional mushrooms in the world, backed by decades of research into its cognitive and neurological benefits.
But in New Zealand, things get confusing. The real Lion’s Mane is often mistaken for Pekepeke-Kiore, a native species sometimes marketed as “NZ Lion’s Mane.” This mix-up has led to confusion for consumers seeking genuine, research-backed mushroom supplements.
At Flow State, we believe New Zealanders deserve to know exactly what they are buying, especially when it comes to health and wellbeing. To support better understanding and transparency around this subject, we’ve put together this guide to help clear up the misconceptions.
Here, you’ll find everything you need to know about the Lion’s Mane, and how to identify the real thing from the rest.
What is Lion’s Mane?
Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) is a distinctive white, cascading mushroom that grows naturally on hardwood trees throughout Asia, Europe, and North America. What makes it truly remarkable is its rich profile of bioactive compounds, particularly hericenones and erinacines. These natural compounds have drawn scientific attention for their potential to support a healthy nervous system.
Lion’s Mane mushrooms have been valued as a food source in traditional East Asian medicine for centuries. However, their rise to prominence as a modern dietary supplement in the West has only occurred in more recent years.
The Proven Benefits of True Lion’s Mane
So, what are the real, science-backed benefits of Lion’s Mane?
Everyone’s experience is different, but its true value lies in its ability to support cognitive health and emotional wellbeing.
Mental Clarity & Focus
Many people describe feeling more clear-headed, focused, and mentally sharp after taking Lion’s Mane regularly, especially during stressful times where concentration tends to fade. Rather than a stimulant-like “boost,” it’s often reported as a clean, steady feeling of being more switched on, organised, and able to stay on task.
Mood and Emotional Wellbeing
Lion’s Mane has also attracted attention for its potential to support emotional balance and wellbeing. Many people say they feel more centred, grounded, or resilient when taking it regularly, especially when life feels hectic. It has become a popular option for those wanting to nurture their overall sense of wellbeing without relying on stimulants or harsh ingredients.
What is NZ Lion’s Mane?
“NZ Lion’s Mane” is a term commonly used to describe Pekepeke-Kiore, a native New Zealand fungus that closely resembles the true Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus). Both belong to the Hericium genus and have some visual similarities. However, they are entirely different species, native to opposite hemispheres, and have distinct genetic makeups and ecological roles. Pekepeke-Kiore grows naturally only here in New Zealand, typically on dead or decaying native woods such as tawa, beech, and other hardwoods. Its branching, icicle-like structure has also earned it the name “coral tooth” fungus.
As Lion’s Mane has gained more popularity worldwide, many are searching for it online here in New Zealand, only to encounter this confusing overlap in naming. Despite the similar appearance, Pekepeke-Kiore is not a New Zealand-grown version of Lion’s Mane, but its own unique native species.
Are There Proven Benefits of NZ Lion’s Mane?
Scientific research on Pekepeke-Kiore is still in its early stages. There are currently no published studies showing that it has the same neurological effects that have been documented for Hericium erinaceus. It’s also important to note that real Lion’s Mane cannot legally be grown in New Zealand, meaning any product claiming to be NZ grown “Lion’s Mane” isn’t the same species that research refers to.
What’s the Source of Confusion?
So, what’s causing the mix-up, apart from their similar appearance? It largely comes down to how they’re presented to customers and the assumptions that follow.
Misleading Marketing
Brands often look for familiar reference points to help consumers understand new or lesser-known species. In this environment, the label “NZ Lion’s Mane” becomes an easy shortcut to highlight resemblance or attract consumers familiar with the scientific research.
Buyers subsequently assume the two are interchangeable. This means they end up paying premium prices for Pekepeke-Kiore expecting results supported by Lion’s Mane research that the local species hasn’t yet been shown to match.
The imported vs locally sourced debate
As interest in functional mushrooms grows, the conversation often turns to where they’re produced. Because Hericium erinaceus cannot legally be cultivated in New Zealand, many local producers have leaned heavily on emotional messaging to promote Pekepeke-Kiore as a New Zealand version of Lion’s Mane. These campaigns typically rely on the idea that “locally grown = better,” a common misconception in New Zealand. This positioning appeals to national pride and the consumer preference for homegrown, sustainable products.
But the truth of the matter is that locally grown doesn’t necessarily mean higher quality. Mushrooms are bioaccumulators, meaning they absorb both nutrients and potential contaminants from their environment. So, whether they’re cultivated in New Zealand or overseas, what truly determines their quality is how they’re grown and how thoroughly they’re tested.
For New Zealand consumers, the best way to make an informed choice is to look past emotional marketing and focus on the scientific evidence.
How to Tell Real Lion’s Mane from the Rest
Clear, honest labelling and education are essential if New Zealanders are to make informed choices about what mushroom supplements they’re buying.
To ensure you order the right Lion’s Mane that provides the real benefits you’re after, look out for the following factors when doing your research.
Check the species name
The first way to tell if Lion’s Mane is legitimate is to look for the species name.
It’s simple:
True Lion’s Mane - Hericium erinaceus
NZ Lion’s Mane - Hericium novae-zealandiae (Pekepeke-kiore)
Avoid mycelium on grain
Lion’s Mane has two parts: the fruiting body (the actual mushroom) and the mycelium (the root-like network grown through grain or wood).
The issue with most mycelium-based extracts is that the mycelium is usually grown on grain and can’t be fully separated at harvest, so the grain ends up in the final extract. This can dilute the mushroom’s purity and potency.
Mycelium can be grown without the grain by using a liquid culture (sometimes called a fermented culture). In this method, the mycelium grows in a liquid instead of on grain, which allows it to separate completely from the liquid before making the extract.
Flow State’s Lion’s Mane uses only the fruiting body. That means you get a clean, potent mushroom source without the common “mycelium-on-grain” filler issue found in many products.
Check the extraction method
High-quality Lion’s Mane extracts typically use dual extraction methods of both water and alcohol to draw out the full range of bioactive compounds, including beta-glucans and hericenones/erinacines, which are known for supporting cognitive health, clarity, and calm.
Avoid products that don’t mention their extraction process or use vague terms like “powdered” without details.
Assess Mushroom Supplement Quality
Verify safety and purity
Mushrooms naturally absorb substances from their environment, so testing is crucial. Reputable brands provide third-party analysis reports showing that their products are free from heavy metals, pesticides, or contaminants.
Products tested in New Zealand laboratories ensure additional oversight and transparency, helping verify purity, potency, and safety.
Verify compound testing claims
Beyond safety testing, it’s also important to understand exactly what companies are testing for and how they are testing for it. For example, you may see brands mentioning testing for compounds like erinacines and hericenones. While these do naturally occur in Lion’s Mane, they can be hard to measure accurately.
Some companies reference old or one-off tests to suggest the presence of these compounds. Results can also vary depending on the format being tested (extract vs. powder), the extraction method, and whether the testing actually matches the product being sold. Because of this, claims around these compounds can sound impressive but don’t always reflect what’s consistently present in a finished product.
To keep things clear and transparent, Flow State focuses on the gold standard: independent beta-glucan testing for every batch, so customers know they’re getting consistent, measurable quality. This is a validated, repeatable method used worldwide.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Functional Mushrooms in New Zealand
The growing interest in natural health and cognitive wellbeing shows no signs of slowing.
For New Zealand, the focus now turns to building a future of transparency, education, and scientific integrity within the mushroom space. True progress will come from honesty about what each species can and cannot do, and a willingness to prioritise data over marketing.
At Flow State, we’re committed to advancing that clarity by helping New Zealanders access authentic, research-backed Lion’s Mane in its most effective form.
Trust in the science: find real Lion’s Mane at Flow State
Flow State is a proud supplier of Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus). All supplements have been third-party tested in New Zealand to verify purity and potency.
Order Lion’s Mane capsules online today and discover the benefits of quality, science-backed mushroom supplements.
Disclaimer:
*It is important that you consult a health professional before taking this supplement if you have a health condition, are taking prescription medication, are pregnant, or nursing.