Polyporus umbellatus, a traditional medicinal fungus in China, is used medicinally for its sclerotium. It is commonly categorized into two types, Zhushiling and Jishiling, based on the morphology of the sclerotia. Cultivation of Polyporus umbellatus heavily relies on the asexual reproduction of its sclerotia and the absence of clear distinction between Zhushiling and Jishiling often results in the confusion and intermixing of seed sclerotia. This can lead to the instability in quality and yield of Polyporus umbellatus medicinal materials, thereby adversely affecting the robust development of the Polyporus umbellatus industry. This article provides a comparative overview of Zhushiling and Jishiling in 4 aspects: morphology, quality, genetics and spawn cultivation. The results indicate that although the differentiation between Zhushiling and Jishiling based on morphological features such as sclerotium branches and surface characteristics holds certain significance, there remains a necessity to develop more scientific and precise criteria for this classification. The traditional perspective that Zhushiling is of superior quality compared with Jishiling is often based on empirical observations rather than rigorous scientific evidence. It is imperative to conduct comprehensive and systematic studies to objectively evaluate the quality and medicinal properties of both types. The variation in the sclerotial morphology of Polyporus umbellatus may be the result of a complex interplay among genetic, geographic, environmental factors, as well as other factors that have yet to be identified. Key technological breakthroughs in cultivation of the Polyporus umbellatus spawn leading to the formation of the sclerotia have not yet been achieved. However, the strains of Jishiling may possess greater potential for the development of spawn cultivation techniques. Zhushiling and Jishiling exhibit differences across 4 distinct aspects. Conducting the systematic analysis of Polyporus umbellatus from various perspectives is significantly important for the evaluation of its resources and for maximizing its potential value.