Separation, such as a spore detaching from a sporogenous cell. From Latin abscissio, breaking off.[4]
abstriction
A method of spore formation in fungi characterized by abjunction and then abscission. Spores are produced in a sporogenous filament. In abjunction, they are then separated by transverse walls or septa, with the result spores are grouped in short chains. In abscission, successive portions are cut off and released.[5]
acidophilous
acidophilic
Organisms that can grow in high-acidity environments; in mycology, lichens that can grow in
peaty soil or on acidic tree bark.[6]
acropetal
A chain of conidia where new spores are formed at the apex, with the oldest at the base. Compare with
basipetal.[7]
acropleurogenous
pleuroacrogenous
Formed at the apex and along the sides; e.g. conidia of Trichothecium.[8]
adiaspore
Conidium of Emmonsia parva. A large spore that increases notably in size, but does not divide. Upon being inhalted in the lungs of humans and animals, can cause
adiaspiromycosis disease. From Gr. a-, without, dia, separating.[9]
adnate
attached, adherent
Adhering; attached to the
stipe throughout its width, esp. of
lamellae or tubes. Compare with
free.[10]
aero-aquatic fungi
Aquatic fungi that grow in water, but spread their spores via air.[11]
A member of the order
Agaricales; a
mushroom or toadstool. Contains many iconic and highly studied fungi. Agarics have a macroscopic (human-visible)
fleshy basidioma with a clearly differentiated
stipe (stalk),
pileus (cap), and
lamellae (gills) on the underside of the pileus.[13]
Fusion between branches of hyphae to make a network.[17]
annellidic
A type of
blastic conidiogenesis. The conidiogenous cell (also called an annellide) produces a
basipetal sequence of conidia called annelloconidia or annellospores. The distal end is marked by ring-shaped bands called annellations. Examples include many
aquatic Hyphomycetes, Venturia inaequalis, and Microascus brevicaulis.[18]
annular
1. Ring-like; an arrangement in the style of a ring.
Having no stem or
pedicel, such as a
pileus lacking a
stipe and directly attached to the
substrate. Found in sporangia of Perichanea for example. From Gr. podos, foot.[25]
apothecium
pl. apothecia, discocarp
A type of
fruiting body that, at maturity, opens to expose the
hymenium of
asci; commonly assumes shape of a cup or saucer. The
stipe is sometimes lichenized. From Gr. apotheke, storehouse.[26]
Flattened, or closely applied; e.g. of scales or fibers.[28]
appressorium
pl. appresoria
A swelling at the end of a
germ tube or other hypha that adheres to the surface of its host and penetrates it with infection hyphae. Characteristic of
plant pathogenic fungi such as Phytophthora and Colletotrichum, as well as parasites of animals such as Entomophthora.[29]
aquatic fungi
hydrofungi
Fungi that live in water. Sometimes subdivided into freshwater-living fungi and
marine fungi for saltwater-living fungi. Freshwater fungi include: Many zoosporic fungi of Chytridiomycota, Chytridiales, and Saprolegniales; some
saxicolous lichens of
Lichinaceae that live on submerged rocks; aquatic hyphomycetes or Ingoldian fungi, a group of
mitosporic fungi that live in freshwater with branched or sigmoidial spores, often growing on dead leaves in streams;
smuts of aquatic plants; and certain
yeasts.[30]
archicarp
The cell, hypha, or coil of Ascomycetes that later becomes the
ascoma, or part of it.[31]
ardella
A small spot-like
apothecium, as in the lichen Arthonia. From Latin ardere, to sprinkle.[32]
A delimited space on a surface, separated from others by fissures or cracks.[33]
arthric
thallic-arthric
A method of
thallic conidiogenesis that converts a hyphal element into a
conindium (also called an arthrospore), fragmenting the hypha. Common in many
basidiomycetes. Compare with
holothallic. From Gr. arthron, joint.[34]
asc-
asco-, ascidi-
A prefix meaning sac, bladder, or ascus. From Gr. askós, vessel, bag, or wineskin.[35]
A phylum of fungi characterized by the presence of an
ascus, a sac-like structure where ascospores are produced. The largest group of fungi. Includes cup fungi or
Discomycetes; most
dermatophytes; the
mycobiont part of most lichens;
powdery mildews; and fungi that produce
truffles.[37]
Spores formed in the developing ascus, generally as a result of
karyogamy (nuclear fusion) followed by
meiosis. Commonly, four
haploid daughter nuclei divide to make eight haploid nuclei, around which eight ascospores are created by depositing wall material around them, a process sometimes called
free cell formation.[38]
The reproductive cell of ascomycetes; where ascospores form and are contained. While sometimes traditionally restricted to only sexual reproduction, purely asexual
mitosporic fungi have since been classified as having asci as well (
List of mitosporic Ascomycota).[39]
assimilative
vegetative, somatic
Hyphae related to growth, nutrition, and asexual reproduction as opposed to sexual reproduction; the
soma.[40]
A spore close in form to a
zygospore, but developed asexually (parthogenesis). Found in many species of
Mucorales and some species of
Entomophthorales, such as Entomophthora muscae. The structure that contains it is called an azygosporangium.[42]
A phylum of fungi. Generally defined by sexual reproduction via basidiospores formed from a basidium, although a few purely anamorphic basidiomycetes exist. Typically mycelial, although some are yeasts and some are
dimorphic. Basidiomycetes include
earth balls;
earthstars; false
truffles;
jelly fungi; many
mushrooms;
polypores;
puffballs; most
rusts; most
smuts; and
stinkhorns.[45]
A chain of conidia in which new spores are formed at the base and the oldest are at the apex. Compare with
acropetal.[48]
blastic
One of the two basic forms of
conidiogenesis, with
thallic conidiogenesis. Characterized by the enlargement of the conidia initial before it is delimited by a septum. In holoblastic, both inner and outer walls of the blastic conidiogenous cell contribute to the formation of the conidium; in enteroblastic, only the inner walls enlarge and contribute. Monoblastic is from a single conidiogenous locus; polyblastic is when a conindiogenous cell has multiple conidiogenous loci.[49]
An iconic variety of mushroom characterized by
fleshy fruit bodies and a
poroidhymenophore (marked by
pores rather than the gill-marked cap of
agarics). They are often edible. Boletes are members of the order
Boletales.[51]
A type of asexual cellular multiplication. A small outgrowth or bud from a parent cell enlarges and eventually separates from the parent cell. Typical in
yeasts and many
molds. Sometimes divided by how many buds are made, with monopolar, bipolar, and multipolar budding for one/two/many respectively.[52]
bulbil
A compact multicellular
propagule, with its thin-walled, undifferentiated cells produced in
acropetal succession from the hyphae. Superficially resembles plant tissue at maturity (
pseudoparenchymatous) such as raspberries, hence the resemblance to
bulbils in botany. Found in certain basidiomycetes; characteristic of
aero-aquatic fungi such as Bulbillomyces farinosus, where they grow on leaves or tree branches previously submerged in water.[53]
A phylum of fungi. Informally known as chytrids. Characterized by chitinous cell walls and reproduction via
zoospores, which are usually uniflagellate in the posterior although rarely polyflagellate. Many are
saprobes that live in freshwater (see
aquatic fungi) or the soil.[62]
cirrus
cirrhus; spore horn
A curl-like tuft; usually refers to a tendril-like mass of forced-out spores.[63]
A hyphal outgrowth that makes a connection during cell division between the resulting two cells by fusion. Generally associated with mycelium of
Basidiomycetes.[64]
clavate
Narrowing at the base and then thickening; club-shaped.[65]
An artificial taxon for
mitosporic fungi with pycnidial and acervular states, i.e. they form their spores in an internal cavity. From Gtk. koilos, hollow.[67]
Hyphae that lack
septa and are multi-nucleate; seen in
Zygomycota and
Oomycota. From Gr. kytos, cell. Distinct from a
synctium, a multinucleate structure resulting from fusion of protoplasts.[69]
Producing
conidia. Generally used as "conidiogenous cell", fertile cells that produce conidia; or "conidiogenous locus", for the particular point on a hypha or a cell where conidia are generated.[74]
conidioma
pl. conidiomata
Any multi-hyphal,
conidia-bearing structure. An umbrella term that includes various traditional conidia-bearing structures such as a
synnema, a sporodochium, an acervulus, or a
pycnidium.[75]
Of
agarics, the remnants of the
partial veil, frequently web-like, that covers mature gills. Thin and evanescent; eventually breaks up and disappears.[79]
Crust-like or having a hard surface layer, e.g. in a sporocarp; in lichens, a thallus firmly fixed to the substratum by the whole of their lower surface, generally lacking a distinct lower cortex.[82]
cyphella
pl. cyphellae
A break in the lower cortex of a lichen thallus which appears as a cup-like structure or marking. Characteristic of Sticta. From Gr. kyphella, the hollow of an ear.[83]
A parasitic fungus that focuses on tissue with keratin (skin, hair, nails) of humans and animals. Associated with the genera Epidermophyton, Microsporum, and Trichophyton.[88]
The skin condition caused by a dermatophyte infection.[89]
dichotomous
Forking into roughly equal pairs, often repeatedly, e.g. in hyphal branching. Compare with
monopodial.[90]
dictyospore
Divided by intersecting septa in more than one plane, both transverse and longitudinal; a
muriform spore. Found in Alternaria alternata as an example.[91]
didymospore
A two-celled spore divided by a single septum. Usually applied to mitosporic fungi. Compare with
amerospore and
phragmospore.[92]
A class of saucer-shaped and cup-shaped Ascomycetes in which the hymenium is exposed at maturity; one in which the fruit body is an apothecium (discocarp). Prominent members include
Pezizales,
Helotiales,
Ostropales, and
Lecanorales.[97]
disjunctor
An
evanescent connective, consisting of either a cell or cell wall material. It develops through the pores of septal lamellae of adjoining conidia in a chain, before later fragmenting and releasing the conidia.[98]
Having sharply pointed spines, e.g. of spores. Its diminutive is echinulate, for delicate spines. Sometimes synonymous with
spinose. From Gr. echinos, hedgehog.[100]
effete
Past the bearing period; overmature, e.g. a fruiting body that has emptied its spores.[101]
effuse
Expanded; stretched out flat, e.g. a film-like growth. From Latin fundere, to pour.[102]
An organism that lives within a plant; in mycology, specifically fungi that live within plants but do not show external signs or damage to the plants. This is usually endomycorrhizial fungi in root systems and asymptomatic fungi in aerial plant parts[106]
Having a short existence; soon disappearing, e.g. of a veil, an annulus, etc. From Latin evanscere, to disappear.[115]
eucarpic
eucarpous
Thalli where reproductive structures only develop on limited portions during fructication. The rest of the thallus remains in its original assimilative function. Compare
holocarpic. If they have one
sporangium, they are monocentric; if they have several sporgangia, they are polycentric. The vast majority of fungi are eucarpic.[116]
Mushrooms or puffballs forming in a circle, started from a central
mycelium in the soil. Fairy rings expand with time if undisturbed, and are generally associated with
basidiomycetes.[120]
falcate
Falciform
Curved, like a sickle or scythe. From Latin falx and falcis, sickle.[121]
A chemical change caused by enzymes of living organisms. In mycology, typically yeasts and molds performing anaerobic breakdowns such as changing carbohydrates to carbon dioxide and alcohol. Part of the creation of
fermented foods and fermented drinks (most notably
alcoholic beverages).[122]
filament
A fine thread. Commonly used for hyphal threads or other simple thread-like fungal structures. From Latin filum, thread.[123]
filamentous
filamentose
1. Thread-like, or composed of filaments.
2. In lichens, when the photobiont forms in threads surrounded by hyphae of the mycobiont; the fungi forms the outer structure. (e.g. Coenogonium, Cystocoleous, Racodium)[124]
Fluffy or cottony;
byssoid. Common among many colonies of fungi. Its diminutive form is flocculose, for a small and delicate floccose element. From Latin floccus, a tuft of wool.[129]
2. Of lichens,
foliose lichens, characterised by flattened leaf-like thalli.[133]
foot cell
basal cell
1. A hyphal cell that supports a sporogenous cell or thallus, specifically the support of the conidiophore in Aspergillus and the macroconidium of Fusarium.
A substance able to kill fungi, especially at low concentration. From Latin caedere, to kill. Generally used for chemical substances rather than heat, light, radiation, etc. which are called
sterilization instead.[140]
A kingdom of organisms in
Eukaryota. Fungi are distinguished based on their morphology, nutritional modes, and ecology. Typical traits are that they lack plastids, are
osmotrophic (absorb nutrients from their environment), are never
phagotrophic, lack an ameboid pseudopodal phase, cell walls are composed of a
chitin-glucan complex, mitochondria have flattened
cristae and perioxomes are nearly always present, and are mostly non-flagellate; flagella when present lack
mastigonemes. From Gr. sphongos,
σπόγγος, sponge.[145]
1. Another term for
chlamydospores, sometimes restricted to specifically spores that broke free from the
mycelium to be dispersed, often via water. From Latin gemma, "jewel"
A short hypha that sprouts from the
germ pore during germination. If conditions are favorable, will form a full
mycelium. In plant pathogenic fungi, forms an
appressorium, from which the infective hypha spread and penetrate the tissues of the host.[157]
A
hyphal branch for absorption of food. It penetrates the wall of the living host cell. Found in certain parasitic fungal plant pathogens, such as Phytophthora.[168]
3. A condition where a flagellum possess two rows of tripartite tubular hairs.[170]
heteromerous
In lichens, when the thallus is stratified. The photobiont is distributed in a compact layer, and the hyphal tissue of the fungi are separated into an outer rind and an inner stratum. From Gr. hetero, different, and meros, part.[171]
A scar after a spore is discharged; was previously the point of attachment of a basidiospore to the
sterigma. From Latin hilum, mask.[173]
hoary
Covered thickly with silk-like hairs, especially of a
pileus or
stipe, often grayish or white.[174]
holocarpic
Having all of the thallus converted into the fruiting body at the end of maturation; compare
eucarpic. The somatic and reproductive phases do not coexist as a result. Examples include
Olpidiaceae and
Synchytriaceae.[175]
Term describing the whole fungus throughout all its morphs (states, phases). Generally includes a single
teleomorph phase and one or more
anamorph phases.[176]
holothallic
A method of
thallic conidiogenous in which a hyphal element is converted as a whole into a single conidium. All the cell wall layers are involved. Compare with
arthric. From Gr. holos, whole.[177]
homoiomerous
In lichens, when the photobiont is are distributed uniformly or at random throughout the thallus. From Gr. homoios, similar.[178]
The spore-bearing fruiting surface of Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes. An aggregation of asci or basidia in a layer (palisade) mixed with other sterile cells.[184]
An artificial class of
mitosporic fungi that reproduces asexually. Traditionally subdivided into Agonomycetales, Hyphomycetales, Stilbellales, and Tuberculariales.[188]
hypnospore
resting spore
A thick-walled resting spore; germinates only after a lapse of weeks or months. From Gr. hypnos, sleep.[189]
hypo-
Prefix meaning "under" or "lower". From Gr. hypo.[190]
1. (Of lichens) The first growth of the
hyphae, before differentiation has taken place. Usually of a crustaceous lichen's earliest stage, lacking a
cortex and
photobiont. Often persists as a colored layer on the bottom of the later stages of maturation.
2. (of slime molds) a thin layer on the surface not used up in sporangial development.[191]
Not operculate; lacking an
operculum. Generally refers to
asci or
sporangia that discharge spores by an irregular apical opening or pore instead. Found in various
Discomycetes and most other ascomycetes.[192]
A
propagule for
lichen growth; can both increase the surface area of a lichen and become detached from the thallus to disperse the lichen. Isidia are structures larger than
soredia, and contain both the
mycobiont and the
photobiont. They are usually cylindrical, but can also be
verrucose,
clavate, and other shapes.[194]
A gill; a
hymenium-covered vertical plate, generally of an
agaric. Attaches to the
stipe in a variety of ways, including:
free, unattached;
adnate, attached; adnexed, a partial attachment; sinuate, similar to adnate but with an S-shaped curve; decurrent, attached and also running further down the surface of the stipe. From Latin lamina, a thin plate.[201]
A dual organism that arises from an association of
fungi (mycobiont) and
algae or
cyanobacteria (photobiont). The two coexist in a
mutualistic relationship as partners; the resulting lifeform differs markedly from its isolated components.[209]
A technique for studying the exposure age of rock surfaces based on the size and diameter of
lichen thalli. Used extensively in glaciology. Most frequently uses
map lichen for dating. Lichenometry has been used to date Easter Island
moai among other elements.[215]
A layer of
hyphae covering the roots of ectomycorrhizal plants, generally trees. Connected to a
Hartig net on the inside, and extramatrical hyphae on the outside.[226]
A series of two successive nuclear divisions that reduces the number of chromosomes by one-half, going from a
diploid state to a
haploid one. The last part of the
sexual phase in many fungi, following
plasmogamy and
karyogamy. Contrast with
mitosis.[230]
merosporangium
pl. merosporangia
A
sporangium that is a cylindrical outgrowth from the swollen tip of a
sporangiophore. A chain-like row of sporangiospores are produced there. Characteristic of Mucorales; also found in some other zygomycetes.[231]
A fungus of very small size, usually with microscopic
sporocarps.[240]
monokaryotic
monocaryotic
Cells having a single nucleus each; having genetically identical
haploid nuclei (monokaryon or haplont). Found, for example, in the mycelium of
Agaricales.[241]
monopodial
A type of branching where there is a persistent main axis from which branches split from, one at a time, often in alternate or spiral series. Often uses
acropetal succession. Compare with
dichotomous.[242]
A division of fungi broken off from
Zygomycota in the 2010s that includes many of the
molds, microscopic fungi. Includes
Mucorales, the largest and most closely studied order of zygomycetes.
A symbiotic association between a fungus and the root system of a plant, usually trees. Traditionally subdivided into ectotrophic, where the fungus forms a sheaf on the surface of the root to create a 'Hartig net', and endotropic, where fungal hyphae directly enter the cortical cells of the root. Later, more precise divisions included
ectomycorrhiza,
arbuscular mycorrhiza,
ericoid mycorrhiza,
orchid mycorrhiza,
arbutoid mycorrhiza, and
monotropoid mycorrhiza.[261]
True slime molds. No longer categorized as fungi, but were formerly categorized as such in older literature, and still studied in mycology; now considered part of
Amorphea. Since reclassified as
Myxogastria. From Gr. myxa, slime.[265]
Water molds. Traditionally considered fungi, but now classed as closer to algae. Part of the
Chromista kingdom. Contain
cellulose in their cell walls rather than
chitin, and
coenocytic hypae rather than
septate hyphae.[272]
The resting spore formed as a result of fertilization of the oosphere. Has a thick, resistant wall. Subdivided into centric, subcentric, subeccentric, and eccentric oospores by its structure.[274]
A small rounded elevation. Generally refers to an elevation on the wall of the
sporangium which on breaking serves as the exit point of zoospores and planogametes.[280]
paraphysis
pl. paraphyses
A sterile upward-growing, basally-attached hypha in a
hymenium, especially in
ascomata of ascomycetes where they are generally
filiform and
clavate. The free ends frequently converge toward the
ostiole and make a structure called an epithecium over the
asci. Part of the
hamathecium. Has a number of minor variants distinguished by names such as paraphysoid, pseudoparaphysis, pseudophysis, dikaryoparaphysis, and hyphidium.[281]
A layer of tissue that joins the stipe to the edge of the pileus in
agarics, covering the gills during
hymenium development. May become an
annulus or a
cortina after development is complete.[282]
pectinate
Resembling the teeth of a comb, e.g. of the margin of a
pileus.[283]
1. Conidiogenous cell growth where a
conidiophore or
germ tube grows through a preexisting pore.
2. Of a
columella, extending throughout the entire length, from the base of the gleba through to the peridium's apex. Found in gastromycetes such as Podaxis. Also called a stipe-columella or dendritic columella.[287]
Feeding by engulfing food; extending a pseudopod or other protoplasmic extension, as seen in
protozoa. Never seen in true fungi (
Eumycota), but some Pseudofungi use this in addition to osmocytosis, e.g.
Myxomycetes.[290]
A type of conidiogenous cell, bottle-shaped, that produces
blastic conidia (phialospores) in
basipetal succession. The philade itself does not increase in length. The most common conidiogenous cell among conidial fungi. From Gr. phiale, jar.[291]
phialospore
An asexual spore formed from the tip of a phialide. Formed by
abstriction.[292]
A
tropic phenomenon driven by light, where growth curves toward or against light stimuli. For example, sporangiphores of Pilobus and Phycomyces direct themselves toward light.[294]
A group of forms alike in morphology. Often means a group of organisms that are potentially interbreeding. In plant pathology, it means a group with similar preferences in plants targeted; a race may be adapted to target only a single
cultivar of a plant. Tracking the history of an organism is
phylogeny. From Old Italian razza, generation.[296]
The fusion of two cells or plasmodial cytoplasms, resulting in the nuclei juxtaposed and a
dikaryon formed. In many
sexual phases of fungi, the first step which precedes
karyogamy (nuclear fusion) and
meiosis.[301]
plectenchyma
A thick, packed tissue of twisted
hyphae formed during
basidiocarp development as it enlarges and generative hyphae begin to differentiate. From Gr. plektos, to twist, and enchyma, infusion.[302]
Any structure that serves to spread the organism, both via propagation of new organisms as well as vegetatively increasing a single organism's size. In fungi, generally
spores,
bulbils, fragments of
mycelium,
isidia,
soredia, and others.[307]
pseudo-
Prefix meaning "false", from Gr. pseudos.
pseudoidia
Separated hyphal cells capable of germination.[308]
A
geniculate or zig-zag holoblastic extension of a conidiogenous cell from
sympodial conidiogenous cell development. Such cells having a rachis are called rachiform. From Gr. ráchis, axis, spine.[318]
racket cell
A hyphal cell having a swelling at one end, resembling a tennis racket; found in
dermatophytes.[319]
A slender, tapered structure of anucleate
filaments bearing a superficial resemblance to a plant
root, as it is extended by the thallus of
chytrids as a feeding organ. Generally part of a root system-like aggregation of branched hyphae.[323]
A strand or cord of mycelium, often with a dark-colored rind surrounding a central core of colorless cells, penetrating a soft substratum or between portions of it (e.g. between bark and wood). Unlike a mycelial cord, features distinct tissue, unlike "normal" hyphae. Functions as organ of absorption of nutritive substances. Seen in some
Agaricales and
Gasteromycetes.[324]
A sister group of quasi-fungi that lack chitinous cell walls. Traditionally considered
chytrids, but have since been separated and reclassified in the 2010s.
Phagotrophs rather than
osmotrophes. Rozella, a group of obligate
endoparasites, is possibly the earliest diverging lineage of fungi.[326]
A hardened, often rounded, mass of hyphae, normally having no spores. May give rise to a fruit body, a stroma (as in ergot),
conidiophores, or mycelium. Can be a store of nutrients as part of
perennation; can reinitiate vegetative growth after conditions have improved and a season has passed.[334]
scutate
scutiform
Like a shield or round plate in shape. From Latin scutum, shield.[335]
A fruiting body with the appearance of an unopened
agaric or
bolete. The margin of the
pileus does not break free of the columella-stipe, generally seen in vertical development (e.g. Podaxis pistillaris).[336]
1. Growing old. From Latin senescere, to grow old.
2. The degeneration over time that makes indefinite propagation of certain fungi cultures impossible, especially in isolation such as a lab environment.[339]
Edged with teeth, like a comb or saw, e.g. of gills; its diminutive form is serrulate.[342]
sexual phase
The phase of the fungal life cycle when sexually reproductive cells and organs are formed. This term is preferred over
sex in animals, as the fungal process is not equivalent.[343]
A eukaryotic lifeform that spreads via spores. Has both ameba (cellular slime molds) and plasmoidial (multi-nucleate) varieties. No longer categorized as fungi, but were formerly categorized as such in older literature. Cellular slime molds are part of
Acrasiomycota or
Dictyosteliomycota; plasmodial slime molds were traditionally part of the class
Myxomycota, since renamed
Myxogastria. From Gr. myxa, slime.[344]
1.
A class of destructive plant diseases, generally of cereal grasses, caused by parasitic fungi of
Ustilaginomycetes. Distinguished by transformation of plant organs permeated by hyphae into a dark mass of spores.
2. Smut-causing fungi themselves in
Ustilaginomycetes. Characterized by being host-specific endophytes. Its spores are called ustilospores.
A
propagule for vegetative lichen growth; a combination of
phycobiont algae wrapped by
mycobiont hyphae, and produced on a lichen thallus. Has the appearance of a powdery granule. From Latin soredium, a small heap.[348]
A heap of spores. Fruiting structure in certain fungi, including the spore mass of rusts, but also
Acrasidae and
Synchytriaceae. From Gr. soros, heap.[349]
spawn
Mycelium used for starting fungal cultures, especially mushrooms; e.g. bricks of manure interlaced with mycelia.[350]
A reproductive structure in fungi. Can result from both sexual and asexual processes.[358]
spore wall
The layered wall defining a spore. Considered to have five layers. From within to outwards: the thin interior endosporium, the thick episporium, the exosporium (or tunic), the perisporium, and ectosporium, although the outermost two layers are fleeting and can be absorbed back into the perisporium and exosporium.[359]
Having minute radiating lines or ridges, such as the margin of a
pileus.[367]
stroma
pl. stromata
A mass of
vegetative hyphae where fertile hyphae, fruiting bodies, and spores are produced. Common among
ascomycetes and anamorphic fungi; a few Pucciniales have them as well.[368]
The sexual state (or perfect state) of a fungus whose spores are produced by
meiosis, i.e. characterized by
ascomata or
basidiomata.[376]
thallic
One of the two basic forms of
conidiogenesis, with
blastic conidiogenesis. Characterized by the conidia initial being delimited by one or more
septa before it begins enlargement. The result is that the conidium is differentiated from the whole cell. By comparison, in blastic conidiogenesis, enlargement occurs within the cell before being delimited later.[377]
1. A layer of hyphae in the central part of an
agaric running from the underside of the
cap to the
lamella, often supporting the
hymenium. Sometimes called a hymenophoral trama to distinguish it from the second definition.
2. In old literature, any
fleshy part of the
pileus, although this use has since been discouraged.[380]
Arranged in a single row or series. Generally used to differentiate how
phialides are arranged in species of Aspergillus; in uniseriate, they are directly on the conidial head, contrasted with biseriate where phialides rest on intermediate outgrowths of sterile cells called metulae.[392]
A layer of tissue covering the
basidioma during its early development, in
agarics and
Gasteromycetes. As the
pileus grows, the veil is broken, with its upper remnants becoming cap scales, and the lower section becoming the
volva.[393]
Warty; having rounded bumps. Verruculose is the diminutive version for delicate or small warts.
verticillate
Having parts in rings (verticils); whorled. Develops due to branching in which branches or pedicels are borne at the same level on the
hypha, and grow obliquely upward with respect to the central axis. Named after the conidiophores of Verticillium, but appears in other fungi such as the
sporangiophore of Actinomucor. From New Latin verticillatus, arranged in a verticil.[394]
vesicle
1. A bladder-like sac, especially of
Pythiales where
zoospores mature.
Fungi that digest wood. Mostly basidiomycetes, although a few ascomycetes also possess this ability. Generally categorized into brown rot, which digests a tree's
cellulose and
hemicellulose but not its lignin; white rot, which can also digest
lignin; and soft rots, which are similar to brown rots in attacking cellulose and hemicellulose, but require moist wood and available nitrogen, e.g. from nearby soil. Two other notable types are dry rot (a slight misnomer, as some dampness is still required), a brown rot caused by Serpula lacrimans; and wet rot, several other species including
cellar fungus.[401]
Preferring a dry habitat, or at least capable of subsisting in one. Rare among fungal species, but fungi with this capability can be exceptionally common, such as Aspergillus and Penicillium whose spores can be found in nearly any soil sample.[402]