Glossary Navigation
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Can’t find a term in this glossary? Check out the following online glossaries and contact me to request your term’s inclusion on this page.
- http://www.mushroomexpert.com/glossary.html This glossary is the most practical. It covers terms used in everyday mushroom identification and includes lots of pictures. Unfortunately, it is also the shortest and leaves many terms out.
- http://bugs.bio.usyd.edu.au/learning/resources/Mycology/Glossary/glossary_a_b.shtml This glossary is the most similar to mine. It includes a lot of terms but is split into three pages. This link takes you to the A-B page. Use the navigation links on that page to reach the other two pages.
- http://www.mushroomthejournal.com/greatlakesdata/Terms/TermsFrame.html This glossary is quite detailed but very difficult to read. It usually includes a lot of extra information, which makes finding your term difficult. I recommend using your browser’s Find on Page function to help wade through the pile of extraneous terms.
~ A ~
allele
A variety of a gene.
alternate host
The host on which a rust fungus produces sexual spores.
Representative Page: #130: rusts
Related Term: rust
AM
Arbuscular Mycorrhiza.
Representative Page: #074: arbuscular mycorrhizae
Related Term: arbuscular mycorrhiza
amatoxin
A deadly mushroom toxin found in some Amanita species as well as other lineages.
Representative Page: #091: amatoxins
Related Term: amanitin
ammonia
A solution of ammonia is used to identify mushrooms. A drop of the solution is placed on a mushroom and any color changes are observed. Ammonia is also used in wool dyeing.
Representative Page: #159: dyeing
amyloid
Staining blue when Melzer’s reagent is applied.
Related Terms: dextrinoid, inamyloid, Melzer’s reagent
anastomosis
The process of one hypha fusing to another hypha.
Representative Page: #128: anastomosis
Related Term: hypha
angular
With straight edges. Angular pores are not perfect circles but irregular polygons.
Related Term: pores
annulus
The remnants of the partial veil that hang down over the stipe. May be large and skirt-like, ring-like, or a thin ring zone. Also called a ring.
Related Terms: partial veil, ring, ring zone, stipe
anther smut
A basidiomycete plant pathogen that infects members of the pink family and makes them produce anthers with fungal spores instead of pollen.
Representative Page: #132: anther smuts
Related Terms: basidiomycete, smut, spore
apothecium
A disc-shaped structure produced by some ascomycetes that has asci lining its upper surface.
Related Terms: ascomycete, ascus
appressorium
A fungal cell specialized to penetrate the external cell wall or cuticle of an organism. Appressoria use mechanical pressure and chemicals to break through external barriors.
Related Term: haustorium
arbuscular mycorrhiza
A mycorrhiza formed by fungi in the division Glomeromycota. The mycorrhizal structures are formed inside cells of plant roots.
Representative Page: #074: arbuscular mycorrhizae
Related Terms: AM, arbuscule, division, fungus, mycorrhiza, VAM, vesicle, vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza
arbuscule
In AM, arbuscules are highly-branched, tree-like structures formed to facilitate nutrient exchange inside mycorrhizal plant root cells.
Representative Page: #074: arbuscular mycorrhizae
Related Terms: AM, arbuscular mycorrhiza, vesicle
arbutoid mycorrhiza
A less common type of ericaceous mycorrhiza. Arbutoid mycorrhizal fungi form a mantle, a hartig net, and penetrate root cells.
Representative Page: #077: ericaceous mycorrhizae
Related Terms: ericaceous mycorrhiza, ericoid mycorrhiza, fungus, Hartig net, mantle, monotropoid mycorrhiza, mycorrhiza
ascocarp
A fruiting body formed by ascomycetes.
Representative Page: #012: ascomycetes
Related Terms: ascomycete, fruiting body, mushroom
ascospore
A sexual spore produced by fungi in the phylum Ascomycota.
Representative Page: #012: ascomycetes
Related Terms: ascomycete, ascus, spore
ascus
A cell that produces sexual spores internally, found only in fungi from the phylum Ascomycota. Plural: asci.
Representative Page: #012: ascomycetes
Related Terms: ascomycete, ascospore, spore
autotroph
An organism that produces its own energy using sunlight or chemicals.
Related Term: heterotroph
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~ B ~
ballistospore
A spore that is ejected or thrown into the air. As far as I can tell, this term is used exclusively in the basidiomycetes.
Representative Page: #013: basidiomycetes
Related Terms: basidiomycete, basidiospore, hilar droplet, spore
basidio
Short for basidiomycete.
Representative Page: #013: basidiomycetes
Related Term: basidiomycete
basidiocarp
A fruiting body formed by basidiomycetes.
Representative Page: #013: basidiomycetes
Related Terms: basidiomycete, fruiting body, mushroom
basidiospore
A sexual spore produced by fungi in the phylum Basidiomycota.
Representative Page: #013: basidiomycetes
Related Terms: basidiomycete, basidium, spore
basidium
A cell that produces sexual spores externally, found only in fungi from the phylum Basidiomycota. Plural: basidia.
Representative Page: #013: basidiomycetes
Related Terms: basidiomycete, basidiospore, spore
biofilm
A community of organisms that works together to secrete a protective layer of compounds.
Related Term: plaque
bird’s nest
A small basidiomycete mushroom with a pile of tiny circular peridioles that contain sexual spores and are dispersed through a splash cup mechanism.
Representative Page: #043: bird’s nests
Related Terms: basidiomycete, egg, mushroom, peridiole, splash cup
bolete
A fleshy terrestrial basidiomycete mushroom with a central stipe, pores that separate as a layer, and a pileus.
Representative Page: #028: boletes
Related Terms: basidiomycete, mushroom, pileus, pores, stipe, terrestrial
bracket fungus
A mushroom that juts out horizontally from a log, usually with the widest part of the mushroom directly attached to the log. Also called a shelf fungus.
Representative Page: #070: Ganoderma applanatum
Related Terms: mushroom, shelf fungus
brown rot
A type of wood rot caused by certain fungi that primarily decompose cellulose, leaving the brown, cubical lignin.
Representative Page: #088: wood rot
bruising
A color change that happens when part of a mushroom is damaged. Often used interchangably with staining.
budding
A mechanism of asexual reproduction in yeasts whereby a smaller cell is produced on the side of a larger one. Eventually the two cells break apart and repeat the process.
Representative Page: #003: yeast vs. hyphae
Related Terms: asexual reproduction, fission, yeast
Buller’s drop
See hilar droplet.
Representative Page: #013: basidiomycetes
Related Term: hilar droplet
button
A structure formed before the mushroom fruits that lays out the plan of the mushroom. For example, if you cut an Amanita button in half you will find miniature versions of the gills and stipe. Buttons generally form just under the surface of their substrate.
Related Terms: determinate growth, egg, gills, mushroom, stipe, substrate
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~ C ~
cellular slime mold
A single-celled slime mold that, when it is ready to produce spores, comes together with lots of other individuals of the same species to produce a single fruiting body.
Representative Page: #053: slime molds
Related Terms: fruiting body, slime mold
cellulose
The main comonent of cell walls of plants and other organisms. Fungi do not have cellulose cell walls. Cellulose is a white, stringy compound that is an important structural component of wood.
Representative Page: #088: wood rot
chanterelle
A fleshy basidiomycete mushroom with decurrent, blunt false gills.
Representative Page: #029: chanterelles
Related Terms: basidiomycete, decurrent, false gills, mushroom
chitin
The primary carbohydrate that makes up the fungal cell wall.
Representative Page: #011: fungi
chlamydospore
A resting spore with thick walls produced by certain fungi.
Related Terms: resting spore, spore
clamp connection
A bump on the side of a hypha, produced only by certain basidiomycetes. Clamp connections are always found above septa and are a result of the highly regulated process of mitosis in those basidiomycetes.
Representative Page: #013: basidiomycetes
Related Terms: basidiomycete, hypha, mitosis, septum
climax species
A species present at the final stage of succession. Such a species will not be replaced in its community unless the environment changes.
Related Term: succession
club fungus
1) A basidiomycete, so called because of the club-shaped basidia. 2) A basidiomycete mushroom shaped like a club (a stocky base that gradually enlarges toward the somewhat irregular top). The hymenium covers the entire outer surface.
Representative Pages: #013: basidiomycetes, #038: coral fungi
Related Terms: base, basidiomycete, basidium, hymenium, mushroom
coenocytic
Having a single cytoplasm. Most fungi are coenocytic because pores in their septa link the cytoplasm of each cell to its neighbors.
Representative Page: #004: hyphae
columella
A short, vertical, column-like segment that is not very well defined. A columella is present at the bases of certain false truffles and zygomycete sporangia.
Representative Page: #046: false truffles
Related Terms: base, false truffle, sporangium, zygomycete
commensalism
A symbiosis where both organisms are neither harmed nor benefited.
Related Terms: mutualism, parasitism, symbiosis
composite organism
An organism whose form and ability to live are dependent upon multiple species.
Representative Page: #062: lichens 1
Related Term: lichen
conidiophore
A microscopic structure that produces conidia.
Related Terms: conidium, microscopic, sporangiophore
conidium
An asexual spore produced on a conidiophore. Plural: conidia.
Related Terms: conidiophore, mitospore, spore
conjugation
The process of two yeast fusing together. This often occurs before sexual reproduction.
Related Terms: sexual reproduction, yeast
convergent evolution
The tendency of organisms exposed to similar conditions to develop similar adaptations. As an example, truffles (ascomycetes) and false truffles (basidiomycetes) both evolved subterranean fruiting bodies to conserve moisture in response to arid conditions.
Representative Page: #030: polypores
Related Terms: false truffle, fruiting body, truffle
coprine
A mushroom toxin found in some Coprinopsis species that causes symptoms if alcohol is also consumed.
Representative Page: #095: coprine
Related Term: mushroom
coral fungus
A basidiomycete mushroom that is composed of branching, roughly cylindrical segments. The hymenium covers the entire outer surface.
Representative Page: #038: coral fungi
Related Terms: basidiomycete, hymenium, mushroom
cortex
The exterior part of a lichen composed of tightly woven fungal hyphae. Primarily protects the lichen from the external world. Often differentiated into the upper and lower cortex. The photobiont cells are kept under the (upper) cortex layer.
Representative Page: #062: lichens 1
Related Terms: hypha, lichen, medulla, photobiont
cortina
A partial veil composed of cobweb-like threads, found in certain agarics (certain Cortinarius species).
Related Terms: agaric, annulus, partial veil, ring
cross-veins
Small ridges that meet gills at a roughly 90° angle and connect that gill to the adjacent gill.
cruciate septate basidia
Basidia produced by certain jelly fungi that are separated into four cells by septa. When viewed from above, the septa in these basidia form an X shape.
Representative Page: #048: jelly fungi
Related Terms: basidium, jelly fungus, septum, transversely septate basidia, tuning fork basidia
crust
A basidiomycete mushroom with a smooth hymenium.
Representative Page: #039: crusts
Related Terms: basidiomycete, hymenium, mushroom
cup fungus
An ascomycete mushroom with the hymenium on its smooth or nearly smooth upper surface.
Representative Page: #032: cup fungi
Related Terms: ascomycete, hymenium, mushroom
cystidium
An enlarged cell found mixed in with basidia on the hymenium of certain basidiomycetes. Plural: cystidia.
Related Terms: basidiomycete, basidium, caulocystidium, cheilocystidium, hymenium, pileocystidium, pleurocystidium
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~ D ~
determinate growth
A growth pattern where the mushroom is trying to achieve a pre-defined shape. In determinate growth, the mushroom pushes debris out of the way and grows around obstacles.
Related Terms: indeterminate growth, mushroom
dextrinoid
Staining brownish when Melzer’s reagent is applied.
Related Terms: amyloid, inamyloid, Melzer’s reagent
dikaryotic
Having two nuclei (designated by “n+n”).
Representative Page: #009: fungal life cycle
Related Terms: monokaryotic, polykaryotic
diploid
An organism or cell with two sets of chromosomes. Designated by “2n”.
division
Another word for phylum. Mycologists perfer to use the word division.
dolipore septum
A septum with a central pore surrounded by a swelling and parenthosomes. Found only in certain basidiomycetes.
Representative Page: #004: hyphae
Related Terms: basidiomycete, parenthosome, septum
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~ E ~
earth tongue
An ascomycete mushroom with a stipe and a head that has a tongue-like crease running down the center.
Representative Page: #036: earth tongues
Related Terms: ascomycete, earth tongue look-alike, ETLA, mushroom, stipe
earth tongue look-alike
Any ascomycete mushroom that is roughly tubular in shape but is not an earth tongue.
Representative Page: #037: ETLAs
Related Terms: ascomycete, earth tongue, mushroom
earthball
A basidiomycete mushroom that produces spores internally. The peridium breaks apart irregularly at maturity to reveal a mass of spores. Also called a false puffball.
Representative Page: #042: earthballs
Related Terms: basidiomycete, false puffball, mushroom, peridium, puffball
earthstar
A basidiomycete mushroom with an exoperidium that splits into star-like rays to reveal a puffball-like center.
Representative Page: #044: earthstars
Related Terms: basidiomycete, exoperidium, mushroom, puffball
ectomycorrhiza
A mycorrhiza where the fungus forms a thick network of hyphae around mycorrhizal plant root and cells. The hyphae do not penetrate root cells, but do grow around some of them.
Representative Page: #075: ectomycorrhizae
Related Terms: ECM, EM, Hartig net, hypha, mycorrhiza
effused-reflexed
A mushroom that lies flat against its substrate on the bottom but develops a small, shelf-like pileus at the top.
egg
An oval-shaped mushroom or mushroom part. Egg generally refers to either a stinkhorn button or a bird’s nest peridiole.
Related Terms: bird’s nest, button, mushroom, peridiole, stinkhorn
elfin saddle
An ascomycete mushroom with a stipe and a saddle-shaped head.
Representative Page: #035: elfin saddles
Related Terms: ascomycete, false morel, mushroom, stipe
endoperidium
In a peridium composed of multiple layers, the endoperidium is the innermost layer.
Representative Page: #044: earthstars
Related Terms: exoperidium, mesoperidium, peridium
ericaceous mycorrhiza
A mycorrhiza formed with many plants in the order Ericales. Includes: ericoid, arbutoid, and monotropoid mycorrhizae.
Representative Page: #077: ericaceous mycorrhizae
Related Terms: arbutoid mycorrhiza, ericoid mycorrhiza, monotropoid mycorrhiza, mycorrhiza
ericoid mycorrhiza
The most common type of ericaceous mycorrhiza. Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi form a mantle and penetrate root cells.
Representative Page: #077: ericaceous mycorrhizae
Related Terms: arbutoid mycorrhiza, ericaceous mycorrhiza, mantle, monotropoid mycorrhiza, mycorrhiza
ETLA
Earth Tongue Look-Alike.
Representative Page: #037: ETLAs
Related Term: earth tongue look-alike
exoperidium
In a peridium composed of multiple layers, the exoperidium is the outermost layer.
Representative Page: #044: earthstars
Related Terms: endoperidium, mesoperidium, peridium
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~ F ~
false gills
Gill-like lamellae that come to a blunt edge (as in the chanterelles) or are found on tough to woody mushrooms (as in those related to polypores).
Representative Pages: #029: chanterelles, #168: Lenzites betulina
Related Terms: chanterelle, gills, hymenium, lamellae, mushroom
false morel
An ascomycete mushroom with a solid stipe and an enlarged head that is covered in wrinkles and is attached to the stipe only at the top.
Representative Page: #034: false morels
Related Terms: ascomycete, elfin saddle, morel, mushroom, stipe, verpa
false truffle
A subterranean basidiomycete mushroom that produces spores internally and spreads its spores by using scents to attract mammals.
Representative Page: #046: false truffles
Related Terms: basidiomycete, mushroom, truffle
fission
A mechanism of asexual reproduction in yeasts whereby a yeast cell is divided equally in half to produce two smaller yeast cells.
Representative Page: #003: yeast vs. hyphae
Related Terms: asexual reproduction, budding, yeast
flagellum
A long, thin protrusion from a cell that the cell moves to allow the cell to swim. Plural: flagella.
Representative Page: #014: chytrids
Related Term: whiplash flagellum
foliose
A lichen that produces leaf-like structures that have a top and a bottom. The algal layer is found on top of the leaf-like structures.
Representative Page: #062: lichens 1
forked
A forked lamella branches at one or more points so that it has multiple ends at the margin but only one end at point of attachment.
foxfire
The phenomonon where a fungus causes pieces of wood to glow.
Representative Page: #008: A Glow in the Dark
fruiting body
A structure that produces meiospores, such as a mushroom.
Related Terms: ascocarp, basidiocarp, meiospore, mushroom
fruticose
A lichen that produces a tree-like structure of branching, roughly cylindrical segments. The algal layer is found near the outside of all surfaces of the lichen.
Representative Page: #062: lichens 1
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~ G ~
gasteromycete
Any basidiomycete mushroom that produces spores internally. Gasteromycetes are not related to each other phylogenetically.
Related Terms: basidiomycete, bird’s nest, earthball, earthstar, false truffle, hymenomycete, mushroom, puffball, stinkhorn
gastrointestinal irritant
A mushroom toxin that causes symptoms in the gastrointestinal tract.
Representative Page: #099: gastrointestinal irritants
Related Term: mushroom
gills
Lamellae of fleshy basidiomycete mushrooms that come to a sharp edge (like a knife).
Representative Page: #027: agarics
Related Terms: agaric, basidiomycete, false gills, hymenium, lamellae, mushroom
gyromitrin
A mushroom toxin found primarily in false morels.
Representative Page: #092: gyromitrin & MMH
Related Terms: false morel, monomethylhydrazine, mushroom
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~ H ~
hand lens
A small magnifying glass, usually 8x – 20x, that mycologists use to examine specimens in the field. Also called a loupe.
Related Term: loupe
haploid
An organism or cell with one set of chromosomes. Designated by “n”.
Hartig net
A network of hyphae produced by ECM fungi around certain root cells that increases the surface area available for nutrient exchange.
Representative Page: #075: ectomycorrhizae
Related Terms: arbutoid mycorrhiza, ECM, ectomycorrhiza, hypha
heterotroph
An organism that gets its energy from organic material.
Related Terms: autotroph, mycoheterotroph, mycotroph, saprobe
hilar appendage
The (usually small) structure that attaches a basidiospore to a sterigma. Also called a hilar appendix.
Related Terms: basidiospore, hilar appendix, sterigma
hilar appendix
The (usually small) structure that attaches a basidiospore to a sterigma. Also called a hilar appendage.
Related Terms: basidiospore, hilar appendage, sterigma
hilar droplet
A small droplet that forms on the sterigma just below a basidiospore on a basidium. When the spore is mature, the droplet touches the surface of the basidiospore. This motion flings the spore away.
Representative Page: #013: basidiomycetes
Related Terms: basidiospore, basidium, sterigma
hyaline
Clear.
hygrophanous
Changing color upon drying out.
hymenium
The surface of a mushroom that produces sexual spores.
Related Terms: false gills, gills, mushroom, pores, spore, teeth
hypha
A cylindrical chain of fungal cells. Hyphae may or may not be divided into cells by septa. In septate hyphae, the cytoplasm of adjacent cells is connected through pores in the septa. Plural: hyphae.
Representative Page: #004: hyphae
Related Terms: coenocytic, mycelium, septate, yeast
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~ I ~
ibotenic acid
A mushroom toxin that has mild effects on the central nervous system.
Representative Page: #097: ibotenic acid & muscimol
inamyloid
Not staining when Melzer’s reagent is applied.
Related Terms: amyloid, dextrinoid, Melzer’s reagent
indeterminate growth
A growth pattern where the mushroom is not trying to achieve a pre-defined shape. In indeterminate growth, the mushroom incorporates debris and fuses to obstacles.
Related Terms: determinate growth, mushroom
inoperculate
Of asci that have a simple pore through which spores are discharged.
Representative Page: #012: ascomycetes
Related Terms: ascus, operculate
iron salts
A solution of iron salts is used to identify mushrooms. A drop of the solution is placed on a mushroom and any color changes are observed. Iron salts are also used in wool dyeing.
Representative Page: #159: dyeing
Related Terms: ferrous sulfate, FeSO4, mushroom
isidia
Short, cylindrical outgrowths of a lichen that are designed to break away so that the lichen can spread to new areas. Isidia contain both photobiont and mycobiont cells.
Representative Page: #062: lichens 1
Related Terms: lichen, mycobiont, photobiont, soredia
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~ J ~
jelly fungus
A basidiomycete mushroom that is gelatinous in texture.
Representative Page: #048: jelly fungi
Related Terms: basidiomycete, cruciate septate basidia, mushroom, transversely septate basidia, tuning fork basidia
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~ K ~
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~ L ~
lamellae
Lamellae are flat plates of hymenium tissue that are are found in certain basidiomycetes. Lamellae radiate out from the point of attachment to the substrate or stipe and are oriented perpendicular to the ground to allow spores to drop down into the air below. Also called gills.
Representative Page: #027: agarics
Related Terms: agaric, basidiomycete, false gills, gills, hymenium, stipe, substrate
lamellula
A lamella that is shorter than normal and does not extend all the way to the stipe or point of attachment. Also called short-gills.
Related Terms: gills, lamellae, short-gill, stipe
lichen
A composite organism composed of fungal and algal cells. The fungus is the dominant symbiont. Mycologists think of fungi as farming the algae.
Representative Page: #062: lichens 1
Related Terms: composite organism, fungus, symbiosis
lignicolous
Decomposing wood.
lignin
A brown, crumbly compound that is an important structural component of wood.
Representative Page: #088: wood rot
loupe
A small magnifying glass, usually 8x – 20x, that mycologists use to examine specimens in the field. Also called a hand lens.
Related Term: hand lens
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~ M ~
mantle
The thick layer of hyphae surrounding a mycorrhizal root.
Representative Page: #075: ectomycorrhizae
Related Terms: arbutoid mycorrhiza, ectomycorrhiza, ericoid mycorrhiza, hypha
mating type
The set of a fungus’ genes that determines whether or not it can successsfully mate with another fungus of the same species.
Representative Page: #085: Schizophyllum commune
Related Term: fungus
medulla
The interior part of a lichen composed of loosely woven fungal hyphae. Primarily gives support and structure to the lichen and is sometimes directly fixed to the substrate.
Representative Page: #062: lichens 1
meiosis
The process of sexual cell division. The daughter cells have half the number of chromosomes as the parent cells and genes have been exchanged.
Related Term: mitosis
melanin
A dark-colored compound that protects cells from damage by ultraviolet light.
Melzer’s reagent
A solution containing iodine and other chemicals used to selectively stain certain fungi under the microscope. Reactions to Melzer’s reagent are used to identify mushrooms.
Related Terms: amyloid, dextrinoid, inamyloid, mushroom
mesoperidium
In a peridium composed of multiple layers, the mesoperidium is the middle layer.
Representative Page: #044: earthstars
Related Terms: endoperidium, exoperidium, peridium
microscopic
Unable to be seen with the unaided eye. You need to use a microscope.
Related Term: macroscopic
mitosis
The process of asexual cell division. The daughter cells have exactly the same chromosomes as the parent cell.
Related Term: meiosis
MMH
Monomethylhydrazine.
Representative Page: #092: gyromitrin & MMH
Related Term: monomethylhydrazine
monokaryotic
Having one nucleus.
Representative Page: #009: fungal life cycle
Related Terms: dikaryotic, polykaryotic
monomethylhydrazine
A mushroom toxin found primarily in false morels.
Representative Page: #092: gyromitrin & MMH
Related Terms: false morel, gyromitrin, MMH, mushroom
monophyletic
A taxonomic group of organisms that are all descended from a common ancestor.
Related Term: polyphyletic
monotropoid mycorrhiza
A parasitic type of ericaceous mycorrhiza. Monotropoid mycorrhizal fungi provide nutrients and sugars for plants in the genus monotropa but get nothing back.
Representative Page: #077: ericaceous mycorrhizae
Related Terms: arbutoid mycorrhiza, ericaceous mycorrhiza, ericoid mycorrhiza, mycoheterotroph, mycorrhiza
mordant
A chemical that fixes a dye to a substrate. Mordants can change the structures of dyes and may alter their color.
Representative Page: #159: dyeing
morel
An ascomycete mushroom with a hollow stipe and a large, hollow head characterized by well-defined ridges and pits.
Representative Page: #033: morels
Related Terms: ascomycete, false morel, mushroom, stipe, verpa
muscarine
A mushroom toxin primarily found in Inocybe and Clitocybe species.
Representative Page: #094: muscarine
Related Term: mushroom
muscimol
A mushroom toxin that has mild effects on the central nervous system.
Representative Page: #097: ibotenic acid & muscimol
Related Terms: ibotenic acid, mushroom
mushroom
A macroscopic structure that releases sexual spores and is produced by certain fungi.
Related Terms: fruiting body, fungus, macroscopic
mutualism
A symbiosis that benefits both organisms.
Related Terms: commensalism, parasitism, symbiosis
mycelial cord
A loosely-structured bundle of mycelium used by certain fungi to access distant areas and cross nutrient deficient areas.
Related Terms: mycelium, rhizomorph
mycelial threads
Small pieces of mycelium that are attached to the base of the stipe.
mycelium
A reticulated network of hyphae.
Representative Page: #004: hyphae
Related Terms: hypha, reticulated
mycobiont
The fungal symbiont in a lichen that provides the structure for the lichen.
Representative Page: #062: lichens 1
Related Terms: lichen, photobiont
mycoheterotroph
A non-fungus organism (usually a plant) that gets its energy by parasitizing fungi.
Representative Page: #112: Monotropa uniflora
Related Terms: heterotroph, mycotroph
mycorrhiza
A (usually) mutualistic association between a fungus and a plant root. The fungus extracts nutrients from the ground and exchanges them for sugars produced by the plant. Plural: mycorrhizae or mycorrhizas. Adjective: mycorrhizal.
Representative Page: #073: mycorrhizae
Related Terms: arbuscular mycorrhiza, arbutoid mycorrhiza, ectomycorrhiza, ericaceous mycorrhiza, ericoid mycorrhiza, fungus, monotropoid mycorrhiza, orchid mycorrhiza
mycotroph
An organism (plant, fungus, or other) that gets its energy by parasitizing fungi.
Representative Page: #150: Asterophora lycoperdoides
Related Terms: fungus, heterotroph, mycoheterotroph
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~ N ~
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~ O ~
oomycete
An organism from the class Oomycota. Oomycetes were once considered to be fungi but have since been moved out of kingdom Fungi.
Representative Page: #054: oomycetes
Related Term: fungus
operculate
Of asci that have a lid covering the pore through which spores are discharged.
Representative Page: #012: ascomycetes
Related Terms: ascus, inoperculate
orchid mycorrhiza
A mycorrhiza formed with plants in the family Orchidaceae. When young, the orchid is completely parasitic on the fungus.
Representative Page: #076: orchid mycorrhizae
Related Terms: mycoheterotroph, mycorrhiza
orellanine
A mushroom toxin found in a few Cortinarius species.
Representative Page: #093: orellanine
Related Term: mushroom
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~ P ~
parasitism
A symbiosis where one organism benefits at the expense of the other.
Related Terms: commensalism, mutualism, symbiosis
parenthosome
A membrane with many tiny pores that surrounds the dolipore septum.
Representative Page: #004: hyphae
Related Terms: dolipore septum, septum
partial veil
A membrane that covers the gills of developing agarics.
Related Terms: agaric, gills, lamellae, universal veil
patches
Large remnants of the univeral veil found on the surface of the pileus and are not attached to the pileus.
Representative Page: #051: Amanita phalloides
peridiole
The disc-shaped structures containing spores found in bird’s nest fungi. Often called eggs.
Representative Page: #043: bird’s nests
Related Terms: bird’s nest, egg, spore
peridium
A protective layer of fungal tissue found in the gasteromycetes.
Representative Page: #044: earthstars
Related Terms: endoperidium, exoperidium, gasteromycete, mesoperidium
perithecium
A flask-shaped structure with a pore at the top produced by certain ascomycetes. Asci line the interior surface of perithecia. When asci are ready to release their spores, they grow up to the pore at the top of the perithecium and eject the spores.
Representative Page: #062: lichens 1
Related Terms: ascomycete, ascospore, ascus
photobiont
The algal symbiont in a lichen that produces its own food through photosynthesis.
Related Terms: lichen, mycobiont, photosynthesis
photosynthesis
The process of converting sunlight into chemical energy.
phylogeny
A diagram showing the evolutionary relationships between organisms.
pileus
The upper surface of a mushroom that does not produce spores and serves to protect the hymenium. Also called a cap.
plasmodial slime mold
A single-celled slime mold that can grow very large. When ready to produce spores, it moves to the surface of its substrate and forms a macroscopic fuiting body.
Representative Page: #053: slime molds
Related Terms: macroscopic, slime mold, substrate
ploidy
How many sets of chromosomes an organism or cell has.
podetium
A long, roughly cylindrical, upright structure produced by a lichen. Plural: podetia.
Representative Page: #171: reindeer lichen
polykaryotic
Having multiple nuclei.
Representative Page: #009: fungal life cycle
Related Terms: dikaryotic, monokaryotic
polyphyletic
A taxonomic group of organisms that are descended from multiple evolutionary lineages. Polyphyletic taxa are slowly being divided into multiple monophyletic taxa of the same rank.
Related Term: monophyletic
polyploid
An organism or cell with multiple sets of chromosomes.
polypore
A basidiomycete mushroom with a hymenium covered in pores, excluding the boletes.
Representative Page: #030: polypores
Related Terms: basidiomycete, bolete, hymenium, mushroom, pores
pores
Pores are tubes set into the hymenium of certain basidiomycetes. Pores produce spores on their inner surfaces and are oriented perpendicular to the ground so that spores can drop into air currents below. Pores can be circular or angular.
Representative Page: #030: polypores
Related Terms: angular, basidiomycete, hymenium, mushroom
potassium hydroxide
A solution of potassium hydroxide is used to identify mushrooms. A drop of the solution is placed on a mushroom and any color changes are observed.
primary host
The host on which a rust fungus never produces sexual spores.
Representative Page: #130: rusts
Related Term: rust
psilocin
A psychoactive mushroom toxin.
Representative Page: #098: psilocybin & psilocin
Related Terms: mushroom, psilocybin
puffball
A basidiomycete mushroom that produces spores internally. The peridium develops one or more distinct pores through which spores escape when raindrops land on the mushroom.
Representative Page: #041: puffballs
Related Terms: basidiomycete, earthball, earthstar, false puffball, mushroom, peridium
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resting spore
A thick-walled spore designed to survive long periods of adverse conditions.
Related Terms: chlamydospore, spore
reticulated
A network that forms links to itself in multiple directions, as a net.
Related Terms: reticulation, reticulum
reticulation
A network of ridges found on the stipes of certain boletes. Reticulation develops because some pores end up on the stipe as the bolete mushroom grows. The pores are then stretched out as the stipe elongates.
Representative Page: #108: Heimioporus betulina
Related Terms: bolete, mushroom, pores, reticulated, reticulum, stipe
rhizine
A short outgrowth of the lower cortex of a lichen that is used to anchor the lichen to its substrate.
Representative Page: #062: lichens 1
rhizomorph
A highly-structured bundle of mycelium used by certain fungi (especially those in the genus Armillaria) to access distant areas and cross nutrient deficient areas.
Representative Page: #001: Armillaria solidipes
Related Terms: mycelial cord, mycelium
ring zone
A small area on the stipe covered in the tiny remnants of the partial veil. The ring zone is often not visible until spores collect on the partial veil fragments.
Related Terms: annulus, partial veil, ring, stipe
rust
A plant pathogenic fungus from the basidiomycete order Pucciniales. The term rust funus comes from the characteristic, reddish to orangish spores these fungi produce.
Representative Page: #130: rusts
Related Terms: basidiomycete, smut
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sac fungus
An ascomycete, so called because of the sac-like asci.
Representative Page: #012: ascomycetes
Related Terms: ascomycete, ascus
saprobe
An organism that gets its energy by decaying dead organic matter. Also called a saprophyte.
Representative Page: #011: fungi
Related Term: saprophyte
saprophyte
An organism that gets energy from decaying dead organic material. Also called a saprobe.
Representative Page: #011: fungi
Related Term: saprobe
septum
The wall that separates one fungal cell from another. Plrual: septa.
Representative Page: #004: hyphae
Related Term: hypha
shelf fungus
A mushroom that juts out horizontally from a log, usually with the widest part of the mushroom directly attached to the log. Also called a bracket fungus.
Representative Page: #070: Ganoderma applanatum
Related Terms: bracket fungus, mushroom
short-gill
A gill that runs from the margin part of the way to the stipe. At the stipe end of the gill, the short-gill terminates between two gills. Short-gills never meet the stipe and are not considered when assessing gill-stipe attachment.
slime mold
An organism that lives as an amoeba and then produces a mold-like fruiting structure. The two main groups of slime molds are cellular slime molds and plasmodial slime molds.
Representative Page: #053: slime molds
Related Terms: cellular slime mold, plasmodial slime mold
smut
A plant pathogenic fungus from the basidiomycete class Ustilaginomycetes. The term smut fungus comes from the characteristic, dirt-like spores produced by fungi in this group.
Representative Page: #131: smuts
Related Terms: basidiomycete, rust
soft rot
A type of wood rot caused by certain fungi that primarily decompose the chemicals that bind lignin and cellulose together, leaving both the lignin and cellulose.
Representative Page: #088: wood rot
Related Terms: brown rot, cellulose, fungus, lignin, white rot
soredia
Small, powdery bundles produced by lichens containing mycobiont and photobiont cells. Soredia are designed to be blown by the wind so the lichen can colonize new areas.
Representative Page: #062: lichens 1
Related Terms: isidia, lichen, mycobiont, photobiont
spermagonium
A structure that produces spermatia.
Representative Page: #130: rusts
Related Terms: rust, spermatium
spermatium
A haploid spore produced by rust fungi on the alternate host that is designed to mate with another fungus of the same species. Plural: spermatia.
Representative Page: #130: rusts
Related Terms: alternate host, haploid, rust, spermagonium, spore
splash cup
The mechanism by which peridioles are discharged from bird’s nest fungi. Raindrops fall in the cup and the splashing action flings out a peridiole.
Representative Page: #043: bird’s nests
Related Terms: bird’s nest, peridiole
sporangiophore
A microscopic structure that produces sporangia.
Related Terms: microscopic, sporangiospore, sporangium
sporangium
A microscopic structure that produces sexual or asexual spores internally. Asci are never called sporangia.
Related Terms: ascus, conidiophore, microscopic, sporangiophore, spore
spore
A cell produced by a fungus designed for sexual or asexual reproduction and dispersal.
Related Terms: asexual reproduction, fungus
spore print
The colorful pattern obtained when the hymenium of a mushroom is placed over a piece of paper and the spores are allowed to drop onto the paper. Spore prints are used to asses the color of a mushroom’s spores en masse.
squamules
Scale-like protrusions on a mushroom surface that are attached to that surface.
Representative Page: #086: Polyporus squamosus
staining
A color change that happens in a mushroom through age or damage. Often used interchangably with bruising.
sterigma
A thin structure on top of a basidium upon which a basidiospore is produced. Plural: sterigmata.
Representative Page: #013: basidiomycetes
Related Terms: basidiospore, basidium
stinkhorn
A basidiomycete mushroom that produces a stinky, spore-laden slime. The slime attracts flies and other insects, which spread the spores.
Representative Page: #040: stinkhorns
Related Terms: basidiomycete, egg, mushroom
stipe
The stalk of a mushroom that lifts the hymenium above its substrate. In botany (fungi were once classified as plants), “stem” refers only to supportive structures with vascular tissue. The supportive stalk of a mushroom does not have vascular tissue, so it is called a stipe.
substrate
The surface upon which something grows.
succession
The process by which are first to arrive in a newly exposed area are gradually displaced by other species as the environment becomes older and more stable.
Related Term: climax species
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teeth
Teeth are conical extensions of the hymenium found in certain basidiomycetes. Teeth produce spores on their outer surfaces and are oriented perpendicular to the ground so that spores can drop into air currents below.
Representative Page: #031: toothed fungi
Related Terms: basidiomycete, hymenium, mushroom
teliospore
A diploid resting spore produced by rust fungi on the primary host that is designed to survive the winter.
Representative Page: #130: rusts
Related Terms: diploid, primary host, resting spore, rust, spore, telium
telium
A structure that produces teliospores. Plural: telia.
Representative Page: #130: rusts
Related Terms: rust, teliospore
terrestrial
Growing on the ground, not from buried wood.
tinsel flagellum
A flagellum enclosed by a membrane that is decorated with short, lateral projections. Tinsel flagella are found in oomycetes, but not in true fungi.
Representative Page: #054: oomycetes
Related Terms: flagellum, oomycete, whiplash flagellum
toothed fungus
A basidiomycete mushroom with a hymenium covered in teeth.
Representative Page: #031: toothed fungi
Related Terms: basidiomycete, hymenium, mushroom, teeth
transversely septate basidia
Basidia produced by certain jelly fungi and rust fungi that are separated into four cells by septa. When viewed from the side, the septa divide the basidium into a hypha-like chain of cells.
Representative Page: #048: jelly fungi
Related Terms: basidium, cruciate septate basidia, hypha, jelly fungus, rust, septum, tuning fork basidia
trehalose
The primary sugar used by fungi to store energy.
Representative Page: #011: fungi
Related Term: fungus
truffle
A subterranean ascomycete mushroom that produces spores internally and spreads its spores by using scents to attract mammals.
Representative Page: #047: truffles
Related Terms: ascomycete, false truffle, mushroom
tuning fork basidia
Basidia produced by certain jelly fungi that are shaped like a tuning fork (a long, cylindrical section at the base that splits into two long, parallel, cylindrical sections) and produce only two basidia.
Representative Page: #011: fungi
Related Terms: basidium, cruciate septate basidia, jelly fungus, septum, transversely septate basidia
turgor pressure
The pressure of water pushing outward against a cell wall.
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universal veil
A membrane on the outside of the developing mushroom that surrounds the entire mushroom.
Related Terms: mushroom, partial veil
urediniospore
A dikaryotic spore produced by rust fungi on the primary host that is designed to infect the primary host.
Representative Page: #130: rusts
Related Terms: dikaryotic, primary host, rust, spore, uredinium
uredinium
A structure that produces urediniospores.
Representative Page: #130: rusts
Related Terms: rust, urediniospore
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VAM
Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhiza.
Representative Page: #074: arbuscular mycorrhizae
Related Terms: arbuscular mycorrhiza, vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza
vegetative growth
Growth without producing reproductive structures. During this time, the organism is focused on obtaining nutrients and physically growing.
verpa
An ascomycete mushroom with a head that looks like a true morel but is only attached at the very top of the stipe.
Representative Page: #033: morels
Related Terms: ascomycete, false morel, morel, mushroom, stipe
vesicle
In AM, vesicles are enlarged hyphal structures formed inside mycorrhizal plant root cells.
Representative Page: #074: arbuscular mycorrhizae
Related Terms: AM, arbuscular mycorrhiza, arbuscule
vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza
See arbuscular mycorrhiza.
Representative Page: #074: arbuscular mycorrhizae
Related Term: arbuscular mycorrhiza
volva
The sac-like remains of the universal veil surrounding the base of the stipe.
Representative Page: #050: Destroying Angels
Related Terms: base, stipe, universal veil, volval sac
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warts
Bumps on the pileus that are not attached to the pileus and are remnants of the universal veil.
Representative Page: #069: Amanita muscaria 1
Related Terms: pileus, squamules, universal veil
whiplash flagellum
A flagellum enclosed by a membrane that is undecorated. A whiplash flagellum propels its cell forward by moving side to side in a sine wave fasion. Motile fungi are propelled by whiplash flagella.
Representative Page: #014: chytrids
Related Terms: flagellum, fungus, whiplash flagellum
white rot
A type of wood rot caused by certain fungi that primarily decompose lignin, leaving the white, stringy cellulose.
Representative Page: #088: wood rot
woronin body
A spherical organelle near the pore of a septum that moves into the pore and seals it if the adjacent cell is damaged.
Representative Page: #004: hyphae
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zonate
With distinct zones of color or texture.
zone of demarcation
A black line of concentrated proteins deposited by two competing fungi when they come into contact with one another.
Related Term: fungus
zygospore
A sexual spore produced by zygomycetes.
Representative Page: #016: zygomycetes
Related Terms: spore, zygomycete
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