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Glossary


ANNULUS
The skirtlike remnant of the partial veil which shields the lamellae as they produce the spores and protects the spores until they are ready for release. It surrounds the upper part of the mushroom stem below the cap and sometimes slips down. Not found on every mushroom. Also called "annular ring."
ANNULAR RING
See annulus.
ANTABUSE
A chemical that prevents the human body from breaking down and excreting the by-products of ethyl alcohol. In combination with alcohol, it causes uncomfortable and dangerous side effects (see coprine.)
BULBOUS
Shaped like a bulb, especially at the base of a stem.
BUTTON
The rounded, immature stage of a mushroom with a cap, before the cap has expanded.
CAP
The top of the mushroom--usually the spore-bearing part. Also called "pileus."
CHITIN
The dense substance forming the indigestible outer skeleton of insects, and the material from which the walls of the mycelia are made.
COCOON
The egg-shaped immature form of a mushroom, usually as it erupts from the ground, especially in the Amanita genus. It is surrounded by the universal veil.
COPRINE
A chemical found in the Coprinus genus, especially prominent in C. atramentarius . Responsible for Antabuselike reactions if ingested within forty-eight hours of drinking any form of alcohol.
CULTIVATION
The collecting, growing of mycelia, inoculation onto special growth materials, and the harvesting of mushrooms using controlled methods.
CUP
The remnants of the universal veil surrounding the base of certain mushrooms, such as Amanita andVolvariella. Also called "volva."
DECANT
To pour off gently from the top of a liquid so as not to allow sediment or solid material to leave the bottom of the container.
DUXELLES
A method of preparing minced mushrooms for later use (see page___.).
ECCENTRIC
Not in the center.
EGG
An early stage of growth (see cocoon).
FAIRY-RING
A formation of certain mushrooms, such as blewits and Marasmius oreades, which grow in rings moving outward from a central point of origin.
FIBRIL
A fine hair or fiber.
FILAMENT
A long fine hair or fiber.
FIELD GUIDE
A book that carefully describes different mushroom species so they can be tentatively identified.
FOXFIRE
The release of energy visible in the dark, caused by the presence of phosphorus chemical compounds, especially in Armillaria mellea (honey mushroom).
FRUITING BODY
The part of a fungus that bears the reproductive tissues.
FUNGUS (pl. fungi)
A plantlike living organism lacking chlorophyll and usually producing spores.
GENUS (pl. genera)
A group of related species demonstrating common characteristics.
GILLS
Thin sheetlike curtains that usually bear spores. They are radially arranged under the caps of certain mushrooms.
GYROMITRIN
A chemical occuring in certain Helvella and Gyrometra mushrooms which when broken down in the human body forms Monomethylhydrazine, a poison.
HYPOGEOUS
Growing underground.
LATEX
The liquid that oozes from certain mushrooms when they are cut or bruised, especially Lactarius.
LOOK-ALIKES
Mushrooms that closely resemble and may be mistaken for other mushrooms.
MICA
A mineral consisting of shiny, transparent, platelike chemical crystals.
MONOMETHYLHYDRAZINE (MMH)
A chemical used for rocket fuel. It is poisonous if inhaled or ingested. It is released from some Helvella and Gyromitra mushrooms by drying or boiling in water, and is a break-down product in the human body from a chemical named gyromitrin which is found in these mushrooms.
MUSHROOM
A structure bearing the reproductive organs of the plant that produce spores.
MYCELIUM (pl. mycelia)
The mass of fine threadlike structures that make up the vegetative, food-gathering portion of fungi.
MYCOLOGY
The study of fungi.
MYCOLOGIST
A person who has been professionally trained to study fungi.
MYCOPHAGIST
One who has a special appreciation for eating mushrooms.
MYCORRHIZA (pl. mycorrhizae)
The mutually beneficial growing together of mycelia and the root hairs of trees and other plants.
NEMATODES
Round-worms of various sizes, frequently parasitic, infesting plants and animals. Usually passes part of its life cycle in the soil.
PARASITE
An organism living on and injuring another organism.
PARBOILING
The process of boiling food briefly in water.
PARTIAL VEIL
A sheet of tissue under a mushroom cap. It stretches from the cap margin to the stem, and protects the sporebearing tissues until the spores are mature.
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
The process by which green plants make carbohydrates such as sugar, using water, carbon dioxide, and sunlight.
PILEUS
See cap.
PORES
Small openings of tubes where the spores are developed, under the caps of certain mushrooms such as polypores and boletes.
RHIZOMORPH
A solid rootlike cord of mycelial material.
SAPROPHYTE
An organism deriving its food from dead organic matter.
SPAWN
Mycelium produced artificially for the purpose of cultivating mushrooms.
SPECIES
The name given to a single kind of organism. Species can be divided into sub-species.
SPORE
The seedlike reproductive unit of a fungus, usually of microscopic size.
STEM
The upright pillarlike part of the mushroom, which supports the cap. Also called the "stalk" or "stipe."
STIPE
See stem.
SUBSTRATE
The material and/or location on which an organism grows and from which growth materials are extracted.
TAXONOMY
The scientific classification of organisms based on their similarities and differences.
TEETH
Narrow, round, spore-producing projections hanging from the bottom of the caps of certain mushrooms such as the hedgehog mushroom.
TENDRIL
A long, slender, coiled extension of a plant, usually used for its support.
TOXICOLOGY
The study of poisons and their effects.
UMBONATE
A mushroom cap having a rounded mound in the center.
UNIVERSAL VEIL
A sheet of tissue surrounding the entire fruiting body until it is ready to expand and disperse spores, seen especially well in the genus Amanita . Portions of the universal veil may remain as wartlike masses on the surface of the cap. The bottom portion may persist as a cup, or volva.
VOLVA
Cuplike remnants of universal veil at the base of the stem or attached to the lower stem in shaggy rings. Also called "cup."
ZONED
Having concentric bands of color, fibers, or scales, as on the surface of the caps of certain mushrooms such as Lactarius species.