Glossary of terms--or, what does that mean?

Agaric

This is the word often used synonymously with 'mushroom' - it means to be a member of the Agaricaceae

Annulus

This is a remnant of the partial veil left as the mushroom matures. It often leaves a ring of membranous tissue around the stem (stipe)

Bolete

The common name for soft textured fungi which generally have pores instead of gills

Bulbous

Refers to a bulbous like swelling at the base of the stem (stipe), often underground

Button

Immature specimen

Cap

The pileus which is the umbrella or bell like 'hat' of the mushroom. The pileus holds the spores in either gills or pores

Carpophore

The complete fruit body of the fungus (i.e. cap, stem, gills, etc). Sporophore and sporocarp are other names also used

Cup

The description given to the saucer shape of the Ascomycetes group

Face

The side of a gill

Genus

Taxonomic term meaning a group of similar species. Genera which are closely related are placed into families

Gill

The spore-bearing structure of mushrooms

Ink cap

Common name of the Coprinus genus-- the caps turn to an inky mess when picked and before you can dry them!

Margin

The outermost edge of the gill ( i.e. the edge facing downwards)

Milk

A liquid exuded from certain species such as Lactarius deliciosus

Mycelium

The vegetative part of the fungus which grows in the host or soil and produces the fruit body. The mycelium is like a mass of often microscopic fibres

Mycologist

A species of Homo sapiens in danger of extinction due to a practice of walking around looking downwards resulting in head damage from bumping into things. Little funding is put aside for this endangered species, especially the sub-group looking for macrofungi

Mycorrhiza

This refers to the association between the mycelium of a fungus and the rootlets of plants. Little is known of the associations between fungi and plants in Australia hence the important questions on habitat and nearest tree/plant in the mapping scheme

Naturalist

Another species of Homo sapiens recently having a population growth spurt due to finding fungi which give food for thought Currently having a population explosion which needs to be monitored and encouraged

Odour

The smell of the fruiting body

Partial veil

The covering of the gills while very young that breaks open, often leaving remnants on the stem (stipe)

Polypores

Common name of tough-textured fungi with pores

Pileus

The cap

Species

A group of individuals with certain common characteristics

Spore

A microscopic part of the fungus which can germinate to reproduce the fungus

Spore print

The spore material left on paper when the cap is left for a period of time -- the colour can be an important identifying characteristic

Stipe

The stalk or stem of the fruiting body of the fungus

Universal veil

Material which completely covers the young immature mushroom

Volva

This refers to the remnant of the universal veil sometimes lefl at the base of the stipe (stem)