hymenium

American  

[hahy-mee-nee-uhm] / haɪˈmi ni əm /

noun

Mycology.

plural

hymenia

1. the sporogenous layer in a fungus, composed of asci or basidia often interspersed with various sterile structures, as paraphyses.

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hymenium British  

/ haɪˈmiːnɪəm /

noun

1. (in basidiomycetous and ascomycetous fungi) a layer of cells some of which produce the spores

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hymenium Scientific  

/ hī-mē′nē-əm /

plural

hymenia

1. The spore-bearing layer of the fruiting body of certain fungi, containing asci or basidia.

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Other Word Forms

• hymenial adjective
• subhymenial adjective
• subhymenium noun

Etymology

Origin of hymenium

From New Latin, dating back to 1820–30; see origin at hymen, -ium

Example Sentences

The shroom has fine, fuzzy hairs that feel like velvet and even has teeth-like structures of its own, also known as hymenium, which are spore-bearing surfaces of a mushroom, typically gills.

From Salon • Apr. 30, 2023

Ascomycetes.—In the plants of this family the spores are not supported upon basidia, but instead are enclosed in minute sacs or asci formed from the fertile cells of a hymenium.

From Student's Hand-book of Mushrooms of America, Edible and Poisonous by Taylor, Thomas

In all four of these genera the hymenium is superior, i. e., it is on the upper and outer surface of the cap, the interior surface being barren.

From Student's Hand-book of Mushrooms of America, Edible and Poisonous by Taylor, Thomas

In Tuberacei, all the species are subterranean, and the hymenium is mostly sinuated.

From Fungi: Their Nature and Uses by Cooke, M. C. (Mordecai Cubitt)

Phalloidei.—In this order the hymenium is at first enclosed within a sort of peridium or universal volva, maintaining a somewhat globose or egg-shape.

From Fungi: Their Nature and Uses by Cooke, M. C. (Mordecai Cubitt)