hymenium

[hahy-mee-nee-uhm]

noun

Mycology.

plural

hymenia 

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

hymenium

/ haɪˈmiːnɪəm /

noun

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

hymenium

plural

hymenia 

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

Other Word Forms

• hymenial adjective
• subhymenial adjective
• subhymenium noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hymenium¹

From New Latin, dating back to 1820–30; 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.

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From each of the four segments in the case of Tremella a long outgrowth arises which reaches to the surface of the hymenium 344 and bears the basidiospores.

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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.

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Both kinds of bodies are produced on the hymenium of most, if not all, the Agaricini.

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The gills, pores and teeth afford a foundation for the hymenium or fruit-bearing surface.

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