volva

[ vol-vuh ]

/ ˈvɒl və /

noun Mycology.

the membranous envelope that encloses the base of various mushrooms formed when the velum ruptures.

Nearby words

Origin of volva

1745–55; < Latin: covering, akin to volvere to roll, wrap

Related formsvol·vate

[vol-vit, -veyt] /ˈvɒl vɪt, -veɪt/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for volva

Volva, a wrapper or envelope, which in the young stage completely surrounds the plant, same as universal veil.
Studies of American Fungi. Mushrooms, Edible, Poisonous, etc.|George Francis Atkinson
Perhaps no part of the plant is more variable than the outer veil or volva.
Studies of American Fungi. Mushrooms, Edible, Poisonous, etc.|George Francis Atkinson
The volva is a feature of great importance in the study of the Agaricini, of the subgenera Amanita, Volvaria, etc.
Student's Hand-book of Mushrooms of America, Edible and Poisonous|Thomas Taylor
Ring and volva present in some species, ring alone others, both absent in others; gills adnate, adnexed or free.
European Fungus Flora: Agaricaceae|George Massee

The volva is evanescent in both, leaving traces of its existence in concentric ridges at the base, and part way up the stem.
Student's Hand-book of Mushrooms of America, Edible and Poisonous|Thomas Taylor

British Dictionary definitions for volva

volva

/ (ˈvɒlvə) /

noun plural -vae (-viː) or -vas

botany a cup-shaped structure that sheathes the base of the stalk of certain mushrooms

Derived Formsvolvate (ˈvɒlvɪt, -veɪt), adjective

Word Origin for volva

C18: from Latin: a covering, from volvere to wrap

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Science definitions for volva

volva

[ vŏl′və, vôl′- ]

A cuplike structure around the base of the stalk of certain basidiomycete fungi.