View A43-1112-1979-eng.pdf

PARTS OF A MUSHROOM
the mycelium ; it is used by commercial mushroom growers to plant their beds
and is commonly called mushroom spawn. After a period of growth and
accumulation of food reserves and under favorable conditions of temperature
and moisture, the mycelium will produce the fruiting structure that we call the
mushroom.
The principal parts of a mushroom are illustrated by a diagram represent-
ing a section through an amanita (Figure 1). The fruiting body consists of a
stem-like part called the stipe, which supports an expanded, umbrella-shaped
cap or pileus. On the under side of the pileus are the gills or lamellae. In some
mushrooms, particularly those occurring on wood, the stipe may be lacking
and the pileus is then said to be sessile (Figure 10, p. 5). The pileus is usually
8
10
11 12 13
14 15 16
Figures 2-9. Diagrams illustrating various terms used to describe the shape of the pileus: 2,
conical; 3, convex; 4, campanulate; 5, umbonate; 6, plane; 7, umbilicate; 8, depressed;
9, infundibuliform.
Figure 10. Diagram illustrating a sessile fruiting body; the stipe is lacking. In this instance the
fruiting body is represented as growing on a tree trunk.
Figures 11-16. Diagrams illustrating various terms used to describe the attachment of the
lamellae: 11, free; 12, adnexed; 13, adnate; 14, sinuate; 15, decurrent; 16, seceding.