Glossary of Mycology Terms

Campanulate

[ kam-pan-yuh-lit ]

Bell-shaped.

All types of mushroom cap shapes.

Canescent

[ kuh-nes-uh nt ]

A surface covered in dense white or gray down-like hairs. Giving a frosted appearance.

All types of mushroom cap surfaces.

Canker

[ kang-ker ]

A sore or tumorous growth.

Cap

To top of a fruiting body. See pileus.

Capillitium

[ cap-il-li-ti-um ]

A network of noncellular fibers constructed from waste material that is used in spore dispersal.

Often found in slime mold and puffballs.

Chitin

[ kahy-tin ]

A strong fibrous substance made up of flexible polysaccharides. Fungal cell walls are comprised of chitin.

Also found in the exoskeletons of insects and crustaceans.

Chlamydospores

[ kluh-mid-uh-spawr ]

An asexual spore with a thick cell wall.

Found in the Ascomycota division.

Chromosome

[ kroh-muh-sohm ]

A threadlike structure found in the nucleus of eukaryotes that stores genetic information.

Chytridiomycota

[ kahy-trid-oh-mahy-koh-tuh ]

a division of microscopic fungi with over 750 aquatic species. They contain little to no mycelium and reproduce asexually by the release of zoospores.

Chytrids

[ kahy-trid ]

fungi of the Chytridiomycota division

Clamp Connection

The connection between the basidia and hypha, found in Basidiomycete fungi.

Clavate

[ kley-veyt ]

Club-shaped.

offer used to refer to the stipe (stem).

Coenocytic

[ see-nuh-sahyt ]

Non-septate hyphae, also known as aseptate hyphae.

Collared

Gills are attached to a collar or ring that encircles the stipe (stem).

See gill attachments.

Conchate

[ kongk-eyt ]

Oyster-shaped; Bivalve shell-shaped

All types of mushroom cap shapes.

Conical

[ kon-ik-al ]

Cone-Shaped.

All types of mushroom cap shapes.

Conidiophore

[ koh-nid-ee-uh-fawr ]

Specialized hyphae that develop conidia (asexual spores).

Conidium

[ koh-nid-ee-uh m ]

An asexual spore developed on a conidiophere; found in the Ascomycota division of fungi.

plural conidia.

Conifer

[ koh-nuh-fer ]

Cone-bearing evergreen trees and shrubs with needles or scale-like leaves.

Common Trees: hemlock, spruce, pine, fir, and arborvitae.

Conk

[ kongk ]

A common name for wood-like polypores that grow on trees.

Convex

[ kon-veks ]

A rounded curve; bowl-shaped.

All types of mushroom cap shapes.

Coprine

[ kop-rahyn ]

a mycotoxin found fungi belonging to the genus Coprinopsis. If consumed and mixed with alcohol, it causes Coprinus syndrome.

Commonly associated with ink caps mushrooms.

Coprinoid

[ kop-rahy-noid ]

fungi belonging to the genus Coprinopsis.

Coprinus syndrome

A poisoning caused by the consumption of coprine (mycotoxin) and alcohol. Symptoms usually last 2-3 hours and could occur if alcohol is consumed 5 days before or after ingestion of a mushroom containing coprine.

Symptoms: general discomfort, headache, nausea, vomiting, restlessness, abnormal heartbeat, and tingling in limbs.

Cortina

[ kawr-tee-nuh ]

A web-like partial veil that connects from the cap margin to the stipe (stem).

Crenate

[ kree-neyt ]

Cap margins that are round-toothed or scalloped.

All types of mushroom cap margins.

Cruciate

[ kroo-shee-it ]

cross-shaped.

Cuspidate