C - Mycology Terms
Canescent
[ kuh-NES-ent ]
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
[ kap-ill-IH-tee-um ]
A network of noncellular fibers constructed from waste material that is used in spore dispersal.
Often found in slime mold and puffballs.
Chitin
[ KYE-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
[ kla-MY-duh-spohrz ]
An asexual spore with a thick cell wall.
Chromosome
[ KROH-muh-sohm ]
A threadlike structure found in the nucleus of eukaryotes that stores genetic information.
Chytridiomycota
[ kye-trid-ee-oh-my-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
[ KY-trids ]
fungi of the Chytridiomycota division
Clamp Connection
Clavate
[ KLAY-vate ]
Club-shaped.
offer used to refer to the stipe (stem).
Coenocytic
[ see-no-SIT-ik ]
Non-septate hyphae, also known as aseptate hyphae.
Collared
[ KOH-lurd ]
Gills are attached to a collar or ring that encircles the stipe (stem).
See gill attachments.
Conidiophore
[ koh-NID-ee-oh-fore ]
Specialized hyphae that produces conidia (asexual spores).
Conidium
[ koh-NID-ee-uhm ]
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
[ KONK ]
A common name for wood-like polypores that grow on trees.
Coprine
[ KOP-rine ]
a mycotoxin found fungi. If consumed and mixed with alcohol, it causes Coprinus syndrome.
Commonly associated with ink caps mushrooms.
Coprinoid
[ KOP-rih-noid ]
refers to fungi, not necessarily belonging to the Coprinus genus, that share similar characteristics, such as gills that dissolve into an inky liquid at maturity.
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
[ kor-TEE-nuh ]
A web-like partial veil that connects from the cap margin to the stipe (stem).
Crenate
[ KREE-nate ]
Cap margins that are round-toothed or scalloped.
All types of mushroom cap margins.
Cruciate
[ KROO-shee-ate ]
cross-shaped.
Cuspidate
[ KUS-pi-date ]
Umbonate with a pointy conical apex; Witch-hat shaped. also known as eye-tooth.
All types of mushroom cap shapes.
Cylindric
[ sih-LIN-drik ]
Bullet-shaped; Tall, cylinder-shaped, and convex. Also refers to a stem that has roughly the same diameter from top to bottom.
All types of mushroom cap shapes.
Cystidium
[ sih-STID-ee-uhm ]
A sterile cell often found between clusters of Basidia in Basidiomycota division of fungi.
Plural Cystidia
Cytokinesis
[ SY-toh-ki-NEE-sis ]
the process during cell division in which the cytoplasm of a single eukaryotic cell divides into two daughter cells. This event typically occurs after the separation of the genetic material in mitosis or meiosis.
Cytoplasm
[ SY-toh-plaz-uhm ]
a semifluid substance found between the cell membrane and nucleus.
