Veils & Annulus
Many mushrooms develop a protective covering or membrane referred to as a veil. The universal veil encapsulates the fruiting body during the primordium stage of development. As the mushroom matures, the universal veil breaks away, often leaving a volva at the base of the stipe. Fragments may also adhere to the cap (pileus), which resemble wart-like patches.
Most mushrooms form a partial veil that attaches from the cap margins to the stipe. It protects the hymenium, the spore-producing tissue—usually, the gills, pore, or teeth. Typically, before the spore dispersal, the partial veil will deteriorate or tears way. Seldomly remnants remain attached to the cap margins (appendiculate). The ring left on the stipe is called the annulus. Many of the unique characteristics of the veil and annulus are listed below.
Types of Mushroom Veils
Flaring
The annulus is flaring upwards.
Pendant
The veil is hanging downward from the stipe.
Double Rings
Two visible veils.
Ring Zone
The stipe is marked with the reminance of the ananulus.
Cortinate
The partial veil is cobweb-like or tread-like (Fibrillose).
Stellate
The partial veil resembles a cogwheel.
Floccose
The partial veil is fluffy and down-like.
Peronate
The stipe resembles a shealth-like boot or stocking.
Position of Annulus
You can also describe the annulus by where it is positioned on the stipe
- Superior: Near the cap
- Apical: upper half
- Median: in the middle
- Inferior: Lower half
- Basal: Near the base
- DK
