Basic Terms and Definitions Every Mushroom Lover Should Know

If you’re new to the world of fungi, you’re bound to hear some words that you’re not familiar with that you should get to know. This is a beginners guide to some of the basic terms.  If you are looking for a (really) good guide that dives in much further than this, pick up a copy of Vera Stucky Evanson’s Mushrooms of the Rocky Mountain Region. 

You can also pick up a copy of Foraging Mushrooms of the Rocky Mountains: Finding, Identifying, and Preparing Edible Wild Mushrooms, co-authored by the Pikes Peak Mycological Society and Colorado Mycological Society, available on Amazon.

Mycelia	The mycelium (plural) is the part of a fungus that is usually underground. It is composed of hyphae, which look like threads, or rootlets. The mat of hyphae may be very thickly woven. It’s main function is to extract nutrients.  Fungal colonies composed of mycelium are found in and on soil and many other natural materials (called substrates) (wikipedia)
Substrate	The surface or material on or from which an organism lives, grows, or obtains its nourishment(dictionary.com). Fungi prefer many different kinds of substrates, such as soil, dead wood and sometimes other fungi.
Fruiting Body	Commonly known as the mushroom. The part of the mushroom that is visible and that produces spores
Cap	Top of the fruiting body that is seen above ground and where the spores come from.
Spores	Microscopic, single-celled units produced by mushrooms in the process of sexual reproduction—roughly analogous to seeds. (mushroomexpert.com).
Spore Print	A mass of spores that can be seen with the naked eye (mushroomexpert.com). The color of a mushrooms spore print is essential for positive identification
Stipe	The stem, or stalk, of a mushroom.
Annulus/Ring	A ring of tissue around the upper part of a mushroom’s stem, resulting from the collapsing of the partial veil (mushroomexpert.com)
Veil/Partial Veil	A protective layer of tissue that may cover all, part or none of a mushroom
Volva	A volva is the remainder of a universal veil at the base of a mushroom’s stem; the volva results from the growing mushroom pushing through the veil (mushroomexpert.com)
Pores, Pore Surface	Tiny tubes, or holes, on the underside of the mushroom cap. The pore surface is comprised of all the mouths of the tubes
Gills	Plate-like or blade-like structures attached to the underside of the cap in many members of the Basidiomycota.(mushroomexpert.com)
Tubes	Many mushrooms such as bolete and polypore use tubes, not gills, to deliver spores
Mycorrhizal	Mushrooms that are mycorrhizal are involved in a mutually beneficial relationship with the rootlets of plants—usually trees. (mushroomexpert.com)
Conifer	Cone-bearing trees such as pine, juniper, spruce and firs.
Deciduous	Tree or shrub that sheds its leaves each year.
Riparian	Wetlands adjacent to rivers and streams; river banks.
Montane	Mountains; areas above the foothills.
Sub Alpine	The zone below timberline, 9,000-12,000 ft.
Alpine	The zone above the tree line- ranges from 11,000-12,000 feet.

As you learn more and more about fungi, you’ll come across many unfamiliar words that are important to know.  These are just a few to get you started.  Don’t feel intimidated,  though.  Before long, you’ll be speaking the mushroom language as if it were your native tongue. 

Are you looking for a great, local charitable organization to donate to? PPMS can now accept your donations.  100% of the money stays right here in Southern Colorado to help the Pikes Peak Mycological Society’s mission to create a better understanding of fungi in our local community.  PPMS is your local Southern Colorado mushroom club!