Michael Davis
Mushrooms are a type of fungus, and the hymenium is a part of the fungus anatomy. The hymenium is a spore-bearing layer of tissue found in the phyla Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. It is composed of asci and paraphyses, which line the surface of the apothecium. The hymenophore is a collective term for the fleshy structures that bear the hymenium, and in gilled mushrooms, the gills constitute the hymenophore. The hymenium is the layer of cells on the surface of those gills. The hymenium is critical to the identification of mushrooms, and its presence narrows down the number of possible species.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | The hymenium is the tissue layer on the hymenophore of a fungal fruiting body where the cells develop into basidia or asci, which produce spores. |
| Location | The hymenium is on the vertical faces of the gills in agarics. |
| Types of hymenium | Gills, pores, teeth, daedaloid or lamellae, or smooth. |
| Identification | The type, appearance, size, and location of the hymenium are critical to the proper identification of mushrooms. |
| Support cells | The hymenium may contain support cells known as cystidia or paraphyses. |
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What You'll Learn
The hymenium is a spore-bearing layer of tissue in fungi
In some species, all the cells of the hymenium develop into either basidia or asci, which produce spores. Basidia are structures that support spores, while asci are structures in which karyogamy and meiosis occur in the life cycle of Ascomycota. In other species, some cells develop into sterile cells called cystidia or paraphyses. Cystidia are important for microscopic identification.
The hymenophore is a collective term for the fleshy structures that bear the hymenium. In a gilled mushroom, the gills constitute the hymenophore, and the hymenium is the layer of cells on the surface of those gills. The hymenophore may be enclosed within the fruiting body, but the hymenium must be on the "outside" of the hymenophore for these structures to qualify for their names.
The position and characteristics of the hymenium are important for the classification and identification of mushrooms. The type, appearance, size, and location of the hymenium can help identify the specific species of mushroom. For example, the majority of decay fungi on urban trees have spore-producing layers with pores of varying sizes, which can range from barely visible to large and easily observable.
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The hymenophore is a collective term for the fleshy structures that bear the hymenium
The hymenophore is a critical component in the identification and classification of mushrooms and comprises the structures that bear the hymenium, the spore-bearing surface in mushrooms. The term encompasses a range of fleshy structures, each with distinct characteristics, contributing to the mushroom's unique appearance and functionality. These structures are integral to the mushroom's life cycle, facilitating spore production and dissemination, ultimately enabling propagation and survival. Understanding the hymenophore is essential for mycologists and mushroom enthusiasts alike, offering insights into the complex world of fungal biology and ecology.
The hymenophore includes the gills, pores, and teeth found on the underside of mushroom caps, representing the most recognizable and diverse part of the mushroom. In gilled mushrooms, the hymenophore consists of thin, plate-like gills that radiate outward from the stem, providing a vast surface area for the hymenium. These gills can be free, attached, or notched, impacting spore release and influencing the mushroom's ability to disperse its spores effectively. Poroid mushrooms, on the other hand, possess tubes or pores instead of gills, with the hymenium lining the walls of these tubes.
Teeth or spines characterize another type of hymenophore found in certain mushrooms, typically in the Hydnaceae family. These structures resemble tiny, pointed projections arranged in a dense pattern, often giving the mushroom an unusual appearance. Each "tooth" contains the hymenium on its outer surface, facilitating spore release. Less commonly, some mushrooms exhibit a smooth hymenophore, lacking gills, pores, or teeth. Instead, they have a continuous surface that may be wrinkled or veined, with the hymenium embedded within these folds or veins.
The hymenophore's colour, texture, and arrangement are critical identification features. Hymenophore colours vary widely, from white to brown, black, or even brightly coloured hues like red, yellow, or blue. The texture can range from smooth and silky to rough and fibrous, while the arrangement of the gills, pores, or teeth can be spaced evenly or crowded together. All these characteristics play a role in identifying and classifying mushrooms, helping distinguish between similar species.
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The hymenium is enclosed in the rind or peridium
The hymenium is a spore-bearing layer of tissue in fungi (kingdom Fungi) found in the phyla Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. The hymenophore is a collective term for the fleshy structures that bear the hymenium. In a gilled mushroom, the gills constitute the hymenophore, and the hymenium is the layer of cells on the surface of those gills.
The peridium breaks in various ways to permit the spores to escape. In Sphaerobolus, the exoperidium (outer layer of the peridium) splits into stellate lobes, exposing the inner peridium. In Schizostoma, the exoperidium has a sand-case texture and sloughs off apically. In some genera, the peridium may be ephemeral, disappearing early during the development of the fruiting body.
The hymenophore may be convoluted and enclosed within the fruiting body, but the hymenium must be, in some sense, on the "outside" of the hymenophore for either of these structures to qualify for their names. If the hymenium is not on the outside, then the structure is called a gleba, which is inside a peridium.
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The hymenium is critical to the identification of mushrooms
The hymenium is a critical characteristic used in the classification and identification of mushrooms. It is a spore-bearing layer of tissue in fungi (kingdom Fungi) found in the phyla Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. The hymenium is the tissue layer on the hymenophore of a fungal fruiting body, where the cells develop into basidia or asci, which produce spores.
The hymenophore is a collective term for the fleshy structures that bear the hymenium. In a gilled mushroom, the gills constitute the hymenophore, and the hymenium is the layer of cells on the surface of those gills. The hymenium is traditionally the first characteristic used in the classification and identification of mushrooms. The observation of the type, appearance, size, and location of the hymenium is critical to proper identification. For example, most decay fungi produce their hymenium on the lower surface or underside of the fruiting structure.
In some species, all of the cells of the hymenium develop into basidia or asci, while in others, some cells develop into sterile cells called cystidia (basidiomycetes) or paraphyses (ascomycetes). Cystidia are often important for microscopic identification. The subhymenium consists of the supportive hyphae from which the cells of the hymenium grow, and the hymenophoral trama, the hyphae that make up the mass of the hymenophore.
The hymenium is enclosed in the rind or peridium, which eventually sheds the enclosed spores formed inside the basidia and spicules. The peridium breaks in various ways to permit the spores to escape.
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The hymenium consists of asci and paraphyses
The hymenium is a layer of tissue in fungi (Fungus kingdom) found in the phyla Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. It is formed by end cells of hyphae, which are filaments of the vegetative body (thallus). The hymenophore, a collective term for the fleshy structures that bear the hymenium, is where the hymenium is found. In gilled mushrooms, for example, the gills constitute the hymenophore, and the hymenium is the layer of cells on the surface of those gills.
Paraphyses are said to space out the asci and secrete mucilage, which is involved in spore discharge mechanisms. The paraphyses may be as long as the asci, longer, or somewhat shorter, and they are extremely variable in shape. In some cases, the tips of the paraphyses are branched, and the tips of the branches may unite above the asci, forming a layer known as the epithecium.
There are three kinds of filaments depending on their origin: true paraphyses, pseudoparaphyses, and paraphysoids. True paraphyses are free filaments produced from the subhymenium and extending upward in the same direction as the asci. Pseudoparaphyses are free or anastomosed filaments produced from the epihymenial cupola and growing in the opposite direction to the asci. Paraphysoids are attached from the start at both ends and formed by stretching and intercalary elongation of carpocentral elements.
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Frequently asked questions
The hymenium is the spore-bearing layer of tissue in mushrooms, which is composed of asci and paraphyses.
The hymenium is responsible for producing spores, which are involved in the reproduction of fungi.
The hymenium is found on the hymenophore, which is the fleshy structure that bears the hymenium. In gilled mushrooms, the gills constitute the hymenophore, and the hymenium is the layer of cells on the surface of those gills.
The hymenophore is the collective term for the fleshy structures that bear the hymenium. The hymenium, on the other hand, is the layer of cells on the surface of the hymenophore that produces spores.
The hymenium plays a crucial role in the classification and identification of mushrooms. By observing the type, appearance, size, and location of the hymenium, mycologists can narrow down the possible species of a particular mushroom.
