Page 220 - The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods

Terminology List

Adnate gills - The gills extend from the edge of the cap straight across to the stalk (or stipe) so that it covers
the top of the stalk. For example, the gills of Cortinarius and Leptonia species.
Adnexed gills - The gills extend from the edge of the cap but curve inwards and narrow towards the stalk (or
stipe) which exposes the top of the stalk. For example, the gills of blewit mushrooms.
Basal bulb - Found at the base of the volva, the basal bulbs are the start of the fruiting body or button stage. It
tends to be half buried where the mycelium are attached.
Cap - The top of a mushrooms fruiting body that holds the gills, tubes, teeth, or pores.
Decurrent gills - The gills extend from the edge of the cap and then start to extend down the top of the stalk.
For example, the gills of Cuphophyllus species.
Fibrillose ring - The remnants of the universal veil that protects the immature spores under the cap, otherwise
known as the ring or skirt.
Fusiform setae - Microscopic structures found on the surface of mushroom gills. They tend to be dark brown
with thick walls that taper to a point at each end.
Gill - The gills are one of four types of structures that contain the spores in certain species of mushrooms. The
gills are usually held underneath the cap of the mushroom.
Mycelial thread - The fine, hair or thread like structures that act as a root system in mushrooms, also called
hyphae. The collective term for the network of hyphae or threads is mycelium.
Pores - Pores are one of four types of structures that hold the spores underneath the cap in some mushrooms.
For example, Boletus species such as porcini.
Reticulum - A rectangular type of pattern that is found on the cap and sometimes stalk of mushrooms. The
rectangular pattern may produce raised ridges or simply a color difference.
Ring or Skirt - The remnants of the universal veil which remains underneath the cap of the mushroom, other-
wise known as the fibrillose ring. This part of the veil protects the spores while the mushroom matures and as
it grows, the veil is ripped apart to release the spores.
Scales - The remnants of the universal veil that remains as small pieces scattered over the cap of the mushroom.
Scales can also be found around the base of the stalk, where it joins the volva. In some mushrooms, for example,
Lepiota species, the scales on the cap may be a result of the skin cracking as the cap grows larger.
Spores - The minute reproductive cells that are released from the cap of the mushroom, either via the gills,
pores, tubes or teeth. Each spore is a single cell and come in a variety of colors.
Stalk or Stipe - The upright stem of the mushroom that supports the cap.
Striation pattern - A vertically striped pattern on the top of the cap, usually around the margin of the cap. The
striations may have raised ridges, be smooth or even transparent. For example, on Amanita species.
Teeth - Teeth are one of four types of structures that hold the spores on the underside of the cap in some mush-
room species. Otherwise known as spines, the teeth hang down from the cap to take advantage of wind dispersal
for the spores. For example, hedgehog and lion’s mane mushroom caps.
Tubes - Tubes are one of four types of structures that hold the spores underneath the cap in certain types of
mushrooms. They are usually embedded into the mushroom cap.
Veil - The veil is the remnant of the universal veil that encloses the mushroom while in the button stage. The
veil remnants that are found on top of the cap are known as scales; the veil remnants that are found underneath
the cap that protect the immature spores is called the fibrillose ring or skirt and the veil remnants at the base
of the stalk is called the volva.
Volva - The bulbous structure at the base of the mushroom with the remnants of the universal veil attached. The
volva is usually cup shaped. At the base of the volva is the basal bulb.
Warts - Smaller pieces of the scales that are found on the top of the mushroom cap. A term also used for micro-
scopic scales and abnormal growths.
Zonation pattern - Horizontal stripes or concentric circles on the top of the cap. Zonation patterns are in the
opposite direction of striations. For example, on the caps of Lactarius species.
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