hymenium

[ hahy-mee-nee-uhm ]

noun

, Mycology.

, plural hy·me·ni·a [hahy-, mee, -nee-, uh].

1. the sporogenous layer in a fungus, composed of asci or basidia often interspersed with various sterile structures, as paraphyses.

hymenium

/ haɪˈmiːnɪəm /

noun

1. (in basidiomycetous and ascomycetous fungi) a layer of cells some of which produce the spores

hymenium

/ hī-mē′nē-əm /

, Plural hymenia

1. The spore-bearing layer of the fruiting body of certain fungi, containing asci or basidia.

Other Words From

• hy·meni·al adjective
• subhy·meni·al adjective
• subhy·meni·um noun plural subhymenia

Word History and Origins

Origin of hymenium¹

From New Latin, dating back to 1820–30; hymen, -ium

Example Sentences

The shroom has fine, fuzzy hairs that feel like velvet and even has teeth-like structures of its own, also known as hymenium, which are spore-bearing surfaces of a mushroom, typically gills.

From Salon

From each of the four segments in the case of Tremella a long outgrowth arises which reaches to the surface of the hymenium 344 and bears the basidiospores.

From Project Gutenberg

Ascomycetes.—In the plants of this family the spores are not supported upon basidia, but instead are enclosed in minute sacs or asci formed from the fertile cells of a hymenium.

From Project Gutenberg

Both kinds of bodies are produced on the hymenium of most, if not all, the Agaricini.

From Project Gutenberg

The gills, pores and teeth afford a foundation for the hymenium or fruit-bearing surface.

From Project Gutenberg