hymenium

American  

[hahy-mee-nee-uhm] / haɪˈmi ni əm /

noun

Mycology.

plural

hymenia

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

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hymenium British  

/ haɪˈmiːnɪəm /

noun

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

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hymenium Scientific  

/ hī-mē′nē-əm /

plural

hymenia

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

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Other Word Forms

• hymenial adjective
• subhymenial adjective
• subhymenium noun

Etymology

Origin of hymenium

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 • Apr. 30, 2023

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

From Fungi: Their Nature and Uses by Cooke, M. C. (Mordecai Cubitt)

We come now to the second section of the Sporifera, in which no definite hymenium is present.

From Fungi: Their Nature and Uses by Cooke, M. C. (Mordecai Cubitt)

As the hymenium approaches maturity, the volva is ruptured, and the plant rapidly enlarges.

From Fungi: Their Nature and Uses by Cooke, M. C. (Mordecai Cubitt)

In Phacidiacei, the substance is hard or leathery, and the hymenium is soon exposed.

From Fungi: Their Nature and Uses by Cooke, M. C. (Mordecai Cubitt)