Fungi Anatomy Quiz

Answer: The stalk

Stipe is the term used by mycologists to describe the stalk of the mushroom. They can come in many shapes and sizes and may have various structures on them which assists with identification. The patterns on the stipe are also useful in identification.

Answer: Thin veil covering the gills

The cortina is one of the features of the aptly named genus, 'Cortinarius', but can also be found in other genera such as Gymnopilus. A veil can be either partial such as in these genera or universal such as in Amanita muscaria.

Answer: The cap

The pileus of a mushroom can be many different shapes, and all are described in many different ways for example 'umbonate' means the cap is pointed in the middle, and 'depressed' means the cap is sunken in in the middle.

Answer: The ring on the stipe, remnant of the partial veil

When the mature gills break the partial veil, often they leave an 'annulus' on the stipe, which can be very obvious or only seen as a thin line of tissue, and is sometimes not seen at all.

Answer: Gills

The spacing and structure of the lamellae can be useful in identification, as well as checking if they are spotted or not. Sometimes lamellae can be forked, and sometimes there are very few lamella on a mushroom because they are widely spaced apart.

Answer: Gills

The spores of a mushroom are extremely useful in identification. They can be collected by taking a small piece of the gill and examined under a microscope. Often a spore print is also done to check the spore colour, which is usually the starting point for identification.

Answer: Cup-like structure at the base of the mushroom

The volva is a remnant of the universal veil, and is well known as a characteristic of Amanita species.

Answer: Vegetative, thread-like hyphae

Mycelia are vegetative, collections of thread-like hyphae. When the weather gets colder, they produce fruiting bodies, which we know as 'mushrooms' for sexual reproduction.

Answer: Pores or teeth

Mushrooms with pores on the underside of the cap are known as 'boletes'. Toothed fungi with teeth on the underside of the cap are known as...toothed fungi.

Answer: Agaricales

Some scientists also use 'Agarics' for short as a slang term. Or slang by scientific standards anyway. Hope you enjoyed my quiz!